Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 2

The warm welcome

They arrived at the Friendly Arm Inn just as the last rays of the sun disappeared in the West. The ominous stone keep towered over the trees and the girls paused for a moment to take the scene in. In hushed tones, Elene told Imoen that she had read about this place before, that it was once a temple dedicated to an evil god before The Time of Troubles. Since then, adventurers cleared it out and turned it into a popular inn. Kivan had heard of a similar story – in his case, the origins of a place never concerned him, only its existing function mattered.

Walking up to the well-lit drawbridge, one of the guards stationed there nodded to Kivan. Although the ranger made his living in the wilderness, he came to the Friendly Arm often enough that he had become somewhat familiar to the people there. Not many elves plied this route, after all.

"You know the rules of this establishment, Master Elf," the guard said. "Make sure your companions follow them as well."

Kivan nodded. The Friendly Arm had a well-known no fighting and no crime rule. Based on what he had seen thus far, he doubted either girl would have the capacity to break either rule. The girls exchanged curious looks at the guard's remark but followed him without comment.

The interior of the fortress walls consisted of a hamlet with small, thatched buildings scattered across. A handful of men and women were out and about even as the day darkened, tending to various chores. The atmosphere was unhurried, quaint even – reminding Elene somewhat of Candlekeep during evening bell. The place looked nothing like the temple of an evil god. Glancing about, she decided that she quite liked the place.

Imoen tugged at her arm, a smile on her lips. She was excited, Elene could tell. Like her, Imoen had never left Candlekeep since childhood. Unlike her, however, Imoen had always wanted to see the outside world. Elene would have been reasonable happy to be a scribe in Candlekeep for the rest of her days.

"The inn is further inside," Kivan said. He glanced at a trio of guards conversing by the stables, spotting a familiar face. Here was the opening for him to collect information on possible allies for his mission. Although he'd frequented the place enough times, he'd never tried to companions before. He reached out for a parting handshake. "I take my leave of you now. May you find the friends you seek."

Elene stepped up to him and clasped his hand with both hands. Although he'd initiated it, he nearly flinched at the contact, the first touch he had received from another person in what seemed like years. "Thank you for getting us here. We probably wouldn't have made it otherwise. How can we ever repay you?"

"By staying alive," he said simply.

She huffed a small laugh and nodded at him, releasing his hand.

"Bye, Kivan. Hope we meet again someday!" Imoen waved at him.

With quick smiles, they parted ways. The girls ventured further into the courtyard of the keep while Kivan approached the guard captain for the Friendly Arm in search of information. At the back of his mind, he hoped that they could keep out of trouble until they had found the right people.

"Hail, Captain Garth," he greeted the guard captain. "The eve finds you well, I trust."

The man nodded at him - a stocky, weather-beaten man who looked at home in chainmail armour. They clasped each other's forearms in a warrior's handshake. While hunting bandits was grisly work, it had won Kivan some respect around these parts.

"Elf, good to see you again. Those who venture out in the wilds these days usually don't come back in one piece," Captain Garth replied grimly. "What brings you back so soon? I swear you were just here two tendays ago."

Kivan felt no need to mention escorting the girls to safety, so he went straight to the point. "I seek information on traveling companions."

"Tough odds on the road, I take it." The Captain gave him a thoughtful look. "Companions, you say. Funny you should ask, there have been a number of strangers showing up of late, all looking for some trouble or other. A week ago, a halfling and a wizard came through." He huffed dryly. "Trouble all over, those two, but be glad that you missed them. One of our guests were found dead the day those two left the Inn."

"About the people who are still here…let's see. There's a bard over in the taproom, seems to be the adventuring sort. Reckon Bentley is gonna run that bard out of here in a couple of days, the way that fella's been behaving." Garth stroked his chin. "Two travellers showed up naught but three days ago. Man and woman, some kind of elf folk. Good friends with Bentley, looked like. They keep to themselves but look to be decent enough."

"Then there's that fella Tarnesh, came up to the inn yesterday. Competent-looking, I suppose, if a bit greasy. Keeps bothering the women here, asking their names and where they came from and such. If you can look past that, he may be in with a shout for what you need. My boys suspect he's a mage of some sort."

Kivan frowned, reminded of the ambush Elene mentioned, the strange old man on the road who seemed to know her. "Why does he keep bothering the women?"

"Looking for someone, maybe," Garth shrugged. "Look, he hasn't caused any trouble so far, so we leave him be. The women complain, though."

The elf was barely listening. He was struck by a sudden, ominous feeling. "Thank you for your time, Captain. I will keep your words in mind."

"Good luck with the hunt, elf," the Captain saluted him casually as he took his leave.

