„Monster's Heart"

„I am sorry, Ricar. Hunrae is dead." They took a longer way returning to the elven camp, just to bring the news to him. Daria's predictions were true. Hunrae was where the divination showed. The diviner herself wasn't sure what it meant.

"So she was guilty… then. She used me…" Not surprisingly Ricar was crushed by the grim message they delivered. Not only the one he fell in love was dead, but she was also a traitor and he – her accomplice, that helped to sever one of the last alliances the elven city had.

"She was killed by a monster" Daria said and none from the elven sages detected lie in her words. Ricar raised her eyes back at her, almost unable to believe that he was wrong, that the drow woman was indeed who he claimed. And that she died, even though he was wrong.

"The documents, did she have them?"

"No, there was no trace of the papers." The result was the same. The documents were long since gone, the drow messengers were dead and there was nothing more to be done. And yet it was so much different with those few words.

"Thank you for your help." Ricar exhaled loudly. There were tears gathering in his eyes, but he would hold them back in a moment and perhaps his heart wouldn't hurt that much on few days from now.

"You need to hurry" Elhan sent them off. "You need to find Bodhi and Rhynn Lanthorn before it is too late."

"You shouldn't have lied to him" Xan caught her after few steps she made, determined to walk away. "You forced him to live in an illusion. It's not fair to him."

"There are worse things than living in an illusion" she cut him off sharply.

"What can be worse than living in a false pretense of being loved?" he asked with cold determination on his face.

"Living without this pretense, I thought you knew." She passed him and resumed her march. She wasn't stopped again.

Athkatla was crowded as always, the temple district more than ever. It was hard to get there through the currents of people streaming in every direction. Dark times must have come for the city if Bodhi returned to her crypts. Daria decided that they were to look for allies before heading to the graveyard. They already almost lost Jaheira when going there for the first time. The elf wasn't planning on going without preparations, no matter how much in danger the elven city was.

The headquarters of the Most Holy Order of the Radiant Heart was their first objective, the place where they turned after crossing the gates of the ever-busy main gates. Imoen was curious about everything, her first experiences in Athkatla being rather chaotic and quickly interrupted by the appearance of the Cowled Wizards. This time she kept her hands clenched in her pockets, even a thought of casting any spell making her grit her teeth. Nothing could quench the curiosity gleaming in her eyes though.

Daria was watching her sister carefully as well. She wasn't going to let her be taken anywhere again, not even if this time she would be the one to blow up the other half of the Promenade.

"Yes, aiding you in annihilating the coven of vampires feasting on innocent citizens of Athkatla is a task worthy of an Order's knight" the prelate of the athkatlan headquarters of the order agreed, after hearing them out. "A group of knights under the command of sir Anomen will come to your aid."

"Thank you." Daria lowered her head respectfully before the prelate. Imoen's ears seemed to perk up when she heard the knight's name, the same as the squire's Xan told her about. On the contrary, grim silence fell among the rest of the group.

"If it's not a problem I'd like to exchange few words with sir Anomen and discuss the battle tactics" Daria continued, oblivious how attentively her sister was going to listen to this conversation.

"Of course. Squire Melvin will show you the way to his headquarters. May Helm watch your path."

"And yours."

"Daria!" Anomen jumped from his seat the moment the party began to crowd into his room. He skipped the 'Lady' part, she was content to hear that. It meant that they remained good friends, not just passing allies.

"Sir Anomen." She tried to smile emphasizing the title, but her facial muscles just couldn't synchronize properly.

"You look so good!" The freshly knighted was shining with joy at the visit, seemingly oblivious to the grim atmosphere in the group. "Have you found your sister? You just disappeared few days after contacting the thieves, no one in the city has seen you after that and the Sphere was always closed."

"What sphere?" Imoen asked unable to contain her curiosity any longer.

"Allow me to introduce to you – Imoen of Candlekeep, known also as Librarian's Bane." Daria took her sister's hand and curtsied with all the flair and seriousness, as she should in a proper introduction to a knight.

"Lady Imoen, it is an honor…" Anomen got immediately caught into the game, he made a gesture as if he was to kiss the thieves hand, but she jumped away giggling. The knight cleared his throat to hide embarrassment, but the blush was bright on his face. "How come you two are related? Lady Imoen is clearly a human and you… ah." The knight quietly solved the heritage mystery. He asked nothing more.

