Edwin was getting impatient. He had been in this tiny town for days, only leaving briefly to track down some woman that Dorn wanted to kill. There was no chance of finding the witch Dynaheir either, since they had gleaned from the townsfolk that she had gone to the mine with the nymph and her companions. So there was nothing to do but wait.
What's more, the guards were keeping an eye on him and his ill-conceived group. When the captain heard they were looking for the nymph he immediately became suspicious, accusing them of being assassins. If it were not for the fact that Montaron and Xzar knew the mayor, things could have gone very badly for the group. The mayor himself was not particularly happy with them, since the pair were supposed to have been investigating the mines. He was only mildly mollified by the fact that someone else was taking care of it.
Xzar, Montaron and Kagain seemed content to sit around in the inn all day, sometimes heading to the Belching Dragon Tavern for a change of scenery. At least Dorn shared Edwin's impatience. His own quest for vengeance had been put on hold, for his next clue led to Baldur's Gate and according to the guards, the city was closed until further notice. Something to do with the bandit attacks, apparently.
If it were not so important that Edwin find the witch, he would gladly leave. But his superiors would not accept failure. He had to complete his mission or die trying. Initially he had thought it a simple task. Now that the witch had fallen in with a whole group of adventurers, he would have to think up something more intricate.
He had visited the carnival briefly, thinking that spending some time outside the town may improve his mood. It was, however, a rather dismal event. The 'entertainment' consisted mostly of poets and they were not very good. There was a rather interesting exploding ogre. It was a spell of course; ogres did not just explode and then reappear intact to repeat the trick. Edwin thought if he could just see it enough times, he could work it out. But the ogre had become angry and he had no choice but to destroy him. It was a pity. After that, there was nothing of interest at the carnival. In Thay, there would have at least been a gladiator pit.
Edwin was currently sitting at a table in the darkest corner of the Nashkel inn with only the blackguard for company. The others were off at the tavern. He didn't mind; Dorn was not very talkative but he was better company than the mad wizard. The usual rabble were sitting around them, keeping their distance. Edwin was unsure if they were more afraid of him or Dorn but he didn't care, so long as they did not bother him.
Today there was a new patron who looked interesting. Some kind of rogue, most likely, dressed in black and green with a belt of throwing daggers. He was in the second darkest corner, sipping his drink slowly and surreptitiously watching the door. He was definitely waiting for someone, but who?
Edwin was contemplating another glass of wine when a half-elf couple entered the inn. He was surprised when the druid's eyes fell upon him and she began to stalk over to his table, looking highly displeased.
"Edwin, I take it?" she said, glaring at him.
Edwin resisted the urge to roll his eyes, already sure this would not be a pleasant conversation. "I assume you have heard of my greatness?"
The woman scowled and the man at her side looked from her to Edwin worriedly. He did not miss Dorn hulking in the shadows either.
"I have heard you are looking for Silandra," the woman said. "If we were to search you, would we find a bounty notice?"
"Of course not, and I would like to see you try."
"There is also the matter of Dynaheir. We know you tried to kill her. Give me one good reason why we should not have you arrested as assassins right now."
"I only wanted to inter… to talk to her," Edwin said, not quite as smoothly as he wanted. "She is very dangerous and I suggest you keep an eye on her."
"Please, do tell me why she is so dangerous."
"That is what I need to determine."
"I doubt a Red Wizard would be a fair judge. I suggest you take your companions and leave before the others return."
"Or what? You think you two are a match for me?" He did not mention Dorn lurking beside him, but he was sure the blackguard's presence spoke for itself.
"We will not insult the innkeeper by fighting in here," the woman said, clearly unperturbed. "We will, however, be keeping an eye on you, and we will defend ourselves if you attack any member of our group."
With that, she spun on her heel and headed towards the bar where the innkeeper had been watching the exchange anxiously. The male accompanying her, who had remained silent all this time, eyed Edwin and Dorn nervously before following her.
