A/N: It has been awhile since I updated this fic, eh? Well, I decided to change it. Firstly, I found out that I'm unable to follow my original plans with this fic - so I decided to choose another way how to write it. The fic is now changed into series of one-shots, connected together. From original you can see only first chapter, "Moon is too far". I plan to skip some parts of the game and change some parts of the original mod, made by Sillara. Well, I'm not completely content with this part - if you have any suggestions about improvements or you spot any error, don't hesitate to tell me, please.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, only this fic and Sindal are all my faults.

"Once upon a time there was one kingdom. The King of that kingdom had one little child - a daughter. But his wife, the Queen, has died long ago, so the girl grew up only with her father. And because she was of pale skin, everyone called her Snow White. Then the King married again - the new Queen has been beautiful woman. But what the King didn't know was that she's also powerful evil witch..."

"Such as Umar was?" asked Kaatja.

Sindal smiled a bit at the girl. She was sitting in the small clearing near the village, surrounded by several children and some of her companions and was telling them fairy-tale after fairy-tale - solving of the problems troubling Umarhills showed to be children-trust-gaining experience, to say the truth. But it was... refreshing to tell the stories she used to hear from Gorion when she was little.

"Yes, such as Umar was," and after a moment she added with serious face, "and even worse."

All the children gulped audibly. Sindal continued her story: "As I said - she was also an evil witch..."

"You said 'she was also powerful evil witch!'" protested one of the boys, Alan.

"Okay, okay... she was also powerful evil witch. And she had magical mirror, which could answer her every question. But the Queen had only one question; 'who's the prettiest woman in my land?' and the Mirror always said: 'You, Queen.' The years were passing, the Snow White was growing and she grew up into beautiful young woman. And at last the mirror answered Queen's question: 'Snow White is the prettiest woman in your land.'"

The children were watching her, completely taken into the story being unfold before them. Story about beautiful but evil queen, who wanted to kill her step-daughter. They didn't dare to breathe when Snow White was running through the forest, until she found dwarves' house. They were laughing when she was telling them the names of the dwarves. They all listened carefully, when she sang them Snow White's song.

"Some day my prince will come

Some day we'll meet again

And away to his castle we'll go

To be happy forever I know

Some day when spring is here

We'll find our love anew

And the birds will sing

And wedding bells will ring

Some day when my dreams come true.

"And how will she know it's her prince?"

"She will know because he will give her the first love's kiss."

When she was telling them about Queen's trick with poisonous apple, one of the girls cried out in horror. Minsc, who was present, jumped out of his place and wanted to kick Queen's evil ass. But luckily, Boo intervened and Minsc sat back on his place. Tsujatha, sitting near just rolled his eyes and Sindal continued the tale with the dwarves, who came home and found Snow White lying on the floor.

"... and because they thought she was dead to them, they placed her into glass-coffin and put the coffin in Snow White's favourite glade. Everyday the dwarves went to her coffin, told her about what they were doing through the day. And Snow White looked as if she was just sleeping. And then - one day there came one Prince, who was looking for a bride."

"Was it the Snow White's prince?" asked one of the girls, Elsa, eagerly.

"Hush, let her speak!" took it short Dilbert. Elsa slapped her mouth and nodded. Sindal continued the tale:

"He was wandering through the forest - and then he saw the glass-coffin. The woman inside looked so beautiful that he came closer. 'She's so pretty,' thought he, 'a pity that she's not alive anymore. I would make her my bride and love her forever.' He looked on Snow White's face for a long time and then he thought that if he can't marry her, he will at least kiss her and retain her image in his heart. He uncovered the lid and slowly kissed her lips. To his great surprise he felt that the woman breathed out and opened her eyes. Right it that moment the dwarves come there as well. When they saw Snow White's eyes opening, they were as happy as the Prince was surprised.

"And what happened next?" asked little Annie.

"Well, Snow white and Prince fell in love and got married soon."

"And what about the dwarves?"

"They left their house to visit their wedding and then returned back to their work. And that's end of the story because Snow White and Prince lived happily ever after."

