Out Of The Shadows
Chapter Twelve:
Family
Skie Silvershield and her new party used the sewers to move Eldoth across Baldur's Gate without being seen. She wanted to avoid running into any Flaming Fist officers and having to answer questions about the bound and beaten man they had with them, especially since, largely thanks to that man, she could no longer rely on her family name to help 'clear up' such matters. She used some of Eldoth's money to procure two fine horses and a wagon, into which they bungled their captive. Fortunately no one stopped them as they crossed the bridge out of the city and found themselves in open countryside bathed in warm yellow sunshine.
Kivan, who had brought his own horse, scouted ahead. Even though bandits were less of a problem now, there were still small bands scattered along the coast, Ankhegs still burrowed below the ground not far from, and Kobolds, Gibberlings, Xvarts… there was a lot to be wary of. Bears and Wolves as well, although unlike Gibberlings, they at least had enough sense to stay away from armed Elves and Humans most of the time.
Viconia, Coran and Safana were all in the back. Skie could hear giggling and the occasional wet sucking sound from the later two, which she found disturbing. In a way they were perfect for eachother; both lived solely for their own pleasure. But she imagined Viccy back there shaking her head critically, if she wasn't passed out already. They were supposed to be making sure their slippery captive didn't wake up and somehow manage to break free of his bonds, as pesky people who were being led most probably to their own execution were likely to try and do.
That left Skie and Tenya up front, with Xan sat between them currently taking the reins.
"How long will it take to get to get to Athkatla?" The Priestess yawned as the wagon bounced over a rock.
"I don't know," Skie answered as they bounced again, although she had studied the map. "About a tenday, if all goes well," and assuming their butts could handle the abuse. "Of course, it would be faster if we could take a boat," she chided. The Umberlant narrowed her eyes and glared at her, but said nothing. She'd been surprisingly quiet all morning. Skie surmised that since she had been awake all night, the girl was simply too tired now to be mad at everything anymore. Minutes later, Skie found herself smiling as she watched Tenya's head bobbing and then snapping back up, rubbing her eyes as she tried to stay awake. Anyone else looking could be fooled into thinking she was a quite normal kid.
Skie decided to let Tenya fall off. To sleep, that is. In the meantime, she found herself looking back over her shoulder at the city she was leaving behind. Not that there was much to see from here; across the river, huge stone walls stretched for a mile or so in each direction. She could see the peaks of the Ducal Palace, little flags fluttering, and some other towers. It occurred to her that it might be some time before she returned here. In fact, this might be the last view she ever got of her home. She'd really made a complete hash of things here; perhaps in Amn, where the Silvershield name wouldn't mean anything, she could begin again. She wondered if she should have left some message for her father…
As they approached the first bend in the road, Tenya suddenly bolted upright, demanding that they stop. Xan shrugged and sighed resignedly, commanding the horses to halt as the Priestess hopped down.
"Why are we stopping?" Skie asked, climbing down as well.
Tenya had already stomped off the road and was disappearing into the trees. "I want to look at something," she said, contradicting Skie's expectations.
"First I'm taking orders from a woman who acts like a child," Xan started mumbling and grumbling, "now it's an actual child… I suppose I can't complain, really. Well, I can, but it's not like any of you will listen…"
"Uh-huh," Skie nodded, not listening. "Wait here, will you?" She said, and didn't listen to his reply. She knew Tenya was capable of looking after herself, but… she was only thirteen. And she was tired. Skie couldn't let her wander off on her own. She headed out as well, beneath the trees, pushing her way through thick undergrowth and nettles; she would be amazed if Tenya had managed to get through all this without getting stung, at least. When she came out the other side it wasn't a whole lot better; the grass was knee height, concealing whatever animal droppings might have lain there. Skie still hadn't gotten the hang of nature.
Treading very carefully, Skie approached the house. It was old, a little dilapidated, but it didn't look like it had actually been abandoned that long. Someone could still move in and make it liveable again, if they wanted to. Why anyone would want a home outside the city and away from any other settlement was beyond her. Peace and quiet, maybe, but it certainly wouldn't be safe. She didn't yet realise whose house it was, and that safety something they never concerned themselves with much.
Regardless, there was no sign of Tenya. Judging by the dirt that had built up around the door, it didn't look like she had gone inside. Skie headed round the back. She found the young Priestess there, leaning on her staff in front of a mound of earth about six feet long.
"You are lucky this is no longer my land home," Tenya sighed, hearing the woman approach; Skie hadn't been trying to sneak up on her. "Or I would have killed you for intruding."
