A/N: Slight delay in getting this part online; partly because I've just started working in a new laboratory, and so have had absolutely no free time for the past few days, but mostly because I struggled with the first part of this chapter. I'm not a huge fan of writing combat scenes -- the battle with Sarevok is the only fight I've got any pride in so far -- the others are I guess, mostly okay, but I'm still not sure this one is right, so I may yet end up editing it and replacing it with slight changes in the future when I have some more time :)
General disclaimer: I own nothing, even Maiyn generally decides her own path.
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Riches and Rewards
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Xan got to his feet and watched as Maiyn picked herself up from the stone floor. A glint of steel flashed in the corner of his eye, and he looked over to see the foolhardy knights charging back towards their target with the kind of courage that drew men to their deaths.
The first attempt to engage the beast had been less than perfect; Firkraag flapped its immense wings, creating a gust of wind so strong that everyone was flung away from its vicinity with ease. The dragon had taken the time to cast a stoneskin around itself, and the enchanter opened his components pouch, rummaging for the ingredients he'd need for a breaching spell with a growing feeling of despair and futility. He glanced up as his fingers searched through the contents, his keen elven sight spotting Yoshimo as the thief skirted around the shadows at the edge of the cave. At least he has some sense to stay hidden, he sighed, pulling the reagents out and beginning the murmuring of his incantation. His words were calm and controlled as he watched Minsc go tearing past, Lilarcor raised high above his head.
"The bigger they are, the harder I hit!" the berserker roared.
"Yeah! Hit it! Then hit it again!" agreed his sword as they raced off to the melee.
He rolled his eyes slightly, but still he kept murmuring, his voice pausing now and then when his eyes caught sight of the beast they battled; it was only with concentration that he overcame his fears and stammered out the words. Yoshimo had managed to take up a position at the far side of the chamber, he noted, foolishly peppering Firkraag with arrows instead of taking advantage of the fine secluded position he'd found. Kivan was doing likewise, standing just slightly ahead of Xan, being almost as reckless as the humans and their harebrained assaults. Both archers were aiming for its head, causing more of an annoyance than any harm.
Xan's eyes searched for Maiyn as he chanted; she was running after Minsc, waving her weapons about madly. He sighed as he intoned; she was going to get herself killed; it was only a matter of time. Jaheira and Anomen had summoned allies for the fight - an invisible stalker and a fire elemental suddenly appeared at her side and she appeared delighted by their presence -- he felt relieved. The dragon, however, seemed completely unfazed by the activity, casually swatting at anyone who got too close, and ensuring that everyone spent plenty of time darting about, avoiding the swipes of claws and tail, evading the scope of the fiery breath.
He began the last part of his chant; the haste spell he'd imbued upon the companions were causing them to all speed around magnificently fast, but he felt as if he was being left behind. His words were clear and calm; through sheer effort and will, despite the situation. He could see the paladins and Anomen now working as a regimented unit; moving in to hit the creature when possible, pulling back swiftly to avoid the countering blows. Four went in at a time, the swipes of claws and battering from the tail causing occasional injuries. As one got wounded, he would pull back to be healed by another, and the remaining knight would advance to take his place on the front line. Xan found their movements almost rhythmical, like a dance that he could only espy from a distance, the haze and trance of his own conjuration causing him some slight daze.
And then he was finished; a white globe flew through the air from his fingertips; the dispel conjuration engulfed the dragon, causing it to roar in fury. Its immense red head pulled back as it turned to look at Xan, as if preparing to spew fiery breath in his direction. Xan watched, entranced for a split second before his senses kicked in. Then he turned, and ran up the stairs as fast as he could.
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Anomen watched the dragon laugh, the mighty rumbling turning into a loud roar all too quickly. He caught a glimpse of Xan darting up the stairs, and hoped it was only caution -- and not fear -- that was causing his flight; the enchanter's spell had been long awaited. But just when the tides seemed to be turning in the battle, the roar seemed to be triggering a wave of panic that was sweeping across the ranks. His own courage slipped slightly, but the doubts emerging in his mind were quickly put to the side as he thought about the honour and glory of defeating such a vile and evil creature.
