Many thanks for the reviews, favourites and follows! :)
Warnings for violence in this chapter, thanks mostly to Elatharia and her alignment, but I blame Korgan too...
The chapter title is from Tennyson's poem 'The Princess'.

Chapter 7: A Brother by a Sister Slain

The next morning came heralded not only by the habitual calls of wheeling seagulls and the distant town-criers but by that satisfying bustle of many awakening people getting ready for a day on the road. For a little while Elatharia lay in her bed listening to the world waking up; the creak of Jaheira's door as the druid headed for the stairs, the hushed voices of Aerie and Mazzy in the lower bunks of her room as they gathered their things and headed for the wash room before any of the others woke up. Once the avariel and halfling had made it into the corridor she heard Aerie's high voice rise into a giggle and Haer'Dalis's deeper, amused answer as they met on the corridor. Once the less couth thud and roll of Korgan falling out of bed in the room across the hall was heard, with Jan's immediately following chatter and Anomen's annoyed groaning, Elatharia realised she should join them all. It was a long few days they had ahead of them.

Though fragile morning light was streaming through the dark curtains, Viconia was less than enthusiastic about waking; something about her life in the Underdark meant that she found it easier to rise later – or even once the sun had set. Groaning, the drow turned over to face the wall, pulling the sheets up over her head. Elatharia smothered a laugh, buoyed by the hope of impending adventure and all the money they could gain for Imoen. There was something about this gathering sense of unified purpose that made her feel more hopeful than she had since…before her capture.

Tying on her mask and wrapping herself in a dressing gown she headed for the wash room before any of the men could take the impending vacancy once Mazzy and Aerie left. Once they were returning to their room for their travelling clothes they still came upon the sight of Korgan ambling bare-chested their way, and Aerie gave a shriek of horror. He seemed more interested in what his impressively hairy, barrel-chested physique would induce in Mazzy but the paladin kept her eyes to the floor and scurried for the bedroom while Elatharia covered Aerie's eyes and guided the avariel to their room. Korgan just laughed at them and suggested that they consider how fortunate that they had been to see him and not Jan.

Once dressed for the road in the Robe of Vecna and her trusty travelling boots Elatharia left the equally ready Aerie to help strap Mazzy into her armour and proceeded to check that everyone had gone downstairs (except Viconia, who the paladin and avariel could deal with). Anomen was just stumbling bleary eyed from his room, thankfully dressed in a shirt and trousers, doublet unbuttoned over the top. He mumbled a weary good-morning; a surreptitious glance past him revealed a spectacularly untidy room which had been vacated by both Jan and Korgan – who were making another baffled mess in the wash room at this point from the sounds of things.

The Helmite gave the backpack slung over her shoulder a guilty look.

"I shall be ready by the time we agreed, my lady," he promised. He sent a slightly uncomfortable glance into his room, considered heading for the wash room, and then turned for the stairs and the promise of breakfast.

The door to Haer'Dalis and Edwin's room was wide open and the room was utterly empty. Both beds were perfectly neat and no possessions littered the floor or bedside tables. She had heard them exchanging a few surprisingly civil words over an hour before – the Red Wizard was an early riser – so most likely both of them were already downstairs. Minsc and Yoshimo's door was open just a crack; the berserker's snoring had ceased which normally meant he was awake. A knock on the door and a polite 'come in' from Yoshimo revealed the Rashemi had left his bed in disarray but already gone downstairs with his hamster and backpack. The Kara-Turan was sitting on the bed inspecting some arrows, fully dressed in the black leather of Shadow Armour. He gave her a nod and a smile when she entered.

"I am ready," he answered her questioning look, picking up his quiver and standing, his backpack on his shoulder and cloak slung through the strap, "Shall we go down?"

Breakfast was a chaotic affair, even though Gaelan's unseen lackeys had indeed washed up after them and been told to leave out pastries and tea for the group as a send-off. The Guild Master was hovering in the doorway when Elatharia and Yoshimo came through into the kitchen to see the floor strewn with unwisely placed backpacks.

Jaheira was frowning by the side table (pastry in hand) while the others chattered endlessly and inefficiently jostled for their favourite foods. There was no sign of Edwin in here, but Anomen was sorting through a pile of plate mail armour with a stricken look on his face at one end of the table while Aerie sat down at the other end with her fruit and nuts. Haer'Dalis was leaning across her for the teapot and a plate, saying something with a broad smile that made her giggle, while Minsc was plucking more pastries than he had a right to from the central pile. Mazzy was watching it all from her chair, now fully armoured, her hair pulled up into its usual braids and a spoon halfway to her lips. Aerie had started feeding Boo a few nuts when he ran past her on the table. When Mazzy noticed Elatharia and Yoshimo entering, she gestured at the rodent.

"Must he be permitted to have that animal scurrying amongst the plates whilst we eat?" the paladin demanded incredulously, "Surely 'tis not hygienic?"

"Probably not," Elatharia agreed after a moment of watching the scene unfolding, "Minsc, remove your Boo from the table. And remember that Korgan, Jan and Viconia still have to eat!"

The ranger recoiled in alarm at her tone, the hamster scurrying up his sleeve as he sat back with his plate piled with pastries. Yoshimo sniggered at the sight, plucking one item from the table and handing the Transmuter a plate when she approached. Some toast and a small orange would suit her.

"My armour," Anomen mumbled into the momentary lull, glancing with sorrowful eyes towards where Gaelan was just letting Viconia pass him in the doorway, "You say my father knew to have a servant leave it on your doorstep?"

"Aye, he left ya that note, did he not?" the Guild Master pointed out shiftily.

"Well, I suppose he could have left you without it…" Elatharia was about to say more, but Aerie cut in with a more thoughtful addition.

"That means he does still love you, Anomen!" she promised as the cleric looked down at the note in question.

"Indeed, if his promises that he cannot stand any reminder of my presence in the house are a comfort as well," Anomen pointed out miserably.

