General disclaimer: I own nothing, even Maiyn generally decides her own path.
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Coran
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"S'nothin' that'd excite yersel," mumbled Montaron when Maiyn asked what the pair had been up to as they sat together in the large common room. She'd introduced Kivan and Minsc to the Zhents when they all gathered to eat, and Minsc was peering at Xzar with curiosity.
"Aaaaaieee!" shrieked the necromancer suddenly, causing everyone else to jump. "Stop touching me!"
"Nobody is touching the mad wizard!" exclaimed Minsc, gathering his hamster up, which had wandered slightly too close to the mage. "See, Boo is back in his pouch!"
"Yes, me crazy crazy crazy, me mad mad mad!" frothed Xzar. "Oh, sweet lollypop seeds that stuck in your teeth!"
"Eh...?" asked Minsc, puzzled, and looking down to his hamster. "Oh, I see, Boo. Minsc feels sorry for Xzar, because he too was mad before meeting you. Maybe some of your relatives could help him?"
"You were crazy, too?" Xzar grabbed Minsc's arm, and leant forward to look into the berserker's eyes. "Tell me, tell me... how did Boo manage to get rid of... ssshh, they mustn't hear us... Those⦠those dragons with feet like rabbits! They just keep coming, and coming... Aaaaaieee!"
"Hey!" cried Minsc, slapping the necromancer's hand, which had grabbed the rodent unceremoniously by the tail. "Let go of Boo! Keep your hands to yourself! Let go, or Minsc will crush!" Minsc didn't have a chance to defend his pet though, as Boo deftly flipped himself up, and bit the mage hard on the finger.
"Aaaaaaaieeee!" screamed Xzar, dropping the hamster into the ranger's hands. "Blood! Blooooooood!" The necromancer proceeded to shake his finger around, causing small drops to splatter on Imoen and Xan. Both looked disgusted, and moved away slightly.
"There!" roared Minsc, ensuring his hamster was okay. "See what you did? You forced Boo to show you his mighty warrior spirit! Yes, Boo, I know, this wizard's mind is even farther away than the stars you came from. Let's just leave him alone, shall we?" The ranger got up, and moved to sit at the other side of the table, closer to Maiyn and Montaron.
"Minsc is so lucky that Boo found him," said the berserker seriously, "or else Minsc might have ended like that. Thank you, Boo! Do you want some nuts?"
Maiyn grinned, and noted with amusement Montaron's expression as he regarded the human ranger. The halfling had evaded mentioning anything that he'd been up to since they parted ways with her group, and so Maiyn hesitantly began to mention how they'd met Minsc and Kivan, and their encounters with the bandits. Montaron seemed happy enough to listen, and she warmed to the telling, passing an enjoyable evening in his company as they went on to reminisce about the adventures they'd shared.
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Xan felt even gloomier than normal. Is it not bad enough, he thought, that we stumble from battle to battle, barely surviving? But now we have those... Zhents... in our companionship again.
He let out a huge sigh, and looked to his leader. Maiyn was fully caught up in her discussion with Montaron at the other side of the table, and was paying him no attention. A sigh to his right reminded him of Kivan's presence, and he observed his fellow elf quietly. The ranger had not spoke much to the group since he joined with them, other than to briefly explain the death of his wife to Tazok and his men. His guard duties with Maiyn had meant they had become close however, their profession being a common interest which obviously helped them to bond.
"Alas," Xan said quietly, "our enemies grow stronger every day, and occasionally they seem to even join with us. Surely, I shall never see Evereska again..."
Kivan glanced across the table towards the necromancer, then up to the halfling who was listening intently to Maiyn's lilting speech. "I admit, I am not overly keen on our leader's old 'friends'," he said in elvish with another sigh. "But... tell me of Evereska, mellonamin. Maybe it will distract us from our dark thoughts. It is a sweet name, the safe haven, the place which all of us wish to visit one day."
Xan snorted. "It pains me greatly to destroy your illusions, Kivan. Evereska is as doomed as our kin. Its fragile beauty shall be whipped away when the hordes of barbarians will kill its last defender."
"Our people are on wane, that is true, Xan," Kivan stated softly. "I do believe that Evereska will survive however."
"Elven destiny is sealed, Kivan," replied the melancholy enchanter. "The doomsday is closing, and I foresee that you and I, we are to witness the ultimate demise of our nation."
The ranger turned to the mage, and spoke gently. "Xan, our people have hope. I travelled long, and I saw how we doom ourselves by repelling those who wish us well. We shall not turn away from them, as we shall not turn away from the half-elven. Then there will be hope."
"You see hope in half-blood?" Xan's eyebrow arched at the mere thought of it. "Your delusions would be highly amusing, if only they were not so sad. This road you are so eager to take in your folly leads to the same destination, only with more twists and turns along the way. The blood will run thinner and thinner, and shall disappear in a generation or two. The doom is near."
Kivan shrugged. "Be as it may. I only hope that I live long enough to avenge my wife."