"The others should know the nymph will be here soon," said Dorn. He did not speak often, and although Edwin had tried to dismiss him as an uncultured brute at first, he had since been forced to admit that the half-orc wasn't a complete idiot.
"I'll tell them," said Edwin. "I could do with a walk anyway."
Of course, he would rather just sit at the table, but he found the blackguard rather intimidating and wasn't about to suggest he go to the tavern. He would never admit this of course. Much better to pretend that he wanted some fresh air, that he wanted to visit the cesspit that was the Belching Dragon.
As he walked, he kept an eye out for the nymph and the rest of her group. From what the half-elf woman had said, it sounded like they were nearby and he did not particularly want to encounter them alone. But he didn't come across anyone else of note. The monk who had been putting on ridiculous martial arts displays outside the inn since Edwin and his companions arrived was still there. Edwin wondered how long he planned on keeping it up and what his purpose was, though he was not curious enough to bother engaging the man in conversation. For all he knew, he was touched in the head.
The guards watched him suspiciously as he walked, but he was used to that. He ignored them and continued on his way to the tavern.
He quickly realized that his less civilized companions were intoxicated despite it not even being dark outside. He cringed inwardly, not looking forward to this conversation.
"I think I met your Harper friends," he said by way of greeting.
"They're not our friends," Montaron growled.
Edwin rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean. They were in the inn, alone. It sounds like the rest of their group will be along shortly."
"They see ye?" Montaron asked.
"Yes, unfortunately," Edwin said. "The woman yammered for a while, but I made it clear we are not just going to leave. We should, however, be together when the others arrive. And you three should sober up."
Kagain laughed at that, a rather horrible guttural sound. Edwin was glad he only seemed to do so when drunk, or he may have had to kill him before now.
"Or don't, see if I care," Edwin went on. "Just get back to the inn."
He turned and left, not wanting to stay there any longer than necessary. Nothing in this town was particularly refined, but the tavern seemed to be where all the lowlifes congregated.
He was glad to see the nymph had not yet arrived by the time he returned to the inn. He wanted to make sure he was there to watch her enter. The half elves had chosen a table on the other side of the room. They were sitting opposite one another so that between them, they had a view of the front door, the stairs and the kitchens, and they had evidently not missed his return. Edwin surmised that Xzar and Montaron were right, they were probably Harpers or something. Not the type he really wanted to be crossing, especially when they had allies. Perhaps he would have to change his plans.
Silandra was glad to finally see the town of Nashkel coming into view. The carnival had been fun—well, except for the part where she and her friends had to kill an evil mage—but she was looking forward to a warm meal and proper bed. She knew it would only be for one night, but she would enjoy such luxuries when she could get them.
She was looking forward to introducing Branwen to Khalid and Jaheira. She knew she herself could not take the credit for finding another healer, but she felt Jaheira had not thought anything good would come from the group remaining at the carnival and this was proof that it had.
Branwen herself was eager to get to the inn and drink to celebrate her second chance at life, as she called it.
Before they got there, however, they were stopped by Bardolan and a few of his men on patrol.
"Silandra!" he said, his weathered face breaking into a grin. "I'm glad to see you emerge safely from the mine. I hear you were successful."
"Yes, though I could not have done it alone," Silandra said, smiling back. "Oh, before I forget. Imoen, do you still have that ring?"
Imoen rummaged in one of her belt pouches for a moment and came up with the greenstone ring they had found in the depths of the mine.
"We found this," said Silandra. "I'm afraid the owner is dead. But it's so distinctive, I thought perhaps someone here may recognize it."
Bardolan's eyes betrayed his recognition the moment he saw the ring, but he still spent a moment examining it closely.
"This belonged to a man here in town," he said, sighing heavily. "Joseph, his name was. I will bring the news to his wife. I think she has suspected he would not be returning to her, but having closure may help."
"I wish we could have saved him," Silandra said quietly. "At least no one else will have to suffer his fate down there."
