A/N: Apologies for the delay in posting this -- so much stuff happening (and not all good, unfortunately!) meant that I had half a chapter ready, then a slight delay in getting it finished. So, if it seems a little disjointed, let me know (and that'll be why!) Also, this is the final 'thoughtful' bit for a while -- we'll be seeing the travels of the various groups in a bit more depth (and hence, each character will get a bit more time!) in the next few bits.

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

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Split Paths

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Nalia continued to smile nervously at people as they went past after Coran had left her side, going to a quiet corner of the sanctum where he was now listening to the girl with the braided hair as she spoke to him. Her face was usually serious, though once or twice a smile crossed over it... and once or twice, a look of pain.

Some of the others had wandered off -- she wasn't sure what they were doing or going. An assortment of thieves and knights were occasionally milling around, but she was sat so far out of the way of any of the exits to the room that she wasn't overly bothered by anyone. She had nothing to do but sit and wait.

She looked over to Maiyn's body, being tended by Sir Anomen. She was familiar with the priest, though only barely -- another member of the Amnish nobility, her father had met Lord Cor on several occassions, and rumours were that Nalia and Anomen were intended to be wed when they were both of age. These plans fell apart, however, when her father discovered Lord Cor's tendency to dip into his cups rather too much, and so relations between the families deteriorated before the girl and the priest ever had a chance to become proper friends.

At least it was another face she was vaguely familiar with, though.

The girl... well, Nalia couldn't make out much about her with the darkness and the position she was in. But she appeared to be quite small and covered in dirt. Nalia could imagine the disgust her Aunt Delcia would have had if Nalia had ever presented herself in such a manner. She wanted to go closer -- to see more about this woman that had caught Coran's attention so badly and dragged them across Amn in search of her; but she knew that she should just be patient. Her injuries were apparently bad, and her healer was concentrating hard on focussing his prayer to her. She didn't want to disturb that. And she would get a chance to see her later, of course -- now they'd been reunited, she couldn't imagine Coran wishing to leave them again.

She smiled as Ajantis returned to the chamber and sat down beside her; he reached out to pat her hand comfortingly, stopping when he looked down to see the ring adorning it. He gave her a questioning look; she looked away, flushing heavily at his gaze, clearing her throat nervously.

"That's an interesting ring," noted Ajantis. "Very... ornate."

Nalia said nothing, ignoring his concerned stare.

"And that's an... interesting finger to wear it upon, my lady. I know it is not your signet ring, so I can only assume..."

She sighed and nodded wearily, chuckling softly as Ajantis' eyebrow rose. "There is no need to look so surprised, Sir Ajantis. It is nothing as scandalous as you believe."

"Really?" His tone suggested he didn't believe her.

"Well... perhaps," she relented, somewhat abashedly. "Isaea arrested me on the grounds of insanity-" She paused momentarily to wait for Ajantis to finish choking. "And Coran had to free me from his home, where I was under the guard of some officials. He was planning to keep me there until he could force me to wed him, I'd wager -- there's nothing that slimy, corrupted-"

"Ah, yes, Lady Nalia," interrupted Ajantis hastily.

"Well, quite," she continued indignantly. "So Coran thought if I married him, I would be safe from his attempts to kidnap me again, and my lands would remain securely away from the Roenall's hands."

A scream echoed in the cave, causing them both to tense slightly. The others looked up towards the source, and some of the thieves stealthily headed in the direction, almost immediately disappearing into the shadows as they went. Nalia looked over to Coran briefly -- he was sitting alone, his eyes fixed to Maiyn. The other girl was now sitting with the dark-haired man who'd arrived in the cavern just before Ajantis' return.

The knight rubbed his forehead with his fingers. "With the greatest of respect, Lady Nalia, a vow of marriage is not something to be used so lightly."

She looked at him sadly. "I know."

He frowned. "It was... not just convenience?"

She shrugged and looked back over to Maiyn. "It can be nothing else. But my lands... the memory of my father -- they are important to me. Oh -- and we have these!" She rummaged in her pockets and pulled out some folded papers, handing them to the paladin, who looked through them intently as she spoke. "Coran found them when he was rescuing me, but if we waited for the authorities to act... well. We'd never have made it here, and it was... important for him to get here for... her." She swallowed hard.

Ajantis looked up from the documents and placed an arm around her shoulder comfortingly, allowing her to lean in. The tears formed, but she fought them back, refusing to let them free. She was being silly! The sound of footsteps running towards the cave was enough for her to push herself away slightly, feigning an interest in what was happening. Anomen had stepped back from Maiyn's body, she noted; a huge smile crossing his face as another girl flew into his arms, burying her pinkish hair into his chest. The incredibly large warrior was following her, looking pleased with whatever had happened. Ajantis seemed not to have noticed any of this as he continued to read.

