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

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Rest in Peace

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"Are you in need of anything herbal this morning?" asked Jaheira quietly as Maiyn moodily approached the table. The ranger glared and shook her head, darkly taking in her surroundings as she snatched a piece of bread from the centre plate. She could see Anomen making every effort to look somewhere else; Xan wasn't even present with the group.

"I'm going for a walk," she muttered, stalking off to the door and wandering out into the gloomy morning. It was raining outside, the drizzle falling constantly and making the ground underfoot muddy and slippery. Maiyn pulled her hood up over her head as she wandered, picking off tiny bits of the bread to eat as she went. No one paid much attention to her as she walked, and she took the time to sort out her head and think over the array of emotions that had crowded her system, pushing her to almost breaking point.

She needed the time alone, and was thankful to get it. She wasn't sure what had possessed her to kiss Xan like that, but at the moment it had felt right, and a strange stirring of emotion had swirled around inside. She knew he wasn't Coran -- no one could possibly rival the depth of feelings she'd developed for the elven rogue, but he was all but dead. There was no point in mooning over what was lost to her, was there?

But was it fair to move to Xan as she did? The enchanter already knew it was only because Coran was no longer on the scene. It would always be, to him, as if he were second best; she'd chosen Coran, then defaulted to him when her first choice became unavailable. But that wasn't how it was... was it? She had true, genuine feelings for Xan -- they'd taken a while to surface into more than friendship, but they were there, and slowly they were growing. Were they feelings for him, though, or a need for anyone to fill the vacant role?

What about Anomen? The priest had seemed to be avoiding her in the brief exchange she'd had with her companions. How did he feel for her after her drunken performance? She'd seen Xan looking glumly at him on several occasions, almost as if he considered the Helmite to be in competition for affections he didn't think she was available to give out. Why was he so jealous of the human if he himself couldn't bear to be involved with her?

Maiyn sighed with exasperation. They had the audacity to say women were complicated, but men were just as hard to understand. She hated the feeling that there would be uncomfortable undercurrents in her group, so she decided to return to the inn and face up to both of the men, individually. She'd make sure Anomen knew she had just had a bad evening, and possibly ask him exactly what she'd spoken about to him. Then she'd find Xan, and apologise for her obviously unwelcome advances, and insist it was put behind them so they could go on as they had before.

She nodded resolutely to herself as she marched back to the Copper Coronet. She wouldn't let the incident cause any more tension.

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Anomen had been relieved when Maiyn decided not to join them for breakfast. Everyone else was present, except for the enchanter, who no one had seen since the previous evening. Yoshimo filled Jaheira in on the news he'd managed to pick up the night before; apparently some other adventurers had stopped a cult form growing in the sewers beneath the Temple District, and had earned Helm's favour from the deed.

Anomen was curious as to the identity of this group; although he had grown fond of Maiyn, and had no quarrel with the companions in general, travelling with a Bhaalspawn would possibly do him more harm than good as he looked forward to his test. This other party, however, had performed an exemplary service for his God, and may possibly be still within the city walls. The priest pondered his options as the others went on to discuss the other issues of note that the rogue had overheard, including something about activity around the planar sphere that lay not far from their inn.

He rose, deciding to excuse himself from their company until that afternoon, when they had decided to go to the Promenade to sell their treasures. He could visit the Order, and possibly pop into the Temple of Helm to see if there was still any sign of their favoured. It would be unfortunate to abandon Maiyn at a time when she obviously needed her friends, but he wasn't sure if he was the right person to offer his assistance to her plight any more. What she was, combined with her rather... colourful sounding past, had cast a large doubt in the squire's mind as to the real person behind the seemingly placid facade. He would feel guilty about leaving their company if the chance arose, but he promised himself he wouldn't abandon them unless an alternative option sounded too good a chance to miss.

Jaheira had noticed him standing, and was regarding him curiously. He had opened his mouth to speak when a cry attracted his attention, and a young man rushed to their table.

"Squire Anomen Delryn?" asked the man; although it was obvious he was quite sure he had the right person. Anomen didn't recognise him, but he did acknowledge the small insignia of the Delryn Family guard inscribed on the man's shoddy looking armour. Anomen could hardly help but wonder how little money was left when his father allowed their already limited guardsmen turn themselves out so poorly. He nodded his acknowledgement at his name and waited for the messenger to continue.

"Anomen Delryn, son of Cor, I come as the bearer of dire news. Your father requests your presence at his estate."

The priest looked at the man with puzzlement. "Dire news, you say?" he asked. "What reason would I have to return to my father?

"Your sister Moira is dead."