"Well, he looks to have done you a favour either way, my Peacock," Haer'Dalis suggested.

The Helmite's lip curled at the nickname but he looked to be too sorrowful to display the venom he wished. Any more conversation was temporarily destroyed by the thunderous arrival of Korgan and Jan making their way down the stairs.

"Aha, ye know yer audience lad! 'Twas a good tale – and I'm less inclined to kill ye fer it!" the dwarf was chortling as he and the gnome barrelled into the room, both now fully dressed and road-ready.

Mazzy fairly tripped in her haste to get to the seat between Anomen and Elatharia rather than risk Korgan having a chance to get near her. But even while the gnome and dwarf made their noisy entrance, choosing their breakfasts and engaging group members in conversations they might have preferred not to partake in, Elatharia was staring at Anomen. It was hard to see her glare behind her mask but he seemed to sense it and looked up to meet her eyes hesitantly.

"Anomen," she began slowly, her voice deceptively calm, "How did your father know to leave your armour outside the door?"

"I…I left him a note when I departed," the Helmite explained, "But all I said was…that I was leaving to join a friend in a worthy quest. It is possible he contacted the Radiant Heart and they suggested that I may well have meant you."

"The Heart did have to know where you lived to leave your reward after the defeat of the Eyeless cult," Gaelan put in from behind her. She ignored him, though the reminder possibly stayed some of her wrath.

"That's an awful lot of trouble to go to from a father who expelled his son," the Transmuter suggested.

"I would have just had the lot broken up for scrap – and maybe then left it at your door," Viconia suggested amicably at Elatharia's side. Korgan laughed at this, but it also earned a gasp of horror from Aerie and a dark frown from Mazzy.

"It is his way of causing me more guilt," Anomen admitted, lifting the large purple shield from where it rested against the table leg beside him and running his hands over the embossed surface, "This is the Delryn family shield. By forcing me to keep it he is implying that I am not worthy of it, and that I never shall be."

"Then you shall prove him otherwise, Anomen!" Aerie cried from the other end of the table. Haer'Dalis, spinning a coin between his fingers at her side, sent her a slightly fond glance, though his eyebrow quirked in amusement. Minsc nodded in hearty agreement of the avariel, pastry flaking everywhere as he chewed.

"Well, I for one would suggest that is enough navel gazing for one day," Jaheira cut in abruptly now, meeting Elatharia's eye from across the room, "We are wasting time."

"Agreed," Elatharia nodded as the druid stood, pulling on her cloak and pack.

It was a strange moment, to be in agreement with Jaheira, but she forced her way through it and got to her feet as well, heading for the sitting room to collect the Thayvian from where he was inevitably distracted by a book. There were advantages to large groups; safety in numbers, that satisfying feeling of collected purpose, and then there were disadvantages. Like young clerics who had chosen precisely the wrong time to have a family crisis. Wasn't that her area of expertise?

They set out a little later than planned, but the promise of some activity out of the city had a spring in the step of a number of the travellers. Elatharia had not been out of the city for some time and looked forward to the change, while Viconia would be pleased to be free of the endless pressure of keeping up her disguise amongst bustling humanity. Haer'Dalis and Aerie were curious about what the countryside would look like; they speculated endlessly even before the group reached the city gates. Jaheira and Minsc had been out in the wilds much more recently but as ever would be much happier there. The druid actually looked like she might start smiling at the ranger's antics with his hamster when she thought no one was looking.

Mazzy had not left the city since returning from the Umar Hills but if she felt any nervousness after her ordeal in the shadow dungeons then she did not show it. She became quite involved in a conversation with Yoshimo about Kara-Tur and its customs, regarding what was honourable and what was not. For his part the Kara-Turan looked as blandly cheerful as ever but did not seem particularly interested in whether they stayed in the city. He had promised Elatharia his support and that would just have to do.

Korgan stomped at the far end of the group, watching every tavern they passed – all closed at this hour – as if determined to remember what he would be missing in the wilderness. Jan was starting to lag behind quite considerably by the time they left the city gates and were out on the open road; the gnome had his magnifying glasses on over his eyes and was fiddling with some small contraption. Edwin complained almost incessantly at first about why they could not have horses, although Elatharia had already explained it to him before they left: where they were headed, the foothills of the Cloud Peak Mountains, horses would be worse than useless. They would be a liability.

Thus they travelled on foot along the initially well-paved road out of Athkatla, through the first few miles of open grassland and farms full of swaying crops or teeming with wandering grazing livestock. They kept in twos or threes for the most part; Jaheira and Minsc leading the way, the druid watchful with her quarterstaff in hand and the ranger pondering the scenery with Boo. Next came Elatharia and Edwin who for the most part walked a little separately, only falling into different consecutive parts of the same discussion (on the benefits of a more balanced knowledge of wizarding Schools) when the party stopped to rest.

Behind them stalked Viconia, freed from her illusory form, her deep yellow hood pulled up; she was quiet, as was normal, keeping her eyes on the world around them – though Elatharia suspected the priestess might have been paying more attention to the conversation rolling on endlessly behind her than it appeared. This was a discussion on the acting arts which had initially erupted between Haer'Dalis and Jan once the gnome had caught up at the first rest point. Aerie had quickly joined in, blushing and giggling when the tiefling threw an arm around her narrow shoulders as he gestured to the distant hills and the half-seen shape of the De'Arnise Hold amongst them. In their wake Mazzy and Yoshimo's conversation had drawn in Anomen. Korgan was frowning at their backs and looked like he wanted nothing more than to set the group straight.

Eventually they turned north, off the well-kept eastbound road – which would have got them as far as distant Keczulla on the country's outskirts. Edwin groused that they could have taken the road for a few days longer and turned north by the Trade Way, that road which was so well-travelled that it took trade from as far south as Calimport to as far north as Waterdeep (though it sojourned as 'the Coast Way' between Nashkel and Baldur's Gate). Jaheira had responded acerbically that although it may have appeared to be easier and quicker to use the better road it would in fact double their journey time. The Umar Hills and their more distant neighbour the Windspear Hills were out in the western foothills of the Cloudpeaks and not reachable from the more easterly Trade Way.