He noticed Maiyn and Jaheira becoming gripped with fear, the two women suddenly stilling with widened eyes despite their proximity to the beast. Next to him, Lucas and Dorgin were moving away nervously from their unit, causing a disruption amongst their stance. Anomen cursed under his breath, a quick wave of frustration at the disciplined men's valour being affected. Ajantis shouted a rousing cry, but he couldn't penetrate the terror that had engulfed them and Anomen backed away as far as he could from the fight, reaching out to Helm with his silent prayers, beseeching for a blessing to remove the fear from his comrades. His brown eyes found Minsc in the melee, the warrior's berserker rage seeming to protect him from the spreading anxiety, and Anomen discovered some respect for warrior that he'd previously overlooked. A powerful cleave with Lilarcor managed to slice through some of Firkraag's scales and the creature swiped furiously at the ranger in retaliation, knocking him away from the battle and causing Minsc to fall to the ground, dazed.
Arrows continued to rain down on Firkraag, Kivan and Yoshimo managing to keep control of their senses and stay true to their role. Although they were causing no damage, Firkraag was visibly becoming annoyed with the constant pelt, and Ajantis and Niven moved to intercept the dragon as it lurched towards Kivan. Anomen reached out his hand, preparing to channel the gift he'd asked for, and watched as the beast's jaw snapped down on Niven, tearing him apart easily and leaving his mutilated remains strewn on the ground beside the horrified Ajantis.
Anomen swallowed hard, not allowing his own shock to take away from his own task, and a blue hue spread out from his hand; the glow rushed across the room, and washing over the worried members of the group as his blessing removed the fear that existed, and helped to prevent against any further panic. He sought out Maiyn, and watched as she quickly looked around to take stock of the situation as she recovered from her dread. Something caught her attention, and she shrugged helplessly as she turned back to Firkraag, moving hesitantly towards its immense frame again. Anomen readied his mace in his hand once more, and followed her path.
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Xan cautiously inched his way down the stairs, his eyes keeping a careful eye out for any magic heading towards him, or any sign that Firkraag's attention was focussed even remotely in his direction. He noted with relief that the dragon was preoccupied with some of the knights, but had enough compassion amongst his fear to feel dismayed when he saw what little there was remaining of one of the followers of the Order. He resignedly murmured some quick words that brought a faint green glow around him, protecting him from fire. It would do little to save him from the attentions of the creature, but he held a little hope that it might cause him to survive any fiery breath hurled at him, even if it was just long enough to finish casting his spells.
Aldus' battle cry rose above the sound of the combat as he led the next charge into Firkraag's side, and Xan watched as the young knight saved Ajantis from the dragon's unrelenting swipes. He noticed Jaheira throw herself to the ground, avoiding the giant tail of the dragon as it swept past. Maiyn seemed to have a different approach, lashing out with her new sword; its red hue glowed eerily when it struck the dragon's tail, resulting in a roar of pain from the beast. A huge gash was torn in the scales as contact was made, and the injured tail slammed into the invisible stalker, crushing it out of existence.
Firkraag turned himself to face Maiyn angrily and Xan's heart felt like it had stopped beating. He felt a chill run down his spine as the beast moved towards her, and he could sense it inhaling -- he knew what was coming, but the ranger seemed oblivious to the signs, dodging to the side as she looked for another opening. His mouth opened, but no sound came out as he formed the words, and he stood helplessly as he watched the sea of flames erupting from the beast's maw. His world slowed to a crawl as he witnessed Jaheira clambering to her feet. A split second later, she leapt at Maiyn, landing ungracefully atop the ranger and covering them both as well as could be managed with her large shield. Its scaly covering managed to absorb the fire, protecting them from the heat, and a flicker of movement against the tide took Xan's attention from them. Slowly, he let his eyes drift into the blinding light of the fires, watching the druid's elemental sprinting through the inferno as the flames revitalised it, reaching the beast, and tearing at Firkraag with a renewed energy.