"We came to the order to ask for help against Bodhi, a vampiress residing in the lower crypts beneath athkatlan graveyard." Daria quickly explained the situation inside the elven city.

"And the prelate assigned you to help us." Jaheira finished coldly.

"It's no coincidence, lady Jaheira" Anomen smiled warmly at the druidess, all too familiar with her icy attitude she always treated him with. "The prelate is aware of my accomplishments under Daria's command. I'll tell my men to prepare for battle." Anomen's chest puffed up a bit when he mentioned he had subordinates. "But before we discuss the plans, Daria, there's something very important to me I would like to talk to you about."

"Of course." She made a step forward, closer to him, not even turning back to ask her companion's for a moment of privacy.

It was time for her to take responsibility for her actions.

Anomen led her to the second room, pointing her to a comfortable armchair. He moved a chair so he could sit in front of her and waited for her to make herself comfortable.

"Two weeks ago Judge Brianna found evidence of Saerk Farrahd's involvement I the murder of my sister Moira" the priest began, weaving his hands before him, as if he was trying to stop himself from nervous gesturing. "The evidence is sound. Saerk was the one to hire the murderer who struck my home with the intention to kill my sister. When the news reached my father's ears he went to avenge Moira. He was killed by the house guards of the Farrahd estate."

"I'm sorry" Daria said stiffly. She was not surprised.

"Saerk was guilty of murdering my sister. Did you know that?" Anomen asked not for a moment taking his eyes off her. This time he wasn't furious or lost, there was no fresh grief he was possessed with when learning about Moira's death. The newly knighted priest was by all means controlled and patiently expected for Daria to answer his questions.

"Yes" she simply said.

"That's what I thought. You were far too skilled to make a mistake like that and if you weren't certain you would say so. The only thing I couldn't guess was why you didn't tell me the truth. Family honor is an important matter to me, but just as importantly I didn't think you wanted a killer to walk free the streets, comfortable in his blood-stained wealth. The first thought I had was that it was a punishment because I cost you pain, making you divine without preparation, then in my father's estate. But you are not a woman of malice, Daria. It wasn't the reason, was it?"

"It wasn't." Because she wasn't a woman of malice… then.

"Then I thought you wanted to protect me, that you were afraid that I'd be hurt if I go to my enemy's home, but that made no sense also. I am not a devastated drunk like my father, I know well how to handle a weapon, and you would be there also to aid me, along with your companions. I was beginning to feel furious by then, I even considered that you betrayed me. My hands were aching to get revenge, to hold a weapon to seal Saerk's doom, sent him to hell, where he deserved to be. That was when I though I realized why you lied to me.

They say it's the worst kind of pride to decide other's fate for them. It's like trying to take the place of gods, Daria. Because of your actions my father died and my sister's killer lives. Now tell me, why did you lie?" Anomen could be terrifying now, his voice raised from the fury that lied dormant for a long time, his fists clenched and white.

"I don't know. Back then I only didn't want you to have innocent's blood on your hands. I didn't want you to follow your anger." Her excuse sounded so very weak, even spoken calmly.

"So I thought right" the knight stood up and turned away from her to look outside the window. "It was because of that anger that was eating me from the inside. I have been thinking a lot about this gift of yours, seeing the future. I used to think that those divinations aren't as terrifying as inborn gift of fire magic or necromancy, wreaking destruction on the enemies or animating the dead, that it was just a school of handy spells, very useful, of course, but not as terrible. But the choices you must be faced with… I don't know what would I do in your place, how would I know which choice is right. But in the end, I don't think you know it either. No fire mage or necromancer carries such a burden. I do not envy you… my friend."

Daria sent him a weak smile.

"There's nothing to envy."

"I really don't think it is appropriate…"

"Shh… I can't hear what they're talking about with your constant complaining, Xan! They've been there for fifteen minutes already. All I caught so far was something about seeing the future..."

"He did WHAT?" Anomen's raised voice made the pink head jump and drop the glass she was holding by the wall. She quickly stepped away from the door, by a hair's breadth avoiding being hit when the knight rushed out of the room.