Anomen just stood and looked at the man. He felt himself becoming angry, felt a rage burning up somewhere within him. At last, he could no longer contain it. "Why would you say such a thing?" he roared, glaring at the messenger furiously.

"I-it is true, sir!" exclaimed the terrified guardsman. "Most foully murdered, by all accounts."

And then Anomen's anger seemed to fade from him as quickly as it had come; he sank back down into his seat, looking bewildered at his surroundings. "Murdered? How? How can this be?"

"I am truly sorry Milord," said the messenger quickly and sincerely. "Perhaps you should return home as your father has requested."

"Aye... aye, I shall. You may tell my father that I shall arrive there shortly."

The man nodded, and saluted briefly before turning and disappearing. Anomen sat, pale and silent as the companions regarded him sympathetically.

"I am sorry for your loss," said Jaheira quietly. "Would you like us to accompany you to your estate, or shall you be requiring to return home alone?"

Anomen was startled by her voice, but he heard her question and frowned slightly. He had no wish to return home at all, no desire to see his father. But now he had to, and he didn't want the experience to be undertaken on his own. He sighed, and raised his eyes to meet the druid's keen gaze. "I would be thankful for the company and support, my lady," he said quietly.

Jaheira nodded, and immediately took control of the situation. She sent Kivan upstairs to fetch Xan, and ordered Yoshimo out to the streets to locate Maiyn. Both men obeyed without question as Anomen sat in a daze, feeling his world crumble around him.

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"Ah, there you are," came the soft and lilting voice of the rogue who had been travelling with them. Maiyn was caught by surprise, but she didn't show it -- she hadn't seen or heard him approaching her, so caught up in her thoughts as she was.

"Hello Yoshi," she said absent-mindedly, wandering on.

"Your friend, the druid, sent me to fetch you," he replied hesitantly. "You... you are required back at the inn."

Maiyn paused, and looked at him with a fearful expression. His face was sombre, and she desperately fought the urge to run back immediately. "Is... who..."

"A messenger arrived for the priest," he explained quickly. "There has been a death in his family, and he has been called home to attend. He wishes our company for this endeavour."

Maiyn felt a slight wave of relief pass over her. She had been convinced that one of her friends had been somehow hurt, but instead it was one of Anomen's family. She nodded grimly, and followed the thief as he darted through the crowd, selecting the quickest route back to the inn.

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They arrived to find everyone else waiting -- Anomen was in a daze, and only acknowledged her appearance with the faintest of nods. Xan offered her a slight, apologetic smile, and she returned it gladly. The thought of having lost someone close to her had made her reconsider her childish antics of the previous few days, and if the enchanter was willing to remain her friend she would hold onto it with every fibre of her being.

"Anomen," she said softly, turning to the priest. His gaze lifted to her, troubled and burning with a buried rage that was looking for a way to surface past the numbness. "I feel for your bereavement. We shall go to your home immediately, and know that every single one of us will do what we can to support you through this troubled time."

The squire nodded, and smiled slightly -- a smile of thanks that was his way of expressing his gratitude. With no more words, the group departed from the inn, Yoshimo leading the way towards the Government District as the others followed, grim and subdued.

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"Lord Anomen! Welcome home. Your father waits within -- he is in the kitchen... deep in his drink."

Anomen sighed, but nodded his thanks to the guard at the door to the Delryn home. "He is angry with me?" he asked quietly.

"Yes Milord," replied the guard sympathetically. "Nothing has changed; when your sister... died, things became worse."

"I'd expected as much," admitted the priest as he walked through the large oaken doors and into the home. "Let him vent his bile on me if he so wills it. I am not the child that I used to be."

Maiyn followed him, looking around curiously at the house in which Anomen had grown up in. He was of a noble background, and the house was undeniably large; but it was also in an obvious state of disrepair. Plaster lay on the cracked tiled floor, showing holes in the walls that had been long neglected. A layer of dust covered many of the surfaces as they past, and the pool that graced the sitting area was stagnant and dirty, badly in need of a change of water. It was a sad sight indeed; even someone as attuned to the outdoors, as Maiyn was, could recognise the potential the home had to be comfortable and welcoming.

Anomen led the way to the kitchen, and they found his father sat at the table, bottles strewn around him. He looked up as his son entered, loathing shining from his eyes as their gaze met.

"The prodigal child returns," he sneered. "Heir to his mother's foolishness, as always. How far have you roamed, son, running away from me?"

Anomen's anger resurfaced at his father's words. "Speak not of my mother, drunkard! You were never worthy of being her husband!"

"Yet I was, and your father as well," shouted Lord Cor. "Never forget that, boy! Your mother would still be alive if you children weren't such a handful."