A strangled cry from Jaheira came faintly to Xan's ears, and he looked back to the women, cautiously emerging from underneath their protective shield. His eyes followed the druid's stare, and he felt a surge of bile in his stomach as he regarded the charred remains of Dorgin's crumpled body. He looked away as the fighting went on; there was no time for grief or remorse and certainly no time for his constitution to betray him. When he managed to look back, Firkraag was surrounded by Anomen and the surviving paladins. The enchanter quickly began murmuring the words to another spell, his hand tightly gripping the last few items of his spell components. Mirrors sprang up around him, and as he drew his moonblade slowly from its scabbard, he sighed heavily.
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Aldus managed to land a solid blow on the dragon's wing as the creature turned to face Kivan - the ranger had been relentlessly bombarding Firkraag with arrows, and now he'd garnered its full attention. Yoshimo had seemingly run out of his own missiles; Kivan could see the thief slinking around in the shadows, looking for an opportunity to exploit. Kivan's hand moved around to his quiver to grab a few of his own to toss towards the human, when a single flap of the creature's uninjured wing threw him backwards.
He felt himself flying through the air gracelessly, colliding with the wall with a force vicious enough to stun him. In his daze, he saw the knights being thrown around in a similar fashion; Maiyn and Jaheira had darted away to avoid being caught up in the gusts and were crouched low together by the far wall, both looking around fearfully. He tested his strength, trying to prop himself up, but his limbs failed to respond, and his world dimmed until it went black.
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Ajantis clambered to his feet, raising his shield above his head as the dragon's sharp talons swept towards him with ferocity, crashing into the resistance and knocking the knight to his knees. A solid whack from Firkraag's tail sent the paladin flying sideways into the hoard, his sword and shield falling from his grasp as he landed dazed on the bed of gold. He tried to stand, scrabbling around as he fought to stay conscious. His eyes desperately searched for his weapon, but were unable to spot where it had fallen. He groaned inwardly, and collapsed into a pile of coin, trying to find the will and strength to prevail.
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Anomen watched as Firkraag quickly turned to Aldus, crushing the paladin to death beneath its trample before the knight could rise. The cleric felt a mixture of revulsion and anger at the beast as it moved towards him, and he managed to dart to the side, lashing out with his mace in passing. His swing didn't even manage to scratch the tough scales to his dismay, and he felt his hope fading fast against the opponent they seemed incapable of injuring to any degree.
A roar to his left signalled Minsc's arrival back into the fray, recovered from the daze of the earlier knock, but still holding the injuries. Anomen watched as the berserker swung his sword at the dragon over and over again, the hits as effective as his own had been against the hard skin; before long, Minsc was swatted away once again by the annoyed creature, but this time the ranger fell heavily, a sickening crunch coming from his leg as it bent at an awkward angle, and he seemed to pass out.
Jaheira appeared from nowhere, passing Anomen as she ran to tend to the berserker's wounds. The priest looked around to locate Maiyn, and he could hardly hold back a wry smile when he saw her cautiously advancing towards Firkraag once more, a determined look on her face. She'd only managed a few steps before the dragon turned to face her; her retreat was much faster than her advance had been, and the creature followed her with an evil cackle. He, in turn, pursued the beast, trying to distract it from her with futile blows to its back.
As he smashed his mace against the beast's back, he noticed Yoshimo slinking over to Kivan's unconscious form, quickly pulling the arrows free from the elf's quiver. Maiyn seemed to have noticed too; the thief winked at her before he darted back into the shadows, readying his bow and taking aim for Firkraag's head. A volley of missiles was launched, causing the dragon to stop his advance and roar in anger, giving Maiyn the seconds she needed to get herself clear from the dragon's focus. Anomen glanced around quickly, realising that only he and Sir Lucas were in a position to tackle the creature and he grimly nodded to the knight as they both rushed in with their weapons held high.
"For Helm!"
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Ajantis slowly cleared his head, and found the strength within that had helped him to achieve his dream of becoming a paladin of the Order. He pushed himself up on his arms, determined to relocate his weapon as he scrambled across the hoard -- when suddenly his hand gripped an ornate hilt, and a feeling of holy power surged through his body causing his hold to tighten. With all his strength, he pulled the immense blade free, gasping as the weapon shone with a faint blue hue. He recognised it immediately.
"Carsomyr..." he murmured in awe.
