Warning: if you are fans of Dynaheir, you probably won't like this chapter.
oxoxoxoxoxo
Meg was sleeping peacefully next to her beloved knight, when she heard a soft, kind voice calling her. She opened her eyes and found herself on the top of a mountain, on the cold rock, "What...Where am I?", she asked nobody in particular, standing up. "You are in my realm, my faithful priestess", the voice that had woke her up came again, but this time she saw the man it belonged to: he was short and a bit burly, with a balding head and a kind smiling face and he wore only a white loincloth, his body covered in wounds and bruises.
"My Lord!", the young woman knelt and bowed her head, having recognized Him immediately, "What do you ask of me? What can I do to serve you?". Ilmater gently touched her shoulder, "Please, rise. I am not here to ask anything of you". She rose to her feet and blinked, worried, "I...My Lord, why did you summon me here then? Have I displeased you in any way?". The Crying God shook His head, "No, you have not, do not fear, dear child. I summoned you to my home because someone asked for me to arrange this meeting", He turned and gestured to someone behind Himself and two figures came forward: one was a male Half-Elf with brown hair and dark brown eyes, the other one was a dark-skinned Human woman wearing purple mage robes.
The Painbearer's heart skipped a beat, "Daddy! Dynaheir!", she rushed into Khalid's open arms and hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks, "Oh, daddy, forgive me...I am sorry, I am so very sorry!", she sobbed. He returned her hug, stroking her back comfortingly, "Shush, my child", he murmured, "There is nothing to forgive, for there is nothing you're at fault for". "But you died because...". "Because the wizard had one of his Golems break my neck", he cut her off gently, "Not because of you, my dear".
She dried her cheeks with her hands and a thought hit her, "Your speech... ". Khalid's eyes sparkled with amusement, "Ah, yes, I don't stutter anymore: when I reached Arvanaith, my spirit was freed of any impediment, you see. It's a positive side-effect of being dead. Don't feel sad for me, my darling child: I am at peace now and I watch over you and my beloved Jaheira from here". The young woman sniffed, but her lips curved in a small smile, "I'm glad of hearing it. I was afraid you might resent me for your death", she said and he shook his head vehemently.
"Never! You are my precious daughter and I could never feel anything other than love for you", he reassured her, his own smile warm and kind as she remembered it. "Thank you, daddy", Margaret Dawn hugged him again, then she turned to hug Dynaheir, but the Rashemi woman took a step back. "Nay, Meg". The Ilmatari's face fell, "You hate me, don't you? I'm sorry, Dynaheir, I…". "I do not hate thee", the Wychlaran said, "But I don't think it's appropriate for thee to grant me thy affection". Meg frowned, confused, "Why shouldn't I? We're friends".
"I doubt thou will still consider me a friend after learning the truth. I was sent from my homeland to the Sword Coast to find thee and to travel with thee long enough to obtain thy trust, Meg. But once thou hast trusted me enough, my orders were to convince thee to follow Minsc and I to Rashemen, where the othlor would have enslaved thee, to use thee as a tool against the nation of Thay". The Painbearer gaped, shocked at hearing those words, "But-but I thought that we were friends…".
Dynaheir didn't even bat an eyelid, "Thou were wrong. I had orders and...". "Edwin had orders too, but he infringed them to protect me!", the younger woman snapped, her shock quickly turning into anger, "He never intended to bring me to Thay and just stand there watching while his superiors enslaved me!". The witch arched an eyebrow, "Truly, he did defy his superiors for thy sake? How unfortunate that I died before having completed my task, then: it would have been much easier, when the one sent by the enemy was such a soft-hearted fool".
"You really don't give a damn about me, do you? I'm just a tool and nothing else in your eyes". She shrugged carelessly, "Thou art a Child of Bhaal, a powerful weapon to use against our enemies. And thy capture would have brought me riches, prestige and the rank of othlor". "Minsc didn't know, though, did he?". She snorted, her face twisting with contempt, "Minsc is nothing but a big idiot and were it up to me, I would have long ago had him sent to the mines, where his strength would have at least been useful for something. Truly, thou may care about him, but he is no different from a pack mule, or an ox to drag the plough", she spat.
Margaret Dawn started as if slapped, "Sweet Lord Ilmater...I...I had no idea you were such a cruel, heartless bitch! Now I don't feel any guilt at all for your death anymore!". Another shrug, "I care not for thy opinion, or anyone else's at that. I am a Wychlaran and Wychlaran can do no wrong". "Go away, you monster!", the Ilmatari snarled, but bitter tears filled her eyes as she huddled against Khalid in search of comfort, "I don't want to see you ever again!". "So be it", the witch curled up her nose and walked away, looking like an indignant queen who'd just been insulted by a peasant.