Mothers of the children started to call their children to home. All of them left - but firstly they all hugged Sindal and wished her a good night. Sindal stood up and looked after the children with a smile on her lips.

"Boo thinks that little Sindal should do story-telling more often," said Minsc. "She knows her profession very well."

"Thank you, Minsc. And thanks to you, Boo, as well, of course," added she quickly.

"You can tell stories nicely, my lady," said Tsujatha suddenly. Sindal looked up into his face. He was serious, as usual. "I did not know you have this ability in you."

Smiling a little, she said dryly: "Well, being a bard does this to you, Tsujatha."

"Bard?" repeated Tsujatha with furrowed brows. "What is a bard?"

Surprised, Sindal asked: "You don't have bards in your world?" Seeing Tsujatha shaking his head, she added. "Bard is a bit from many professions - he's a singer, an actor, a fighter, a mage and a... ahem... thief, I suppose."

Tsujatha chuckled a bit. "You don't have to be so wary about me, my lady. I may not like Sorkyst, the thief who stole my heirloom, Riosé Sar, but I have nothing against you."

"I know, Tsujatha - but some people react... well, they are not pleased that we bards have also ability to steal. But sometimes it's a 'must have' ability, trust me. Especially when you have to collect all money you can for saving your friend..." She hung her head down.

"I'm not the one who should say anything wrong about you, Sindal," said Tsujatha in surprisingly gentle voice. He lifted her face, so they looked into each other eyes." Your cause is honourable."

She felt small smile forming on her lips. "Thank you, Tsujatha," whispered she. "You don't know how much it means for me that you trust me. That you trust a Bhaalspawn." She froze. 'Hell, that's something I shouldn't say.' Before Tsujatha could say anything - and she could clearly see the question in his eyes - she stepped aside, bid him good-night and almost ran away, leaving him alone on the clearing.

Tsujatha watched her leave. He could see her when she stepped into the light of the tavern. She looked back on him with worry and fear written across her features.

o.O.o

She hasn't slept well. She was dreaming and her dreams were full of fighting, blood and hate. She found herself facing Sarevok again; again she was forced to watch how Gorion was murdered. Again she felt the overwhelming horror that Sarevok will find her and kill her. Again... she was tortured by Irenicus in his lab.

She woke up with a startle, breathing heavily and covered in sweat. From the moon she saw through the window she guessed it was short after the midnight.

'Well, guess I'll do better, if I take a break from sleeping,' thought she sardonically. Walking out of her room she firstly wanted to take a walk around the inn - but then she noticed that under the doors of Tsujatha's door is a narrow ray of light. 'He's not sleeping?' She bit her lip. They touched an unpleasant topic - well, unpleasant at least to her - and somehow it felt wrong not telling him the truth.

Hesitantly, she went to his door and knocked lightly. The door opened almost immediately.

"My lady... Sindal?"

She smiled nervously. "Sorry for bothering you, Tsujatha, but I couldn't sleep... and when I saw the light coming out of your room, I thought that..." her voice trailed into silence. She just looked into Tsujatha's eyes. Wordlessly, he stepped aside and let her in.

When she steeped into the room, she noticed an open book on the table. She went to see what it is. 'Shakespeare - Sonnets', was written on the book. "You know the poet?"

Tsujatha nodded. "Yes. He's most probably the only poet from this world who is so well-known in Planes." Thoughtfully, he added: "I would really like to see at least one of his plays performed."

"Which one is your favourite? I always liked comedies 'The Tempest' or 'As you like it', from tragedies were my favourite 'Hamlet' and 'King Lear'."

He smiled a bit. Well, he was always so serious - seeing him smile quite unusual thing. She started reciting her favourite part of 'As you like it':

"Under the greenwood tree

Who loves to lie with me,

And turn his merry note

Unto the sweet bird's throat,

Come hither, come hither, come hither:

Here shall he see No enemy

But winter and rough weather."

Tsujatha watched his leader reciting with raise eyebrow. "My lady? I knew you have sense of poetry - but yet I wouldn't expect this..."

Sindal interrupted him bitterly: "... in a Bhaalspawn?"

"And what is this Bhaalspawn, Sindal?" asked Tsujatha silently. "I've heard you or others say the word - but none of you ever explained that to me."