"Shut your mouth, father." Anomen's words were almost snarled, and Maiyn moved forward slightly, hoping her visible presence would bring him some calming influence. It seemed to work in placating him slightly. "We've had this conversation before, and I've not the patience to listen to it again."

"You will listen to whatever I choose to tell you, boy," roared his father, standing from his seat, but leaning heavily on the table. "You will respect your father, knightling -- I am still the man of this family, and you will obey me!"

Anomen was clearly fighting his temper as he looked upon his father's dishevelled form. "Yes, father. I lost my temper, and I... apologise."

Lord Cor shifted his gaze to Maiyn, his beady eyes taking in her complete form. She in turn examined him; his greasy, greyish-black hair was scraped back away from his haggard face and bound by a strip of leather. The tunic he wore was stained from the meals of several days, and spillages from the drinks he was so fond of. His lips curled into a mocking smile as her eyes met his, and he turned back to his son.

"Who is this whom travels with you? It is not one of your precious knights, that much is clear. Have you fallen in with brigands and villains like so many others in this city?"

"Certainly not!" exclaimed Anomen indignantly. Maiyn's eyes narrowed as she glared stonily to the older man, and he looked amused by her disdain.

"Whatever she is, I'd have expected you to at least have picked up something more pleasing to the eye."

"Father!"

"Ah, it matters not, boy. It took you long enough to get here. It wouldn't hurt you to come and see your father, now and again."

Maiyn saw Anomen swallowing hard. "Father, where is Moira, your daughter? What has happened to her?" She knew he was hoping to find out it was all a mistake, that his sister was still alive and well. She knew in her heart that he would be disappointed.

"Idiot boy!" yelled Lord Cor angrily, sweeping a row of bottles off the table, allowing them to crash onto the already filthy floor. "She is dead! Murdered a week hence by the Calishite fiends!"

"How did this happen?" asked Anomen, fighting to keep his tone level and free from excessive emotion. "Why was I not informed of it before now?"

"How do you think it happened?" snapped his father. "It was Saerk the Calishite. It was not enough for him to take my business; he had to take my Moira, too. As for you not being informed, you were too busy away, playing at being a paladin to be concerned over your sister."

"Why would this man kill her?" asked Maiyn calmly.

"What is it to do with you?" shrieked Cor, throwing another of the bottles towards the ranger. She avoided it easily, but her contempt for the man rose.

"Maiyn's question holds true; Moira had nothing to do with your enmity, father," stated Anomen simply.

"Do you understand nothing? He killed her because he could! For years I embarrassed him amongst the merchants, undercutting his prices and stealing his customers. When my business failed, he gained a monopoly on the Calishite shipping routes. He would not be happy until I had nothing -- Moira was all I had left, and now he's taken her too."

"Where were the guards?" asked Anomen with a trace of disbelief in his voice. "Why was she not protected?"

"Most of the guards left months ago," spat Cor venomously. "I had no money to pay them with. Soon I will lose my house as well. Saerk has taken all of it -- all of your mother's and sister's things..."

"He didn't take it, father," retorted Anomen. "You lost it... you lost it..."

"I lost it because you abandoned your family," shrieked Cor. "If you hadn't run away, your sister would still be alive! You should have been here to protect her, to save her from the brigands!"

Anomen faltered under the onslaught. "I am sorry... I..."

"You should have been here Anomen," his father replied. "Never forget that! It is too late to save her, but your work in this matter is not yet finished."

Anomen looked at his father with a puzzled expression. "What can be done?" he asked simply. "Moira is dead."

"She can be avenged," replied Cor, his eyes glinting dangerously. "You must kill Saerk and his son -- it is the only way Moira's spirit can be at rest." Anomen's father looked to Maiyn, and noted her displeased look. "Your friends would do well to help you," he continued with a smirk. "Saerk is a very wealthy man, and his gold shall be their reward."

Maiyn opened her mouth to protest, but Anomen spoke before she had a chance to utter the words building up inside her.

"I must see Moira's remains first, father," said Anomen weakly. "It will take but a moment."

"Go then," replied Cor impassively. "She was cleansed on the pyre, and her ashes are kept in an urn by the pool. It was the place that Moira loved most of all."

Anomen nodded, and silently returned to the sitting area, Maiyn close behind. She branched off to stand with the others as the priest walked over to a pale blue urn that sat forlornly in the corner, a single wilting rose lying before it.

"I am worried by what has gone on in this place," said Anomen softly as he stared down at the vase. "Though the choice seems clear and right, I am hesitant to take it. Surely if Saerk killed my sister, I must avenge her... but killing for the purpose of revenge is murder, by the Tenets of the Order."

