[Rising Tensions]
Authors Note: I am SO sorry about this. I had actually already written this chapter and i was 100 percent sure that i HAD posted it. Well. Apparently i didn't. I hope you can forgive me for my sins. And also if you hadn't caught up, i will try and set some kind of schedule for myself so that i can write more.
"Hold up Jaheira! Can you explain yourself, you honestly just confused me" I abrubtly stopped Jaheira in the middle of one her sentences. She looked at me in anger. "Jaheira please. You're rambling faster than I can follow. Lets just sit down for a minute and then you can explain". Her jaw which had been going constantly loosened up slowly, realizing what she had done.
"I'm sorry friend. I've been, well, I guess I have been worried". Jaheira send me a tired smile. "I don't know what is causing all of these problems that I have heard of but it doesn't exactly sound good. People are disappearing in the Nashkel Mines. Noone knows where they went or if they are even still alive. But the thing that worries me the most is that someone has begun selling healthy iron again". She looked at me with eyes that told me she was nervous and maybe even a bit scared. Not for herself but for the Sword Coast. But I really couldn't see the problem with the new source of iron.
"I understand that you are worried on behalf of the deceased mine workers, but why all the trouble with the new iron? Doesn't that just benefit Baldur's Gate, Beregost and the other cities". Just as the last word had left my mouth I began regretting them. Not because I thought that the words weren't true but because Jaheira sent me her special look she always used when she would point out that she was a lot older than me.
"Look, Thantalas. Do you think I'm worried about the iron itself? These people selling it, The Iron Throne, are selling it for incredibly high prices. Only the nobles can afford it, and it isn't even especially good iron. The point I'm trying to make here is that, it seems convenient that all iron in the Sword Coast. almost rots away. And then, suddenly, the organization called The Iron Throne begins selling it to an exceptionally high price. It just doesn't seem right". Her earlier look quickly changed to one of forgiveness and she apologized. I was still a bit confused though. It seemed too harsh to just make decisions off of loose ends and rumours. It certainly did not remind me of the normally cold and calculating Jaheira and her fair judgement.
"Jaheira, I'm sure you mean this, but aren't you jumping to conclusions a bit too fast? I mean, you don't even know if these things are facts or rumours, right? Maybe they are just buying iron from the Amn and doesn't want people to know that they are trading with the neighbouring country. I dont think that these two things have anything to do with each other". I looked at her once more. "Please you need to calm down. I'm sure you have had your fair share of hassles trying to get Imoen to follow commands while I was asleep. She tends not to listen". I smiled. Jaheiras eyes lit up with fire for a second, but it was quickly extinguished as she realized that I had a point. Her head bowed down carefully and I knew that she was implying that she was sorry for the way she had spoken.
"It just doesn't seem right. But you are probably right. I'll let it go, don't worry. And no, Imoen has actually been quite the little angel while you were asleep. I think she was worried on your behalf. No wonder, you are her foster brother after all" Jaheira smiled half-heartedly at me. "Well, no matter what, you are right. We have to get going to Nashkel. This town is also beginning to get under my skin. So many noises and selfish people. I will be glad once we hit the road again".
After me and Jaheiras slightly heated argument, I had finally gotten to take a closer look at our new friend. Imoen had apparently found her on one of the streets of Beregost, where she was desperately looking for help against some so-called magical bandits. It was quickly revealed that it was not mere bandits whom were hunting Neera. The leader of the group had explained that the wizards of an ancient land called Thay was looking for Neera. Both of the girls had drawn their respective weapons, and it was at this point Neera apparently had spurted out some weird light from her fingers. As the light had hit the wizards of Thay they had vanished. Imoen had been in awe. After the whole situation Imoen had brought Neera with her to the inn and her and Jaheira had offered her a room. After some time Jaheira offered Neera the possibility of travelling with us and she had gladly accepted.
"So, Than, as you can see, Neera is with us now. But, uhm, there might be something that she has to explain. I don't know if I can". Imoen smiled nervously and looked to Neera.
"So, yeah. As your sister just said I have to explain something. I am not exactly normal. Actually im quite extraordinary if you wouldn't mind calling me that. I am not a mere mage. My powers, well, my powers are raw. They are pure magic. It isnt controlled as other mages have their powers controlled. I was an apprentice of the arts in High Forest. I was a top candidate, but I guess the gods had not intended for that to continue. One day we were supposed to conjure small wildlife. And I. I. Well, I did as it sometimes does happen with me. I blew up. Lost control. Got too caught up in the beauty of my magic and then it happened. I woke up several hours later to find my surroundings all turned to ashes. And my friends. And teachers. And the animals. All gone, but the ashes". Neera looked down. "Look, I don't really like talking about this. Can I maybe continue some other day please". Her voice was trembling and a single tear had fallen onto the table. It reflected the light from a candle into colours. And then it turned to pictures. Pictures of beauty, life, death and even more indescribable things. And the pictures began moving, ever so slightly. Faster and faster the scenery inside of the liquid moved, until nothing but a whirlwind of colours was left. Breathless I looked at Neera. As my eyes suddenly stared directly into hers I noticed that beneath the green of her eyes were something more. Insurmountable sadness mixed with a love and fear for her own magic resided in her eyes. But there was also strength of spirit and resolve. She quickly looked down and stood up. "I really must go now. See you all in the morning".
Silence befell us all as she slipped up the stairs silently. We had all felt her sorrow. She certainly was no bad person at all. But good intentions doesn't always bring good things with them.
"Do you think I should go see her, Jaheira" Imoen asked in a low voice. It looked like her and Neera had become the best of friends while I had been asleep. Jaheira looked at Imoen, shaking her head. "I think she needs some time by herself Imoen. Tomorrow you can find out if there is anything she wants to talk about. But for now, just leave her alone".