Falling Sky

They rested in each other's arms, their limbs tangled thoroughly, intimately, her arms surrounding his neck, fingers lost in his dark hair, his – on her waist, one wandering gently on her side as if marveling how it got there. His dark eyes gazed deeply into her violet ones with nothing but unmasked affection, not even a hint of sorrow, embarrassment or fear marring his features. The world around them was completely quiet and she took pleasure in warmth pulsing through her body as the elf in her arms looked at her, as if she was the only thing that mattered in his world. Then her beloved sighed and Daria realized this was not a sweet dream, not a dream at all. Memories rushed into her head like a herd of angry bulls.

City.

Fireball.

Explosion.

Bloodied and scorched pavement of a city under siege was no place to rest and it was not so quiet – the explosion simply deafened her. The air around them wasn't pleasantly warm, but an acrid overheated smoke that in a second could boil their lungs, because only her magical cloak and Moonblade's magic warded them against the burns.

'No!' her own mind screamed at her to gather the scattered thoughts and Daria did the only thing she could think of – pulled the moon elf closer, covering him completely with her cloak. Just a few moments, just enough for a gust of wind to cool the air at least a bit… The enchanter didn't protest, but given his previous dazzled look and the fact that he took the brunt of their fall, his head didn't quite make it out unscathed from the blast. It lasted a good while, before a gust of divine magic instantly wiped the smoke around them. It was Anomen's spell, Daria realized with relief and released Xan, taking deep gulps of pleasantly chill air. She had to check on others and make sure they were all alright.

Letting go of the half-conscious elf for a moment Daria focused on his heartbeat and momentarily freed her spirit from its mortal confines. Her sight, her hearing, even as much as her touch encompassed the entire city, every living being inside to the last rat, and she took it all in, in a matter of seconds. When she felt all of it, the entire stronghold, she plunged her mind deeper, closer, to the future that awaited this place in the next few hours. Feeling the rush of a strong divination after such a long time was like a drug, a vivid hallucination that opened her mind to the world unrestrained by pathetic limitations of just five senses. Some half-lost memories from the time she was supposedly asleep stirred in her mind, but it was hardly the time to indulge in reminiscing. Reluctantly, Daria followed her anchor and came back to her own body, shifting to the perspective of her own two eyes, patiently bearing the assault on her senses that lasted but a few seconds.

Ash and debris form weeks of constant bombardment covered every inch of the city, but it was still preferable to rich streams of blood glistening among the stones of the pavement, the grim sight she saw in her vision in the grove. As her hearing started to return, luckily not as over-sensitive as usual after a foresight, she heard shouts of soldiers on the walls and civilians trying to escape the collapsing buildings. And on top of that, the magnificent sound of Jaheira's voice shouting orders. Hidden deep in the folds of the noise, so quiet that even a full-blooded elf had to strain hearing to find it, was a hum of a magical barrier enveloping the city, protecting it from unwanted intruders teleporting in, but trapping its mages inside as well. Daria saw it, shattered and uneven, the flaws making it easier to spot and identify. The barrier did nothing to stop the rain of fire from the catapults and arrows, flooding Saradush. Right now another fireball was approaching. They needed a safe place and fast.

"Daar… ia" Xan mumbled as she heaved him up, her fingertips carefully brushing the back of his head. Just as she though, a big bruise was forming there, but even sharpening her sense of touch she couldn't sense any skull fractures. Satisfied for now, she threw his arm over her shoulder.

"We're going to stand now, mellonamin. It'd be really nice if you helped" she asked politely and got some assistance as she got them both on their feet without falling back down.

"We're here!" she shouted, seeing Anomen looking around in some distance to them. Xan was swaying pretty badly and it wasn't easy to keep him up, especially with all her old injuries picking this time to remind about themselves. She thought how effortlessly she could stand, if she just let avatar's strength back into her body, but shook off the thought. Little exercise wasn't worth selling her spirit back to the devil. It was hard enough to get it back from one madman.

The priest of Helm spotted them easily and hastened his pace. A good thing given her weakening legs. The moon elf pressing on her shoulders finally gave up the effort of keeping his head up and she felt it roll down, his thick mane obscuring her view and tickling her nose. It took all her strong will not to blush, but even it had its limits. Warm lips tickling the side of her throat in a feather-like kiss were way beyond those limits. Daria let out a yelp as her own knees buckled underneath her from a sharp vision. Well... not really a vision, more like a premonition of touch. Kisses on her neck, lips and – sweet Hanali, tongue – finding a same spot on her throat, her own hand reaching inside his shirt, touching the warm skin, stopping just over his heart, beating rapidly, like a living creature trapped under her fingertips. The vision ended as sharply as it began and it was lucky that Anomen managed to get to them, because her knees finally gave out.