They spent their first few days of travelling with little to occupy them but each other's company and the bright summer countryside of Amn. Thinking of her pact with Bodhi, Elatharia had insisted they not divert to Trademeet – the small town that kept the foothills supplied – at least not on their outward journey, and sensing her desperation about something few had disagreed. The further from Athkatla they travelled the more she thought of Imoen in Irenicus's clutches again and wondered if it ought to have been a better idea to just accept Bodhi's offer. Was she condemning her sister to longer torments for a moral path that she did not care for anyway?

Distracted, Elatharia kept out of her companions' conversations. Every night when the others talked, laughed and argued she would sit back against a tree or a rock and hold her journal in her hands, turning it over and over once she had written in it but never opening the book to her sister's entry. You will learn. Her thoughts told her, more loudly every evening. But she was not ready. Not when a change in their prospects waited more than a tenday away.

After six relentless days of walking, the Cloudpeaks growing ever closer and loftier in their jagged, snowy splendour, the dry, uneven terrain of exotic woods and the odd hunter's cabin began to rise up more obviously. The foothills began to rise up and spread out around them, still heavily forested and full of innumerable plants and animals – enough to keep Jaheira and Minsc entertained. Though the sun beat down just as relentlessly in the almost eternal blue sky the wind was colder and fiercer…and at night wolves howled their mournful song.

They were a day's walk away from the Umar Hills, newly freed of its darkness, and two from the Windspear Hills when the rainclouds started to gather over the group. It was evening and Jaheira was just building the fire for the night, Korgan sorting through pots and pans in the expectation of Minsc returning with their dinner, when the first fat rain drops began to fall. The druid had thought ahead in this regard; they were to sleep beneath the overhang of a cliff this night. It was an impressively tall outcropping, a steep path carved up the side incidentally the main path to the Umar Hills. A small cabin stood at the top, smoke rising from its chimney. Since they had the entire cliff between them it hardly seemed inflammatory for the adventuring group to settle down for the night in their chosen spot.

Cursing to himself about the weather, Edwin huddled up against the cliff face on his bedroll with a book taken from his bag of holding and refused to look up at anyone, leaving Aerie to light the fire with a cantrip since Elatharia preferred to keep her Burning Hands spell for more deadly encounters. Haer'Dalis sat upon a rock at the very edge of their shelter, looking up at the steadily darkening sky and the raindrops falling with calm wonder. Viconia had her back to this same rock, not necessarily aware of how close she and the tiefling were, while she watched the rest of the group. Her eyes were taking on a red sheen as the light faded, in spite of the firelight.

Jaheira and Korgan moved to help prepare the food when Minsc returned carrying a deer over his shoulders. Aerie politely declined to partake in any of the meat and asked the ranger to help her pick some berries and the like from the nearby woods. He agreed happily, and Anomen recommended that he escort them. Aerie had smiled up at him and linked her arm with his as he offered it. Jan was sitting by the fire next to Mazzy, still fiddling with his strange contraption while she polished her armour.

Elatharia was just settling herself next to Edwin, preparing to read over his shoulder or ask for a book from his apparently endless stash rather than risk talking to Jaheira, when Yoshimo sidled up to Haer'Dalis and broached a conversation. The tiefling had thus far been surprisingly good at ignoring him.

"You look as though you have never seen the rain, my friend," the Kara-Turan commented, standing beside the sitting tiefling, pulling his black cloak around his arms as he came so close to the edge of the natural shelter, "Does it not rain where you come from?"

"There is no rain where I come from, my Cuckoo," Haer'Dalis responded, turning to look at the bounty hunter with little of his usual mirth, resting his chin on his raised knee, dark eyes unreadable.

Jan, Mazzy, Jaheira and Korgan did not appear to be listening but something in the tiefling's tone of voice seemed important, and Elatharia met eyes with Viconia across the camp. The drow shrugged but it was obvious she had caught onto Haer'Dalis's tone as well. A glance up at Edwin's face showed that he appeared to be reading his book – so the Transmuter slipped a hand under his arm and up to the tome to cover the pages. Using the Drow Sign Language she knew he could understand, she posed him a question, watching Yoshimo's back as the Kara-Turan formulated a response to Haer'Dalis.

'Are you listening?' Elatharia signed.

"And how is that, friend?" the bounty hunter was asking.

"There is no sky where I come from, Cuckoo," Haer'Dalis's response was strangely cold, the frown on his face ill-fitting for its rarity.

Edwin took hold of her hand, closing it into a fist to form the only word he could make in the sign language, giving it a little shake to add the correct tone. A firm 'yes.'

"No sky? How is that?" the questions were mundane but Haer'Dalis's frown was not abating.

"Sigil is not just a ring, Cuckoo. It is a city sprawled across the inside surface of a tubular ring," the tiefling made the appropriate three dimension gesture with his hands, "I am surprised that one such as yourself has not heard of it. It is, after all, the crossroads for the Planes. And it has taught this humble Sparrow a great deal of the arts of deception," his voice lowered, his eyes narrowing, "And Enchantment, Cuckoo."

The Kara-Turan turned his head to look at the tiefling and chuckled, apparently not taking this for the awkward interaction that it really was.

"My friend you do me wrong! I am merely making conversation, not trying to weave you some lies," the bounty hunter told him, holding up his hands in a palms-out gesture of peace, "I may have travelled far but there was little time for books along the way."

"Indeed. But this Sparrow has 'little time' for one who makes such pretences. I heard it in your voice, my Cuckoo," the tiefling warned, leaning forwards towards the Kara-Turan with his feet tensed against the rock as if ready to strike. Viconia – and everyone else in the camp by now – was watching this unusual display of aggression warily, "You were lying when you asked me of my home, and lying when you faked your surprise."

