Imoen watched as her best friend abruptly stumbled and almost fell. Thankfully Ajantis caught her and called for Jaheira because she wasn't close enough to reach her in time.

"Sil!" she cried, dashing to her side.

She didn't even think about the fact that whoever had attacked was still out there and may choose her as their next target. She only thought of her best friend. This almost didn't seem real. One moment they were walking down the darkened streets of Beregost, in good spirits despite their recent encounter with a spiteful musician, the next Silandra was bleeding to death.

"I saw him run off," said Garrick, his eyes trained on the roof across the street, "but I think he'd be hard to follow at this hour."

Khalid and Jaheira were running back and Ajantis lay Silandra gently on the ground. Imoen tore off her cloak to use as a pillow, ignoring the tears beginning to stream down her face.

Silandra had a crossbow bolt sticking out of her chest but she was still breathing, though only faintly. The assassin had probably been aiming for her heart and Imoen thought it was lucky he apparently wasn't that great a shot.

"I don't think my power is enough to save her," Ajantis admitted. "The bolt must come out and… there'll be even more blood."

"It looks like poison. Move aside, all of you!" Jaheira demanded.

Ajantis and Imoen made just enough room for Jaheira and Khalid to kneel beside Silandra. Imoen hovered anxiously while Ajantis joined Garrick in looking around for the attacker. She didn't put much faith in them finding him though; he was probably halfway across town already.

The druid began murmuring a spell and her hands glowed with a blue light. She and Khalid had evidently tended to similar wounds before; Khalid yanked the bolt from Silandra's chest just as the spell completed. Imoen worried at how pale her best friend still looked and how shallow her breathing was. But Jaheira wasn't done. She began another casting and Silandra's breathing became more even, though she didn't wake.

Khalid started scanning the rooftops the moment he was no longer needed to help with the healing, He and Jaheira, being half-elves, were more likely than anyone else to have a chance at seeing something. He found nothing though; the culprit had vanished.

"Ajantis, pick her up," Jaheira said. "We need to get her inside, then Khalid and I will look for any trace of this assassin."

Ajantis lifted Silandra easily—she probably weighed next to nothing, Imoen thought somewhat enviously—and the group proceeded quickly to the Burning Wizard, keeping an eye out in case the assassin reappeared.

"I think I should accompany you," said Ajantis. "I may not be able to see well in the dark but I can detect an evil presence if I focus. I'm sorry. I should have been doing it the whole time we were walking."

"You c-can't catch everything," Khalid said. "No one is b-blaming you."

"You're a good man, Khalid," Ajantis said. "I do feel I failed in my duty, however. I should always remain vigilant. It is one of the first lessons I learned."

"Garrick, you saw this assassin?" Jaheira asked. "What did he look like?"

"I could only make out his shape," said Garrick. "But he appeared to be short and broad-shouldered—a dwarf, maybe."

"And where was he exactly?"

"On the rooftop across from us—I'm not sure what the building was, someone's house I think."

Thankfully, they arrived back at the Burning Wizard without further incident and Silandra was put to bed.

"She will be fine after she rests a while," said Jaheira. She paused a moment, looking at Garrick with mistrust. "Ajantis, do you detect any evil in this man?"

Ajantis seemed surprised, but he looked at Garrick and his eyes seemed to glow briefly. "No," he said. "I do not think he was privy to Silke's plans."

"Of course I wasn't!" Garrick said. "I was as shocked as you all were!"

"Very well," said Jaheira, turning to Imoen. "You two will remain by her side until we return. The assassin may have followed her here and you must be on your guard, understood?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Garrick said. The poor thing looked terrified.

"Of course," Imoen said. "I'd defend Sil with my life!"

Soon Imoen was alone with Garrick and Silandra, who didn't look like she'd wake for some time.

"You okay?" Imoen asked.

"Fine!" Garrick said quickly, though he looked rather pale.

"Jaheira just feels she has to protect Sil, that's all," said Imoen. "And we did just meet you, and your friend did attack us. Makes sense to check you out."

"I guess you're right," said Garrick. "I still just… I can't believe Silke was evil!"

"Don't worry, even our paladin didn't notice," said Imoen. "I guess she was good at pretending."

Garrick didn't reply, and Imoen sighed when she saw the way he was looking at her best friend. She'd seen that look many times before and knew in his case at least that it was futile.