"You see it wrong, Kivan," said Xan. "Your wife is among the lucky ones who are spared the torture of knowing that they are the very last of their blood. Your cause is noble, but it is no less pointless than any other one undertaken in those inopportune times."
"One cannot choose his times; he lives and dies with them." Kivan leaned over and refilled both his and Xan's glasses with wine from the goblet that had been delivered to the table. He raised his own, and drank, falling back into a melancholy silence.
Such foolishness, sighed Xan to himself. When will our people learn?
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Imoen wondered when she would be able to go to her room without seeming impolite. She really wasn't keen on the company of the Zhents, but Maiyn was completely absorbed in her discussion with the halfling, and the necromancer had started giving her creepy looks again.
"My child, you've been ignoring me," he purred. "That is very unkind of you."
Imoen wept inwardly. "N-no, just ain't had much to say is all."
"Then heed me now, child," he whispered, leaning across the table towards her, acting covertly. "How many deaths do you bear within you?"
"Whew!" Imoen was quite relieved his question had actually made sense. She thought for a moment. "Just one quick, painless one, I hope."
"Truly?" Xzar leaned back, and eyed the young thief. "And what of the children you will someday have, and their children and theirs again? Consider this multitude, lining up before the pit of death, like gladiators in the arena." The necromancer took on a dreamy expression.
Imoen peered at him. "Are you tryin' to creep me out, Xzar? 'Cause you're doin' a great job of it."
"Oh." The mage was shaken from his trance, and looked at Imoen with some confusion for a few seconds. "Pass me my blue blankie, would you?"
"Erm," mumbled Imoen, recognising the familiar uncomfortable feeling she experienced whenever Xzar went odd. "I don't have it."
"Mummy says you do, and mummy never lies!"
"Look, I really don't have it!" Imoen stood up and extended her hands, turning on the spot to show she had no hidden blankie, or anything, on her possession. "And now I'm goin' ta bed!" She quickly wished a good night to everyone, and fled thankfully to the stairs. I really hope they're not rejoining us, she thought as she locked the door to her room when safely inside. I don't know if I can bear another few weeks travelling with that mage.
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Maiyn knew the others would be relieved when they left that morning without Xzar and Montaron. The halfling had finally admitted the pair were heading to Baldur's Gate, but would still not go into any details, despite her provision of ale to help loosen his tongue. Xan and Branwen had visited the Temple of Wisdom in the grounds of the Friendly Arms before they'd left. The priestess had sought some quiet time for prayer, and Xan had managed to pick up enough components for spells between the supplies of the inn and the temple. Maiyn promised that they would pass High Hedge when they next headed towards Beregost.
Kivan led the way west, and they soon entered the forest known as Cloakwood. The male ranger explained that it was a fairly large forest, but there was an old mine somewhere in the heart of it. Maiyn suggested that it sounded like a likely place for the Iron Throne to be utilising, and the others agreed. It was decided they would seek it out.
They'd barely got into the woods when they arrived outside a large manor house. It looked well tended, but Maiyn was in no mood to hang around, and she led them past, following the faint trail that led behind it.
"Wait, wait" cried a voice as they turned along the side of the home.
Maiyn sighed, but stopped and turned around, allowing the human male to catch them up. He was dressed like nobility, and looked somewhat out of place in the wild woods.
"You there, you could help me!" The fact that he didn't as much ask for their help, as demand it, didn't put him high on Maiyn's 'likely to aid' list. "I am Aldeth Sashenstar," he continued, a look of disdain at their unkempt appearance plastered across his face. "I am here with some friends - we are hunters from Baldur's Gate, but we have been having some issues."
Maiyn nodded to him, trying to ignore Kivan's snort when the man had described himself as a hunter.
The man went on. "One of our friends was murdered only yesterday by some ruffians, and we will pay you to defend us from their further attacks!"
The elf sighed. She looked quickly to her companions, but they were either caught in their own thoughts, or merely shrugged to her. She eventually opened her mouth to respond when the man shrieked.
"There they are!" He pointed to three approaching men. "They come, they come! Defend me!"
"We have returned Aldeth, as we said we would. We shall ask you again now, to leave these woods and never return." The leader of the strangers spoke directly to the noble as he approached, and only acknowledged Maiyn's companions after his initial words. "We have no quarrel with these others, and we would advise they walk away."
"This man says you killed his friend," said Maiyn simply, feeling suddenly weary.
"He did, did he?" The stranger's eyes gazed at her piercingly. "Did he also mention that his friend died as he attacked my druid companions, and it was in self-defence they reacted? That this man here was only lucky enough to escape with his life, because he and the others fled before we could turn our attention to them?"
Maiyn looked at the noble. "Is this true?"
Aldeth sputtered. "You would believe the words of these forest dwelling peasants?"
Maiyn glared back at him. "Yes, yes I would. I believe we have no business interfering here, and we shall be on our way."
"Wait! You can't just walk aw-" the noble began angrily.
"Oh, yes we can," replied Maiyn simply, before turning to the druids. "My name is Maiyn, and we shall bother you no longer. Good day."