"Haer'Dalis, Haer'Dalis!" the bounty hunter sounded wounded now, backing off a step, "You are grumpy as a flea-bitten dog today! Truly I asked in honest ignorance. Perhaps it is hard for one of your experiences to underst…"

"Dogs is it?" the tiefling growled, chin lowered and black eyes glinting dangerously in the firelight – he was so dark and brooding in that moment that Elatharia almost laughed to think of how fiercely Aerie would have blushed, "A fitting cloak for a bloodhound. You've got the scent now, Cuckoo, have you not? And you shall bring the prey to the owner of your mysterious purpose. You veil it behind your polite manner and simple questions. But all the same, this Sparrow is not taken in though the rest of the flock may be."

"No master have I save my own conscience," Yoshimo denied, incredulous, "I merely wish to know what is such a burden to you that you strike at my innocent questions so!"

"Shackles as heavy as yours cannot be hidden from one who has been a slave," Haer'Dalis told him coldly, waving the Kara-Turan away and looking back out at the rain, "I tire of this dreadful acting. Leave me be, Yoshimo."

Looking a little embarrassed, the bounty hunter turned and headed for the fire to sit between Korgan and Jaheira and help with the preparation of the food. He met Elatharia's eyes as he passed and shrugged, eyebrows high with his incredulity. The rest of them seemed less than ready to take a side; Mazzy was staring straight down at her armour and absolutely not looking up. Korgan gave a grunt and looked over momentarily at the tiefling with what may have been greater respect. Jaheira was frowning and looking between the bounty hunter and the bard. Jan seemed slightly amused but knew better than to say anything inappropriate at that moment at least. Haer'Dalis's shoulders were tense and he only turned his head a fraction when Viconia moved to sit on the rock beside him. It seemed an uncommonly emotional gesture for the drow to make, to accept that another was in distress, but Elatharia knew better; the priestess was acting as her spy in this situation.

The Transmuter was about to demand Edwin tell her what he was reading when he pointedly turned the book away from her – but then Aerie, Minsc and Anomen returned and watching her companions banter together took up her concentration. The avariel, ever empathic, spared a worried glance for Haer'Dalis – who still had his back to the group but was at least talking to Viconia. Anomen was talking to Aerie about some aspect of Helm and why it was important, however, and her attention was quickly diverted as they took places at the fire. She had an armful of collected nuts and berries to go with the vegetables Jaheira had found or kept preserved for them. Korgan was regaling Mazzy with stories of his Dwarvish poetry and Yoshimo was staring distractedly into the fire, not quite frowning. In fact, while they waited for Korgan to cook their stew Elatharia made it her mission to watch the bounty hunter from her relatively unobtrusive position by Edwin's side just away from the fire.

It quickly became obvious to her that the Kara-Turan was not a very animated man. Once he had overcome his embarrassment, he started to look around at the others in the group but rarely interjected or even so much as moved from his place. For this Elatharia could hardly damn him; there was very little that he did which could ever be called offensive or even slightly annoying. Haer'Dalis's outburst seemed…peculiar. She began to wonder if it was a quirk of the tiefling's that set him on edge so around Yoshimo, rather than the other way around. She was, after all, more familiar with the latter than the former, and Haer'Dalis had admitted during the conversation to having been subject to slavery. Though this was one shocking piece of knowledge that she was hardly qualified to consider in any detail, Elatharia began to consider that there was something about Yoshimo that reminded the tiefling of his trauma rather than any well thought out logic.

Once the stew was ready and they started eating, the mood which had grown so tense eased greatly, even with the rain pouring around them. Haer'Dalis and Viconia moved to sit against the rock and face inwards once more; the bard seemed to have regained much of his cheerful demeanour and pulled forth a small harp once he had finished his food. As the night drew in this tune seemed to help lull most of the group to sleep; Anomen and Yoshimo took up watch a little way off (but still under the rudimentary shelter of the overhang) and those by the fire settled down for sleep. Haer'Dalis continued to play his tune while Viconia moved a little way off to pray to the darkness, and at last Elatharia turned back to Edwin and pulled at his arm.

"Show me what you're reading, Nefarious One," she insisted. He turned to sneer at her momentarily.

"Only if you tell me why you stare so each night at your own journal, Incompetent One," he responded. When she just raised a brow at him he rolled his eyes and twisted around so she could see a little more easily, "Here," he pointed with one finger, "This is the configuration I was explaining a few days ago. It is impossible to fully understand this without it coming into direct conflict with this," he turned to another page, detailing the fundamental theory behind Divination, "And thus my point is proved. It is not possible to be a competent Conjurer and consider every other School in detail. Just as it is all but impossible for a musician to play every instrument he learns as a virtuoso," he nodded disdainfully towards where Haer'Dalis sat.

"I don't see why knowing the theory should cause a problem, unless you're ethically opposed to Divination," Elatharia snorted at the thought, leaning closer and thinking nothing of resting her chin on the Red Wizard's upper arm to see the paragraphs he was pointing out more easily. He shifted a little and for a moment she thought he was going to pull away. Instead his readjustment made it easier for them both to see the book. Without her moving away.

"It is not so much ethical as functional. If you fully comprehended the complex depths of Abjuration, would you be able to have the understanding and connection to Transmutation that you do?" Edwin inquired, flicking to the chapter on Abjuration.

"Ugh, my head is hurting just looking at that!" Elatharia complained, seeing the diagrams and labels detailing various protection spells.

"You say this and yet you are quite capable of reaching into the Weave to dispel my conjured lights when you wish," he sounded exasperated, "How much of a leap must you really make? A little more discipline and you could…"

"Edwin, now you're just trying to sound superior," Elatharia chided without much venom, "I can dispel your lights in the same way as I can dispel my own; for me it's a Transmutation thing. And they are so opposite! Transmutation, Alteration; creating and shaping things. Abjuration; protecting things from being affected. But Conjuration and Divination always seemed a little linked to me. You are reaching out so abstractly with the Weave, and making it do as you want…"

"Gods, Elatharia," Edwin complained, "Let me give you a lesson in Conjuration. And then maybe you can teach me of Divination. Though you will have to excuse me if I close my eyes whilst you do."