"You can't save everyone," said Bardolan. "You did a great thing for us, for the whole area. You and your friends." He gestured at the others, as if just realizing that he had yet to acknowledge them.
"I'm glad we were able to help," said Silandra. "There is… something else you should know. We didn't see you when we last passed through here but on our way to the gnoll stronghold we came across your Commander, Brage. He was dead. I'm sorry."
Bardolan sighed, his eyes misting slightly. "I shouldn't be too upset about it but… he was once a good man. I wish I knew what caused him to act as he did. Regardless, death would have been his sentence if any of us saw him again."
"I thought so," said Silandra. "I hope it helps in some way, to know his fate."
"It does," said Bardolan. "Thank you for bringing me the news." He blinked a few times before speaking again quickly. "Oh, I do need to warn you about something. A Red Wizard was here asking after you, Silandra. He was also looking for Dynaheir. I did not like the look of the company he kept, but the mayor let them stay."
"Thank you, Captain," Silandra replied, frowning slightly. "We will be prepared, whatever they may be up to."
Soon they parted ways, and Silandra turned to face her friends just outside the inn.
"Dynaheir, how do you think we should handle this?" she asked. "There's a good chance Edwin is inside."
"I doubt we have much to fear from his kind in this place," said Dynaheir. "He may be foolish, but he is at least aware enough to realize an attack here would be suicide. He is also too cowardly to act directly."
"So we should just go in and hope for the best?" Silandra asked.
"Maybe you should let me enter first, just in case," Ajantis said. "The Captain said he was also asking for you. He may have heard of the bounty."
"I suppose it can't hurt to be careful," Silandra replied, sighing and wondering if she would ever get a break from assassins.
Ajantis and Minsc stepped into the inn first, and Silandra and the others were only allowed to follow once they deemed it safe.
Khalid and Jaheira were there of course, and they stood upon seeing the others enter.
There was also a rather unsavory looking group of people sitting at one of the other tables, though at least Silandra was expecting it now after what Bardolan had said. Montaron and Xzar were there, along with three others she did not recognize. At least, she didn't at first. Then she realized the half-orc looked to be the same one she had seen lurking in the Friendly Arm, and she could at least guess the identity of one of the other men. Red Wizards were not common around here and they tended to stand out. She was not particularly confident about going up against someone as advanced as he likely was, but she wasn't going to just let him take Dynaheir either. Thankfully, he did not make any sudden moves. He did notice the moment the group entered, but he seemed content to stare at Silandra for the moment. She was not entirely unused to that and decided it was an acceptable reaction for the moment. She had some unfinished business with Montaron and Xzar and so it was to them she turned to first.
"You two!" she cried. "What do you have to say for yourselves?"
"Mummy?" Xzar said innocently.
Montaron shot him a look, before turning to face Silandra. "Don't know what yer talkin' about."
"I'm talking about you two abandoning us in Beregost," Silandra said, crossing her arms and glaring. "Jaheira wanted to leave you behind back at the Friendly Arm but I vouched for you and you ended up leaving us anyway!"
"Though we'd stand a better chance at livin' without ye," Montaron said.
"You could have told us!" Silandra said. "Anyway, as it turns out, we did just fine without you. So good riddance." Now she rounded on Edwin. "And I suppose you are lying in wait for Dynaheir so you can kill her?"
Edwin had continued to stare at her in silence while she spoke and did not even seem to register that she had now turned her attention upon him. She waited patiently for a response. She checked she wasn't inadvertently charming him. She wasn't.
"Edwin!" she cried, frowning.
He blinked a few times and gazed upon her. "Yes?" he said. He evidently had not heard a word she had said.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Oh, nothing much," he said nonchalantly. "Just waiting for you."
"For me? Not for Dynaheir?"
"Her too, but only because she has information I require. If you have any sense at all you will keep your distance from her; she is dangerous."
