General disclaimer: I own nothing, even Maiyn generally decides her own path.

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Gold

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Maiyn looked at the bodies lying scattered around them. The looks of horror her companions wore matched her own expression. Gnolls, ogres and orcs had attacked them; knights of the Order of the Most Radiant Heart were what fell.

"Boo says we have been deceived," roared Minsc, looking around wildly for signs of the trickster. Maiyn put her hand on his arm, calming him as she stared at the dead.

More death... Anomen had slumped onto a rock, stupefied with the events. Maiyn looked over to him and he raised gaze to look at her; he was expressionless, and she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came.

"We will find out what has happened," said Jaheira firmly, the first to come back to her senses.

Good old reliable Jaheira.

"The Order will have to be informed," said Anomen quietly.

Maiyn nodded. "We will tell them when we return to the city," she said. "Although I will understand if you feel that you need to go back immediately to let them know. I... I do not know what we will do with the bodies."

"What goes on here? I've seen many a strange thing in my time, but the events of the past few moments top them all." The companions watched a simply dressed man approach them, his brown hair and beard long but tidy, a plain hunting knife in his belt. Verya slunk to Maiyn's side, eyeing the stranger suspiciously and the elf placed her hand gently on the cat's back.

"Who are you that can change shape so easily? And why have you slain these beasts that became men?" he asked, looking cautiously at them.

"It would appear we have been tricked into killing them," said Maiyn simply. "We saw them as monsters; it is likely they saw us as the same. Not until the last body fell did their true nature become apparent."

The man nodded as he looked around. "The senior members of the Order will not believe what has happened. They will seek justice, and only your heads will suffice."

Xan groaned loudly.

"That is dire news," replied Maiyn with a sigh.

"If I could be so bold," continued the man, seeming to make up his mind about something. "You could take sanctuary with me until you discover how this has come to pass. I am not without contacts, and perhaps I can help you find out what happened here."

Maiyn looked quickly around at her companions. Kivan nodded slightly, and Jaheira did not seem to have any suspicion for the man beyond her normal scope. Yoshimo was standing slightly to the side, looking uncomfortable and Minsc was still surveying his surroundings, as if he could locate the root of the problem there and then. Anomen and Xan were both silent, their faces expressionless. Both looked hopeless.

"We shall be honoured to accept your hospitality," said Maiyn quietly as she turned back to the man.

He nodded genially and instructed them to follow him to his cabin. "It's only a short way," he said.

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The cabin was a simple affair; a large living area with a table, several chairs and a range taking up most of the room, but appearing both homely and comfortable. Two doors led off to bedrooms, and several windows let the sunlight shine in from the glade outside. The companions sat down wearily at the man's invitation, and he himself sat down opposite Maiyn, looking at the elf with troubled eyes.

"Your kindness is welcome," she said with a weak smile. "How did you happen to pass when you did?"

"I was out hunting," replied the man. "I heard the sounds of battle, and I crept over to see what was happening. You've been cruelly tricked." Maiyn raised an eyebrow and waited for him to continue. "You are not the first to suffer because of falsehoods and trickery. I have undergone the same, though my trial was less bloody."

"What do you mean?" asked Maiyn curiously.

"I am Garren Windspear," he began, "once lord of these lands. I had many holds across Amn at one point; but taken from me, it was, almost overnight. I still bear the scars in my dreams. I am content now however, having found solace in the quiet of the woods. But I will forevermore curse the name of Lord Jierdan Firkraag."

Maiyn's eyes widened. "I know that name," she said sharply. "It was he who bid me to rid his land of its ogre menace."

Garren laughed humourlessly. "It is true to his style; organising an elaborate plot to discredit a rival." He paused, looking at the group in silence. "I do not know why he would target you," he continued seriously. "My case was obvious. He sought my lands, so he discredited me. There were missing people only he could locate, banditry only he could stop. Solutions to problems I am sure he caused. In the end my properties were razed in a single night; the people lost faith in me and my influence crumbled. Now it seems, he has targeted you."

Maiyn looked over to Jaheira; the women shared a worried glance, and both knew what the other was concerned about. What if he knows I'm a Bhaalspawn.

"Perhaps you slighted him in some way without even noticing it," added the man, noticing her troubled look. "He is very single-minded in his purpose."

"Maybe," said Maiyn with a sigh. She could not remember any time when it was likely to have happened; she was pretty sure she'd never even met the man before.

