Those who were reading this story before the revisions (that's right, both of you) will probably recognize this chapter. Although there is something extra tacked on at the end, the chapter is largely the same.

Lengthening Shadows

The night was fitfully still. Bracketed torches provided only enough light to lengthen the shadows covering the interior of the building that had once housed the guards who ensured the Cloakwood mines remained secret. Those guards had fallen protecting that secret, and the mines themselves were now flooded, the only remaining sign of Saunder's passage.

Saunder and Ajantis were now alone on the second floor of the building, which had served as the barracks for the guards. Ajantis sat on the edge of a bed while Saunder paced back and forth.

"Saunder, what happened down there?"

"You saw it yourself."

"True, but that doesn't mean I know what happened. You not only killed Davaeorn, you were hacking apart his carcass several swings after he was actually dead."

"I was angry."

"I know it was more than simple anger. Why did you see fit to eviscerate Davaeorn's corpse, Saunder?"

"Is this an interrogation?"

"Only if you make it one. You're hiding something from me, which bodes ill for your future as a paladin."

Saunder stopped his pacing and tried to slow his racing mind, tried to cool his restless blood. Ajantis is not my enemy.

"I need some time to think this through," Saunder said.

Ajantis looked severely at Saunder, "I'll let you go for now, but that doesn't mean I'm through with this. My questions will be answered."

"They will," Saunder replied.

Ajantis nodded curtly, "Go."

Saunder opened the door and walked down the narrow staircase to the first floor. The others, Branwen, Kivan, and Imoen, sat around the table. They had been talking quietly but became silent as Saunder started down the stairs.

Saunder attempted a smile as he passed his companions on his way to the door and tried to ignore their stares. Imoen quickly stood to follow when she saw Saunder's direction.

Saunder halted on hearing the chair slide back, "You'd follow me anywhere wouldn't you?" he asked.

"Do you need to ask?" Imoen replied, her voice was light, but the mood failed to reach her eyes.

"Why?"

Imoen paused, "Do you think I have anywhere else to go?"

Saunder nodded at the simple statement. I have a responsibility to keep her safe. After all she's followed me through, it's the least she deserves.

"I'm not going far," said Saunder, "please, stay here."

Imoen nodded reluctantly but continued to follow Saunder with her eyes as he left.

Saunder felt the cool night air wrap around him as he stepped outside and realized that winter was not far away Saunder walked away from the building that had been the guardhouse and over the narrow bridge that was the only entrance to the compound of the Cloakwood mines before passing into the wood beyond.

Saunder heard the distant howl of a wolf and his hand subconsciously came to rest on Ashideena's shaft.

Then Saunder saw the dim light in the distance, and made his way toward it. As Saunder walked, the trees of the wood began to warp, trunks and branches bent impossibly and curled menacingly toward the paladin, who continued to march deeper into the wood, until he came upon the familiar clearing and fire.

"So you've returned," said the blind god from where he sat around the fire.

"The light," Saunder said, looking into the distance, "it's closer now."

"So it is." Neither of the two spoke for a time, and Saunder saw the yellow eyes at the edge of the fire's light.

"You are ashamed of what you have done," Tyr observed, "that is reassuring. More reassuring is that you have decided to seek me out."

"Can you forgive me?" Saunder asked.

"I can," Tyr said, "But you must also forgive yourself. A warrior ridden by guilt will doom himself just as surely as one ruled by bloodlust. You cannot doubt yourself but you must control yourself, else far worse could happen."

"How can I defend myself against such an enemy?"

"First, you must know what it is you face." Tyr stood and looked at the yellow eyes on the brink of the firelight. "One can hide behind sanctuaries but there comes a time when one must abandon such defenses that lead to laxity and stagnation."

Tyr stood and, with a glance, snuffed out the fire. Saunder backed away as the yellow eyes moved steadily toward himself and Tyr.

"There comes a time when the darkness must be faced."

When Saunder's eyes adjusted, he saw Tyr walking toward the creature with the yellow eyes, a massive thing covered in spines with great clawed fingers and jagged teeth.

The creature lunged forward, its claws ready to tear the one-handed God asunder. But Tyr grabbed the beast by its leading arm and, turning the creature's momentum against it, slammed the beast into the nearest tree. Before it could recover, Tyr snatched the its neck and threw it onto the ground.

Then Saunder was blinded as the fire roared back to life. When his vision returned, Saunder saw Tyr standing over the creature, which writhed under the god's boot but made no attempt to attack.

"You can come closer," Tyr said, "the beast knows not to challenge me now."

"What is it?" Saunder asked, slowly approaching.

"It is the taint within you. Here, in this place, it has taken the form of the Slayer, the avatar of Bhaal."

Saunder was silent. Inseparable as blood and bone, the taint within me, avatar of Bhaal.

"The pieces should be falling into place for you."

"I am one of Bhaal's children?"

"You are. Rescued from ritual sacrifice by your step-father and his companions."

"And he is too isn't he? Gorion's murderer, the one with the yellow eyes?"

Tyr nodded, "For now, you must continue on the path you follow. Gorion's murderer must be dealt with. But tread carefully, the truth of your divinity is something best kept secret."

"What about my companions?"

"I will leave that to your discretion, but I advise caution. Before you leave I have one more piece of information to give you. The taint of Bhaal is a thing of evil but it can be twisted to serve the needs of good." The Slayer writhed and bellowed but abruptly stopped when Tyr poised his boot above the avatar's neck.

"You see," Tyr said, drawing back, "it can be reasonable if given the incentive." Tyr lowered his foot back to the ground. As soon as the god turned his back the Slayer fled back into the woods. Tyr saw the disbelieving expression in the young paladin's eyes. "The taint of Bhaal is a force and, like any other force, it can be bent and redirected. You must learn to do this or the taint will tear you apart. I can limit the taint's strength to a point but it will grow in time."