"Dangerous to her enemies, perhaps. Dynaheir has proven to be a loyal and skilled member of our group. You, on the other hand, tried to kill her. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Edwin rolled his eyes. "I was not trying to kill her. As I said, I just want information. She is up to something. Why do you think she is so far from her home?"
"Whatever she is up to, I'm sure it's harmless enough, which is more than I can say for you. You should all leave." Silandra did not really expect them to listen, but she thought it was worth a try.
"I think not," said Xzar, eyes clear for the moment. "Our mission is the same, after all. We'll join you once again and assist you in your endeavors to find those behind this iron crisis."
"I would rather have companions I can trust," Silandra said. "I don't want someone who will run off because they are scared."
"I didn't say we were scared!" Montaron growled. "Just didn't wanna throw our lives away."
"Sounds like you were scared to me," Silandra said. "We don't want anything to do with any of you."
"Well we don't like you either!" Xzar shrieked, before forcing himself to calm down. "But we will leave in the morning, when we are good and ready."
"Fine," said Silandra. "Just keep your distance in the meantime."
She turned to Khalid and Jaheira who were watching in trepidation (Khalid) and what looked like amusement (Jaheira).
"How was the carnival?" Jaheira asked, smirking a little.
"It was fun," said Silandra, as she and her companions took seats.
"We found another healer to join us!" Imoen said. "This is Branwen. Branwen, this is Khalid and Jaheira."
"'Tis an honor to join a group of such fine warriors," Branwen said, smiling.
Of course, Jaheira insisted on knowing how Branwen came to join them, and then Silandra let slip that they had fought an evil mage too, so their carnival adventure was not quite without danger. But everyone had survived, and that was the important thing, as Khalid pointed out.
Jaheira then recounted the conversation she and Khalid had with the mayor when they returned to town. He had shown his appreciation to the group by giving them a rather generous sum of gold.
"We have some other news too," said Jaheira, her expression rather grim.
"Ooo, are you and Khalid having a baby?" Imoen asked, eyes gleaming.
Khalid's eyes went wide and he even blushed faintly, but Jaheira just scowled. "Of course not. As you know, we sent a message to a contact of ours some time ago, hoping they can tell us more about what befell Gorion and who may have been after Silandra in particular. We received a reply today, but they have insisted they must give us their information in person."
"So they're coming here?" Silandra asked.
"Khalid and I will be visiting them," said Jaheira. "In Athkatla, to be specific. We will try to be quick, but we will likely be gone for a couple of weeks."
Silandra wasn't sure how she felt about that. Jaheira's presence had often been stifling, but she was undeniably experienced and in some ways it did feel good to have someone with her who knew what they were doing. But as she looked upon the other members of her group, she felt maybe she would not need the druid's expertise quite so much anymore. For some reason she still felt she might actually miss her. Khalid may be quiet most of the time, but she enjoyed his company. He was also the best at starting fires. Who would make them in his place?
"You're leaving us?" Imoen cried.
She was so surprised that she did not immediately notice the bread being set on the table, nor the waitress waiting for her drink order. Branwen, however, tore into the food with gusto and called for a 'plentiful supply of ale'.
"Only for a short time," said Jaheira. "I would rather not, but… I feel this is important. It is just too strange for someone to be after Silandra like this. And at least there are now others to look after her."
"We won't let any harm come to her, you have my word," Ajantis said.
"I believe that," Jaheira said, looking at him rather shrewdly, "but I would feel better about our absence if we could discuss your next moves."
"We will head to Beregost, find this Tranzig and interrogate him," Silandra said. "Then… well, hopefully we'll find out where the people behind all this are hiding and we'll get rid of them."
"I doubt it will be that simple," Xan said with a sigh. "Things never are."
"Mayhap not," Dynaheir said. "It is all we can do for now."
"I also think you should take this to the smith in Beregost," Jaheira said, withdrawing the bottle of suspected ore poison found in the mines and a wrapped object, which turned out to be a small piece of tainted ore, already rusting. "I thought it may be useful to take some with us. Maybe there is something he can do to salvage the ore leaving the mine. It will take some time before quality ore is in circulation again."