"Regardless, he is not the worst of your worries." Garren stood up, striding over to the fireplace where he leaned on the mantel to talk to them all. "The Order of the Most Radiant Heart will seek your death if something is not done quickly."

"Is there anything you can do to aid us, sir?" asked Anomen. The squire was still looking shocked over the events, but he had been listening to the conversation and Maiyn could tell he was trying to think of something more useful to say.

"I have friends in the Order," said Garren quietly. "There are some knights in one of the villages not far from here, resting before they travel back to the city. I'll head over to see if I can speak with them; ask them to take word back to their superiors. Perhaps I can persuade them to look on you with mercy - I can but try."

Maiyn stood up and smiled to Garren. "I thank you for this - you are most kind."

"It is not a problem," he replied, returning the smile. "I have found peace where I am. But any enemy of Lord Jierdan is a friend of mine. I will leave now to see them; I should return by tomorrow evening. Make my home yours."

Maiyn nodded, thanking him once again. As he was leaving, she remembered the acorns in her pack, and asked him if he knew anywhere that was likely to be the home of the dryads. "They said they were from Windspear," she explained, leaving out the details of where they had been trapped.

Garren nodded, and described a small hill not far from the cabin. "There's a pool covering the top," he said, "and trees covering the sides. Many travellers insisted seeing beautiful women living there, but whenever anyone went in to search they only found trees and wildlife. It might be the place you're looking for."

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They walked mainly in silence to the hill before it became dark. It was almost exactly as Garren had described it and the group followed Verya as she padded up a small trail that weaved its way into the forest. It wasn't long before they could see the water glinting ahead, and Maiyn drew out the acorns from her pocket, hoping to draw some sort of inspiration from them.

It was as they wandered around the edge of the lake that they first noticed the water beginning to bubble. Maiyn stopped, signalling for the others to do likewise and they observed as a fluid shape formed, drifting from the pool to the path. Eventually it finished taking its shape, and Maiyn gasped in awe as a beautiful woman looked back at her.

Her hair was as blue as the sky, and it trailed down her back, curling around her feet. Her eyes were green, like the spring leaves on the trees, shining from her pale, thin face. A single robe adorned her, shimmering and rippling; it was nothing more than water from the pool, shaped to fit her physical form perfectly.

Anomen and Yoshimo were seemingly enraptured by her presence, and neither could seem to take their eyes from her. Even Xan and Kivan had slight smiles on their face as she looked at each of the companions in turn, her eyes finally settling on Maiyn. She smiled warmly and bowed her head slightly in welcome.

"A pretty one!" she called, her eyes shining with apparent delight. "Have you come to join the merriment for all eternity?"

"I... no, I have... I wished to return something..." Maiyn struggled with the words; her emotions were flying high in her conscious thought, and it was all she could do to hold out the acorns in offering.

The woman clapped her hands together in glee. "I've been waiting for you!" she exclaimed. "Ulene, Cania and Elyme must have their trees replanted so that they might be free. Give the acorns to me, sister." Maiyn gladly handed them over, and they began to glow almost instantly, the figures of the three captive dryads appearing by Maiyn's side. "Sisters! We've longed to see you again, loves!"

"My Queen Vaelasa!" cried Ulene, her face breaking into a wonderful smile. "Maiyn has saved us! Can our trees be saved? Has Irenicus doomed us?"

"Nay, little sister," replied the Queen. "You are not doomed. Come Llyna! Plant our sister's seeds that they may again taste the wind." A smaller girl appeared from the trees, moving more gracefully than anything Maiyn had ever seen. She gently took the acorns, smiling briefly at the companions as she turned and vanished back into the forest. "Sisters," continued Vaelasa, "follow Llyna and she shall bring you back to the safety of the forest. Go well, and know that I shall protect you ever more."

"Thank you, my Queen," said Ulene softly, before turning to Maiyn. "Thank you, beautiful Maiyn. Wait..." The dryad leant forward, gently taking Maiyn's dagger from her belt and used it to delicately cut a lock of her hair. She handed both back to the ranger with a smile. "Have something to remember us by." With a wave, the three dryads left, heading off to follow their sister.

"Thank you, Maiyn," said Vaelasa happily. "The forest welcomes you! There is evil near here, and we will pray for your safety as you travel! Good day!" The Queen then stepped back into the pool, melding into the surface as she returned to her home. The companions stood in silence for several minutes, even Jaheira appearing to have been touched by the beauty.

"I cannot believe it," said Xan eventually. "They were doomed, they had no hopes; but here they are. Alive, well and laughing. It is incredible."