"We still have a chance to stop Irenicus…" Jaheira begin to calm the infuriated cleric, but he ignored her, heading towards Xan.

"How could you do that to her?" Anomen shouted in his face, enchanter's palms instinctively forming gestures of the Stoneskin spell. "I am asking you, how could you abandon her so easily, even though she loves you, in a moment like that? Even most basic decency requires that…"

"Anomen stop" Daria ordered with inhuman growl. The knight turned to her sharply, just in time to see a fleeting gold speck of light in her irises. "This is a resolved matter and I do not wish for you to dwell on it any further. This is not the reason why I told you what the current situation is."

"Is everything alright? I sensed an evil presence." A knight, caught in the middle of taking off his full plate armor, rushed into the room with his sword drawn. He looked around as if expecting gates to hell opening in the crowded room.

"Everything is fine now" Not without a struggle, Daria pushed whatever was squirming below the surface back to the dark pit it crawled out from. "Anomen, come to the Sphere tomorrow, once you prepare your team. We are going to enlist some more help. Until we meet again."

"Take care, my friend." The knight replied with unconcealed worry.

They came in one moment, synchronized in years of training, assassins surrounded them in a split second, inside a dark passage between two estates with enough shadow to hide their presence until they were ready to strike. Daria's companions didn't even have the time to draw their weapons. They were walking undisturbed towards the docks in one moment and in the next they had knives pressed to their backs. They should become suspicious when they saw the alley was completely empty. They didn't.

"You will come with us to the Shadowmaster" the black-clad woman who appeared behind Daria whispered to her ear. She alone wasn't holding a weapon, but that could change fast.

"That's what I intend to do" the diviner replied with a slight trace of irritation. "Now step away. You are making me nervous."

"You are not the one to give orders here, girl." Daria knew daggers were pressed to her companion's backs, just in a spot where they could do the most harm.

"I can make you nervous too" she threatened calmly, not moving an inch.

"I don't think so." The assassin drew her dagger, only the quietest sound of a blade leaving the scabbard made purposefully to frighten the elf. How very subtle…

The aura of the Slayer, the sickening feeling of fear Daria released from her control, strangled the little passage in its grasp, the killing intent contained within paralyzing the group of trained murderers. Being assassins they could have worshipped Bhaal, were he alive, but compared to the Slayer they were just children playing with dangerous toys.

Daria's party broke away from their attackers, drawing their weapons and standing in a circle to cover each other's backs. They were all too used to the sinister presence already for it to have such a strong effect on them. Only one person didn't stand with the group.

"Don't come near her now!" Jaheira hissed at Solaufein, who dashed to their leader's side. "She's going to change!"

The drow only glanced at her, his face grim, but didn't hesitate. He grabbed Daria's arm to pull her away from the attacker…

"It's alright" the woman didn't appear disturbed at all by the aura she was radiating. "They aren't going to cause us any more trouble. Am I right?"

The leader of the assassins gulped and nodded fervently. She was a veteran, one of the oldest active thieves under Linvail's command. She faced, undead in raids on Bodhi's subordinates, necromancers brought by the Cowled and all that could crawl from athkatlan's sewers. She thought she saw everything. The Bhaalspawn proved her wrong.

"Now please send your men away and lead us to Aran Linvail."

The assassin nodded again. How could the Shadowmaster describe this woman as harmless she couldn't guess.

Aran's eyebrow rose in quickly hidden surprise when Daria of Candlekeep, a gifted diviner he had great plans for entered his underground abode, but without the armed escort he sent after her. It was strange… He made specific instructions as to how the Bhaalspawn was to be handled. Playing his role as a friend, but one that she wouldn't want to turn into an enemy, was an old game his assassins knew well. It was a base of many successful businesses.

"Daria." He rose from his couch to greet her. "I was wondering when you would show up. I was beginning to doubt you will at all."

"I had some doubts myself given the fact that your captain betrayed me" the young elf didn't appear as distressed as she should be by being brought to the underground hideout so suddenly, but facts were, she was a diviner. Manipulating her required more advanced resources than an usual venture.