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Across the chamber, Xan surveyed the death that littered the room with a feeling of unwelcome smugness. He watched Jaheira's fire elemental crumble into nothing as the talons of Firkraag raked across its form, and he cast a stoneskin cantrip upon himself, then another quick incantation that sent an acid arrow at the dragon's body. It depleted his spell components considerably, but at least caused the beast to wince in pain. Then, with a heavy sigh, he descended the last of the steps, wandering towards the skirmish with a leaden heart.
"We are doomed," he muttered gloomily, as he passed Jaheira, who was helping Minsc to his feet, his leg mended from her spells. "I would rather not die last, however."
Jaheira glared as she shot past him, ignoring his pessimism while she offered her healing services to Lucas, who had fallen after Firkraag's tail had swept into the knight's defensive stance. Xan fought the fear welling up inside him again as he regarded the immense form of the creature before him -- the only thing even slightly in his favour, was that the dragon's attention was taken up by the others. He closed his eyes briefly, offering a quick prayer to the Seldarine, and moved into the fight.
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Anomen charged at Firkraag at the same time as Minsc, the two warriors striking their weapons solidly into the creature's body with little effect, much to the cleric's chagrin. Firkraag waved its claws at them in retaliation, but they both managed to weave out of its reach, retaining its attention completely.
In turn, the creature didn't see Ajantis racing at it, blade in hands; the sword had plunged into Firkraag's side before it knew what had happened, causing a foul substance to leak from the wound. A roar boomed out louder than it ever had before; an anguished and tortured cry, revealing the pain the beast felt. Anomen watched in slight awe as Ajantis quickly pulled the weapon free, dancing away from the wings, claws and tail that were all lashing at him. With amazing speed, the paladin had followed up his strike with a hefty stab to the dragon's neck, his confidence growing as the sword easily penetrated the dragon's skin.
Anomen stumbled backwards slightly, avoiding the writhing body of their foe as it tried to find Ajantis, desperately trying to bring an end to the one who could harm it. But the paladin had managed to evade the worried blows, displaying an unusual dexterity from within the confines of his hefty platemail. Anomen started slightly as Yoshimo streaked past him, the rogue offering a slightly stunned Maiyn a polite bow, before snatching her Dragon-Slayer sword from her hand, and leaping at the dragon's back. The cleric could scarcely believe his eyes as the thief plunged the blade in repeatedly between the ridges, hanging on tightly as Firkraag twitched more violently, trying to throw the rogue off as Ajantis plunged Carsomyr back in.
Eventually, the beast gave up fighting back; it turned to Maiyn, its eyes glowing red and its tail whirling around, crashing into her heavily before she could react. It started moving slowly towards her body, ignoring its own injuries and attackers as it used its final reserves of energy to concentrate on the object of its hatred. Anomen began running towards his leader, calling to Helm as he went, grasping the spiritual hammer that appeared in his hands, and feeling the gift of Helm's holy might coursing through his veins. Adrenaline rushed through him as he launched himself at the injured beast, smashing its maw away from the injured ranger before it could harm her. Its energy was almost done, and Firkraag seemed unable to gather enough reserves to lunge for Maiyn again; Anomen dragged her to safety in caution, regardless, as Xan joined Ajantis in administering justice.
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Yoshimo leapt gracefully from Firkraag's back, congratulating himself on his nimble landing, and ran over to Anomen, helping the cleric to drag Maiyn away from the immediate area of battle. He watched a morose Xan stab at the creature's legs as its head tried to snap at Ajantis, missing the rejuvenated paladin only narrowly as the knight launched attack after attack at the now vulnerable beast. Jaheira materialised by their sides, her final healing spells being used to mend Maiyn's injuries from the knock, and as their leader groggily sat up, Ajantis' sword drove into Firkraag's chest for the last time.
The creature's head drew back, as if it was preparing for a final breath attack, but instead it fell back limply, his huge body crashing down to the side, causing Xan to jump away to avoid being crushed underneath. Most of the companions slumped to the ground, a sense of relief and sorrow for the fallen settling in the atmosphere. Yoshimo helped Maiyn shakily get to her feet, and watched as she stumbled over to Kivan's side, a white glow coming from her hands as she channelled her healing into his wounds. The thief saw a smile form on her lips that signalled Kivan's return to consciousness.