Sindal hang her head down. "I'm almost afraid of telling you, Tsujatha. But... you deserve to know. Bhaalspawn is Child of Bhaal." She looked up back to his face. Seeing confusion in his eyes, she added: "And Bhaal is dead god of Murder. He died during the Time of Troubles - but before that he impregnated many women in the Realms, my mother being one of them."

Her companion watched her in amazement. His leader is child of god! But he could clearly see that the fact is troubling her. His own blood troubled him once - but he embraced the darkness and became the person he was now. He wasn't troubled by it anymore - but she was gentler than he ever had been.

Sindal interrupted his thoughts: "Do you have more of Shakespeare's works?"

He followed the topic she chose and turned his attention back to Shakespeare. "Yes, I have," replied he. He walked over to his bag and after a short moment he pulled out several books. "I have all his plays. Would you like to read them?"

Sindal flashed him brilliant smile. "Of course!" Serious again she said: "You know, Tsujatha, there is poetry in you. I think you chose wrong occupation. You should be an actor!"

Smiling a little in return he said: "I think you pay me too much compliments, my lady. I appreciate poetry - but there's none in myself."

She stuck out her tongue at him. "Meh! It's me who will judge that! I'm the bard here! And when I say that there's poetry in you, I mean it!" She browsed through one of the books, clearly searching text of her liking. "This," she said, pointing to one place in the book, "read it aloud - just as you feel it."

He gestured her to sit down (she sat on his bed then, leaned on the wall and hugged her knees) and read the text first. It was part of 'The Tempest', Ferdinand's monologue in act three, first scene. He didn't need to read it - he knew it by heart. He looked into Sindal's eyes and spoke:

"Indeed the top of admiration! worth

What's dearest to the world! Full many a lady

I have eyed with best regard and many a time

The harmony of their tongues hath into bondage

Brought my too diligent ear:"

He paused for a second, seeing how her eyes went wide. He obviously surprised her. He could only hope it was a pleasant surprise.

"For several virtues

Have I liked several women; never any

With so fun soul, but some defect in her

Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed

And put it to the foil: but you, O you,

So perfect and so peerless, are created

Of every creature's best!"

She nodded her head, deeply in thoughts. "Hm, Tsujatha, ever though about dramatic art? I would use someone like you in the theatre. Although we are going to perform play about Turmish wizard, maybe we could play this some day as well." She yawned. "Oh, sorry. It's not that I'm tired of your company." She winked at him. "Could you please read anything else? Part of your favourite play maybe?"

He felt little smile forming on his lips when he bowed courtly before her. "I'm ever at your service, my lady." He took another book of plays - of tragedies this time. Finding Hamlet he started to read it aloud, looking on Sindal from time to time. She listened with a strange expression he couldn't decipher. Just when he was starting the part with Hamlet's dialog, the "to be or not to be", he looked on Sindal and to his surprise he found out that Sindal fell asleep.

For a moment he mused: 'Should I let her sleep here or wake her and tell her to go to her own room?' In the end he peeked out of his room and since everyone was obviously asleep in his or her own room, he opened doors of Sindal's room and carried her there in his arms. In her sleep she nestled against him with content sight. It made his heart skip a beat. He stopped to study her face. She looked so calm and gentle... Who would have thought that her sire was god of Murder? How it feels to her, being child of such a god?

He carefully settled her on her bed, pulled a blanket over her and went to the door. Suddenly, he heard her speaking:

"How it is to be a child of Murder you wonder? I'll tell you. Being a Bhaalspawn means never say you are sorry. And why? Because no one will believe you really mean it."

He spun around. She was still sleeping and talked in her sleep. It amazed him how closely she followed his thought in her sleep. One day he maybe tells her how much he knows about cursed blood. But today - or better tonight - he will just close the door and let her sleep. While he was going back to his room, he yawned. 'It's time for bed, Tsujatha,' thought he. Closing the door behind him he blew out the candle. His last though before he felt asleep was about Sindal and how pleasant it was to have her in his arms. 'For several virtues...' Then his mind drifted to dreamless sleep.