"Do not let thoughts of vengeance cloud your judgement," replied Maiyn gently. "Saerk will be brought to justice, if he was indeed involved, and you can bid the courts to investigate into the matter for you. That is what the Order would expect, is it not?"

Anomen turned slowly to her, and nodded. "When your father, Gorion, was killed, you sought out the man, Sarevok, and killed him," he said simply.

Maiyn shrugged slightly in return. "I am no knight," she said. "I also would have allowed the authorities to deal with him, had there been a chance to. As it was, we were thrown together to have a battle to the death, whether I willed for it or not. You have a choice in this matter. Do not make the wrong one in the heat of the moment."

"What you say holds truth," he admitted with a sigh. "But, as my father says, I am honour-bound to find my sister's killer, and to take his life."

Maiyn shook her head at him. "You are not honour-bound to do that at all. What if he was later proven innocent? How do you expect to act to lay your sister's memory at peace, when you cannot know for certain under what circumstance the death took place? You made a vow to the Order; to consider killing a man in cold blood out of speculation and suspicion is evil, Anomen. Do not take that path."

Anomen turned back to the urn, and knelt before it as he prayed to Helm for his sister. Maiyn bowed her head, and silently offered up a tribute to Fenmarel, but her efforts were concentrated on the hope that Anomen would find the correct path to take of his own accord. She held little hope that her words could be answered, but she felt better for sharing her worry with her God, and when Anomen was finished with his own communion, he turned to face the group with a grim expression.

"I've lived under the bitterness of my father's spirit my entire life. It has tainted me to the point where I am almost willing to partake in it -- but I know it is not the right option. I can feel it in my bones. He can keep his hatred, and drown his sorrows as he has always done. I will take no part in it."

Maiyn smiled with relief at him, but his face remained dark.

"The question of my sister's murder still remains."

"I am not sure I trust your father's version of events," spoke Jaheira quietly. The group had heard the entire conversation, even though they had lingered just outside the kitchen. "All that he spoke of were events which seemed to be coloured by his hatred of this man, Saerk."

"They have always been mortal enemies," explained Anomen.

"Perhaps you need to visit the Council?" suggested Maiyn. Anomen nodded in acknowledgement.

"If Moira was indeed murdered, the magistrate would have investigated. We should seek her counsel and find out what has befallen here in my absence." Anomen sighed. "My father be damned, I have sword to uphold the law, and unlike him, I shall do so." The priest then turned on his heel and walked back to his father. Maiyn followed him, but stayed well enough back as to not intrude.

"You have seen the lifeless ashes of your sister, Anomen," said Cor. "Let not this terrible act go unpunished! Gird thy heart with a righteous anger, and slay thy sister's murderer!"

"Nay father," replied Anomen quietly but firmly. "It is time for this foolishness to end."

An uncomfortable silence descended as Lord Cor regarded his son with a poisonous glare. "What do you mean to say, Anomen?" He spat his son's name with distaste, as if the very sound of it caused him to feel ill.

"Killing Saerk in vengeance would be murder, as surely as my sister's death was."

"The destruction of evil is never considered to be murder," retorted the elder man. "Do not these knights that you seek to join take such missions themselves?"

"Not in the manner that you suggest," insisted Anomen. "We must take the charges to the magistrate. This is the only way to end this circle of violence that you have trapped us within."

"You fool boy!" shouted his father, causing yet more destruction as he threw the remnants of a clay bowl at the wall. "The magistrate will do nothing! She is a pawn of Saerk!"

"Bylanna Lanulin is a good and noble woman," said Anomen, his voice rising slightly. "You had said this yourself, before you slipped into the foul clutch of the drink."

"You dishonour Moira's memory!" screamed his father. "You would allow the killer of your sister to go free? You are despicable, you are an insect!"

"I will not allow him to go free," argued the priest. "He shall be taken before the courts, if he is indeed the one who murdered my sister."

"How can you doubt such a thing, boy?" gasped Lord Cor. "Saerk is the killer!"

"Do you have proof, father?"

The elder man paused in his rage to regard his son. He looked older and more haggard than he had appeared before. "The proof lies in the fact he has taken everything from me. Killing Moira would complete my defeat."

"Now I see," said Anomen calmly. "Such has always been the case in this household -- this is about you, and only you. Your daughter's death means nothing beyond how it affects your pride and your comfort."

"Boy, you've fallen in with evil," warned his father, eying Maiyn suspiciously as she lingered in the doorway. "Step back from the line and honour your family before it's too late."