"You're not her type," she said.

Garrick looked up, his face reddening. "Uh, what?" he said.

"She prefers tall, muscular guys," Imoen said. "You know, like Ajantis."

"Oh. I didn't mean… uh…"

Imoen rolled her eyes. "She's half-nymph so yes, she is incredibly beautiful. I just don't want you getting your hopes up."

"Maybe I'll write a song about her," Garrick said nervously.

Imoen wished someone would write a song about her. She loved Silandra like a sister, but it was hard knowing that any man who knew both of them would only look at her if Silandra wasn't interested. She couldn't fault her best friend for her looks, and it's not like she flaunted them too much—she didn't even know how to flirt!—but it was hard not to be jealous. Imoen had easily enough ignored the initial attraction she felt towards Ajantis, but now she may have to do the same with Garrick, who she thought she liked the look of even more. Of course, she had always been the one who liked talking about boys. Silandra was kind of distant in that regard and Imoen counted herself lucky whenever she could get her to talk about such things.

"She does like music," was all Imoen could think of to say. "But we need to be watching the door, not her. What if the assassin comes back?"

"I'll defend both you ladies from any danger," said Garrick, though he didn't sound very confident. He leaned back and shifted his gaze to the door. Imoen wondered if he even knew how to use the short sword at his waist.

"So how long were you traveling with Silke?" she asked. She may as well fill in the time with conversation, and she was sure the life of a bard had to be exciting, especially when traveling with someone who was considered famous like Silke.

"Only a few months," said Garrick. "It was a good deal while it lasted. We always got to stay in the best inns and often got free food and drink. I wonder now how many other people she tricked. I feel terrible."

"Where's the most interesting place you've been?" Imoen asked, determined to keep the conversation light-hearted. He didn't need to be dwelling on Silke's betrayal.

Garrick considered for a moment. "I met Silke at the Elfsong Tavern in Baldur's Gate. It's haunted by a singing ghost and it's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. Bards aren't allowed to play there but I always visit when I'm in the city. I think the song… well, it drew us together." He was blushing and Imoen wondered just what his relationship with Silke had been. He seemed more upset about her being evil than he was about her death.

"I guess you got to travel a lot, huh?" said Imoen.

"I used to once, yes," said Garrick. He paused a moment, as if unsure whether to continue.

"What is it?" Imoen asked, frowning.

"Silke was never very famous outside the Baldur's Gate area," Garrick said. "But before meeting her I was part of a group known as the Dale Wind Troubadours. We traveled up and down the coast, from Neverwinter to Amn. But… well, it turned out they were a group of thieves!"

"Oh, um, that's terrible!" Imoen said, feeling uncomfortable at his words. She was a thief, technically, but she didn't steal from people who couldn't afford it. And sometimes she just liked to look at other peoples' stuff. She didn't always steal it.

"I thought I'd found a new home with Silke," Garrick continued, looking a little despondent. "We were to play at the Ducal palace next month. It was to be her biggest show yet. But that's not going to happen anymore. Maybe it wouldn't have anyway; I hear the city's closed."

"Well we're goin' to fix the Nashkel mines and then I bet we can fix the bandit problem too! And then we can go to Baldur's Gate. I'd like to hear this singing ghost."

"So there'll be a fair amount of… danger involved, traveling with you?" Garrick asked. "I mean, aside from the assassin who just tried killing Silandra."

"I guess," Imoen said, shrugging. She thought they'd handled themselves well so far and she found their skirmishes with bandits and gibberlings more exciting than scary.

Garrick didn't reply. His fingers twitched towards his lute, strapped to his back, but he did not remove it.

"She's probably not going to wake," said Imoen. "Why don't you play something? Probably shouldn't be too loud at this time but what about a lullaby?"

"Of course," Garrick said, looking relieved.

He began to play softly, and Imoen did not recognize the song but she, like Silandra, loved music and enjoyed it all the same. He sang too, and she decided she much preferred hearing his voice to Silke's. Maybe he should have been the famous one.

Music made the time appear to pass more quickly, and soon the others returned. Thankfully they were unharmed, though they did look tired.