Skie wasn't worried; for all her talk, she knew from hearing Imoen and some of the others talk about their adventures that Tenya had never actually succeeded in killing anybody. She was curious, however; the young Priestess hadn't struck her as the type to get sentimental. But then she hadn't known her very long, and first impressions could be a little misleading. Skie had thought Eldoth was a charming, lovable rogue. She supposed Tenya just knew, like she did, that this could be the last time she got to see her old home. And that grave…
"Your mother?" Skie guessed.
"Umberlee is mother now," the Priestess sighed, reciting what she had clearly been taught many times, although with little conviction. "But this was my earth mother, yes."
"I'm sorry," Skie looked around uncertainly, wondering if she should go. Perhaps Tenya needed to grieve. It seemed unlikely, but perhaps for that reason she couldn't do it in front of anyone even though the girl herself might want to…
"You wouldn't be sorry if you had known her," or it seemed she might just want to talk, and for someone else to listen. Skie could do that, surely. "That dark elf woman thinks she's really bad… but my mother would have eaten her for breakfast. She once ate a squirrel in front of me. I'd been keeping it as a sort of pet. She said I was learning an important lesson."
"Okay," there was a lot Skie was now beginning to understand.
"It worried me that I didn't understand what the lesson was, since she beat me every time I got a question about Umberlee even a little wrong. Luckily, was never tested on the squirrel eating thing. I once saw sure her drain all the water out of man's eyes just because he was looking at her," Skie blinked a few times, making sure all her eye water stayed where it was. "And we lived here, by ourselves," Tenya sighed, "I thought everyone was just like that. After the men came and attacked her… I tried to heal her, but she died," she said, matter of factly. "I dragged her out here and buried her myself. And then… then Imoen came, and she helped me," the weary girl shook her head. "She didn't have to, but she did. She didn't have to come to me in the warehouse either, but she did."
"Imoen is a good person," Skie nodded, just glad the Priestess hadn't gone into any more detail about her earth mother's antics.
"Yes… which means," Tenya furrowed her brow at the grave, "everything this bitch ever told me is wrong. She lied to me, every single day."
Skie was surprised by the sudden swear word, but Tenya's demeanor hadn't really changed. She was still exhausted. "Do… do you hate her?"
"No," the girl shook her head, rubbing her eyes again. "I want to, sometimes. But I don't. Is that strange?"
"No," Skie shook her head. This was something she actually understood… well, perhaps not really understood, but she knew the feeling. When she'd heard her father had died, she was devastated; Eldoth had restrained her, to stop her rushing home right away. Despite all the crappy things her father had done to her, keeping her locked in her room, then disowning her when he found out the truth about Eldoth. Even in death she felt she had to speak to me again, put things right… they didn't see eye to eye, but she didn't want him to hate her. He was her father; if nothing else, she owed her whole existence to him. Of course, it turned out he hadn't really been that dead and they resurrected him the next day. And it turned out not even a near death experience would make him acknowledge her again.
"There is just one thing I want to do," Tenya yawned; poor thing really did need rest. But the Priestess dropped her staff. Stepping forward, she took a deep breath trying to build up the energy she needed for what she was going to do next, which was jump, stamp and literally dance on her mother's grave.
"Don't you dare get up, you big limpet butt!" The girl yelled, kicking at the dirt, her face quickly reddening from the exertion and the shouting. Yeah, this was much more like the Tenya she knew. "Face that sank a thousand ships! Here," she pulled a small bottle from her belt pouch, and started to flick little droplets from it onto the grave. "Brow, hands and feet, mother… brow, hands and feet! Am I getting that right, now? Am I? Huh?" Tenya started kicking more aggressively into the side of the grave, until she finally started running out of steam. "You just… you stay dead…" the girl panted.
Skie wasn't quite sure what she was seeing, but when it seemed to be over she asked, "are you… done?"
"Yes," Tenya answered primly, picking up her staff, "I can leave here now. I know what a weak bladder you have, so if you need to go, you should do so now. We will not stop again today."
Skie didn't know it, but the time she and Tenya had got back to the others, one side of her mouth had curled up into a grin. She didn't know why it was, but she was actually starting to like the girl. Tenya, Skie thought, wasn't evil; just very, very angry, and perhaps with good reason to be. She seemed to have a lot of conflicting emotions. But, Skie knew several people who were complete brats at that age but who somehow managed to turn out as fairly decent folk. Hope wasn't lost for her, yet.
"Why did we stop?" Coran asked as they returned. He and his beau and Viconia had climbed out, and Kivan had ridden back to find out what the delay was.