They kept at this conversation for some time, until Viconia returned and Mazzy turned around to gesture for them to be quiet. Then Edwin pointed out a paragraph for her to read in silence, and try as she might the peaceful quiet of the group and rhythmic patter of the rain set her eyes to closing and her mind fogging. She drifted into sleep leaning against the Red Wizard and woke briefly when the book slipped from his sleep-claimed fingers. He muttered something in Mulhorandi and they shifted again, still leaning against the wall with her arm through his, her head on his shoulder and their knees touching. The book dropping from his lap and onto the ground woke them again and this time Edwin groaned in annoyance, pushing feebly at her and stretching his back uncomfortably before finally lying down upon his bedroll instead of simply sitting on it as he had been. Also bleary and hardly capable of coherent thought, Elatharia had considered forcing him to let her stay with him but was just thinking better of it and reaching for her bedroll when she noticed Viconia and Haer'Dalis still muttering together, foreheads so close that they were nearly touching. The tiefling had his hand on her arm and her eyes were searching his intently.

Suddenly the drow stilled, eyes losing focus, just as Yoshimo stood abruptly and shook the snoozing Anomen at his side. Haer'Dalis thought to ask Viconia what was wrong but she twisted about to look into the darkness without saying anything fully coherent.

"Ambush!" she cried at last just before Yoshimo echoed her words, and the drow scrambled across the camp for her shield. She kept low and was already well protected in her armour and mithral shirt…or so Elatharia had assumed, just shaking Edwin awake violently when a host of arrows swooped in, gleaming with enchantment in the darkness. Viconia gave a cry of pain and rolled over, a feathered shaft protruding from her leg.

Haer'Dalis cursed as the camp erupted, Minsc the first to wake fully and raise his greatsword as Elatharia and Edwin summoned light spells to illuminate the world beyond. The Red Wizard's Protection from Arrows spell bloomed around him, and then her, just in time as a number of arrows swooped straight for them. Several figures were now visibly advancing swiftly across the field beyond; two archers (who by rights should not have been able to shoot so many arrows), a tall figure who appeared to be a mage from the fast gestures she was making, and at least two armoured figures wielding large weaponry. There were probably more on their way.

Minsc and Korgan charged out into the fray with cries of rage, a half-armoured Mazzy not far behind them with Anomen in tow and the four were soon engaged with several more armoured figures than had been initially visible. Jaheira spared a moment to cast some spells upon herself and then ran out after them, and Jan started to load one of his explosive contraptions into his crossbow at the same time as Yoshimo nocked an arrow and scored a hit on one of the archers, forcing that enemy figure to stumble and clutch at his leg.

Aerie was shuddering in shock but just about managing to complete a few protection spells on herself as Elatharia and Edwin inched in opposite directions along the cliff face, both searching for a good place to aim a fireball or a lightning bolt. Haer'Dalis had picked up Viconia's shield and had raised it over the drow as he dragged her back behind the rock. The notes he strummed on his harp rang strangely loud and for a moment the air shimmered around them; after that she breathed a little easier although from her semi-conscious whimpering and twitching it looked like she had been poisoned and this battle would need to end quickly if there would be a hope of saving her.

Edwin's fireball arced overhead, landing with a huge explosive resonance just behind the attackers. It forced them to stumble forwards but did not actual damage them. It did at least aid Korgan and Minsc in taking down the first two of their foes. Jan and Yoshimo made short work of that first archer, and Elatharia sent an acid arrow his compatriot's way.

When a new figure stepped into view, wielding a longsword, Elatharia thought that his must be a new foe…until he turned on their enemies and helped her finish off that second archer.

"What in all of the Hells and the Abyss?" she wondered aloud as another fireball went careering over the heads of friend and foe alike, this time engulfing one unfortunate enemy just advancing out of the darkness into their conjured light and catching at the heels of a few more. It did less damage than hoped; the man it caught rolled in its wake but managed to get shakily to his feet.

Elatharia counted as many as ten foes now; Jaheira, Minsc, Anomen, Mazzy, Korgan and their unknown helper were all individually engaged with heavily armed men – each of these foes was burly, dressed in black plate that gleamed in the light as if newly bought. Their weapons held the tell-tale sheen of enchantment as did the air around them; there was a second mage half-visible off to the left weaving some magic that crackled ominously with lightning. There were times when being a Transmuter was a dangerous thing; unlike Edwin and Aerie she could not cast protection spells upon herself or others. Fortunately, Jan was currently aiming his crossbow that man's way and, in spite of Edwin's spell against arrows, Yoshimo was crouching behind a rock firing arrows after the two remaining archers who were now visible. Aerie was wisely sending an Abjuration into the fray which would most likely seek to dispel any protective magic their enemies wore.

Just in time Elatharia spotted a trio creeping towards where Haer'Dalis was crouching over Viconia, his blades drawn now. On instinct she summoned forth the energies of Evocation and her hands formed the necessary shapes without thought; her lightning bolt cut through the air with an ear-splitting roar, setting the tiefling's hair rising as it skirting past him, lighting up that darkness and illuminating the three men who were coming towards him. It caught the central man in the chest and threw him into the air, arms splayed and flailing. Blue-white light crackled over his clothes and crawled outwards to his fingertips, reaching out in a sudden burst even as he soared backwards, catching onto the men at his sides who were attempting to scramble aside. The Transmuter turned away from them as they fell to the earth twitching and smoking.