"Can't I just not use the taint? Suppress it?"

"The taint is not some passive presence. It is an ember of Bhaal's being. You cannot exorcize the taint and you certainly cannot ignore it. Should you do so, he will subvert you in time. Above all, never submit."

In an instant, the fire and the blind god disappeared while the trees seemed to retook their former shapes.

Saunder glanced back to the cabin. What will they think? Will they even believe me?

All eyes turned to Saunder when he opened the door. Imoen looked to have been reading over some of the scrolls they had taken from Davaeorn's library. Kivan and Branwen had been discussing something. Ajantis looked to have been staring at the door the entire time.

"Ajantis," said Saunder, stepping forward and closing the door behind him, "I have an explanation for you."

After taking a seat, Saunder explained everything. From the bandit he had cut down in anger at the camp to his recent revelation concerning his origins.

Reactions were mixed. Ajantis was clearly surprised, having received much more of an explanation than he had expected. Kivan remained stoic. Branwen had taken to examining her mace, matters of the divine apparently mattered little to her. Imoen seemed agitated, was biting at her nails.

"Perhaps your unique identity is why the armored man sought to have you killed, why you have been harried by so many bounty hunters," suggested Kivan.

"What makes you so sure the man who beset Gorion and Saunder is the same one who has been issuing the bounties?" asked Ajantis, "perhaps the bounty hunters were sent by the bandits after you killed Mulahey at the Nashkel mines."

"The first bounty hunter attacked Saunder before we ended Mulahey's operations at the Nashkel mines, and he was acting under orders from Tazok," said Kivan, who pointed to a number of scrolls on the table, "These are letters from Rieltar to Davaeorn which tell that an organization called the Iron Throne has executed an elaborate plot to undermine iron production and importation in this region. Tazok was acting under orders from this organization when he issued the bounties for Saunder's death, which have only become more severe each time he disrupts their operations."

"Then we have to find Rieltar," said Saunder.

"There is one other named in the letters. The bandits were put under the command of a man named Sarevok, Tazok is only his lieutenant."

"So Rieltar and Sarevok are the ones in charge?" clarified Imoen.

"That seems to be the case,"said Kivan.

Then one of them must be the Bhaalspawn who killed Gorion, thought Saunder. It's good to finally have the names of the men at the top, rather than their lackeys and lieutenants.

"All of you seem to be ignoring something," said Ajantis, "you have not addressed what Saunder's heritage entails."

"And what more is there to say?" asked Branwen, making clear that she felt the discussion was a waste of time.

"He has lost control before," said Ajantis. His expression had become grim, "How do you know you will not lose it again? Perhaps the next time the Lord of Murder seizes control he will not let go so easily."

"Saunder is aware of what he faces now," said Kivan, "Do not be so quick to underestimate his strength."

"I will not force any of you to stay," said Saunder, "If you doubt me, Ajantis, you are free to leave."

"And let a child of Bhaal go unwatched? That would not be a wise course of action."

"I must say, I disapprove of your combative tone," said Kivan, rising from his chair. At the same time, Ajantis shot to his feet and soon everyone but Saunder was standing tensely, hands hovering close to weapons.

"All of you, sit down," Saunder said evenly. The ranger and paladin glared at one another for a long moment before taking their seats; the others relaxed. "If any of you have doubts, I would know now."

"You know I'll go wherever you do," said Imoen.

"We still have a great deal to accomplish before we part ways," said Kivan, "your heritage changes nothing."

Branwen shrugged, "You are a better warleader than many I have aided, I see no reason to leave."

Ajantis shifted uneasily, "Perhaps I am wrong to have my doubts," he said after a pause, "Child of Bhaal or no, you are the best hope to finding a remedy to the troubles that plague this region. Besides which, someone has to make sure you to keep your guard up."

"I thought that was Kivan's job," Imoen said. The comment brought a snicker, if not a smile, to the ranger's face.

"It's good to know you're still with us, Ajantis," said Saunder, "Now, Kivan, you were speaking of the letters you found in Davaeorn's quarters."

Kivan nodded, "They implicate Rieltar, a leader in the organization called the Iron Throne, of orchestrating the iron shortage."

"Any idea where we can find him?" asked Imoen.

"The Iron Throne is headquartered in Baldur's Gate," said Kivan.

"Then we leave now," said Saunder.

"The hour is late, Saunder," said Ajantis, "we should rest and leave in the morning."

Saunder shook his head, "Our only chance at getting Rieltar is to catch him off-guard and the only way to do that is to travel faster than the news of what has happened here."

Imoen shook her head, "It's going to be a long night."

The party began to head upstairs, where they had left their packs, assuming that they would be staying there for the night. Kivan grabbed Saunder's shoulder as he was walking toward the stairs and pulled him aside.

"I doubt that Ajantis is finished," said the ranger.

Imoen had stopped on the stair and was listening to the two.

"He'll come around," said Saunder confidently, "he just needs to get used to this."

"Nonetheless, be wary of him. You may have to be more discriminating of your companions in the time to come."

"Even of you?"

Kivan blinked, which was as taken aback as Saunder had ever seen the elf.

"If need requires it, I can only hope that you will judge correctly."

"I trust you, Kivan, and value your advice, but Ajantis had proven himself in the past. He'll come around."

"I shall hope that you are correct," said Kivan, and gave Imoen a glance as he ascended the stairs.

"Things just keep getting more complicated don't they?" Imoen asked quietly.

"Yeah," said Saunder, "they do."