The noblewoman shrugged apologetically. "I guess she just needed to get some things off her chest," she explained.
"Aww… you look sleepy, dahling," Safana drawled, approaching the young Priestess. "You should get some rest. And maybe later I will do something with your hair, hmmm?" The red haired thief put a hand to each side of the girl's head, bunching up her raven locks. "I think you'd look delightful with a couple of little pony tails."
Tenya squinted at the thief, her right eye twitching violently. "I should just kill you now," she hissed.
"So!" The noblewoman clapped her hands together, wearing a big grin. "When did you two get together?" She wasn't really that interested; she was just trying to save Safana from some nasty internal bleeding.
"Oh that is a long story, fair lady," Coron grinned back at her, "but do not forget, I gave you a chance. You spurned me." And despite all that happened, it wasn't a decision Skie regretted at all.
"It's not really such a long story," Safana interjected, leaning against the Elf. "I think we met in the Friendly Arm just a month ago?" She looked to Coran for confirmation. He nodded.
"We wanted to kill each other at first," he explained, "but, some Elven wine, a couple of Dwarven ales… and, well, you can guess the rest." Safana let out a single giggle.
"I don't want to," Skie gasped out. They looked at her oddly. "Uh… t-that is, I wish I had been there."
"It was a grand night out," Coran reminisced, looking wistfully into the eyes of his lover who now had her arms draped around him. "I think I've finally met a woman who really understands me," the Elf said, as if it was an innuendo. Skie supposed anything could be, if you said it right. The two lovebirds soon had their heads pressed together and each appeared to be trying to bite the lower lip off the other.
Xan stood close beside the noblewoman. "Impressive recovery," he commented quietly.
"Thanks," honestly though, Skie gave them until they reached Athkatla, and they started running to lots of other pretty girls and boys. She tried not to compare what she was seeing to what she had been like with Eldoth. Neither Coran or Safana had ever been a wholly honest person, but maybe they really were in love; she had no right to judge just because she'd had a bad experience. It was hard though, so mostly she just tried not to look.
In the meantime, Tenya was stood beside the wagon, sniffing.
"Is something wrong?" Skie asked.
"I smell wee," the girl explained. She stood with one foot on the step to the drivers seat, and pulled herself up just enough to sniff inside the little window there. "It's him; he's weed."
Skie regretted not having put a bit more thought into the practicalities of transporting a prisoner such a long distance. She knew that at some point, someone was going to have to give him water, feed him, and that thought alone made her feel slightly sick. She'd mentally completely glossed over every other human need.
The group gathered at the back of the wagon, while Kivan jerked it open. Eldoth, still bruised and beaten and now stinking having been wallowing in his own excretions, was momentarily dazzled by the sudden influx of bright sunlight. But he was awake.
"Yes," he laughed, "I would give it five minutes if I were you…"
Coran and Kivan each grabbed one of the bard's shoulder, sliding him out and placing him roughly on his feet.
"So, what is taking place here?" Eldoth staggered slightly. "Seems to be a bit of a reunion… such a shame I didn't bring my lute. I could have regaled with the sad tale of man, wrongly accused, and betrayed, yes, betrayed! By the very woman he had loved, sheltered, protected..."
"Oh, shut up, Eldoth," Skie snapped, "no one is going to your… your poppycock anymore!"
"Oh, but you always did love my c…" he suddenly fell back. It was an… instinctive reaction, on Skie's part, punching him in the face. She understood now how almost every other person felt when they met him.
"So… you're not completely useless," Tenya grinned.
"Now listen, all of you!" Eldoth spat out angrily. "Are you really going to just take the word of this ill tempered little murderess and a stupid, naïve girl, over mine?"
"Who are you calling a naïve girl?" The Umberlant quirked.
"Me," Skie rolled her eyes, "that one's talking about me."
"Oh… well that's fine, then."
"I am sorry, Eldoth old friend," Coran's usually wide smile took on a more serious edge, "but we have all seen the letters. Betraying comrades, putting damsels in danger… just not something I can get over."
"Nor I," Xan sighed, "and I owe the daughter of Bhaal an additional debt, which I'm afraid is not something any amount of your gold can cover."
Kivan snarled his lips. If you listened carefully, you might have heard a small growl as well.
"Well, then… just think," Eldoth hissed, "Viconia… Safana… I can offer you far more than they can!" He was hoping to appeal to their natural greed.
"You, jaluk?" The Drow woman flung her long silver hair back, laughing mockingly. "You have nothing to offer me."
"Yeah, we have all your gold, and I just," Safana shrugged her shoulders, "I've never found you that attractive. Sorry."