"Saemon Havarian betrayed? It doesn't surprise me. Don't look at me like that" Aran smiled fugitively when Daria's glare sharpened. "He was not one of my men. But finding someone who would sail to Brynnlaw in such short time was not an easy task. There was no other choice but to risk, I am sure you understand. I can send my men after him, if this is what you wish."

"His ship sunk and he is most likely dead. This is enough for me" she was a bit irritated now, but still careful for his every word. Too much in control. It would be better to strip away this pretense.

"If this is your wish" he left the pleasantries at that. "But hearing how you fare is not the reason why I called you here today, though of course it is important. As you probably already know, Bodhi made reappearance in Athkatla, reclaiming her hideout. She was Irenicus' ally from the beginning and I was hoping you would show up as well, coming after her. Of course alone you won't stand a chance…"

"Arrangements have already been made" Daria interrupted the prolonging speech. The Shadowmaster loved the sound of his voice too much. "The attack is planned two days from now, at dawn. We will be aided by the knights of the local order, also, I have recruited some adventurers while on my way to Athkatla. Drizzt Do'Urden, I'm sure you heard about some of his adventures. I will need your thieves as well. There are likely to be many traps in the vampire's lair."

"Of course." False smile on Linvail's lips betrayed his irritation with her independent commanding manner. Compared to drow he was transparent as glass and Daria made a drow city dance to her whims. Linvail just tried to sound more powerful than he was. "However, I hope you realize that there's no need for you to risk yourself in the direct combat. I'll be more than happy to provide you with a safe hideout by my side, where you can make plans and divine without any danger. No vampires will reach you here."

"Aran, the only need I feel, is to wretch Bodhi's heart from her chest, stuff it up her throat and watch her gurgle." Dangerous gold glow danced in Daria's eyes. The vision was pleasing, though it was doubtful that on the battlefield she would find time to fulfill it. It could help Linvail understand her better though. "As to my divinations – after what Irenicus did to me I can no longer divine. He annihilated my soul, almost all of it." Truth mixed with lies for her purpose. "That's why I insist on haste. I'd be very disappointed if I died before having an opportunity to return the favor."

"I am truly sorry for you" Bitter disappointment was impossible to hide behind false sympathy. The arrogant fool had more plans for her. "I wish I could help, but we do not have such things for sale."

The black wooden table separating the Shadowmaster from the Bhaalspawn cracked in half when Slayer's fury broke from control for a split second and her hand closed on the edge of the unfortunate furniture. Her spirit was not a thing! How dared he suggest that?

"I'm sorry, a side effect" Daria sighed apologetically taking a deep breath, while two halves of once magical table crushed on the ground. "One more reason for me to go on the front lines. Soulless Bhaalspawn have it hard. I need to work out some fury."

"I… see" the Shadowmaster once again recalled that the escort he sent to threaten the diviner didn't come back with her. This time he couldn't simply ignore this thought. "I will send a messenger to your Sphere once my thieves finish with the preparations." He suddenly became very eager to get rid of the spawn of a God of Murder as fast as possible. One did not last on his position for long without a strong survival instinct.

"Farewell then, Shadowmaster" the sun elf rose from her chair. "We will most likely never meet again."

Even if it wasn't a divination, it calmed him.

"Where is it? Where is it?" Imoen fidgeted only few steps from her destination. She couldn't wait to finally see it!

"Head up, sis." Daria gave her a tip. She just wanted to get inside, without the stupid games of impressing others with the magnitude of the plane-traveling device that came into her possession. For her it was a home, sweet home. She needed to enter, to throw her pack into the corner of a room she made her bedroom, throw herself on the bed without taking off the shoes, sleep and wake up when she wanted, take a bath maybe…

"Wow…" Imoen sighed, finally realizing that the giant grey mass was the home her sister kept mentioning all this time. Solaufein looked equally impressed, but Daria didn't pay any more attention to their awes. Something else drew her eyes, a familiar shape, with unique colors, one she couldn't mistake with anything else.

She run up to him and kneeled on the dirt-covered road of the slums. For so long they were separate, the link between them broken after her mind was damaged and her spirit has been taken. But they were together now, and she wasn't going to let go of him ever again.

"Gooseberry…" she whispered, taking the rat into her arms.