"We found an empty ale mug on a rooftop in the area," said Jaheira. "We think the assassin may have been at the inn before moving into position and waiting there a while. Unfortunately we could not find him. We will have to be doubly on guard from now on for it is likely he will try again."

"I thought Ajantis was gonna do his paladin thingy and detect evil," Imoen said.

"The problem is there are many evil-minded individuals in a town such as this," said Ajantis. He looked exhausted. "We cannot just kill them all and we did not encounter anyone matching the description Garrick gave us."

"Does this mean we're gonna have to leave early again?" Imoen asked, not looking forward to the answer.

"As early as possible, though no doubt the halfling and mad wizard will not be here early and Silandra will refuse to leave without them, again. Khalid and I will take first watch. Ajantis and Garrick second. You, Imoen, should get some rest."

"I can watch too!" Imoen cried.

"You are a child and need your sleep," Jaheira said, crossing her arms.

"I'm the same age as Sil! Well, almost."

"Yes, and Silandra is also a child."

"Eighteen isn't a child!"

"She knows nothing of the world. In that regard, she is. Now goodnight. Ajantis, you'll share your room with Garrick. Now go."

The two left the room quickly, not daring to try arguing with the druid. Jaheira eyed the window appraisingly and sighed. "We'll have to see if we can get windowless rooms from now on. I will stay here. Khalid will watch outside."

"You're gonna watch us sleep?" Imoen asked. That was just creepy.

"I'm going to keep watch while you sleep," said Jaheira. "Now go to bed."

Imoen knew there would be no point in arguing so she did as she was told, sticking her tongue out at the druid when she turned to face the window again.

It took some time for Silandra to realize she was awake, that she was not dead. She didn't dream often but she thought she had been, a little. She had been alone in a vast nothingness. The memory was fading too quickly to grasp hold and she dismissed it as a side effect of almost dying. She felt a little weak but she was in no pain. She sat up slowly, seeing she was lying in bed fully clothed, and sighed when she saw the state of her dress. There was a small hole where she'd been shot and the fabric was stiff from her own dried blood. At this rate she'd have nothing suitable to wear. She wondered if this was a common problem among adventurers or if she had just been particularly unlucky.

She then noticed Ajantis in the room, leaning against the wall fully armored. She wondered if he'd been there all night. Unexpectedly, the thought made her blush, something she rarely did, and she pretended to still be examining her dress in order to hide it.

"Are you feeling better, my lady?" Ajantis asked quietly, not wanting to wake Imoen who was sleeping in the other bed.

"Well enough, considering I probably almost died," Silandra said. "Why are you here? I hope you didn't stay up all night."

"Jaheira thought it best you were guarded. Garrick's outside. I'm watching the window. Jaheira and Khalid watched for the first half."

Silandra glanced at the window. Any assassin that managed to get through that would have to be fairly small, but she was not going to accuse her companions of being overly cautious. It looked like it was still early but she wanted to clean herself up and change. She knew the room had a bathtub because she had requested one, planning on bathing after returning from Feldepost's. She was not going to let the assassin take that away from her, regardless of how soon Jaheira may want to leave.

"Did you get the assassin?" she asked, getting out of bed and stretching.

"I regret to tell you we did not, though we did try," said Ajantis. "I will endeavor to be more vigilant in future."

"I don't think anyone was expecting it," said Silandra. "And it was dark so you may not have seen him anyway."

She had hoped she was only being guarded in case of new attacks and did not like hearing the assassin was still out there. She was quite sure she had nearly died and she suddenly had a new sense of just how vulnerable she was. She knew that there were spells to defend against missiles, but they were probably too advanced for her. Instead, perhaps she could find some other form of defense.

"I'm going to bathe," she said, stretching and heading over to the tub.

"I'll uh… wait outside," said Ajantis quickly. "Keep an eye on the window."

He left almost before he'd finished speaking and Silandra smiled to herself. Humans and their modesty. She used magic to fill the tub, not wanting to wait to get it filled manually. She wasn't supposed to do that but no one was around to stop her and nothing bad happened.

She quickly realized she'd have a scar from where the crossbow bolt had pierced her skin—not a big one, and it would fade to almost nothing eventually, but a scar all the same. Imoen was asleep and there was no one else to see her cry over such a seemingly trivial thing, so she let the tears fall.