Kivan strode away, brisk steps in the direction the girls went. Not a moment too soon, as Imoen came barrelling out from around the corner, looking as though a demon was in pursuit. Kivan caught her by the arms and steadied her. Her auburn hair was dishevelled from the mad dash, her green eyes were wide and terrified.

"Imoen? Imoen, what's wrong?"

"No, please! It's gonna get me!" she squirmed out of his grasp and bolted towards the direction he had come from.

What in Shevarash's name…

Cursing, Kivan ran forward and skidded as he turned the corner. He spotted the trailing leg of someone disappearing into the darkened alley behind the Temple of Garl Glittergold. Unusually for this hour, there was no one else in sight, not even a single guard. His sharp elven ears caught the tell-tale sound of a magic blast, followed by a woman's cry. He drew his bow and stealthily made his way to the alley in pursuit.

He peered through the corner.

The alley was narrow and dim, just as he remembered it. It was too early in the night to be populated by drunks out to get fresh air, so the entire lane was quiet except for the sound of heavy breathing. Elene was on the ground with her back against a wall, panting like a wounded animal. A man was closing slowly on her - human, with dark hair and beard, garbed in dark robes. The poor lighting made it difficult to see the man's expression, but his intent was made clear when he drew a dagger from his belt.

"Nothing personal, you see," the man said, his voice cold. "I simply need proof of the deed."

With the threat clear, Kivan nocked his bow and aimed. At this range, it was child's play for him. He did not hesitate. The arrow hit the man in the temple, caving his skull and killing him instantly. Elene screamed and wedged herself closer to the wall as the lifeless body toppled over in front of her.

Wasting no time, Kivan jogged to close the distance. He dropped to his knees and deftly went through the dead man's possessions. Nothing of note except for a satchel strapped to his belt, which Kivan snatched before the guards or anyone else could claim it. Fastening the belt onto his own waist, he turned to assess his fellow elf.

Elene looked pale, skin almost ghostly in the gloom. Her gambeson was singed on the right side, emitting a slight smell of burnt leather. Likely the result of some magical attack, he suspected. While there was some relief in her posture when she recognised her rescuer, the raw fear in her eyes remained.

"Kivan, where is Imoen?" she stammered.

Kivan leaned forward and held her by the shoulders. "Calm, Elene. She should be safe in the courtyard. The guards will help her." He paused, sensing her trembling where his hands made contact. "You're safe now."

His quiet voice seemed to steady her. She nodded shakily, willing herself to believe his words. "I…he tried to kill me."

"Why?"

"He said," she grimaced as she looked up at him. "I look like someone he's searching for. I tried to brush him off, but he just raised his hand and then…I don't remember what happened. Next thing I know, I was on the ground."

Hearing footsteps approaching, Kivan motioned for her to wait and sat back on his haunches. Sure enough, two guards appeared from around the corner. He heard Elene sigh in relief when she saw that Imoen was with them, safe and sound, if somewhat shaken.

"Elene! Are you okay?" Imoen dashed ahead of the guards, embracing her friend in one swoop.

"Hey. I'm alright. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah. I don't really know what happened. I just suddenly came to near the stables and I brought the guards over." Imoen hugged her again. "I was so worried!"

Kivan stood and nodded to the approaching Captain Garth. "Captain."

The Captain walked over to the corpse resting on its side and turned it over with his foot. He whistled when he saw the full extent of the damage. "Nice shot," he nodded towards the corpse. "Mind telling me what happened here?"

"He attacked the girl in this alley." Kivan gestured to Elene. "Thought her an easy target."

Garth studied Elene with mild curiosity. "He had a thing for elves, eh? You alright, girl? What did he want with you?"

She swallowed, glancing at Kivan. "Nothing good, sir."

Kivan was thankful that one, she practically radiated innocence and two, she was quick on the uptake. The normally brusque guard captain seemed to accept her explanation at face value and decided to move on.

"Well, he won't be bothering anyone anymore. Thanks for taking care of it, Elf. Saves me the trouble of sending him to the brig in Beregost. 'Ere, Devin, get someone to help you get rid of this filth. Don't want it stinking up the place." Garth pulled Kivan close, whispering, "That's the fella Tarnesh I was telling you about." Then he turned and left without another word.

The guard accompanying the captain stepped forward to undertake the grisly clean-up. Imoen stared at the corpse, her skin almost as pale as Elene's. Despite it being dark, there was just about enough illumination to see what that arrow had done to Tarnesh.

"Are you wounded?" Kivan asked his fellow elf.

"Maybe some burns…nothing a good night's rest won't fix, I think."

Kivan offered his hand to Elene. She took it gingerly and grimaced as she wobbled back to her feet. Imoen was at her side in an instant and wrapped her arm around her friend. Wordlessly, the three of them made their way to the inn.