A long silence followed the battle before Ajantis spoke, tired and subdued.
"Several good men fell to the evil here today. Their bodies are beyond resurrection, but their deeds will be known to the whole Order. We thank you, Verya and companions, for being willing to aid in the destruction of this beast."
Maiyn just nodded. "We did what we had to," she said simply. "Those who fell because of Firkraag have been avenged, and their souls may find the peace they deserve."
Ajantis agreed, and Maiyn quietly bowed her head, offering her prayers to Fenmarel for those that had fallen. The two remaining paladins were doing likewise, and Anomen was deep in his communion with Helm. Jaheira just sat quietly; her prayers to Silvanus were best served outside, but a silence was maintained in respect for those who felt the need to reach out to their gods.
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Eventually they gathered themselves, Maiyn and Jaheira looking at the hoard in awe. Ajantis explained the sword he'd found: Carsomyr, the Holy Avenger -- a weapon of legend, known to the paladins as one of the most powerful blades ever to be forged on Faerun. The knight stated his intention to bring the weapon back to the Order, and Maiyn nodded encouragingly.
"It would be a fitting place for such an item," she said softly, her eyes looking at the sword with a mixture of awe and fear. She wondered if it would detect the taint in her, were it ever used against her. She shuddered slightly, and shifted her eyes back to the remainder of the treasure. There was a lot of it.
"We should inform Garren of this," said Jaheira.
Maiyn nodded hesitantly. "I agree," she said. "But... we came here to earn the money we require."
Jaheira frowned slightly, waving Xan over. She pointed the enchanter at several weapons and items still lying atop the stash, and asked him to check them for any magical properties. He sighed, and went about the task, trying to ignore Minsc's announcement of freeing up enough of the dragon's scale to make a nice set of armour with.
A few minutes later, the packs of the companions were filled with as much of the treasure as they could carry. Yoshimo looked stunned when Maiyn explained that all of it was to be taken to Garren's, and with his permission, they would take enough to cover the fee they needed to pay. Ajantis was curious as to what they needed the coin for, but Maiyn was guarded with her answer, only explaining they were seeking to travel to find a friend, and the arrangements were proving costly.
Ajantis surprised her by nodding gently. "I met a man looking for some friends of his, not a week ago," he said thoughtfully. "It's dangerous times we live in. Being separated from your comrades is hard, I'd wager."
Maiyn nodded her agreement at his words, ignoring the familiar stirring of old memories that were struggling to get free within her. They slowly made their way back to the cabin, some injuries still prevalent, exhaustion setting in quickly after the battle and with the weight of the treasure they carried. Garren welcomed them back warmly, offering his sympathies for the three dead knights, then gasped in astonishment at the wealth produced from their packs and pockets.
Jaheira quickly explained their dilemma to him, and he quickly insisted that they take whatever they needed to comfortably afford their way.
"It is the least I can offer," he said hoarsely. "Anyone else would have just taken it for themselves."
Maiyn smiled weakly, letting the druid select enough items to cover the expenses they had to face. She sat down on one of the benches just outside the cabin as the sun fell that evening, leaning on Xan as he studied his spellbook in silence. Neither said a word to the other as darkness fell, but Maiyn's gentle snore informed him of her slumber. He smiled softly to himself, placing his arm around her as he pulled her close, drawing her cloak around her shoulders to stop the chill of the evening air making her cold.
"You are a foolish little girl," he murmured softly in elvish to her sleeping form. "We could have died today... you could have died today. I would never have forgiven myself for letting that happen."
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The companions spent the next day helping Sir Ajantis and Sir Lucas to clear out the remaining evil in the ruins. Garren Windspear accompanied them, his son, Taar, also in the party as the group brought down the final few orcs and hobgoblins that had moved back into the temple, seeking out the treasure they knew lay deep inside. They managed to gather virtually everything that was left, taking it back to Garren's cabin as they had with the previous spoils of battle.
Maiyn spent that night under the stars, awake for a long time as she thought about Coran. As hard as she'd tried, the memories of him were pushing their way into her conscious thought; she'd almost given up reverie to avoid the reminders of his company. It's weak to continue to think of him when he is gone, her mind kept telling her. She sighed, closing her eyes and welcoming sleep as it took her quickly.