"I will see what I can do about this," he said quietly, referring to the papers. "The Order, for one, will be able to push a case against him, I'd imagine. I can only advise you, and Lord Coran, to escape the city as soon as you can - return to your keep, if possible, until you receive word that he has been appropriately punished."

Nalia shook her head. "We cannot -- he will want to follow these people, now, and... well. I doubt very much that they will wish to spend weeks at my keep."

Ajantis sighed. "Perhaps not," he admitted. "But be warned -- Lord Roenall is likely to become very annoyed if these charges are brought against him, and the safety of you and... your husband... may be in question while he still commands some authority in the army. While we will try to ensure that he is stripped of his rank as soon possible, but... well, you know how caught up in bureaucracy our government can be."

She nodded. "Thank you for your help," she managed, her eyes watching Coran as he picked his way over to the girl on the ground, kneeling beside her; his soft hands tenderly moving wisps of hair from her face as he stared down at her with obvious fondness. Her hands went to her mouth, nervously biting at her nails as she tried to look away. Once again, Ajantis reached out, offering comfort.

He tried a reassuring smile. "I am still unsure that you've done the right thing," he said again, his eyes dancing over to watch Coran's attentiveness to the elven girl, "but... matters of the heart cannot easily be changed, even when they risk being a lone voice in a chorus that needs two."

"I had little choice," she replied in a small voice. "There seemed to be no other way."

They both sighed, then sat up as Coran's voice rang across the room.

"Maiyn? Jaheira -- she's awake!"

-----------------------

Anomen pulled back from Maiyn's body, content that she would come around on her own, but concerned by the sound he'd heard. It was Imoen's scream that had echoed down the passages, distracting him slightly from the final curative blessings he had. He'd tried to shut his mind to the thought -- the sight of the vampires at rest was, no doubt, too much for her, but she was in safe hands, with his comrades from the Order, and her guardian, Minsc.

He turned at the sound of the rapidly approaching footsteps, his heart speeding up to match the rhythm. Imoen... And then she came -- careering into the room, heading straight for him. He felt her collide with him, her arms being thrown around his neck as she explained, with barely contained glee, that she had her soul back. He couldn't contain his delight -- his arms wrapping themselves around her slight frame as he realised she'd chosen him to share her happiness with. She talked and talked -- describing the coffins, expressing her amazement at the number of undead they'd found there, and he stroked her hair softly, enjoying the feeling of having her nestled into his arms. It was... surprising, but pleasant.

It broke off, however, when the new elf's voice rang out, announcing Maiyn had regained consciousness. The young girl gently pulled away from him, her hand lingering in his until she moved out of range, towards her sister. Jaheira was there also, and so he held back, watching from the rear as Minsc strode over to stand by him, his face creased with worry. Anomen noticed the enchanter had slowly stood up at the other side of the room, but he had not moved forward -- his dark eyes fixed to the scene.

The priest took a deep breath -- the news he'd shared with the druid earlier... she'd requested he keep it to himself, and he'd given his word, allowing her to decide how to break it to the involved parties. There was no doubting that the mage had been informed -- the look of concern, worry and pain in his eyes was unmistakable, but the elf -- Coran -- was the one to be by their leader's side, waiting for his chance to be reunited with his former love.

Anomen could only wonder how things would go when the news began to spread.

-----------------------

When she woke up, she was alone. There were no bodies, living or dead... nothing. Her surroundings were the same as when she fell, but it was as if she'd been left there, alone, after the battle had been won. The pool of blood was no longer there; instead, the basin was empty, only a few stains threatening to betray what it had once held. The wooden doors leading to the smaller antechambers were old and rotten -- how long had she been here, alone?

She sat up, her heart seeming to race inside. Where were they? Her companions? They couldn't be far -- they wouldn't be far. It was unlike them to not leave someone close to her, guarding her -- she'd been injured, she'd needed their help. Why had they left her?

"Because of what you are, my child."

She scrambled to her feet, spinning around to face the beast. It was not unlike what she'd seen herself turn into before, except this one was larger, taller -- more terrifying. Instinctively she backed away, her hands searching for her sword only to find her belt empty. It was then that she realised that she was unarmoured -- completely vulnerable before the creature watching her.

"What are you?" she whispered.

"You know," it replied calmly. Its voice was deep and gruff, but it didn't seem to be threatening. Not yet, anyway.

She swallowed hard. "I've seen that form before."

"You have allowed me in. I have been with you since you were born, as I have with all my children. Others showed great potential, and my attention was taken by them. But then you bettered your own brother, the very one my hopes had begun to rest on. Now, you shall be my vessel."

"I don't understand."

"But you do."

"What have you done with my companions?"

There was a lengthy silence; the only noise that passed was the occasional swish of the creature's tail. In all the time it regarded her closely, almost as if weighing her up and trying to understand her question. Then eventually: "You care for others too much."

