„The Matters of Trust"

„There's one man in the second room, the first one looks empty. There could be more people hiding, but only if they knew we were coming and I don't think we've been spotted just yet. The man is unarmed, but keeps his weapons close enough to get them before we reach the room. The front doors are closed, but the lock isn't complicated and it shouldn't take us more than two minutes to get through." Daria was listening Yoshimo's report. The bounty hunter sneaked around the cabin, taking Nalia along, and they checked all the windows and doors for traps and made out as much as they could about the inside. Daria tried to foresee something, but failed miserably, and decided to give the 'traditional' methods a chance.

They were covered from the view, hidden behind a living wall of the forest, soaked after the rain, their captives kept in a Silenced area in case they tried to warn their target. None of them had a key to the front door and Yoshimo suspected the only one was kept by the owner of the house. He would act like that were he being hunted.

Daria was making plans for the assault. If everything went right further bloodshed could be avoided, but should anything go wrong, as it usually did, at least bloodshed of the party members' blood shouldn't take place. She could try to persuade the mage murderer to surrender, as he was vastly outnumbered, but something told her that a lone man attacking an organization like Cowled Wizards didn't hold much care for numbers. She could try bluffing that she would kill the captives, she took extensive lessons of lying from Imoen after all, but that depended on the type of person this Valygar was. He could care nothing for their lives.

"We should at least try to talk to this Valygar. If this doesn't work we'll do it the hard way." Would she behave like that were she not a Bhaalspawn? She tried to avoid killing more than seemed reasonable. Daria started to rearrange the formation. "I'll go in first taking Minsc along in case he tries to attack us on sight. We should have enough time to take positions inside the first room. Nalia and Yoshimo will look out for the windows on the other side of the cabin in case the killer tries to escape that way. Anomen, Jaheira – you're guarding the rangers. Xan, can you make sure they don't do anything unexpected?" The enchanter nodded looking everywhere but on her. Daria knew they had to talk openly about what troubles them, but it had to wait until they're done with the current business. "Mazzy, do you want to stay outside or go in?" The halfling paladin wasn't officially a part of their group, and she didn't have to listen to the leader, but Daria would rather have her inside, one more arm to lift the sword and one more head to think.

"I can help inside if you want me to" the small warrioress answered.

"Then you're coming in after Minsc." From what Daria learned while traveling with Ajantis, all paladins knew some sort of trick to recognize the evil in someone's heart. It wasn't a very precise ability since Ajantis never noticed the taint of Bhaal in her, even though there hardly could be anything more evil, but should be enough to determine whether the man inside is indeed the murderer they are looking for.

She threw a last look at the group, making sure she didn't forget about anything essential and said:

"We're going in." Minsc got up from the ground, making as much noise as practically possible. "…quietly."

***

It came out better than Daria could ever expect. They moved to the front door unnoticed and got past the lock, Yoshimo's lock picking skills left unchallenged, then Nalia accompanied him sneaking on the other side of the building to take watch over the windows. The noblewoman had problems with moving as silently as the bounty hunter, but wasn't loud enough to be heard inside the building, or at least she hoped so.

'Too easy to be true' Daria thought when the rest of the party got into the room without problems, Minsc and Mazzy taking places on both sides of the closed door leading into the remaining room in the cabin. Anomen and Jaheira led the half-elves, still silenced not to alert the resident of the house. The troubling question turned out to be 'what now?' She couldn't simply go and open the door – she would be immediately attacked. Letting Minsc do so would endanger him much more than she'd like. She considered using magic, but she didn't want to be identified as a mage just yet, before having a chance to talk. After all, she already removed her hood, not to be viewed as 'Cowled' and clad herself tightly in dark cloak covering what could be taken for mages robes, but was the only clothing she could find back in dungeon. Cloaked adventurers were common enough not to be equaled as magic users. The only remaining option was to invite the murderer politely to join them in where they were already set.