The leader of the druids inclined his head to her politely. "I am Seniyad, and we are thankful of your actions in this matter. A word of caution if you intend to travel further into Cloakwood; there has been recent activity at the previously disused mine, and we believe bandits may be lurking within the trees. Should you manage to avoid them, you may also wish to be careful of the creatures. Foul beasts have moved into the forest and care while travelling is advised."
Maiyn thanked him and the companions returned to the path they were following, ignoring the panic of the noble they left behind.
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A river blocked their progress when they had passed the manor, and they travelled along by its banks until they saw a narrow bridge in the distance. Maiyn signalled for them to have a short rest, and the group thankfully dropped their packs, taking the time to sort out their equipment, eat, and relax.
Maiyn dropped her own pack and wandered closer to the river's edge, following it back upstream into the undergrowth and bushes they'd passed. When she was far enough away from her companions to have some peace, she stopped and sat down on the grass, hidden by the trees that grew between her and the track they'd followed. She let out a loud sigh, and relaxed her muscles, watching the water ripple past on its course. It's quite pretty here, she noted, looking across the river to the other bank. The trees were too dense for her to see far, but wildflowers littered the ground in abundance, adding colour to the scene, and she realised she herself had sat amongst a patch of daisies.
The sun was shining down brightly, and it was a perfect scene on a perfect day. Maiyn closed her eyes, letting the gentle bubbling of the stream run through her mind, clearing all her negative memories and enjoying her moments of solitude. She felt almost happy once more.
Then she felt the presence of another. She opened her eyes cautiously, and glanced to her side. A man was sitting next to her; she'd not even heard him approach, let alone sit down, and it was only her instinct that had alerted her. Her hand slowly moved towards her hilt; equipping her sword would be much faster than preparing her bow and backing far enough away for it to be effectively used.
With almost lightning reflexes the man's hand shot out, and stopped her arm from moving. He turned to look at her and smiled.
He's an elf, she thought, calming slightly, but remaining on guard. His face was daubed with green paint that surrounded his eyes, and covered his cheeks like a flamboyant mask, and his mop of brown hair fell untidily over his ears. A plain brown cloak covered the slightly gaudier colours of his cyan and pink tunic, and she could see a bow hanging across his back, along with the huge sword that hung from his belt.
"Forgive my rather forward actions," he said apologetically, in a lazy drawl. "One can never be too careful of strangers - even beautiful ones like yourself - especially when they seem to be looking to find their weapon."
Maiyn raised an eyebrow that clearly asked what he wanted.
The man looked at her with an amused expression. "I wish only to sit by you and admire the scenery."
She looked at him, but could see nothing but honesty in his face. She nodded, and his smile increased as he released his grip on her arm.
"I would assume you are with the others?" he asked, reclining back, and propping himself up on his elbows.
She nodded again, wondering how she could get away.
"Do you ever speak?" he asked, diverting his attention back to her from the flowing river. "Your companions are chatty enough, and they were the ones who told me you'd come this way."
She blinked. "You spoke to them?"
He laughed. "Ah, she does have a voice! Yes, my dear Maiyn - is that right? I spoke to them, as I am seeking companions to undertake a task with me of the greatest glory! Your large human friend seemed quite interested when I mentioned that, but the others insisted I find you, and ask you as their leader."
"We already have a task to complete," muttered Maiyn, standing up, and preparing to excuse herself. She wasn't happy about the thought of another delay.
The elf sprang lightly to his feet, and took her hand gently. "I ask only that you listen to what it is I have to say," he said smoothly. "Then you can tell me no if you wish to, and I shall leave you to your own business."
Maiyn sighed. "Go on then," she relented, somewhat bemused by his happy expression.
"I have been sent here by the High Priest Keldath Ormlyr of the Temple in Beregost," he said, his eyes twinkling at her in a distracting manner. "He spoke of problems on the roads here in Cloakwood, of dragons who were preying on travellers; but when I asked him for details he described vicious flying creatures with barbed tails - dragons do not have barbed tails, they are exclusive to wyverns, a much easier foe to dispose of!"
"I see..." said Maiyn.
"So now I seek companions to bring down this villainous creature before it can cause further harm - the priest has promised ample reward too, which I of course would share with anyone aiding me."
"We really need to-"
"His offer was two thousand gold pieces."
Maiyn felt her jaw dropping at the amount of money the elf spoke of, but she quickly composed herself. "I don't know," she said, still eager to find Tazok.
"If you accompany me for this, then I will promise you my sword and bow for whatever mission you are looking to undertake, should you wish it."
Maiyn looked at him, and again, his honesty showed on his face. She thought quickly.
"Do we hunt together?" he asked.
"We do," she replied at length. "But I would know your name, since you have been informed of mine."
"I am Coran Sullussaer of Tethyr!" the elf exclaimed brightly as he took her arm in his and escorted her to her companions, speaking of the flora and weather as they went to deny her the chance of any change of mind or protests.
"My new friends," he smiled to them, "your leader has agreed to aid me in my task, and I am gladdened to join your band!"