"It is, mellonamin," agreed Kivan sombrely. "We have done a good thing today."

"It... it is good to know such beautiful creatures have been freed," admitted Anomen; the young squire had been unconvinced of the worth of trying to find the location of the nymph's home with all their other worries, but now he wore a serene expression as he gazed dreamily into the trees.

"There is hope for all of us," said Jaheira quietly, her eyes falling onto Maiyn. The ranger nodded slightly, then wordlessly turned to leave, leading the way back to the cabin.

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Maiyn opened her eyes and started. She was in Candlekeep, but something was wrong - something was terribly wrong.

She saw the library looming ahead of her, looking much more ominous than it had ever appeared before. The ground that lay around it was riddled with large, gaping holes; beyond them lay only darkness, as if they led the way into immense voids. The paths running between these areas were dusty - there were none of the gardens she'd loved so much, none of the trees. It all looked so barren and haunting.

"A dream," came a voice behind her. She turned to see Imoen, and she smiled with relief, moving towards the girl for an embrace, wanting to tell her how much she'd missed her sister. The thief just shook her head, causing Maiyn to falter; Imoen looked tired, and drawn. "A dream of many things," she continued quietly. "Of friends and family. These dreams always mean something... don't they?"

The girl moved past Maiyn, walking between the pits as she approached the library's entrance. "Do you remember these doors? I remember... I think... Yes. This was my home for so long, but it is too late to go back. They wouldn't have you now. They wouldn't have me." Imoen's impassive look changed, and suddenly she seemed confused and torn. "Had no use..." she whispered, "someone else. He wants something... I... I don't know why. Those in the cowls don't even know... Why don't I know?"

"I don't know," cried Maiyn in distress, moving again towards Imoen. The thief moved away before she the ranger could reach her, walking swiftly until she stood at the gates to what had once been the inner garden. Her face had returned to its expressionless state, but Maiyn was scared; scared of what her sister was saying.

"Do you remember Gorion?" Imoen waved her hand and immediately the figure of their father appeared; completely still, as if he was a statue. Then Maiyn realised he was - he was made completely of stone. "Or the others?" asked Imoen, bringing up figures of Elminster and Khalid. "I think I do. They were... no... wait. They were the guidance, and there was much more to learn. But it's too late now. They are so far away... You are far away... too far away to help."

"No Imoen, I'm coming," shouted Maiyn helplessly.

"Why?" asked the thief, her eyes impassive. "Memories should stay, shouldn't they? But he digs deeper, pushes everything aside. I don't remember any of you." Imoen brought her hand down swiftly, and the three statues cracked into pieces, falling into piles of rubble. Maiyn called out in sorrow, but Imoen had walked away, only stopping when she reached the far walls.

"Do you remember Sarevok?" Again, a movement of Imoen's hand brought a statue of Maiyn's half-brother to stand there. "They sought your death, and mine. It all seemed so important at the time, but... but I don't remember them at all." Sarevok's form shattered, and Imoen looked clearly at Maiyn. "Something else is... something else is more dangerous... closer. I can feel it..."

"Imoen!" shouted Maiyn as her sister fell to the ground.

"Do you remember me?" whispered Imoen. "I... I can almost see... I want to, but... I... too late. You will come too late..."

"No," said Maiyn hoarsely, watching as Imoen turned into stone, kneeling by her sister as she wept.

"She resists," came a familiar voice. Maiyn whirled around to see Irenicus standing over them both, swathed in his black robe as she remembered, his face covered with the mask he'd always worn. "She clings to her old life as if it actually matters. She will learn."

"What is this place?" asked Maiyn angrily as she stood up. "What is this all about?"

"It is a portrait of what has happened, and what may yet happen," he replied simply. "Do you cling to the past, or can you see through the pain? You feel the potential within, don't you? Will you cringe from what you know you want? What you can take as your own? You know what you want. It is you, after all, who has brought us to the dream."

"I don't understand..." began Maiyn.

"Nothing is real..." stated Irenicus, a wave of his hands causing Imoen's form to shatter into a thousand pieces. "... Yet."

"It's all right, you are safe."

Maiyn's scream faded as she realised she was awake, her heart beating at an extraordinary rate. Her companions were regarding her with a mixture of curiosity and worry, and Jaheira was sitting by her side. The cabin's size meant they all had to share a room for the evening, and so the ranger's bad dream had disturbed everyone else from their slumber. She apologised quickly.