It took her to Candlekeep again, however. Another classroom, Irenicus once again behind the lectern. He didn't acknowledge her presence at all, speaking as if there were a room full of students to address; but she was the only other figure there.
"You rest each night uneasy," he said factually. "Yes, you are weary and you struggle daily. It will not end, you know; not until you acknowledge what you are."
Maiyn darted towards the open door, seeking to flee into the halls of the library; but it slammed shut as he continued, his tone level.
"You walk as a mortal taking no advantage from your heritage, from your talents within. So many things of flesh are greater than you. Walk among them, these beasts that are less than you are. See their strengths; see how easily you can fall to their muscle and skill."
He waved his hand lazily, and her likeness appeared; a scared, small figure, dwarfed by the pit fiend that shimmered into existence by her side. It destroyed her easily with one blast of magic; its evil cackle echoing around as it vanished, making the real Maiyn jump.
"Why do you stand for this?" asked Irenicus, his gaze fixed to where the demonstration had been. "Why do you submit to the flesh, when death is bred in your bones? Do you realise the power you might hold? When the world of flesh is beneath you, even creatures mysterious and magical will fall."
Another wave of his hand, and her twin reappeared. This time she stood proud, an arrogant smile lying beneath her evilly twinkling eyes. A vampire, a mindflayer and a lich were conjured to stand behind her, and she slowly turned to face them. Bolts of energy and magic shot from her, destroying each one, her manic laughter still ringing in the air as her form disappeared.
"Follow and receive the gift you are owed by the blood in your veins," continued Irenicus. Imoen faded into existence. Maiyn tried to look away, but her sister was joined by another figure.
"Coran!" Maiyn screamed.
"Follow, if only to protect the weak that fell because of you."
Maiyn's screams joined those of Imoen and Coran; theirs of pain and torture, hers of helplessness and sorrow. Her screams carried her from sleep and into the arms of Kivan who held her tightly, murmuring soothing words into her hair as he stroked her back, rocking her gently as she wept. Jaheira quickly ushered the others away - the elven ranger's agonised screams had ripped through the night air, disturbing those inside the cabin as easily as those who lay alongside her outside. She returned to sleep in his arms, the stoic ranger holding her until the morning light graced the lands.
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Maiyn walked quietly alongside the rest of her group. Ajantis and Lucas had offered to walk with the party for a while, leading their mounts as they went; Kivan, Minsc and Jaheira led the horses of the three knights who had fallen, the paladins talking amiably with Anomen about the current missions members of the Order were participating in. Kivan and Xan were side by side, as was becoming normal for them. Occasionally they'd converse in hushed elvish, but most of the time they walked in a comfortable silence, a slow but steady understanding having formed between them over the time they'd spent under Maiyn's leadership.
Jaheira walked beside Maiyn, but neither of them spoke. Yoshimo was just behind them, occasionally remarking on the scenery around them, and they would nod and smile politely, but left Minsc to converse with the thief. Hours passed like this as they marched, when suddenly the sound of sobbing came to Maiyn's ears, and she called for the others to stop.
"Can you hear that?" she asked Jaheira. The druid nodded, and Maiyn looked around. They were passing through a wild valley, the grasses growing tall and unkempt around the bases of the trees that grew up the slopes of the hills. Bushes of gorse and hawthorn were scattered around the thick undergrowth, the narrow trail that weaved along the flat ground being the only real traversable land.
Maiyn was undeterred by this, and immediately ploughed off through the ferns on the northern side of the path, gaining bemused looks from the knights and squire. Thorns and nettles caught at her bare knees as she waded through a sea of scrub, eventually finding her target sitting huddled beneath the drooping branches of an old willow tree. The small boy looked up to her fearfully, making a move to dart off. She caught his arm, calming him down with a few gentle words as he looked suspiciously at Jaheira and Minsc, who had followed her to the location, leaving the horses in the capable hands of Kivan, and less capable hands of Xan.
"Are... are you some kind of warriors?" asked the little boy suddenly. "C-c-could you help me?" Maiyn looked at him as he trembled under their combined gaze. She thought he was no more than ten years old, his tattered clothes filthy from nights spent sleeping roughly in the wilderness, and his skinny form showing his lack of recent meals.