Dynaheir accepted the items, carefully rewrapping the ore and murmuring a cantrip, sealing the wrappings, before putting it and the poison in her bag.
It was hard to relax with Xzar, Montaron and their companions in the room, but at least they were not sitting nearby. Silandra had positioned herself so that she could keep an eye on them and she was sure she was not the only one. For the most part they kept to themselves, whispering every now and then, but Edwin kept looking at her, and to her surprise and unease she saw that the half-orc did too. He had been silent earlier, and she realized he was not in Dynaheir's description of the group that tried to kill her, so he had joined them later. She did her best to ignore him, focusing on the fact that she and her friends had escaped the mine with their lives and were finally able to loosen up a little.
Khalid and Jaheira were sensible enough to retire early, but Silandra wanted to make the most of this time before she would be on the road again. The more wine she drank, the easier it was to relax and the harder it was to convince herself that she should get some sleep.
Garrick had begun playing his lute and was singing, finding a small audience in Imoen and a few commoners, and Silandra was on her third glass of wine, which was probably one too many. It was a little too noisy at this point for proper conversation, but she and Ajantis were trying anyway. He related stories of his childhood in Waterdeep, a city that was sounding more and more interesting.
Then there was a whoosh of air behind her and a surprised cry of pain followed by a thud. She spun around, too quickly so that it made her a little dizzy, and Ajantis stood, sword drawn. He had been far more sensible than her, only sipping one flagon of ale the whole evening.
Standing before them was the half-orc, his sword drawn and glistening with blood. On the floor was one of the inn's patrons who Silandra had barely registered upon entering. A young man wearing black and green, his chest opened in a gruesome display. There was a dagger lying inches from his hand. His fingers twitched a few times as if trying to reach for it, even as he struggled to breathe, and then he was still.
"What is the meaning of this?" Ajantis demanded.
Minsc was standing too, though he had indulged far more in his ale and probably could not be relied on at this point. Boo was apparently too young to drink so he was in fine form, standing on Minsc's shoulder and shaking his tiny fists at the half-orc.
"This man was obviously an assassin," the half-orc said, his deep voice sounding like a growl.
"A likely story coming from a blackguard such as yourself!" Ajantis retorted. Silandra didn't think she had ever heard him sound so… well, so hateful before.
"I'm sure if you search him there'll be something incriminating," the half-orc said.
Silandra glanced at Imoen. Searching bodies was usually her job, but she was currently in no state to do so. She was obviously inebriated, and she was looking up at the half-orc in what appeared to be amusement of all things. No one else was making a move, including the intimidating half-orc before her. She decided he could have killed her if she had been his target and left her chair to bend down beside the dead man.
The dagger itself lent credence to the half-orc's words. The man had obviously been holding it when he died. Though since her back had been turned she couldn't know for sure that he wasn't just trying to defend himself against the half-orc. She frowned, trying to think through the fog the alcohol had put over her mind.
The man was well-armed. Not only did he have a sheaf of throwing daggers, but he also had a short sword which would surely have been a much better choice for fighting the half-orc, if that was what he was trying to do.
Then she found a letter in his pocket. Her fingers trembled as she unrolled the parchment and read.
"Oh…" was all she could say.
"What is it?" Ajantis asked.
She stood and handed him the letter.
"I think you should both put your weapons away," she said, and turned to the half-orc. "Thank you. It seems you saved me."
"Dorn Il-Khan, at your service," he said roughly. She got the feeling he did not use such words often.
"I'm Silandra," she replied. "Though considering your traveling companions, I suppose you already know."
"I was, in fact, seeking you out," he said. "I would like to join your group."
"Oh," Silandra said, surprised. She wished she had not drunk so much wine; she did not think she usually sound so… vapid. "I'm sorry but your companions are not welcome."
"I'm not particularly attached to them," Dorn said.