"It was just a nightmare," she explained. "I... I worry about Imoen." The others nodded, and went back to their bedrolls as Maiyn lay awake for a long time, the visions of the dream filtering through her mind. I'm coming Imoen, I promise - I'll get there as soon as I can.

She could see daylight beginning to filter through the shuttered cabin windows when she arose, quietly creeping from the room and out of the building. There was a river flowing past the rear of the home, and Maiyn settled herself by it, washing her face as she tried to clean away the tiredness as well as the dirt. She bent over the running water to rinse her face one last time when she caught a glimpse of her reflection, and she gasped in horror, recoiling from the image.

Her eyes, once a blue colour that would sparkle with humour and zest, were now flecked with large golden spots. They shone with a yellow hue that was reminiscent of Sarevok's gaze, but less intense. It frightened her more than anything else that had happened recently; it scared her to think she was turning into what she'd fought and destroyed. Why? Why is this happening? I am fighting it... I'm not like them!

"You haven't slept." Maiyn jumped as Kivan spoke, and he was instantly by her side, looking at her with worry as she quickly averted her gaze. "What is it? What is wrong?"

She shook her head, standing up and quickly walking away. Verya appeared from the trees, having been out hunting all night and she stopped to pat the cat's head affectionately. Kivan took the chance to move in front of her and lifted her chin gently with his hand. He nodded grimly as she took on a pained look.

"Your eyes," he said. "That is why you are upset?"

"I am becoming him."

"No, mellonamin. You are not him, and you are not becoming him. It means nothing unless you let it."

"What if I can't stop it?"

Kivan smiled at her; such a rare occurrence that her worries faded slightly just with the one action. "You can do anything you want, Maiyn. You've shown that over and over again. And your friends love you for who you are; I don't think you will change."

He sounded so confident that Maiyn returned his smile faintly, her hand caressing Verya between the ears as the feline purred loudly. "I hope I don't," she admitted. "But I am worried... my dream last night was of Imoen. It had people in it... Gorion, Khalid... others. They were all stone, all shattered easily. Imoen was destroyed too at the end, by Irenicus. She told me..." Maiyn swallowed hard. "She told me I would get to her too late."

"It was a dream," replied Kivan gently. "You are worried about her, and have been constantly since she was taken. You are grieving for all those you have lost; not just those who have died. There is just one thing you need to remember." Maiyn raised an eyebrow. "You are not alone. We will help you through this; we are bonded to you out of friendship and loyalty, and we share your losses just as deeply as you do."

Maiyn looked at Kivan properly, and for the first time she saw the grief etched into his face - not just for Deheriana, but for the others he'd witnessed falling. Although he'd had differences with him, he'd had a quiet mutual respect for Yeslick, and was as fond of Alora as the others despite her occasional loudness and naivety. He had thought well of Dynaheir, admiring her calm, logical head. But most of all, he missed Khalid. The two men would occasionally talk as they travelled, or when the party were settled for the evening, and there was a genuine friendship that was hidden amongst the necessity of the mission to all but those who paid close attention to the companion's behaviour. Maiyn had not realised it until he spoke the words. "Oh Kivan..."

He shook his head. "We have all lost," he said softly.

"You, Minsc and Jaheira have lost more than I can understand." Maiyn's gaze fell.

"That is not true. You are experiencing what we feel, but you have hope-"

"No." Maiyn's voice was terse. "There is no hope. I will not discuss him further with anyone."

Kivan watched as she strode away into the trees and sighed. Quietly, he turned and returned to the cabin.

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Maiyn wandered around the forest for hours, until morning had broken fully. She knew she had to return to the cabin at some point, but she didn't want to. She briefly thought again about leaving; this time not leaving a note. But they would only follow... and last time it had caused Khalid and Dynaheir to die.

She paused as she stood under a large oak tree, looking down the gentle slope to the roof of the cabin in the distance. Her companions - her friends - would be sitting within it, waiting for her to get back. Kivan would have explained that she'd gone for a walk, but he wouldn't betray the rest of the conversation. They'd see her eyes, and feel the shock and repulsion she herself had - Anomen and Yoshimo would not know what was happening to her. For how much longer could she keep what she was secret from them? Reluctantly she began her walk back, preparing herself for their reactions.

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Jaheira said nothing, but her face spoke volumes. It showed copious amounts of worry and concern, as warranted her guardian side. But Maiyn was sure she could see some fear in there too; mingled with a hint of repulsion. The druid turned away, sitting by the window and staring outside without a word. Maiyn swallowed, and turned to say good morning to everyone else.

