General disclaimer: I own nothing, even Maiyn generally decides her own path.
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Travels South
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The seven companions huddled around the table by the roaring fire. Montaron was nursing a large mug of ale, lost in his own thoughts. Xzar was humming merrily as he sorted through his spell components; he was the only one of them showing any sign of good humour. Imoen and Garrick were looking serious, staring at their drinks and unwilling to break the silence with any chatter. The mindless flirting they had subjected the others to earlier had been forgotten for now.
Jaheira and Khalid were exchanging concerned glances quite regularly. The druid still held the piece of paper they had received from the dwarf. Occasionally their gaze fell to Maiyn, who seemed completely oblivious to everyone else. Her gaze was firmly fixed on the dancing flames of the fire, and had been for since she had read the note.
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"We need to rest," said Maiyn firmly, after letting the others know that Garrick would be accompanying in his unemployment. "Look - there's an inn right here. Why don't we check it for rooms?"
So they did. The inn was called the 'Red Sheaf', and its smoky atmosphere was filled with rather rough looking clientele. Most of them were busy with their own debates and discussions, but the ranger was not completely unaware of the leering glances she received from some of the older customers. Maiyn did her best to ignore them, trying to hide her displeasure as she tried to push her way towards the bar, when a dwarf had caught her arm.
She shook him off distractedly and without a second thought, checking behind her to note that Khalid had managed to keep up; the others were stuck outside as Xzar had stopped dead inside the doorway, seeming to try his hand at meditating.
"You're at the end of your rope, I'll wager," said the dwarf who had grabbed her. "Not that it's anything personal you understand but I'm afraid your time on this here ball of mud is just about done."
Maiyn looked at him blankly. She was too busy trying to figure out how to make Xzar move so the others would be able to get in; or more importantly, so that some of the patrons could get out without having to stab him first.
"I'm sorry, I don't follow," she said airily, wishing the stranger would just go away, wondering if she should go back to move the errant necromancer herself.
"I'm sayin'," the dwarf sighed, disappointed that his attempt at prose had been so easily overlooked, "that it's time for your life to end."
Maiyn froze, and turned her gaze slowly back to him. Suddenly she was actually hearing his words. "But why? What have I done to you?"
"You've done nothing to anyone, far as I know," said the dwarf simply, with a shrug. "Don't matter a whit to me. A price is a price, and a head is a head, and whenever the two meet, there's old Karkat makin' his living! Like I said, it's nothing personal."
Karkat then swung his axe at the elf, despite the rather crowded surroundings. Khalid had noticed what was happening, and managed to pull Maiyn back so she was well out of the dwarf's reach, and he pushed her towards the door. She ran as fast as she could, pushing her way past the growing crowd who wanted to see the tavern brawl. The half-elf had stayed back, trying to hold up the dwarf, who merely ducked past the stance and made after his quarry.
Maiyn somehow managed to get to the door, and she gave Xzar an almighty shove to get him out of the way. When she had got past him, she bolted down the steps from the first floor entrance, almost knocking Imoen off her feet.
"Come down, come down!" she'd yelled.
The dwarf appeared at the top of the stairway, bumping into Xzar as he tried to make his way to the steps with Khalid in close pursuit.
"Don't TOUCH me!" screamed the necromancer, reciting a quick cantrip that set the dwarf's beard on fire. Montaron howled with laughter at the sight, and the panicking dwarf managed began beating at his chest, trying to extinguish the flames.
Montaron's subtle trip caused Karkat to tumble down the stairs, which somehow managed to extinguish the fire but daze the dwarf. Jaheira and Khalid grabbed him, confiscating his weapon and quizzed him on his intentions. He had reluctantly handed them a piece of parchment, and slunk off when they told him he would not be so lucky as to live if it happened again.
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Now they were in Feldepost's Inn; Maiyn had snatched the paper from Jaheira's hands and insisted they find another tavern. They had paid for rooms for the evening, and come back downstairs after dropping off their belongings to read the letter. Only it was less a letter, and more a bounty notice offering 200 gold pieces for Maiyn's head.
"Who would want you dead?" asked Garrick, breaking the silence.
Maiyn didn't even acknowledge him, so Imoen filled him in on their adventure so far. He said nothing, but nodded when she finished, and went back to staring at his mug.
"Did Gorion say nothing to you about possible attacks?" Jaheira's normally sharp tone was much gentler than usual, and she looked to the elf with concern.
Maiyn shook her head sourly, her eyes still firmly fixed on the fire.