"C-c-concussion…!" she stammered as the priest stabilized both elves. Anomen reached to her forehead, readying a spell.

"Not me… Him!" she pushed away his hand, gained some stability. Anomen threw her a look that spoke volumes about his doubts, but shifted his attention to the swaying enchanter, giving Daria a second she needed to calm her shallow breath and bless her dark brown skin that covered just how red she was. For a second there she felt completely and utterly drunk.

"Wha…?" Xan came to his senses with only a slight confusion and – thank the Seldarine – a short time memory loss. Seconds later Jaheira emerged with freshly healed Imoen and Solaufein in tow. Sarevok limped soon after her, much more scorched. None of the healers seemed too bothered by that.

"Next fireball will hit west from here, then north and north-west. To the south there's a temple of Waukeen, we should be safe there, for a while at least" the sun elf ordered, shouting though the noise that filled the streets. "And for goodness sake, Jaheira! Don't be such a baby and just heal the man!"

"You said that battle in Saradush will mark the beginning of the time mentioned in prophecy and that was where the portal will take us. That we must go there, if we wish to interfere with destiny unfolding. What you failed to mention is, that the city was already under siege!" Jaheira remarked sarcastically, taking her time attending to the former Bhaalspawn's injuries. They were safe in the temple, a solid building that remembered the Time of Troubles. The impact of the next fireball stirred dust in its corners, but left no mark on the stone walls blessed by the now gone goddess Waukeen.

"I admit, I am slightly out of touch this days. Being dead for over a year may do that to a person." Nothing could stop Sarevok from biting back, but at least he figured out his intimidation tactics didn't work in this particular group. Compared to Irenicus, there was nothing he could to terrify any of them.

"Who's besieging us anyway?" Jaheira directed this question to Daria.

"How can you not know that?!" one of the elves they rescued and took with them overheard their conversation and approached now, his thin brow forming a suspicious frown.

"We were holed up in our basement so far, drunk" Imoen quickly made up a story. "But finally alcohol run out and we decided to see it was over yet."

"A Bhaalspawn named Yaga-Shura and his army of fire giants attacked us a month ago" wood elf explained, incredulous. "Surely you couldn't have spent all that time in a cellar?"

"I can see it – the entire city is surrounded. Gods, there's a lot of them." Daria took a quick glance outside the city walls. The enemy encampment filled with humans and giants was not an encouraging sight. Giant catapults so powerful only the strongest of the fire giants could use them didn't make the situation any less hopeless.

"What does he want from you? I mean us?"

"He came here for a single purpose – to kill his siblings, that took this place as their refuge. Surely you must know that? That was weeks ago!"

"It was a very large cellar…" Xan sighed deeply. Why could they never go with the truth?

"My lord! Please forgive me, I was not aware there was a Moonblade Wielder in Saradush!" the elf sprung to his feet and fell right back to a bow.

"Sit, please… just sit" the enchanter tried to make him stand down.

"It's an honor to be in your presence!" He only managed to attract the rest of the group. Now he was surrounded by an overjoyed following.

"If you could just explain the situation to the pink human…" he just waved his hand and sighed.

"I would be honored!" Now the elf was far less suspicious. Surely, the Wielders were allowed to spend months in cellars, drinking the world away. It must have been a part of their sacred duties. "A woman named Melissan came to Saradush two months ago, seeking refuge for her many charges, all children of the dead Bhaal. Along came Gromnir Il-Khan, a powerful Bhaalspawn himself, with a small army of men. At first we welcomed them in our city. Times are dangerous and the local garrison was small. Soon however we began to curse Gromnir, for in his trail, another army marched, one much more numerous. A fire giant carrying Bhaal's cursed blood besieged Saradush and demands death of everyone inside. It's all Bhaalspawns fault!"

"We'll do all we can to help" Daria interrupted, seeing Xan wince. "I am also born with tainted blood."

"You…?" to say the elf was flabbergasted was an understatement. Surely elves couldn't carry Bhaal's blood? Daria would roll her eyes, but a small glimpse of future troubles caught her attention.

"We need to go. There's something happening at the gates." She moved to lead, but stopped when Jaheira caught her sleeve and leaned in, not to be heard outside their party.

"Child, I do not think informing every passerby of your heritage is a wise course of action" she whispered.

"This city is filled with Bhaalspawn, Jaheira."

"Not enough for people not to notice a couple more."

"Let me finish. Some are fighting on the walls right now, some are cowering in their ruined homes, some enjoy the bloodshed, but most don't. They're all afraid. Most lived in denial or ignorance their heritage their entire lives – and they feel shame and fear just like anyone would, even if they didn't inherit any unwanted… urges."