Kivan just nodded to her, squeezing her hand briefly as he passed her on his way out to scout around the cabin. Despite their waiting for Garren, and their relative safety in the cabin, the stoic ranger kept up his scouting habits. Maiyn smiled gratefully to him and forced her smile to stay on her face as she attempted to look cheerful to the others.

Anomen wished her a good morning in return, then gave her a curious look. She held his gaze, and raised her eyebrow enquiringly as his eyes narrowed. There was a brief pause, but to Maiyn it felt like hours; then he shook his head slightly, and asked how her walk had been.

"It was refreshing," she replied with honesty, passing him by as she wandered towards the room they'd all slept in. Minsc just beamed a fond smile to her, and she grinned back to him. Even if the Rasheman had noticed the tint to her eyes, he wouldn't say anything. Peoples physical appearance rarely meant anything to the large berserker.

Yoshimo nodded amiably to her, only making the briefest of eye contact which included a genuine enough smile. He soon returned to his bow, adjusting the tautness of the string in preparation for the journeys ahead. Nothing in his behaviour even hinted at any discomfort or curiosity - or even that he'd noticed anything different.

Maiyn continued on her way, bracing herself for the encounter with Xan. He alone was still in the bedroom, and she quietly closed the door behind her as she entered, and remained facing it until he spoke.

"Maiyn? Are you all right?"

"I... I am fine," she lied, still not turning to him. Her confidence had ebbed away slowly by the time she got there, and she could already imagine the reaction he'd have.

"What is wrong? Why are you standing there like that? Is it something about the nightmare you had?"

Maiyn smiled ruefully. She knew the enchanter would be worried about her bad dreams; she had shared the details with a few of them when they'd travelled the Sword Coast together, and he'd allowed her to share his reverie on more than one occasion so she could escape them. But then she'd met Coran, and Xan had withdrawn from her for weeks, jealous of the fighter's intimacy with her; unbeknown to her until later.

Slowly she turned towards him, but she kept her gaze fixed to the floor. "My dreams were bad, but no more than they have been previously," she said quietly. "I..." Words failed her, and she simply lifted her gaze, fixing her eyes onto his. A look of extreme horror crossed his face momentarily, but then he seemed to make every effort to compose himself. She could see him trembling.

"They're turning golden," he whispered. She nodded. "Why? Do you have any idea what is triggering it?"

"No," she admitted. "I... I am worried. And scared. I do not want to become like Sarevok. But... but already I am resembling him. I am... killing more easily - with less hesitation."

To her surprise, Xan sprang from his seat, and was before her before she realised what had happened. He pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms squeezing around her protectively. "You will not become like him," he said fiercely. "You... you are nothing like him."

Maiyn returned the embrace, allowing him to hold her for several long minutes. Eventually they broke apart and she sat down beside him. He looked sheepish, as if he'd acted out with his control and he immediately apologised for his reaction.

"I am not sure what came over me," he said quietly. "I should have expected something like this to come about. You are doomed Maiyn, we have known this for some time; and yet without fail, I only need to see you to become infected with the disease of false hope."

"I will fight it, whatever it is," replied Maiyn. "Of the entire group, I was most worried about how you would react."

"Me? But why?"

"You have your own mission, which is not here with me," she said simply. "You'd have left me for less before."

Xan sighed. "No, no I would not. I'd have threatened to, wanted to. I'd have been better to, but I don't know if I would ever have managed to drag myself from your presence. And even now, I am compelled to stay with you, resistant to any thoughts of abandoning you until..."

"Until?"

"Never have I truly experienced hate," said Xan. "Not until you described your capture and subsequent imprisonment. I felt anger like I'd never believed existed. I wanted nothing more than to hurt that mage as he hurt you - I still feel that way. I shall die in the process, of course; but at least I will die in a suitably foolish and romantic way, all in the name of beauty and hope. It is doomed, but now I at least know how I will meet my grisly end. Assuming I even get that far."

Maiyn watched him for a moment, then started laughing quietly. Xan regarded her with curiosity, but she couldn't help herself. She giggled at his moroseness, wiping the tears from her face; tears of laughter and hilarity which were soon replaced with tears of sorrow, and he held her as she wept in his arms. She wept for the fallen; for Gorion, Branwen, Alora, Yeslick, Khalid and Dynaheir. She wept for Jaheira's loss, for Minsc's perceived failure. She cried for Imoen being taken from her, for the changes to herself that she recognised, but felt unable to control. But mostly, and above all else; she wept for the loss of her soulmate; she wanted Coran.