Chapter 4 - Owwww...

"A red dragon... a real red blood dragon. I can't believe this... Why me? Oh wait that's right, the gods think my life is one big joke, that's why..." Anni mumbled as she stared up at Lord Jierdan Firkraag, a.k.a huge red dragon.

"Welcome. You have come as I wanted. It has been an interesting game, but to tell the truth, I tire of it." It spoke.

"You're a dragon." She replied dumbly.

"And they say children aren't smart."

"If you'll excuse me I've never seen a real dragon. I really don't know anything to say. Why are you doing this to us? Why frame us?"

"For my amusement, for my curiosity, and for my memory of transgressions long since past. All of this spurred me on, but I grow bored with you."

"Oh, well I guess with the long life of a dragon, you tend to do it all. But why me?"

"I must confess your fathers held some interest. Your lineage crosses the mortal and spiritual, and both concern me somewhat."

"Wait, are you that red dragon Gorion faced?"

"Quite. He is beyond my revenge, being dead as he is, so I settled for the next best thing. I can torment his spirit by destroying you. Wherever he is, he is seething."

"Can I interrupt your tirade with just one request?"

The dragon sighed. "Speak."

"Well as seeing we might come to blows and I'll probably never see another dragon. Could I touch you?" She looked at the dragon with shining eyes.

"Humph. Fine."

"Sweet!" She approached the dragon slowly, her hand reaching out tentatively touching the cool scales. "Please continue, I'll listen, just want to touch, pretty dragon." The dragon sighed again.

"You are bold, girl."

"Hey, it's not everyday that you see a dragon. Now you were saying something about my fathers?"

"Ah yes. You are a child of Bhaal. What an interesting subject to study, or so I thought. Really, you are not so different, despite your little personal struggles. What will be interesting is your conflict with Jon Irenicus. That is something I would very much like to see. So I leave you your life. Do with it what you will."

"What do you know of Irenicus? Are you in league with him?"

"I have no interest in him, it is your confrontation with him that will be most interesting to see. For now, you bore me. I will taunt you no more. This has been such sport that I bear you no ill will. You may go."

"Unfortunately, as much as a dragon might fascinate me. I'm afraid I will not allow you to continue your terrorizing activities." The dragon moved it's head really looking at what she was doing and realize she had worked her hand under a scale.

Before he could stop her she uttered the final incantation to a chain lighting spell. The dragon roared as the lighting ricocheted inside it's own body. It's tail connected with her body sending her flying as her companions attacked the dying creature.

---

From the journal of Jaheira.

"When one is traveling with Anni the wonders never cease. As we waited for Garren, a group of bandits descended upon us, taking Garren's son and leaving a message to meet Firkraag in the northeast. No matter how much Anni may protest of growing tired of being good, she is always the first one to do the right thing. We fought our way through hobgoblins, orogs and creatures I don't remember the name for. We found Garren's son and he informed us that Firkraag was below. We descended into the cavern and was met with Firkraag's true form. A red dragon. Garren's son could have warned us. Most of us couldn't move, we were too stun/scared/on the brink of fainting.

But not Anni. Gorion raised her well but sometimes I wonder if he ever taught her any common sense. She walked up to the dragon as he talked. I watched her place her hand on his leg as she talked with him. As the two of them talked she rubbed the scales on it's leg, I truly had no idea what she was doing until the dragon screamed. She had dug her hand under his scales and release a chain lighting spell inside of the dragon.