Her sister didn't glance her way, but Imoen felt those words were directed to her.

"I want to give an example to those people – nothing too heroic or sacrificial, so don't worry. I just want to show everybody in Saradush that I am still an independent living being, capable of my own choices. And so are they."

"That was quite a speech, Daria. But I guess you do have a point."

Xan sighed deeply. He'd rather keep quiet, but no one else seemed inclined to say the obvious truth.

"It's doomed effort. Don't you see? You plan to play an advocate for commonly hated children of Bhaal in a middle of a city besieged by one of the more bloodthirsty examples. You cannot afford more enemies inside the walls. There's nowhere to run."

"I don't plan a grand campaign, Xan. All I want is to save as many people as I can." Solaufein came closer, she felt him smile from under a heavy cowl that shielded him from the sun. She let him keep the red and gold cloak she got from Suldanesselar and now they matched well.

"From who are you saving them? Because the 'innocents' are vary capable of tearing each other to pieces without any help. More enemies will come and more people will learn hate each other out of fear. Will you try to protect everyone? Convert the entire world?"

"This war will end."

"Yes but with whose death?" His question remained unanswered, but he had a nagging feeling, that he would find out sooner rather than later.

"They look cute together, don't they?" Imoen was happy to comment on the drow, stuck to her sister like a shadow. The guy barely spoke during the day, she could clearly see he did not feel one bit comfortable in the open, but she had a good feeling about him.

"They seem to have spent some time together, before summoning us back" Jaheira grumped. "But I have to say, they've grown close too fast. Though I guess painful experiences like theirs do teach a people to value all the time they were given in this world. I understand I should talk to Daria soon about potions every adventuring woman should know about."

"Jaheira, my dear naive auntie Jaheira…" Imoen tsk'd. "My sis and Solaufein haven't even kissed yet. She's all innocent-like."

"Don't be absurd, child. The way he acts around her clearly suggests..." As to support druidess' claim the drow came even closer to the diviner, their hips nearly touching as they walked.

"Don't get me wrong, you have many incredible and useful talents" Imoen praised her like and adult praises a toddler. "You're just a terrible match-maker. Not an ounce of subtlety in your entire body."

"Wasn't it you who tried to pair Daria with Ajantis so desperately?" Jaheira easily rose above a kid's taunt.

"That was only to make Xan jealous, obviously. Too bad my sister's as blind as you in this things. I blame those books of hers. All talk and no action. The boldest there was had a description of how some knight kissed his wife's hand looking into her eyes and then… chapter end. That was it. Daria blushed for days after reading that. I had to lend her proper romances."

"Well, Imoen, I have been married, so I suppose I know what I'm talking about."

"And just how many times Khalid had to propose to you before you realized that you actually love him? Fifteen? Twenty?"

"Hmph." This one succeeded in irking the druidess. "And you know any better?"

"I plan to work at it. Match-making does require certain finesse. You can't just come up to someone and tell them who likes them. And I'm not averse to spying on them."

"Imoen!"

"Sheesh, I'll be discreet. Besides, Daria knows I'm there. I'm always there. Hehehe…"

"So she's no longer in love with Xan?"

"She probably is, but she hadn't forgotten what he did and likely doesn't trust him anymore. That's good. If I have anything to say about it, she never will."

"I thought you'd be a bit more lenient. After all, you just said you wanted them together."

"Not after what he'd done! No way! My sis deserves someone better. For all this time she was protecting and rescuing me, every single time I got in trouble. Now I have to return the favor."

"Imoen… what are you planning?"

"Oh, you'll see. But I can tell you this: it's going to be perfect."

"Clear these gates – you won't get another warning!" A man shouted. He wore the armor of a militia, but by now anyone who went out in the open wore one, including some people in a small crowd, gathered before the gates, leading to the citadel. Some of them were even guards, with either halberds or pikes, standing close together. They were all terrified, Daria saw enough scared people to recognized those who broke in it's grasp. They were left outside to guard a door locked tight. This couldn't be an easy post.

"Threats are not the answer here. Everyone stay calm and we can work together to find a solution." A woman very similar to Nalia, both in soft yet educated speech and facial features, stood out from the crowd. Mainly because she wore no protective clothing, outside a thick cloak and a scarf. She spoke on behalf of the crowd.

"Our orders are clear – move these peasants along or we'll move them ourselves."