"Come out, we know you're there. We want to talk." Daria raised her voice to reach through the door. She knew she didn't have a voice of a leader and she sounded like a little girl playing mighty hero each time she tried to give commands, but it had its good sides, like being underestimated by the enemies all too often. Her companions got used to doing what she says without minding how it sounds by now. She gestured Minsc and Mazzy to step away from the doors. First she should do the talking. There could always be time for a bloody carnage in a closed space later.

They waited few silent seconds before the doors slowly opened and a man came out. Daria expected a self-important noble with a brand new rapier, and polished shoes, or at least a complete madman, but the reality didn't rise to her expectations. Valygar Corthala was a tall human, but not as tall as Minsc, with dark skin and always alerted eyes. He didn't look like a noble at all, a ranger to his bones, his posture showing constant alertness instead of pride widespread among the higher born. A sword he held in his right hand resembled the one used by Yoshimo, but looked twice as sharp, definitely not a toy used by a spoiled rich. A glitter she could observe on its edge betrayed it to be of magical nature. 'It seems his hatred doesn't go that far to stop him from getting the best weapon to kill his enemies.' Daria usually would think about it as of hypocrisy, but something in his stance, in his defiant stare made her feel only respect.

"Cowled Wizards or their slaves, I will not be your pawn" his voice was low and angry when he addressed them, making a tinge of fear join the respect the diviner felt. Valygar's eyes rested on her before glancing through the room, stopping shortly on two half-elves guarded by Jaheira and Anomen. Daria wondered what he was thinking. Was he looking for the third ranger, the one killed on the glade? Waiting for rescue? Where there any more of his companions in surrounding forest?

"We're here to arrest you for double murder you committed two weeks ago in Athkatla. Come with us and you will be given an honest trial." Daria tried to deafen her own voice screaming at her that this man is innocent, that she's leading him to death. She didn't know if it was her precognition, of did she simply couldn't believe someone like that being a cold hearted killer.

"Release them." His eyes returned to rest at her. "This doesn't concern them."

Daria shook her head slowly, never breaking eye contact. She felt respect, but didn't doubt she would die the exact moment she would lower her guard.

"They will be brought to Imnesvale and trialed for killing one of the villagers, who was supposed to lead us here." Daria knew by now that it's not a type of person to abandon his followers, but she didn't expect the fury she saw on his face, surprisingly not centered on her.

"I told you not to endanger any innocents!" Valygar focused his rage on their captives. "You're acting like mages, destroying everything on their path, caring only for their goals!"

'Now that is offending.' Daria had enough to be treated like that. Throughout the short time she spent outside Candlekeep she was already discriminated for her race, gender and heritage, and now this! Soon she would be frowned upon for breathing not the way she should or writing with left hand. 'No, not for that. I can't write yet' she recalled. Her fingers provided help as long as the simple runes were involved, curves and arcs of letters beyond her reach for now. 'Maybe there's some prejudice against that as well.'

"Being educated in the ways of magic doesn't make me a monster, you know?!" She straightly admitted to being a mage, but she was really irritated by now. 'Being a Bhaalspawn does' her internal 'traitor' part of mind added. She only composed herself noticing a slight change in the way Valygar was holding his weapon, the tip of the blade raising almost unnoticeably, his attention shifting from the half-elves.

"You will not drag me to this accursed Sphere as long as I live" his tone changed into even more threatening somehow. He was preparing to attack and Daria knew she wouldn't be able to avoid the first strike. She saw him moving with astonishing speed toward her, while she tries to back away, his blade like a flash, cutting through skin on her neck and blood pouring, covering all her world, drowning it in red. She blinked hoping he took the glint in her eyes for a trick of light. She stood as motionless as she could, not to provoke him.

"What sphere?" she asked, feeling her knees weakening after a vision.

He looked at her evaluating for what seemed an hour, but was indeed only few seconds. She knew she's playing with fire. He couldn't hope to win against them from his current position, but he could kill her before being brought down by her companions.

"Some time ago, in the middle of Athkatlan slums appeared a Sphere, a huge construction in a shape of an orb." He began with hesitation unfitting his unyielding stance. "It immediately brought attention of the Cowled Wizards, who tried to determine the source of this magical occurrence. They learned that it was built five hundred years ago, by a necromancer named Lavoc Corthala, my ancestor." Valygar stopped as if waiting for any reaction.