Edwin's Flame Arrow hissing over her shoulder, close enough to singe her hair, was the only warning Elatharia had of an approaching threat. Whirling around, she was in time to see a slender but evidently male form twist out of the way of the spell with preternatural speed. Hearing the ring of blades behind her now and knowing that Haer'Dalis was engaged in the fighting she yelped for Yoshimo, stumbling back as her gaze swept over the camp for inspiration. Seeing what she had hoped for, she held her ground and forced herself to concentrate on her next spell though her attacker was advancing in spite of another Flame Arrow from Edwin and Yoshimo's rapidly fired shots. From the corner of her eye she could see Aerie was otherwise engaged herself, and it was becoming clear that this new attacker was all but immune to magical attacks and arrows.

The Transmuter had just completed her spells when she heard the roar of energy in her ears and realised that Yoshimo had been shouting for her to move. It was too late; the enemy wizard's lightning bolt caught her in the side – and although the Robe of Vecna protected her against the magic for the most part it still lifted her off her feet and sent her several metres back across the camp, crashing painfully into the dying embers of their fire.

Momentarily dazed and gasping through bruised ribs, the Transmuter pushed herself up onto her elbows…and met eyes with the man approaching her. He was only a few steps away now, a longsword glittering with numerous enchantments and something sticky and dark which looked suspiciously like poison. Edwin's spells were still fizzling harmlessly against his dark armour, barely even staggering him. But it was those eyes, golden in the darkness, that sent a chill of fear and anger through her soul. Bhaalspawn. Bhaalspawn. The title hissed in her ears and a sneer curled her lip in spite of the ache in her ribs and the stinging crackle of the fading lightning running over her robes.

Elatharia dodged his first swing with enhanced speed of her own; he hissed in anger as his sword crashed into the smoking wood of the cooled fire and it gave her hope. For all his Enchantments and Abjurations he was not knowledgeable about the two Transmutation spells she had cast upon herself and was obviously no mage.

While he was off balance, she rolled over and reached as far as she could, ignoring the sting of the few embers on her bare arm and grasping the handle of Viconia's mace which lay on the ground at the other side. She brought it around just in time, her block clumsy and perhaps a little fortunate. The man, an elf form the tilt of his large eyes and his pointed ears as well as his slender figure, staggered back a little as if caught by surprise. She was relying on a hunch here, or maybe the hope that she could stall him long enough for one of her companions to come and help. But it was better than nothing.

"It is over, Sister," he told her with fierce certainty as she barely blocked for a second time, the mace swinging in her hands as he would surely expect it to.

There was no way that she was strong enough to wield such a weapon for long. All the same it set him off balance for long enough for her to scramble to her feet. Face to face they were about the same height. She found herself grinning at him, bracing the mace in both hands as he circled her now.

"You don't know much of magic, do you…Brother?" she asked slowly, backing off a wary step as he took one towards her.

"Enough to see you die, mage," the elf responded calmly, raising an eyebrow when she took a ready stance, bracing herself with the mace clutched tightly.

"You don't," she promised, "For if you did you would know that I am a Transmuter and the strength I now wield is far greater than yours!"

She swung the weapon in her hands with all the enhanced might she had given herself before the lightning bolt hit her; it had been quite a difficult task to fake her weakness as she blocked and stood. Now she caught his deft swing with an undoubtedly artless one of her own – and heard the satisfying crash of weapons followed by the crunch of his bones as the impact rippled into his body. The blade flew through the air as he howled; she hit first his flailing arm, sending it swinging with a horrible crackle, and then his uninjured one when he grasped for her, blinded with unexpected pain. Her next use of the mace, sending its butt into his stomach, sent him to his knees, wheezing. He glared up at her with those wretched eyes and she smiled widely; his hatred and agony, his twisted and broken form before her calling to that primal part of her soul that was undoubtedly Bhaal's.

He cursed her as she dropped the mace and her hands settled almost gently upon his shoulders. There was fear in his eyes as she began to chant and his body became rigid, beginning to shake. Gradually stone began to rise out of his skin and through his clothes, fixing him in place within rock until the Flesh to Stone spell came up to his shoulders. There she let it stop and held his eyes, still with that smile.

"Well, Brother. It seems you have failed," Elatharia told him, her heart pounding with mindless excitement at the prospect of this. The golden light in his eyes was mirrored in her vision, fogging her sight until all she could see was her victim, "And I have won."

She tore his head from his shoulders, kicking his petrified body away from her to shatter upon the ground before the spurting blood could reach her, and with a sigh of contempt that she felt was barely her she threw the head onto the fire and lit the embers with a casual cantrip.

A glance outwards to the main battle showed that her main fighting force was now overcoming their attackers; Jan had caught their wizard with one of his explosive crossbow projectiles and felled him with a few simple spells. Jaheira and Minsc were working well together to finish of the final enemy fighter while Anomen rushed back to Viconia and Korgan was chasing the last of the archers into the night, waving his bloodied axe. Yoshimo had helped Aerie fell her attacker, and Haer'Dalis had made short work of his with some last-minute help from Edwin. The tiefling was now turning to look at Viconia, a frown appearing on his face at the sight of her so weak and struggling to stay conscious.

But Edwin, Yoshimo and Aerie were all staring at Elatharia with expressions that varied from horrified to impressed. She turned away before she could see her Bhaalspawn sibling's body dissolve into golden light.

"Smells like bacon's burnin' in that fire!" Korgan cried as he joined the gathered party, grinning through the gore and blood that covered him at the sight of Aerie cowering away as he passed her, the avariel growing pale at the sight of him, "Human never smelled better, or so right! Ha!" The rain had utterly failed to wash the dwarf clean of the horrors that covered him, and he hardly seemed bothered.

Elatharia was hardly listening to him as she moved over to join the group. She was still shaking, struggling to sort through what had just happened and collect her thoughts. Edwin caught her elbow when she limped wearily into him, her sight still blurred in the wake of the receding golden light. Jaheira turned to fully face her from where the group was reconvening, the unfamiliar man at her side. He was tall and fairly muscular from the size of him, dressed in simple leathers and a long green cloak; a long sword hung at his hip along with a number of daggers. His skin was dark, his features rugged but even enough to put a blush in Aerie's cheeks if he did not wear such a deep frown at that moment, deep-set eyes watching her distrustfully beneath his brows. From the typical Amnish beading in his black hair it looked as if he had at least spent some time in Athkatla.