She did feel a little better after her bath. Being clean made a big difference. She combed her hair thoroughly and left it out. It dried better that way and besides, Gorion wasn't around any longer to tell her that it wasn't proper for a woman her age to walk around with her hair loose. She suddenly felt guilty at the thought, but it was just a sign of how much he had oppressed her. Perhaps his intentions had been good, but it had been impossible for her to live a full life under his care.

Imoen was still asleep when she finished bathing. She probably wouldn't be too impressed about being woken before breakfast was being served so Silandra opened the door, finding Ajantis and Garrick standing in the hall.

"I'm going downstairs," she stated.

"But it might not be safe!" Garrick said.

"I think it's much less likely anyone would attack me in daylight in the common room of an inn," Silandra said. "You should stay here until Imoen wakes, just in case."

Garrick didn't argue, and Silandra and Ajantis headed downstairs.

Silandra would not have been surprised if Khalid and Jaheira were already waiting for her, but the common room was nearly empty at this time. There was a serving woman standing at the bar and the smell of breakfast cooking filled the air. She could not help but feel a little on edge. She chose a corner table where she could keep an eye on the entrance, the stairs and the doorway to the kitchens, so at least no one could sneak up on her.

The serving woman brought tea and said breakfast would be ready shortly. Silandra was hungrier than usual lately, probably from all the traveling, and she'd likely lost a lot of blood last night so she was especially eager for breakfast this morning.

"Do you have any idea why assassins are after you?" Ajantis asked. "First at the Friendly Arm, then here…"

"They weren't the only ones," Silandra said. "The day I left Candlekeep I was attacked twice, though thankfully both men were incompetent. Then there was the man who killed Gorion. He was dangerous. I was lucky to escape with my life. I can only imagine that they're all connected."

Ajantis forehead creased in concern. "If you don't mind me asking—this Gorion, was he an important figure?"

"He used to be an adventurer before he adopted me," said Silandra. "He was a powerful mage. He may have had enemies, I suppose, but I don't see why they'd be after me. Maybe if they hadn't killed him they could hold me for a ransom, but he's gone and he's the only one who would care."

"I'm sorry to bring up unpleasant memories," Ajantis said.

"It's fine," said Silandra. "In truth, Gorion and I were not very close. He cared for me when I had no one else and I can't ignore that. Even though he was perhaps more strict with me than necessary, especially in the last few years… I mourn for him, but I will get past it. Maybe one day I'll even adjust to traveling every day and almost dying to assassins."

"I will be much more vigilant in future, my lady, I promise," said Ajantis.

Silandra saw movement on the stairs and tensed involuntarily, but saw that it was only Khalid and Jaheira.

"Are you feeling b-better, Silandra?" Khalid asked.

"Yes, thank you," Silandra said. "Or perhaps I should be thanking you, Jaheira. I'm assuming you healed me?"

"Of course," Jaheira said. "You're lucky I was there. That bolt very nearly killed you."

"I appreciate it," Silandra said, uncomfortably realizing that she hadn't been exactly nice to Jaheira recently.

"You're going to have to wear your hood up whenever we're around people," said Jaheira. "You're too distinctive-looking and these assassins apparently aren't giving up."

Silandra sighed but didn't try to argue. Jaheira was right. "Are you sure you don't know why these assassins are after me?"

"I've already told you what little we know," said Jaheira. "I expect Gorion would have given us the answers had he survived to reach the Friendly Arm."

"But you knew him," Silandra said. "Better than I did, probably. I know he used to be an adventurer but that's all. He didn't like talking about himself much."

Khalid and Jaheira exchanged a look, and apparently came to some sort of a decision.

"Gorion was a member of the Harpers, as are we," Jaheira said quietly. "Ajantis, I expect you can be trusted with this, and Silandra, from what I've seen you do not seem the type to gossip. I'd rather the others didn't know—especially Montaron and Xzar."

Silandra had read about the Harpers, of course. They were a fairly secretive organization dedicated to promoting good, preserving history, and maintaining the balance. They also had powerful enemies, among them the Red Wizards of Thay and the Zhentarim, from what she could remember.

"You think that's why I'm being targeted? Something related to Harper business?" Silandra asked.

"Perhaps," said Jaheira. "I have sent a message to a contact of ours who may be able to tell us more."