"My family was tainted with magic for generations, but Lavoc was infamous even among them. He was known for prolonging his life using blood of his descendants, a foul necromancy that lasted centuries. When the Cowled realized they can't reach inside the Sphere they tracked me down, the last living descendant of the Corthala family being their only chance to break inside."

"I was found in my estate in Athkatla and when I refused to work with…" he paused considering whether to say 'with them' or 'with you' and eventually said nothing. "I was attacked and managed to kill two of them before escaping. I hide in here since then." The dark-skinned man finished his tale.

Daria was told many times she was naïve and far too trusting, mostly by Jaheira and mostly just in case, but she did believe Valygar was not guilty, that he only acted in self defense. He was waiting for her response, tense and ready to attack every second. 'A tale for a tale' she decided.

"We were sent by a Cowled Wizard named Tolgieras, who promised to release my sister, imprisoned for illegal magic use, in exchange for finding you." Daria felt her heart breaking slowly, when she realized she couldn't do it, that she should lead this stranger and give his life for Imoen's freedom, that her sister was more important, but she couldn't. For a moment she wished he attacked them so she could kill him without feeling guilty. "I won't do it. What are your plans?"

"I was planning to return back to Athkatla after some time and enter the Sphere on my own. It's a vow of my family that Lavoc has to be killed. I have no interest in the Sphere itself and you could use it to bargain with the Cowled. I could use your help" Valygar said lowering his sword slowly. 'Was he really that trusting?' Daria knew that even she wouldn't ask people who burgled into her house and took her friends prisoners for help. 'No, he's simply desperate. Running away from home chased by the law, hiding in the wilderness, being unjustly accused of murder… Why does it sound familiar?'

"I think he's innocent" Mazzy began to talk glancing uncertainly at her companions. She was still trying to make up her mind about them, a colorful bunch as they were. The leader seemed very caring about everyone and her powers were both astonishing and frightening, making her very dependent on her strange visions. The druidess seemed more like a leading figure and after considering Mazzy directed her words to her.

"I don't think he's lying and he needs our help… I mean your help. I know we're not going to travel together long and I didn't know about your deal with the Cowled Wizards, but it is a sinister organization, unworthy of any trust. From what I know about them they betray everybody without giving it a second thought."

Daria considered before slowly lifting her hand.

"Let me touch your sword." She said to the man standing in front of her. There was one certain way to find out whether they could trust him.

"What kind of evil magic is this?" He asked scowling, but she didn't listen any longer. She didn't ask him to receive permission, but not to be hacked to pieces should she lay a hand on the blade without a warning. She felt a vision like a kick straight into stomach and staggered backward thumping on one of the half-elves.

"We will help you" Daria said panting, trying to shake herself off after another bloody image. Someone's arms circled around her and she hoped it was Xan, not angry at her anymore, trying to comfort her, before she felt a hand grabbing her throat and strangling her.

"Everybody back off, else I kill her." It was the second ranger, the one who almost stabbed Jaheira previously. Daria realized she must have broken an enchantment holding him in place when she bumped into him. At least he didn't have a dagger this time. Daria was too tired to as much as fear after her recent divinations and she just fell limply into his hold. She couldn't catch a breath, but she was too worn-out to struggle. Through a mist she saw a vision of a little half-elven boy clutching woman's dress, most likely his mother given their resemblance between them, standing in the middle of the filthy street of athkatlan slums, rain pouring down on them. The woman said something and stroked the child's head gently trying to smile and then turned to a cloaked man standing in front of them.

"I'm ready" she said and Daria noticed that tears merge with raindrops on her face.

"You are guilty of using illegal druidic magic and thus will be transported…" the vision ended sharply and the sun elf became aware of the surroundings again moments before hitting the ground. Her attacker was on the floor right beside her, his already broken nose bleeding again after being hit by Valygar. The dark skinned ranger was furious standing over his former comrade.