"Well, we m-must keep an eye out," said Khalid firmly. "Whoever has p-placed this bounty, they are n-not law enforcers, and it is likely it is the same m-man as who attacked Gorion and yourself before."
Imoen leaned over and gave Maiyn a hug, which was enough to pull her gaze from the flames. She returned the embrace, and smiled fondly to her human friend, shaking herself slightly as she tried to break off her melancholy thoughts.
"'Ere now, get out! I don't like your type in here!"
Maiyn sighed, and looked up to see an angry looking man glaring at them and pointing at the door. She wasn't sure what they had done to offend the stranger, but after all that had happened that day, she found herself struggling to form a diplomatic answer. Before she managed to find one, however, another voice had piped up.
"Why for?" asked Montaron angrily. "Bar's free to all! Even let ye dung-stinkin' grub-farmers in!"
Maiyn glared at Montaron; a glare like no other before, and even the halfling could see the venom packed into it.
"Shut up, runt!" she hissed to him, before removing her glare, and turning to the man with a much softer gaze. "I'm terribly sorry about my friend here," she apologised. "He sometimes has... language difficulties."
The man didn't look as if he could care about the lingual skills of a halfling. "I told you to get lost! Ain't no room here for you trouble makin' strangers!"
"There's no need to get all bent out of shape," said Maiyn simply, "there's plenty of bar for us all, and we don't mean to bother anyone else in here."
"Hey!" the man exclaimed, outraged at the implication he could be told what to do by strangers. "I take whatever shape I want! I'm sick of you freakish adventurers going out, consortin' with gods know what, and draggin' your trouble back to my home town! What do you say to that!"
Maiyn stared at him, wondering why everyone in this town wanted to pick a fight with her. The rest of the group were staying silent, watching with obvious interest, except for Montaron who was visibly sulking. "I..." she began, searching for words. "I have nothing really to say to that, sir. I am new to the road, and I have only ever done what I thought was right - and that's all I intend to do."
"Oh, you go dancin' around the point, don't ya?" raved the man. "You mess up the local economy with your treasure, you upset the balance of nature-"
Jaheira coughed quite pointedly at this, and the man was slightly thrown as he looked over to the stern half-elf.
"You... yes... you... er", he stammered, trying to remember where he was, and avoiding Jaheira's piercing gaze. "Yes! You flash your magic around, and because of that, because of all of it, maybe somebody's son thinks it's fun, and goes out and gets himself killed! It's a bad example, and somebody outta sort you out!"
"Hold on!" said Maiyn, standing up abruptly, so the man drew back hastily. "Everybody goes on their own path, and I'll not be held accountable for what the Fates deal!"
"He was a good boy 'til your kind came through town! Filled his head with nonsense they did, and because of it he's dead! Now why shouldn't I take that out of your hide?"
"Did you ever stop to think that maybe I didn't choose this path for myself? That maybe I'm in this position through necessity, not choice?" Maiyn was almost shouting now, and Jaheira and Khalid were looking ready to stand up and intervene if necessary. "If you knew him like you think you did," continued the elf, "then ask yourself if he wouldn't have gone anyway. To some it's a calling, or something you're born with, the Fates decide it for you, whatever! Nobody gives it to you!"
"'Tain't true!" wailed the man. "He was going to take over the farm and settle down. Maybe apprentice with Thunderhammer during the winter. He never wanted to adventure..."
Another figure slowly approached the table, and put his hand on the man's shoulder. "That was what you wanted Marl," he said gently. "Fun's fun, but yer blamin' these folk fer what couldn't be helped. That boy was a fireband if ever there was."
"No," sobbed Marl, "He was settling down! He wanted... he wanted..."
"That new plough you got," continued his friend softly. "The one you bought last year. He got the gold by helping clear kobolds near Ulgoth's Beard. He wanted to make a difference, make these Realms a bit safer, just like these folks most likely."
"By Chauntea, why couldn't he just stay at home?" The man looked helplessly at Maiyn, and she suddenly felt a huge surge of sympathy for him.
"The Realms call, and you go." Her voice was kind, and she extended her hand to pat the man's arm. "He sounds a fine lad, taken too soon, but doing what he was meant to do. If you'll suffer our company, I'll gladly buy a round and toast his memory with you."
"'T'would be fitting, I guess," nodded Marl, taking a seat offered to him by Khalid. Maiyn fetched drinks from the bar with the help of his friend, Dunkin, and together they toasted the fallen.
"To Kennair Nethadin," said Marl sombrely. "Rest ye well!"
"Rest ye well," chorused the others, before finishing their drinks. Marl then stood, and shook the elf's hand before leaving without another word.