The scales normal protected a dragon from magic but in this case it kept the magic inside as it bounced off of it's internal organs. After a second we went into action, attacking the dragon. The dragon screamed in it's thrashing it's tail knocked Anni clear across the cavern and into the hard stone. At the time I had eyes for the dragon and didn't noticed that Anni didn't get up. When the dragon fell as it died (almost on top of Edwin I might add, which sadly he moved out of the way) I turned to Anni. She hadn't moved and the stone behind was covered in blood. She always wore a red robe with purple in it, but all that could be seen was red."
End of entry

----

Haer'Dalis was the first one to Anni's side. He reached out to her unable to see her breathing. His hand searched for a pulse on her wrist but could find none. He looked up as Jaheira approached with wide eyes. "Jaheira, I'm sorry she g-"

"No, you lie!" She knelt by the girl's side. "No she is not dead yet. Her body will turn to dust when she is truly dead." Jaheira gently cradled Anni. "Help me move her."Haer'Dalis took her lower body as Jaheira laid her on the ground. "I'm out of magic, Anomen do you have any left?"

"Yes yes. Here let me." Anomen laid his hands on Anni and cast Heal on her. At first there was no response, then she coughed, more blood splattering against her lips. She cracked open her eyes and moaned.

"Owwww... Did it work?" She whispered. Jaheira half cried half sobbed as she wiped some of the blood off of the girl's face.

"Yes, don't you ever do that again!"

"It did work? Wasn't that cool?" Jaheira just glared at her. " Fine. I'm not planning on doing it again. Is everyone ok?"

"Yes, yes child. Now can you move?"

"I'm sorry, I'm not even going to try." Anni closed her eyes and sighed.

"Anomen, you carry her. Haer'Dalis go collect Garren's son, whatever his name is. Minsc, you help Anomen if he can't carry Anni. Edwin make yourself useful somehow." Jaheira ordered everyone about. Anni was more than happy not to be giving the orders for once. Before he picked her up Anomen removed his chainmail handing it to Minsc. Her mind was too fuzzy to wonder why he did such a thing. It became clear as he picked her up and she was nestled against his chest which was covered with a soft feeling shirt. -He wanted to make sure I wasn't hurt any further, how sweet- Anni thought before she passed out.

----

They were resting in Garren's cabin again. Anni was slowly healing with Anomen and Jaheira taking turns healing her. Minsc and Anomen took turns sitting by her side and Boo was quiet as he was curled up by her hand. Edwin stayed in the room but otherwise showed no emotion about the whole event. It took two days before she would opened her eyes. At the time Anomen was by her side, he smiled brightly at her and she returned a wane one.

"How do you feel my lady?"

"Like I was sat on by a dragon. How long have I been out?"

"Almost three days." She sighed."I'm glad you are alright my lady."

"Thank you, Anomen."

"Please for the sake of us all do not do anything like that again."

"Ok. But you have to admit it was pretty cool."

"Yes it was. I thought you weren't practicing magic anymore."

"I wasn't going to. But Edwin pointed something out to me. Don't tell him he was right. He has a big enough ego."

"He instructed you to do something that crazy? By Helm, I'll kill that wizard."

"Don't bother, Anomen. I thought of the idea myself." She smiled at him. "I didn't know if it would work, either way if it didn't we probably would have died.

"You didn't know if it would work?" He yelled at her.

"Umm... no. But it did that's what counts." Anomen dropped his head in his hands and started laughing. Anni just smiled. When he finally stopped he stared intently at her.

"What? Don't tell me I'm missing teeth or my nose is gone?"

"No, nothing like that, you are still as beautiful. My lady, I know this is the wrong time to ask, but I feel after this harrowing event I must ask for this boon."

"What would you like?" In the darkness she swore his cheeks reddened.

"I would ask for a kiss my lady." Anni smiled at him.

"Why not? But only a kiss, Anomen."

Anomen leaned over her and touched his lips to hers in the softest kiss. It was a chaste kiss no tongue just lips. When he drew back Anomen's face was very red. His eyes didn't met hers as he made to leave the room he looked towards darkest part of the room where Edwin appeared to be asleep. -For someone who doesn't like my lady, he does hang around a lot.-Anomen passed it off and walked out.

Anni didn't see what Anomen did since she was already asleep again. All she knew when she woke she had a fuzzy memory of someone tucking her in and talking to her during her sleep, making her feel warm and safe.