"This man is Valygar Corthala, Elatharia," Jaheira informed, frowning a little at the sight of Edwin balancing the Transmuter, "He is a ranger and lives in the cabin on the cliff above," she glanced uncomfortably to where Viconia lay groaning, Anomen pouring healing magic into her wounded leg, "Though we previously met him far from here. Had I known this was his cabin I would have thought to inform him – and you."

"You mentioned him before," Elatharia recalled, and Minsc nodded enthusiastically in agreement at Jaheira's side, "You have my thanks for your timely aid," she ignored his glower, "But my friend is injured. Can you not help us?"

"Jaheira has vouched for this group," he glanced uncomfortably towards Korgan, "Though I do not trust you and it has rarely been my habit to aid drow I will allow you the use of my cabin. There is only one spare bed to be had – the floor will have to do for you."

"Fine by us," Korgan shrugged cheerfully, looking around at the rest of the group for any dissent.

"Indeed," Elatharia nodded as Haer'Dalis lifted Viconia all but effortlessly into his arms, her long white hair a banner to follow in the darkness as he and Valygar set off through the rain for the path up the cliff, Anomen and Aerie in tow, "But perhaps you should wash that blood off first, Korgan."

Valygar's house was as small as he suggested: a two storey log cabin perched just off the road to the Umar Hills at the top of the cliff with a small stables at one side sheltering a pair of horses and a little pen of chickens and pigs at the other side. A vegetable patch was just visible, waterlogged now, in the back yard. Inside there were only three rooms on the ground floor; the sitting room (which featured nothing more than a pair of wicker chairs, a cupboard and a moth-eaten couch by the fireplace), a small kitchen and a bedroom with a double bed and a thin partition leading into a tiny area that was now utterly empty.

Little discussion went into who would sleep where. Haer'Dalis had lain Viconia upon a few spare bedrolls by the fire at Anomen's recommendation and was now sitting in one of the chairs watching the two clerics work over her. He seemed thoughtful rather than concerned. Jaheira insisted that the other females of the party take the spare bedroom because Elatharia, Mazzy and Aerie could share the double bed while she would take the floor. To her mild horror Edwin claimed the little partitioned area beyond. Yoshimo promised to sleep by the back door and the rest of them had little choice but to make do with the floor in the sitting room. Valygar slept in the loft above and refused to permit anyone to use the floor there even before any requests were made.

It was little surprise to Elatharia when Valygar approached her upon her re-entry into the sitting room. Though they were all tired and confused after the battle she understood that he would require reassurances of his own. In fact, the entire group had begun filtering back into the sitting room – Minsc, Korgan and Jan sitting upon their chosen sleeping spots, Haer'Dalis watching over his shoulder from his chair while Jaheira and Mazzy appeared from the kitchen and Edwin came to lean against the wall by Elatharia. Yoshimo was hovering in the door to the back rooms.

"Jaheira has told me something of your problems, Valygar," Elatharia admitted before the ranger could speak, "I know that your mission is to enter the Planar Sphere lodged in the Slums of Athkatla and slay your old relative – against the wishes of the Cowled Wizards."

"And I know you are far less likely to aid me from the good in your heart than you are for the spoils of that hateful place of wizardry," his eyes flashed over her robes and Edwin's tell-tale black Archmagi jacket.

"I would do it to spite the Cowled Wizards as well, ranger," Elatharia promised him, "And you must understand that I am on a quest to save my sister from those wretches," from Irenicus now, "You may scorn the robes I wear and distrust my motives but you can trust that and take it as my best reason for helping you. Which I shall surely do for your aid of us tonight."

"Perhaps against my better judgement," Valygar added, his deep voice barely a growl, "Jaheira had told me that you travelled with a fellow wizard. She said nothing of three. I have learned from personal experience that wizards are the most selfish and cruel of those who dwell upon Faerûn." Edwin sneered back at his glower.

"It may also be said that we are the most powerful," Elatharia noted more mildly than she wished, interrupting Edwin before he could say something to get them all thrown out of the house, "And if your relative, this…Lavok…is as powerful a wizard as you claim then you must realise his magic will be best defeated with magic."

"I would rather do it without, although what you say rings sadly true," the ranger nodded after a moment, folding his arms over his broad chest, "Though I warn you now that there will be no arcane magic used in this house."

Elatharia nodded, taking his dismissive attitude as an agreement of terms.

"And since you are probably wondering now about any more fights, you should know that the land around my home is trapped against attack but I would recommend that you keep someone on guard at the front door and the back for tonight."

"Wise words," Jaheira agreed from the kitchen door. Mazzy sent Valygar a grateful smile from her side when he turned around to look at the druid.

"Our attackers were no mere bandits, my Raven," Haer'Dalis commented into the momentarily lull. Several heads nodded around the room. Edwin grunted in agreement.

"Indeed, our tiefling speaks truth," Yoshimo spoke up, stepping into the room and watching Elatharia with wide eyes, "The man you slew was no normal elf. Upon his death his body dissolved into golden mist…"

"By Silvanus! Another assassination attempt? After all this time?" Jaheira sounded unexpectedly upset. Elatharia sent her a doubtful look – it surprised her that the druid was not more grateful for the possibility of the Transmuter's death.

"He was a Bhaalspawn, like me," Elatharia admitted, running her hands through her hair uncomfortably. There was something…embarrassing about admitting to this. Aerie, Yoshimo and Edwin had all seen her lose control, "He called me 'sister' and his eyes bore a similar golden caste to Sarevok's, though less…obvious."

"Bhaal…spawn you say?" Valygar asked slowly now, his eyes narrowing as he looked Elatharia up and down with even less trust than before, "This hardly sounds like a fight I should have helped in."