"Well, tis the calmest I've seen him in weeks," remarked Dunkin standing. "Thank ye for keeping yer patience with him."
After the men had gone, Jaheira and Khalid went to see about getting some food. As he passed, Khalid patted Maiyn's shoulder, and smiled approvingly at her. Montaron took the opportunity of their absence to kick Maiyn under the table - however, he only managed it because he was sitting next to her. She raised an eyebrow at him.
"Hey Maiyn, now look ye here-" he started.
"No, you look." Maiyn decided it was about time she put her foot down properly. "We've got a job to do, and we don't need acres of dead locals complicating it, right?"
The halfling scowled. "Without sayin' yer wrong there, ye could've been politer about it."
Maiyn sighed in an exasperated way. "Okay my little friend, let me put it this way. Would your temper have heard anything politer?"
Montaron paused, obviously considering this. His scowl faded away, and was replaced by a highly mischievous grin. "Heh. Ye gotta point there. I'll gives ye that un fer free then."
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Khalid awoke the next morning to find Jaheira already dressed, and sitting by the window.
"I am worried about the letter," she said quietly, not even turning to check he was awake. She just knew.
"I know d-dear," Khalid replied, as he got dressed. "We expected something like this to h-happen though."
Jaheira nodded and sighed. "Do you think Gorion told Maiyn anything about her past? She seems to be very carefree, and I am beginning to doubt she understands the danger she may be in."
"I think G-gorion was most likely w-waiting to get to the Friendly Arms," said Khalid. "He had h-hinted that he would t-tell her on her twentieth birthday, and that was the d-day they left."
"But then he died before he had the chance." Jaheira murmured a small prayer to Silvanus for Gorion's spirit. "Now it is up to us to inform her."
"I d-don't think the time is right," said Khalid thoughtfully. "While she allows us to accompany her, she is q-quite safe. We should let her d-discover herself before we confuse her with her p-past."
Jaheira looked unconvinced, but nodded. Together they made their way downstairs.
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Montaron looked at the sleeping mage, and knew he should untie him before he woke up. He was getting rather tired of having to tie the necromancer to the bed each night, but it was a lot less hassle than wakening up to find Xzar dangling from the windowsill, or even having completely vanished. Still, they were on their way to Nashkel now, and soon this particular mission would be over. Maybe then they'd return to Zhentarim, and Montaron could enjoy spending the gold he'd managed to acquire over the past few months.
The halfling quickly removed the ropes from the mage, and then sat back down in the large armchair in the corner of the room. He wasn't sure what he made of their companions yet. He had caught the two half-elves looking at him more often than was necessary, and he knew better than to trust them. Something about them had made him wonder if they were affiliated with the Harpers, but even if they weren't, he'd have to keep a careful eye on them. He couldn't risk them hurting Xzar before they finished their pursuit.
The young bard had only been with them a short while, and the halfling had no real opinion on him. Airy-fairy, Montaron muttered to himself, wondering again what the point was of having someone to sing a sing when there was blood-shedding to do. The two young girls had aroused his curiosity. They were obviously not used to the travelling life, their naivety shone through in their actions, the way they chatted freely and animatedly as they walked through the forests, for example. He recognised the human as a fellow thief almost immediately; her elegant poise and charming smile made her a natural rogue, if inexperienced.
Her elven companion was a bit more mysterious. She seemed to be a ranger, to all intents and purposes, her skill with a bow was undoubtedly fine, and her ease at moving through the woods seemed instinctive. She had a close bond with the human, but seemed wary of everyone else, and her skills at leading were still in their most basic stages. Despite this, she had managed to guide them so far, and he had found himself respecting her words to him the previous evening. Not many others got to talk to him like that. Aye, she's not too bad, that one, he thought to himself, smiling slyly.
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Imoen awoke to see the sunlight streaming into the window of the bedroom. She grunted and rolled over sleepily, almost knocking Garrick to the floor. This caused her to sit up with a start, and she looked down at the grinning bard. A quick check at the rest of the room revealed they were alone. Maiyn was meant to share the room with them, but her bed looked as if it had not been slept in.
"Where's Maiyn?" she asked, but Garrick merely shrugged. "She didn't come to bed?"
"I guess not," said Garrick lazily, stretching his arms, then reaching up to pull Imoen closer to him. "Lucky for us I guess, otherwise she might have walked in at the wrong time..."
Imoen matched his mischievous grin. The ale they'd sampled last night had left her quite merry indeed, but she could clearly remember the activities that had followed when Garrick had got her back to their room.