"Silandra, you are not considering having a blackguard join us, are you?" Ajantis asked. Although he had sheathed his sword, his hand was still on the hilt and he had not even read the letter she had handed him, instead keeping his eyes on Dorn.
There was that word again. Silandra had heard of blackguards of course, but she had thought Ajantis was only using it as…well, as an insult, perhaps. Now she wondered if there might be more to it. Blackguards were evil, practically the polar opposite of paladins, and not the kind of person she really wanted to associate herself with. But he had saved her, and he must have had a reason for it.
"Why did you save me?" she asked.
"Because I want to join you," Dorn said.
"And why would you want to do that? I didn't think blackguards would care too much about clearing the world of bandits."
"I don't. But my patron says I should join with you, and I do as he says."
"And if your 'patron' says to kill her?" Ajantis asked.
"He does not want her dead," said Dorn, looking faintly amused.
"I think I need to discuss this with my companions," said Silandra.
Dorn just shrugged and headed back to the table where his group was sitting. She expected them to have something to say about him being prepared to leave them so easily, and sure enough, the table broke into frantic whispers the moment he sat down.
"He's evil!" Ajantis said. "No good can come of allowing one such as he to join us."
"Perhaps, but he did save me," said Silandra. "Since you did not bother to read the letter, I'll tell you what it said. It wasn't just a regular bounty notice. It was a letter directly from Tazok to the assassin. Now, not only do I have a bounty on my head, but Tazok himself has got wind of my movements. I'm not really sure why he has singled me out as the leader though. Let's also not forget those women that ambushed us yesterday. Apparently word travels quickly among these people."
"Are you sure there is no connection between him and the other bounties?" Xan asked. "It does seem strange that you are the only one being named."
"But they started before I had even done anything!" Silandra replied. "Why would they have wanted me dead then?"
"There is obviously something bigger at play," said Dynaheir, her dark eyes gazing upon Silandra in a way that made her uncomfortable. "We shall have to proceed carefully."
"I thought we were being careful," said Silandra. "Though I guess tonight we slipped up."
"It won't happen again," said Ajantis, looking a little guilty.
"You can't be watching for danger all the time," said Silandra. "I really don't expect any of you to want to stay with me after this. I'm obviously just making the rest of you less safe."
"We'll never leave you!" Imoen said drunkenly, glaring at the others as if daring them to disagree.
"I'm not going to try to make anyone stay," said Silandra. "If anyone wants to leave, I won't hold it against you."
She wasn't sure what she expected, but no one moved or said anything. She was glad. She was already beginning to see these people as friends, perhaps even family, and although she hated the thought of any of them being hurt because of her, she didn't really want them to go either.
"Neira, the assassin who attacked me when we first came to Nashkel," she went on, trying to remember, "she said a mage had to be nearby to communicate with the bounty hunters. What if that's Tranzig?"
"There can't be very many evil mages with that kind of power in the area," said Xan. "It seems likely."
"What do you all think about Dorn?" Silandra asked. "I'll admit I don't know much about blackguards, just that they serve demons. But he did save me, and with Khalid and Jaheira leaving us, maybe we could use the help."
"Are you serious?" Ajantis asked, looking horrified. "I think you would only be in more danger if he joined us."
Garrick just shrugged and Imoen nodded, though she probably should not be counted as she was clearly not in her right mind. Neither was Branwen, who was paying more attention to her ale than the conversation.
"We can give him a chance," said Dynaheir. "He may also know something of what Edwin is planning."
"I like the idea of having another sword between me and death," said Xan.
"Boo is not sure," said Minsc, looking like he was attempting to think.
Silandra herself wasn't sure what to do. She did agree with Xan, that she would feel safer with another strong fighter on her side. But she also knew it could be dangerous to trust someone like Dorn. She was sure that if he wanted her dead, she would be, but she was wary about what else a demon may want with her.
She knew what Jaheira would say. Dorn could not be trusted and it was a risk the group should not take. Perhaps that was what finally made her decide to accept him.