"Not so simple, my fellow ranger!" Minsc exclaimed defensively from behind him, "Our Elatharia is not a champion of Evil like that man. We have been defending her for over a year now and you will not stop us in our fight for Goodness!"

"I meant no offense, Minsc," Valygar offered eventually, glancing back at Elatharia doubtfully, "I can at least vouch for your good intentions, if not your leader's."

Elatharia just shrugged. She had heard worse.

"We should check the bodies for bounty notices," Jaheira interjected wisely, "In the morning before we depart."

"Do you believe Viconia will be healthy enough by then?" Elatharia glanced at the unconscious drow doubtfully. There was sweat on the feverish priestess's brow and she was muttering deliriously.

"She will," Aerie piped up now, her high voice so full of kindness and hope that Valygar did a double take. He had obviously been aware of her double-life as a wizard and this kind of gentleness probably did not fit in with his expectations.

"Then we will be out of your house and well on our way to the Windspear Hills by noon," Elatharia promised Valygar. The ranger's eyebrows rose.

"The Windspear Hills you say?" he sounded surprisingly curious.

"Yes!" Minsc boomed unexpectedly, "A strange man requested our aid to defend his home from bandits and monsters!"

"A lord Firkraag, by any chance?" Valygar inquired, and Elatharia nodded, "Not a man I have heard much of. But something is…wrong up there in the Windspear lands. Let me think on it," he moved for the door abruptly, not looking back as he continued, "It may be that I will wish to join you, if you will have me."

Once he had gone, his footsteps audible as he climbed the rickety stairs to his loft, the party relaxed a little. Jan, Minsc and the newly blood-free Korgan settled down upon their bedrolls, the ranger and warrior animatedly discussing fighting moves before sleep, and Aerie stood from her place by Viconia. She sent Elatharia a small smile and patted her shoulder as she headed for bed. Mazzy offered to take first watch by the front door and Jaheira agreed to watch the back yard. Yoshimo went to settle down upon his bedroll under the stairs.

Elatharia was about to head for the bed she would be sharing with Aerie when she noticed Jaheira lingering in the kitchen doorway sharing a serious look of understanding with Edwin of all people. Seeing her scrutiny, Edwin caught her by the elbow unexpectedly and, using the element of surprise, dragged the surprised Transmuter with him on a swift course through the corridor beyond the sitting room and to the back door.

"Edwin! What in the Hells?" she demanded as he flung open the back door, Jaheira following, and they stepped into the back yard.

Everywhere was waterlogged and muddy but for this back patio, a little raised from ground level and sheltered by a sagging awning. The rain was thunderous in its endless intensity, the wind bringing a fine spray of water under the shelter and the world was pitch black beyond the feeble glow of candlelight coming from Valygar's home. Edwin eliminated this problem by conjuring up a light cantrip before catching her wrist in his hand and pulling it up wordlessly to her face.

"What?" she demanded as Jaheira came to his side, "Is she a doppelganger? What's going on?"

"Look, Elatharia. At your hand," the druid bade her surprisingly calmly. Elatharia had never seen her work in agreement with Edwin about anything.

Shocked into obedience the Transmuter looked down at her hand. She had washed her hands of gore much as Korgan had before entering Valygar's home but now upon her finger tips was a dark stain. Frowning and holding it up to the light, rubbing it between her fingers, she realised it was ink – ink from her hair. A blush rose to her cheeks as she realised that the dye she had been using to hide the golden streak brought on by Sarevok's death was washing off in the rain. But she tilted her chin defiantly and faced the druid.

"I tried to hide it. It happened after Sarevok died," she told Jaheira, several months later than she probably should have. The druid rolled her eyes irritably though there was still less venom behind her actions than there had been for tendays.

"I know, Elatharia," she sighed, "Do you think you can hide the fact that you have dyed that. Perhaps your reluctance to admit to this manifestation of your taint is a good thing, however," she mused after a moment, all but muttering to herself and earning a strange look from Edwin, "It means you are not accepting your evil heritage."

"And now she is muttering like me. I think I prefer it when we argue," Edwin admitted surprisingly mildly, though his tired face was serious when he looked to Elatharia again, "You are aware that this is not all old dye, yes?"

He took hold of a lock of her hair and rubbed it between his fingers; the colour that came away was slightly different from that on Elatharia's hand. Her stomach dropped in understanding and she pulled a sizable chunk of her hair around for her own viewing; sure enough the colour was leaking away to that strange pale golden hue…and over an area that was twice the thickness that it had been hours before.

"Gods," she groaned. Edwin rolled his eyes.

"Think of it as a badge of honour," he suggested, moving to the door now as if his work was done, "And remember that few who look upon you will know that mark for what it truly is."

"Why the dramatic charge outside if that was all you had to say?" Elatharia demanded.

He turned back to her with a glower that might have almost been a smirk.

"Incompetent Transmuter, everything I have to say is dramatic and should be taken into your memory verbatim," he told her seriously, "(As if I would let the druid get to her first.)" And with that he swept off to bed.

Jaheira caught Elatharia's arm when she moved to follow. When the Transmuter looked around in exasperation, it was to see a surprisingly contrite expression on the druid's face.

"I…wish to apologise," Jaheira admitted a little tremulously, keeping hold of Elatharia's arm when she moved to pull away, "The tiefling's words a few days ago made me think on what has happened between us. And I…I think I see in your eyes what it is that he saw, now."

Elatharia wished the Red Wizard had not conjured that light above them now, for the druid undoubtedly saw her grow pale at those words.

"I am not saying that I condone the company you keep or your choices in this life but…you are Gorion's ward, and he was my friend. And I have been…wrong. Rash…unthinking."

The mention of her father made a lump rise in her throat unexpectedly and as the fear of a discussion about what had happened with Irenicus began to overcome her she stepped back with a curt nod. Jaheira's chin wobbled as if she might cry, though she tried to frown her way through it.

"I am sorry," she admitted, and all Elatharia could do was nod and turn away.