"Minsc and Boo are the greatest of warriors, small one!" exclaimed Minsc happily. "I will crush your foes into little foe-shaped chunky bits! Who dares pick on you? Just point the way!"
The little boy looked slightly overawed by the berserker's flourishing hand movements, and booming voice. "I... I don't have any foes, sir," he stuttered quietly.
"No foes?" asked Minsc. "I am relieved. I trust those who prey on children no farther than they can be thrown, even if I manage to throw them pretty far, and throw them I shall! Er... Boo wonders what you need a warrior for when you have no foes?"
The boy sniffled slightly. "I'm lost, sir. I was sent to f-f-find somebody who could help my village, but I've had all my things stolen, and n-n-nobody can help me!"
"What?" roared Minsc. "Boo is outraged! See his fury? It is small, so look close. Trust me, it's there. What is wrong with your village, small one? How can we heroes help?"
"My name is Delon," explained the boy with some effort. "I'm from Imnesvale, here in the Umar Hills -- it's not far away, but I c-c-can't remember how to get back. People h-have been disappearing. Some of them have t-turned up but th-they're all inside out, and mad."
"Minsc has been inside-out and angry before," said the berserker. "It is never a good thing. Sometimes it frightens even Boo."
"N-no... not mad as in angry, sir. Mad as in c-c-crazy."
"Oh!" exclaimed Minsc. "Minsc has never been crazy, no sir." Maiyn suppressed a smile, noting Jaheira purposefully looking away at this point to hide her own grin. "Being all inside out was bad enough," continued the human thoughtfully.
"What is causing this to happen, Delon?" asked Maiyn gently.
"Everyone says they see strange b-beasts out on the hills," whimpered the boy. "They're all so frightened! There's even talk that Umar herself has returned!" Jaheira snorted as Minsc frowned.
"Then heroes are certainly needed," stated Minsc. "Heroes like Minsc and Boo and little Maiyn and Jaheira. Together we shall save the day! Nothing removes fear better than a good sword and a swift kick in the evil!"
"Yeah!" agreed Larry, causing the boy to blink in surprise.
"Y-you'll help us?" asked the boy, seeming to believe he was better off pretending he hadn't heard the disembodied voice.
Maiyn looked to Minsc -- the berserker was nodding encouragingly, and she sighed. She wanted to get back to the city to get to her sister as soon as possible, but the boys pleas were wrenching at her soul. She knew she couldn't say no to him. A look to Jaheira confirmed her thoughts.
"It would be good to stay in the country some more," said Jaheira softly. "I know you feel the need to find Imoen, but this should not delay us overly long."
Maiyn knelt before the boy and looked at his tear stained face. His eyes were full of hope as he looked at her, and she used as gentle and kind a voice as she had. "We will take you back to your village and help it as much as we can," she said, causing him to smile in delight. "But -- I will be having harsh words with whoever sent out a boy as young as yourself to seek help. The wilderness is no place for a child to roam on his own, especially not if the surrounding area is plagued with ferocious wolves."
"They k-k-killed my parents," said the boy sadly, tears welling up in his eyes. "M-minister Lloyd said that I could go and f-find some help--"
"Your village's leader sent a recently orphaned boy out on his own to find help?" cut in Jaheira. Her tone was almost as sharp as Maiyn's would have been had she managed to interject first.
"Y-y-y-yes," trembled the boy, cowering under her stern gaze.
"We will have to have words with this man," muttered Maiyn darkly, telling Minsc to carry the boy back to the others. When they returned, Maiyn quickly explained to Ajantis and Lucas that they would be leaving them to take a small detour and provide assistance to a nearby village. Ajantis ensured they would be fine to get their on their own, and bid them farewell -- Anomen electing to remain with the group, much to Maiyn's surprise.
They watched the knights ride off with their spare mounts behind them and Xan groaned as Maiyn informed them of the trek across country that they needed to undertake. The ranger just beamed brightly to him, which gained a slight smile in return, and without any further words the group set off in the direction Delon had pointed out, the small boy perched on Minsc's shoulder as the berserker strode easily through the undergrowth.