A small group of patrons came down the stairs and took a nearby table, and another serving woman emerged from the kitchens with baskets of fresh bread which she distributed. The conversation had to end for now but Silandra hoped to revisit it soon.

"I guess I should go wake Imoen," she said, beginning to rise.

"N-no, I will go," said Khalid quickly.

Silandra frowned as she watched him go.

"It would be best if you are not alone while your life is being threatened," said Jaheira.

Silandra understood, but she was sure this was going to be a pain before long. "I don't suppose you have any other ideas? You know, ways to protect myself without having to rely on others."

"You should probably have a set of mage robes, to start," said Jaheira. "Unfortunately, they cost more than we can afford right now. However there's sure to be a monetary reward involved for helping Nashkel."

Silandra was torn between wanting her very own mage robes, something she'd dreamed of for years, and not wanting the group's reward money to be spent on herself over the others. "What about spells?" she asked. Maybe Jaheira knew of something she could cast even at her level.

"I am unfamiliar with the intricacies of arcane magic, but I know that spells exist for creating magical armor and blocking attacks. Again, spells are expensive, and from what Gorion told us you do not learn easily."

"I learn easily enough!" Silandra said, immediately feeling defensive. "It's only new spells, getting them right in my mind… it takes time. And anyway, I can do all kinds of things without using those strict forms, but Gorion made me promise not to."

"Sorcery is dangerous," Jaheira said. "Perhaps it seems harsh but Gorion was correct."

"But I never hurt anyone," Silandra said.

"Were you always in complete control?" Jaheira asked.

Silandra sighed but didn't answer. She didn't want to lie. Thankfully, the rest of the breakfast was being brought out now and Imoen came down the stairs just in time with Garrick and Khalid.

"Sil, how're you feeling?" she asked, taking a seat and wasting no time in piling her plate with food.

"A little tired, perhaps, but otherwise fine," Silandra said.

"Good. You had me real scared. It was so fast and… You're not allowed to die, okay?"

"We are all going to be a lot more careful from now on," Jaheira said. "These assassins obviously have ways of knowing where Silandra is, but perhaps if she is disguised they will lose track of her."

"I'm not going to let another assassin get by me," Ajantis said, even now paying more attention to the inn's entrance than his food.

Now that most of her companions were here, Silandra was looking at the doorway for a different reason. "Has there been any sign of Montaron and Xzar yet?" she asked.

Although she was not too surprised that they had not shown up the night before, she had expected them to return for breakfast. Perhaps they had stayed at another inn and were eating there, but if so they had better turn up soon.

"No, and we are not going to wait for them this time," Jaheira said firmly. "We didn't find that assassin last night which means he is still out there and may try again."

"Did anyone get a look at him at least?" Silandra asked.

"I got a glimpse right after he shot you," said Garrick. "I couldn't make out much but he was short."

"There was a dwarf in Feldepost's when we were eating dinner," said Silandra. "He had a crossbow too. I didn't keep track of him though."

"We'll keep an eye out," said Jaheira. "If he tries following us out of Beregost we'll catch him and hopefully find out what's going on."

Silandra liked that plan. Maybe this was all some big misunderstanding and they had the wrong person. Of course, she did not like the idea that Gorion may have been killed by mistake, but at least she could get it sorted out and be safe, right? But even as she considered the idea, she realized how ridiculously optimistic it was.

By the time they had finished breakfast, Montaron and Xzar still had not shown up. The common room was beginning to clear and Jaheira was looking impatient, though to her credit she wasn't saying anything yet.

"What if the assassin went after them?" Silandra asked. "Maybe he knew they were traveling with me. They could be in danger."

"I doubt it," said Jaheira. "The best we can do is leave them a message here before we go. They can catch up with us on the road."

Silandra didn't like it but if this was a habit of theirs it probably would not be a good idea to keep traveling with them. Having reliable companions was important. And she still remembered how the two had ignored her last words to them the previous day.

"Fine," she said. "I do hope they're alright."

"I don't think you have to worry about them," said Imoen. "They can handle themselves. Maybe they just ditched us."

"They wouldn't do that!" Silandra cried, shocked at the very thought. "They wouldn't just leave without saying anything!"

"They m-might," said Khalid. "I d-don't think they're very n-nice p-people."

Well, Silandra did not feel she could argue with that.