"You will go to Imnesvale to face consequences of your actions. Don't return here until you do" Valygar said with barely contained fury.

He turned to Daria trying to get up and held up his hand to help her.

'Too much' she thought when another image began forming, her mind too tired to discern anything from the hazy shapes. She pushed it back gathering the weak reserve of strength she had left to stand up straight. The half-elven brothers left through the door already, tearing through the rain beginning to pour from the sky again, her party letting them go. Both of the team healers were already by her side taking care of her bruised neck.

"Anomen, could you get Nalia and Yoshimo from this rain and invite them inside?" she mumbled to the priest once he was done with the healing and then turned to Valygar. "We should talk."

***

Daria didn't remember the most of the conversation, words unable to penetrate exhaustion clouding in her head, but she was happy to be able to seat on one of the chairs in the room. Jaheira did most of the talking and the diviner decided to thank her once they were alone. Since the time they escaped from the dungeon the druidess was taking care of her, showing her tender side of character Daria rarely could see before, but needed so much now. It was like the druidess became a different person to help her ward stand firmly on her feet again, sustaining her harsh facade in front of the others, but caring and kind inside. Daria knew she would stand a chance in the dungeon without her support, putting a shaken and emaciated girl back together enough so she would be able utter her spells to shield herself from the goblins and mephits infesting the grimy corridors. Jaheira's new way to treat her healed her mind as much as her spells healed her body and though the scars remained it could be much worse were it not for the druidess.

The arrangements finally ended and Daria was relieved to hear that they were staying in the cabin until the next day, despite the sun still shining high above the horizon, partly covered by the rainclouds. She was anxious to help Imoen, but she didn't think she could stand on her own now, not to mention walking. Her eyes were closing on their own accord and she struggled to focus on anything, not to fall asleep on her seat. She heard the bustling outside, her party most likely setting camp near the cabin, but she was left alone to rest. The two rooms were apparently too small to give shelter to the whole group. She became aware of Valygar sitting in front of her, examining her closely.

"You said you are a mage. Why did you follow such a dark and dangerous path?" he asked, but she couldn't detect disapproval in his tone. Was he simply curious? Was he trying to persuade her to leave her 'dark' studies?

"I don't consider magic art any more evil than swordsmanship or archery. It's a profession like any other" she answered simply.

"You say so, but I have seen the corrupting influence of it and the gruesome effects it had on simple by-passers. You don't seem to be in a good condition either."

"It's because of my precognitions – I have an inborn talent in divinations, but it is exhausting." 'More and more each time I use it' she thought. She was answering his questions automatically, not minding what she says. She didn't have the strength to mind anymore.

"Inborn? Is it sorcery?"

"No, I still have to study like any other mage, but the visions…" She hoped he wouldn't have to witness any nightmares tonight. It wouldn't be a good start for a friendship. "My father taught me the runes and…" she lost the track. She couldn't remember what she was talking about just a second ago.

"But your father isn't here anymore, is he? Not many mages care for their children". He knew something about it, she could tell. And he said his family was tainted with magic…

"He died." It didn't hurt anymore to say that Gorion was dead. He was gone for so long and she accepted it. She didn't have a choice.

"Did his powers bring it down on him?" he barely heard the consideration and pity in his tone.

"No, he sacrificed himself protecting me from the bandits when we were attacked." 'It wasn't Gorion's Art that led him to his death. It was his step-daughter's heritage. My heritage'.

"I will take you to my room until your comrades set the tents…" he finally noticed that she couldn't keep up to the conversation and he wasn't helping with his questioning. She probably earned at least a bit of his trust for now.

"My name is Daria. I forgot to introduce myself" she interrupted.

"Lady Daria" it was the first time he tried to sound like a true noble, but it seemed he wasn't at all used to the regal manners. "…allow me to take you to my room." She leaned on him standing up, but it wasn't enough to let her walk. He took a quick look around and lifted her from the ground easily, taking her to a room and placing in a bed under careful watch of Jaheira, observing his every move from the corner.