"She said she was going to meditate a while, if I remember clearly," continued Garrick, his brow creasing as he thought back to the evening. "I think she said she'd follow us up later, but if she did we must have already been asleep."
Imoen nodded, and got dressed quickly. She told Garrick to get his stuff together, and went downstairs where she found Jaheira and Khalid sitting at a table. They wished her a good morning, and asked how she'd slept.
"I slept fine," she said, flushing slightly. Khalid noticed her reddening, and just chuckled, while Jaheira's frown increased.
"Has Maiyn awoken yet?" asked the druid.
Imoen shuffled her feet and explained the unused bed. The druid cursed, and sprang up from her chair, saying she would look around the town. Khalid tried to get her to come back, but the female half-elf ignored him, and only stopped when she got to the door and came face to face with the ranger.
"Where have you been, child?" Jaheira snapped.
Maiyn gave her a look which spoke volumes. "I went for a walk," she said simply, and wandered past to sit down beside Imoen.
"Imoen said your b-bed didn't look as if you'd slept in it," said Khalid to her, gently.
Maiyn looked at him in surprise. "But I had," she shrugged. "I left Imoen and Garrick to go to bed before me last night, and I went outside to the back of the inn for a short while to meditate and pray since I missed the chance at dusk. I got a little carried away I guess, because I seemed to be there for ages, but then I came in, and went up to the room."
Imoen shifted uncomfortably, but Maiyn didn't seem to notice.
"It was dark," she said, "so I didn't bother lighting a candle, and I didn't need to anyway. The other two were asleep, so I just went to bed, and I woke up just as dawn was breaking again. So I went for a walk."
"You must be careful when you go out on your own," said Jaheira shortly, but said no more when she saw Khalid's warning look. Maiyn just shrugged again, and ordered some breakfast.
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Nashkel managed to surprise Maiyn by being even smaller than Beregost. It seemed to consist of one main road that led beyond the bridge they were about to cross. Buildings lined the route, and Maiyn could see a graveyard not far down, suggesting the presence of a local temple. Trees grew freely between the homes, boxes and barrels sitting outside in the sun, unattended but safe from thieves due to the strong presence of both the Amnish guard and Flaming Fist troops. One guard stopped them as they crossed the bridge into the town, as Jaheira had warned them may happen.
"Identify yourselves!"
"We are er... the party of Maiyn?" the elf ventured.
The guard's mouth curled into a suppressed smile, recognising the hesitation of an inexperienced leader. "State your business in this town."
"We are here to see the mayor," Maiyn said, relaxing at a question she knew the answer to. "He is expecting two members of my party, Xzar and Jaheira. We are at the disposal of the town while we stay here," she added, hoping it sounded professional.
"Welcome... Party of Maiyn," grinned the guard. "I am Bardolan of the Amnish Guard. If you are here to help resolve our troubles, we extend our warmest greetings. Things have not been good here for some time now."
Maiyn raised an eyebrow. "Regarding the iron crisis?" she asked as she walked alongside him further into the town. "I know a little of it, and the problems relating to your mine, but I have only heard rumours and vague suspicion as to the causes."
"Aye, well," Bardolan sighed. "Our iron is rotten and there's talk of demons in the depths. The lower levels are all but abandoned until this crisis passes, and well, with all the miners disappearing... Then there's Commander Brage. Ack! They stripped that title from him, but here I am still using it."
"Commander Brage?" asked Maiyn.
"Aye, he killed his wife and children one night, in a blind rage seemingly. Then he killed all who saw him, and broke for the hills. He is out there still, and still we mourn, as much for him as for those he's taken." The guard stopped and wiped at his eye quickly. "Fie on you now! You've brought tears to the eyes of a soldier! On with you!"
The party left his company, heading towards the large townhouse that Khalid pointed out to meet with the mayor. He recognised Xzar immediately in the group, but his expression only displayed relief when his eyes rested on Jaheira and Khalid. He quickly recounted the problems they were having with the mine to the companions for the benefit Maiyn and Imoen.
"You probably already know part of our problem," he said, after the introductions were out of the way. "The iron shortage has crippled the coast and our mine is pretty much at the centre of it. Miners go missing all too often, and what ore we do manage to get out is tainted and worthless. Clearing the mine will not solve all our problems, but it would be a start, and it's the start we seek from yourselves."
Maiyn nodded to him. "We will help as best as we can, and will go to the mine as soon as possible." Her tone was confident, her manner assured, and the mayor smiled to her.
"Thank you," he said sincerely. "You will be the toast of the town if you can help."