Ilmater smiled at His priestess, "There are two more people who asked to see you, my child. Will you meet them?". Meg nodded, though she inwardly braced herself, fearing that the next encounters could be as unpleasant as the last one. The Crying God gestured to His left and two men walked up to them: one was a strikingly beautiful Sun Elf, who had long golden hair framing a delicate face with high cheekbones, slightly slanted clear blue eyes and a radiant smile and carried himself with confidence; the other was a handsome Moon Elf, with shoulder-length curly black hair and grey eyes, whose lips were curved in a shy smile.
"Hello, Margaret Dawn", the Sun Elf greeted the Painbearer and she blinked. "Hello to you too, gentlemen. Forgive me, but I don't recall having met either of you, though your voice sounds familiar enough". The two men exchanged a smile and the Moon Elf took another step forward, bowing slightly. "It is a pleasure to meet you again, kind lady: my name is Rielev and I owe you my freedom".
"Rielev?", she frowned, scanning every inch of her memory for the face matching the name, but the only Rielev she could think of was...She gasped, "Oh my Gods! You...You are the man I killed in the dungeon!", she whispered, horror and guilt gnawing at her heart. He shook his head, "Please, do not feel guilty for my fate: I asked you to put an end to my life, because I wanted to be free from that nightmarish half-existence. I am here now to thank you for granting my wish, for giving me the freedom I so much craved and allowing me to reach Arvanaith at last".
"Uh, you're welcome", the priestess replied, still struggling to reconcile the idea that this attractive young man had once been the 'thing' in the glass tube, then she turned to the other stranger, "And what about you, sir? Did I kill you too?". The Sun Elf's smile turned mischievous, "I guess I was not all that memorable, if you have already forgotten about me in so short a time", he gave an exaggerate sigh, dramatically placing a hand on his forehead, "Ah, what a stab this is to my pride!". "Oh, I, uhm...Sorry?".
He chuckled under his breath, "Do not worry, I was joking. Does the name Irenicus ring a bell?". Meg's eyes went as wide as dinner plates, "Jon? But how...You are so...So...", she stammered, biting her tongue to avoid saying 'so damn hot' out loud. "So different?", Joneleth said, "I know. After I relinquished my claim on your soul, Lord Ilmater took care of my own soul, or what was left of it and my spirit was transported here in Martyrdom, where I was given the chance to be free from my curse at last. As I healed, my form changed in accord to the changes in my soul, until I became once again as I had been back when I was Joneleth of Suldanesselar".
Ilmater nodded, coming to stand beside him and putting a hand on his shoulder, eyes shining with quiet pride, "Joneleth has shown true repentance and regret for his past actions and he has earned a place here in my home". The Painbearer beamed, "But this is wonderful! Congratulations!". The man who once was Irenicus took her hands in his, "Thank you, Margaret Dawn. If you had not pressed me to turn to Lord Ilmater before the end, I would be in the Abyss now, condemned to an eternity of pain and despair".
She shook her head, "Nah, don't thank me: you decided on your own to do it and you earned on your own a place in Martyrdom, so really, the only ones you should thank are our Lord and yourself". He laughed, a pleasant velvety sound that sent a warm tingle through her, "All right, then, enough talking for now. We will meet again when your time comes anyway". "Hopefully not so soon. Uh, no offence meant, my Lord", the young woman hastily added, turning to her patron deity, "I will be happy and honored to join you here, but I still have a lot to do down there and...".
"No offence taken, child, I know what you meant. And now, I will let you go back to your beloved knight", the Crying God shot a look at the pocket plane, where Anomen was sleeping peacefully with Meg's body held securely in his arms, "Helm has recently told me that He's very proud of His young follower, you know? Of course, He won't just go and tell him openly", Ilmater added with a sigh, "He's too reserved for His own good sometimes. Maybe you can deliver the message for Him? I'm sure Anomen will be happy to know it".
"He most certainly will, yes. Thank you so much, my Lord, for this meeting". "You're welcome". She hugged Khalid one last time, "Goodbye, daddy. I love you". "Goodbye, my child", the Half-Elf held her tightly for a moment, before taking a step back, "Take care of yourself and of my Jaheira". "I will. Jon, Rielev, it has been a joy to see you again in better circumstances". Rielev bowed, "Likewise, my lady. I wish you luck in the upcoming war".
Joneleth grinned, "Damn, he stole my line! Now I will look like a copycat. Oh, well, I suppose I will just have to endure this pain, no?", he winked and she laughed, "Good luck, Margaret Dawn. And thank you, for everything". "You're welcome. And by the way, after all we've been through, I think you should just call me Meg". "Meg it is, then. Goodbye".
Ilmater raised a hand and placed it on the Painbearer's forehead, "Sleep well, child", He said softly and with a blinding flash of light, He sent Meg's spirit back. She awoke slowly and a sweet smile curved her lips as she saw Anomen lying next to her and felt his arms around her waist, He looks even more beautiful when he's relaxed, she thought and snuggled closer to him, dozing off again.
oxoxoxoxoxo
Othlor:it's the highest rank among the hathran, or Wychlaran. In Rashemen, it is considered as undeniable truth that a member of the Wychlaran can do no wrong. Her word is law and disobedience is punishable by death.