The pain Anomen was undergoing was tremendous, and obvious to see. Maiyn felt herself wanting to reach out to him, but was painfully aware that this very private moment between him and his father was important to the priest.

"I will not, father. I suggest no evil; I suggest the lawful path."

"Again, I say -- obey me, Anomen!"

"I have obeyed you all my life, and received naught but bitterness in return," said Anomen quietly. "My friends and I shall take this matter to the magistrate, as the law requires." The priest turned and nodded to Maiyn. Slowly the party filtered towards the entrance of the home, filing outside one by one. As Maiyn walked beneath the frame of the door, with only Anomen behind her, she heard Lord Cor's voice from behind.

"If you step out of that door, then you must never come within again!"

Maiyn turned back to look inside and watched as Anomen slowly looked to his father. "Don't do this father."

"Shut your mouth! If you leave now, you are forever banished from this place! You will be cast from this family and become a nameless dog, fit to cower at my feet!"

"I've been cowering at your feet for all my life. Goodbye father. Perhaps I shall see you again before you drink yourself to death." The priest turned back to his companions quickly, and strode from the house without a backwards glance. His father's words rang in the air behind him as he left.

"You are nothing boy! Nothing!"

"Come," said Maiyn gently, taking Anomen's hand gently. He did not resist, simply allowing her to lead him up the steps that led back to the main path through the district. "Let us visit the Council Building, for it is near. We shall see what light the magistrate can shed upon this matter."

Anomen nodded wearily to her, and she felt his hand squeeze her own slightly in a show of gratitude. Silently the companions walked the short distance to the building, and made their way inside, seeking out Bylanna.

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An hour later, they emerged, Anomen shaking with barely contained rage. Maiyn drew him away from the others, beckoning him to sit by her on a bench that overlooked one of the many fountains that adorned the area. He grudgingly accompanied her, and the others filtered away to pass the time doing other things, waiting patiently for the issue to be resolved. The magistrate, though sympathetic to his plight, had been unable to offer any assistance without proof; and there was no proof at all of Saerk's involvement in Moira's death.

"I have been cast from my family by my father... that rude, drunken bastard! He encourages me to take the path of vengeance, knowing I cannot! He knows there is no proof, yet… yet he wishes me to go against all I strive to be, and my heart cries out for justice. My sister lies dead while the murderer remains untouched and laughing, and I feel so full of hate. Please... my lady -- am I doing the right thing? Should the dictates of honour truly overcome duty and justice?"

"As you said, there is no proof Saerk is involved," said Maiyn firmly. "I ask you once more; how would you feel if you killed him and then his innocence was proven?"

Anomen was silent for some time as he thought over her words. Slowly his anger seemed to dissipate, and he leaned back against the bench, looking up to the sky.

"It would be a stain to my honour that I could not bear," he said finally. "But still... I feel so helpless."

"If Saerk is truly responsible, he will pay in the end," said Maiyn firmly. "Even if he escapes justice in these mortal lands, the Gods will remember when his time comes."

Anomen nodded. "Nothing will take away this burning pain in my heart, however."

"I wouldn't expect it to," replied Maiyn gently. "We all need to grieve; we all feel loss when someone close to us dies. We honour their memory in the best way we can; and for you, I believe that is to pass your test, become a knight, and to shine as an example to the people of these lands, and beyond. You have a righteous heart, Anomen, and a determination to succeed. Do it for your sister; do it in her memory, and she will be in peace. Of that, I am certain."

Anomen stared at Maiyn, and guiltily remembered the willingness he'd felt to leave her company only earlier that day. Never would he have thought she would dispense advise that he knew to make so much sense after all he had witnessed of her; after all he now knew of her. Again, she was surprising him with her complex personality, but she did nothing other than smile simply to him; a supportive and friendly smile, that told him she would stand by him with whatever decision he made.

He'd made his decision.

"My lady," he said, rising from the seat and offering her a hand to help her up. When she stood, he proffered his arm to her, and they walked, arm-in-arm back to the others. There, he bowed graciously to her, and spoke to the group as a whole.

"I must thank you for your support at this troubled time. Having spoken to my father, the magistrate, and Maiyn, I have decided that I need not follow the path of vengeance. My energies are best spent in fulfilling my ambition, and serving my sister's memory through that."

Maiyn smiled broadly at him at his words, and Jaheira voiced her approval at the outcome, then suggested they return to the inn to pick up their belongings and head to the promenade before it got too late. A check with Anomen revealed he was content to resume their mission, and Yoshimo led the way back through the winding streets of Athkatla as they prepared to take the next step in collecting the money for Gaelan's fee.