He had struck out all round. But that didn't mean Eldoth was just about to give up. He spat again and launched into a tirade of colourful metaphors and euphemisms that called into question the men's manliness and Skie's virtue… well, he would know all about all of that.
"Enough of this banter," Tenya yawned, "someone is going to have clean up in there. You!" She pointed at Viconia. "You have not done much. You do it."
"When we require Shar's blessing, I shall oblige," Viconia glared at the girl, "if it suits me, and her. Until then, I take no orders from any rivvin, especially not tiny ones, and I do not wash floors."
"Well don't look at me," Coran shrugged, while Tenya and Viconia engaged in a staring contest.
"Fine," Safana rolled up her up sleeves and stepped forward, amazing everyone; Viconia even lost the contest, because she was so amazed. "I guess if no one else is man enough, then I'll do it."
Coran looked panicked. "No, no… I was just joking, dear," he said, Safana's slight jibe clearly far more effective on him than any of Eldoth's best written insults. "I don't want you getting your pretty little fingers all dirtied."
"Oh… that's so sweet of you, dear!" The thief smiled and pecked him on the cheek.
"And you will have to clean him as well," Tenya, looking a bit triumphant, said to Skie. "We can't have him stinking all the way to Amn."
"Why me?" Skie protested, afraid of what such close proximity to Eldoth might bring.
"Well, you… you've already seen his… his…" Tenya's face flushed red with embarrassment. The girl had to steady herself. "His man things!" She blurted out.
It was easy to forget that Tenya really was still innocent in a number of ways. Skie supposed she did have to take some responsibility here, and agreed to clean Eldoth's clothes and person. But someone else was going to have to feed him. She prepared a basin, and led the bard a short way into the woods. Not all on her own of course; she made sure Kivan stayed at least with in listening distance, and brought a knife with her; not really for defence, she just had no intention of untying any of his bonds to get his clothes off. She would figure out some way to get them back on later.
"Skie," the Bard whispered softly, as soon as he believed they were in the clearing alone. "My love…"
"Don't say anything, Eldoth," she sighed. She knew he was going to try something. "I trusted you, once… but you betrayed our friends, and you betrayed me. And I see it all now; how you used, how you kept me locked up in that room like a… a worthless plaything…"
"I'm sorry," he shook his head sadly. He was a good actor, sometimes; he almost seemed sincere. "I've made mistakes, I know. But I just wanted you to be safe… for us to be together, and you not to worry…"
"Our friends might be dead, because of you!" She snapped.
"I know… I know. And believe me, my sweet, not a day has gone by when I haven't thought about that. I just… I was so desperate for you to be happy. I was prepared to take on the burden of that guilt alone, for you."
"For me?" Her eyes glittered as she turned to face him, dropping a cloth into the basin.
"I still want to be with you, my sweet."
"So… you forgive me?"
"Of course! I might have thought the same, were I in your place."
"You still love me?"
"Always."
"And… we can still be together?"
"Yes! If that's what you want, then by the Gods, yes!"
Her eyes stopped glittering. Her face hardened, and she started to smile. A cruel, mocking smile. And then she laughed loudly. Eldoth was perplexed.
"Oh… I… I'm sorry 'my love'," she said, wiping away her tears, "you'll just never understand why that's so funny. Now shut up and get in the bucket."
The bard, although not comprehending, did try one last angle of attack.
"They're going to me, you know," he said, as he splashed down. "If they live, they will kill me. Has all our time together really meant so little to you?"
Skie did know that. She tried not to think about it, and when she did she told herself that whatever Imoen and Jaheira decided to do with him, it was what he deserved. She was washing her hands of him. Besides, murder wasn't really Imoen's style, was it? Even though she was the daughter of… well, it didn't matter. She was washing her hands of him.
Later, she had managed to clear all such thoughts from her mind when she returned and found Tenya fast asleep in the back of the wagon, snoring. She was a pretty girl, Skie thought, when she was asleep. Covering the Priestess, she went and sat up front again with Xan.
She spared one last look back at Baldur's Gate as it finally disappeared over the hill. She thought again about writing a letter to her father, but couldn't think of much to say apart from 'So long, and screw you, berk'. She knew she had made mistakes. But what kind of family just completely turned its back on someone because of a mistake? Alright, it was a big mistake, but it wasn't as though she had murdered priests of Ilmater.
No; that was no family she wanted to belong to. Skie realised that the family she was with now, argumentative and dysfunctional as it was, was the best family she had ever had.
And so, she started looking forward.