"No one do anything rash. Perhaps if we return later, when it's more convenient for Gromnir Il-Khan to see us…"

"No, Melissan!" Hearing her meek attempts of diplomacy, the people raged. Women and men in ash-covered clothes and scavenged armor, too young or too old to fight, rallied now. "We will not be bullied this time. We will stay right here until they take us to Gromnir."

"We demand to see Gromnir – take us to Il-Khan!"

"There's no reasoning to you people – you only understand the edge of a sword!"

"I told you to clear these gates! You brought this on yourselves!"

"NO! Put down your weapons! This is not necessary!" The rabble all became just one giant scream of panic.

Daria and Solaufein began the exact same spell, the exact same moment – their magic quickly weaved itself together with the synchronized work of two pairs of hands, into a magical shield that separated the angry mob from even angrier soldiers.

"Intruders! Spies! The walls have been breached!" the soldiers behind the barrier didn't take well to crashing into it and instantly turned to new enemies on their flank.

"Slay the intruders! Attack!"

"No! Hold your weapons! These might be allies, come to help!" the meek woman still tried to make her weak voice be heard, but was completely ignored.

"Don't fall for their tricks! Kill them all and let the Gods sort them out!"

Her party prepared their weapons and spells. Daria stopped them with a gesture.

"Take a step back" she asked gently. The guardmen paused, confused for a second. And then the fireball hit, barely rustling sun elf's hair through the shield she evoked, reducing her enemies to charred corpses and dispersing the crowd protected by the barrier. The stench of burning flesh twisted her stomach, but she couldn't look away, the fire and boiling blood, all too familiar.

"Greetings, Child. I am Melissan – a friend" the woman that lead the protesting peasants approached her, the only one left. She as well looked at the carnage, seeing it not for the first time. "Welcome to Saradush. I regret your first encounter in this town was so… bloody." A foe with a friends face, Daria recognized her immediately from her vision in the grove. She held out her hand to greet her… The woman backed away, pretending to be scared. But she was cautious. Maybe she knew not to trigger a vision. That was enough for Daria to suspect that Melissan was no friend. But Bhaalspawn did have few of those these days.

"Gromnir il Khan is behind these gates. The man you brought here to protect the Bhaalspawn" Daria simply stated. 'Or kill them' she wondered quietly. 'Smite them, as a twisted paladin would, take revenge on them, as a victim of Spawn's past crimes, or bring the world back to balance. Which one? Perhaps none.' Daria wanted to know, but no vision came. She could sense no evil intentions, no outward malice… nothing clear at all. Small mystery.

"So you know. But I know every Child of Bhaal in this gates, every one I rescued. You weren't here when the siege started. Who are you? How did you get in? And what are your intentions?"

"You know that." Daria didn't ask. In the drow city she learned to give as little information as possible, while moving in an unknown territory.

"...yes. I do recognize you. You are Gorion's Ward." That was the same name prophecy gave her. A name from the man who raised her, loved her, gave his life for her. It was a good name, one to remind her the example she was shown. "I have watched the events of your life quite closely, Daria, as I do with all the progeny of the Lord of Murder. I have seen many of your kin slain over these past months. By taking an active interest in the fate of Bhaal's offspring I hope to prevent the Lord of Murder from returning to the Realms, in any form."

Again, Melissan spoke with confidence mixed equally with hesitation. Was she doubting herself or Daria's intentions? Did she believe in her own strength or was there someone behind her? Which part was the mask?

"So you're just another person meddling in the fate of Bhaal's children?" Was it worth to antagonize the woman and the townspeople by grabbing Melissan and divining something about her? If she had proper protection, a simple spell wouldn't work and if she had strong malicious intentions she'd trigger a vision even without a touch. 'There's nowhere to run in here' Daria remembered Xan's warning. Perhaps it would be better to play it safe for now. Melissan seemed lawful… and good. As for the secret that hid behind a mask, it could wait.

"Gromnir is also a Child of Bhaal, and was once a powerful general. I brought him and his loyal men here to protect Saradush and the many Bhaalspawn gathered, seeking sanctuary. But Gromnir went mad with paranoia. He has barricaded himself in the castle throne room, and his troops run amok through the town with no regard for the lives and rights of the citizens of Saradush." She took a deep breath as to steel herself for what she needed to say. It was fake – that much Daria could tell. "The actions of Gromnir and his soldiers have caused dissension within town, and made it almost impossible for the loyal Saradush militia to defend the walls. We must first defeat the enemy within, before we can end this siege. If you are Gorion's Ward… If you're here to help… You must find a way to get inside the castle to Gromnir. Perhaps you can reason with him… but I fear he is beyond reason. I am afraid you will have to kill the general to give Saradush any hope of surviving the siege."

And with that Daria felt the finely tuned gears of fate begin their motion.