She fought the urge to try running past, to go searching for the others. She fought the urge to tremble or show any sign of weakness; instead, with great determination, she drew herself up as tall as she could -- so her eye level was roughly aligned with the creature's torso -- and tried to look back at it coolly, without tilting her head too much. It took on an amused expression on its bestial face, with the corners of its maw curling slightly.

"This is better," it noted approvingly. "This is why you are worthy of having my blood flowing through your veins."

She stared. "You..."

"I am your sire, and it is your duty to murder for me. It has taken time, but you have let me in, and now you I will guide you."

"No... I don't want your 'guidance'."

The creature began to fade. "That is not your choice, child."

She lunged forward as it vanished, then desperately looked for a way out. The walls had closed in leaving no exits from the chamber; she was trapped. With a scream of fear she began scrambling around, trying to find some way to free herself while the low sound of laughter echoed in the back of her mind. Eventually she sat down, huddling herself into a corner and closing her eyes.

"You will accept my guidance."

-----------------------

When she next opened her eyes, she felt pain. It was dull and throbbing and seemed to be coursing through her entire body. It was pushed to the back of her mind by fair features looking down upon her with concern.

"Shhh," Jaheira said before she could attempt to speak. "You were badly injured, though Anomen has done much to lessen your wounds. I will be quick, because we need to leave here -- Bodhi has fallen, although your methods in achieving this were... questionable, to say the least. You were also fortunate that the holy sword wielded by our paladin friend did not inflict even more damage to you. But, we shall speak of this later -- Imoen has recovered her soul, and now you are awake we will move back to the Order Headquarters to regroup and... and attend to other matters."

Maiyn nodded weakly -- the druid's voice had broken slightly at the end, and the elf was well aware of what she meant. And so another falls, and another will be put to rest.

They are weak. Use them as you will, but do not mourn their passing.

She did her best to ignore the voice, trying to employ the blocks she'd successfully raised against Irenicus, but it didn't seem to matter. She felt the presence there, lingering in the back of her being; ready to coax her into using the 'power' it was giving her at any opportunity. And Jaheira... Jaheira would want to have words about it. And so would Imoen. And Anomen... and Ajantis... and...

She blinked several times, trying to focus. Another head had appeared in her sight... It's familiar... so familiar... but not here... he's not meant to be here...

Two twinkling eyes shone down at her, a mouth curved up into a smile, pain daubed across the face somewhat erratically. She'd know that face anywhere. Soft hands gently touched her cheek as her name was whispered hoarsely. Why are you doing this to me? she demanded.

This is nothing to do with me, child.

She gasped. She tried to say the name, but no sound escaped her lips. Her unspoken word was recognised regardless, and he nodded, his fingers moving on to gently run through her bloody and matted hair.

"A'maelamin."

A rippling wave of pain rippled over her, causing her body to twist and contort. Jaheira called for assistance as the man moved away, a look of worry on his face. She tried to call out for him, willed her hand to reach up to him, but her limbs refused to respond. As it went dark, all she saw was a pale girl standing by his side, her eyes wide with curiosity as she looked over at Maiyn.

-----------------------

Jaheira sat on one of the low lying walls, looking over to a small gardened area that was nestled against one of the canals so popular here in the temple district. Things had been difficult in recent days. After Bodhi's fall, the party had been allowed to take up temporary residence at the Order's Headquarters while they recovered from injury and grief. Several paladins had escorted the group out of the city only that day, where she performed Kivan's funeral rites with the control and calmness everyone expected from her. Then they'd lit the pyre, silently paying their final respects to him, before returning to the city.

Halfway there, Xan had made a dismissive comment about Kivan being luckier than the rest, having escaped the unavoidable doom that would befall all of them. Maiyn had turned on him, her eyes flashing; she'd questioned if he had been luckier. If he had managed to pass onto Arvanaith. Xan had been struck momentarily speechless, then sighed and shrugged, causing an uneasy feeling to fall on the others. Even Jaheira had been left wondering, hoping that the violent death had not been enough to keep him from his people -- she was aware of the dangers the elves faced when dying far from home, away from their kin. And so, she had been sitting here, offering a prayer to Silvanus in the hope that the Oakfather would do what He could to ensure the ranger found the afterlife he'd lived for while she tried to keep within herself the private grief she felt at having lost another whom she had allowed close to her.

She sighed quietly. Before the funeral, there had been various tensions within the group to deal with. Coran's appearance, while welcome at first, had soon become troublesome to her. The girl he travelled with was polite and quiet, a member of Amnish nobility -- the druid had no issue with her past the fact that the irresponsible elf had seen fit to join with her in a union in order to preserve her lands! He had been abashed about it, she had to admit, but he seemed completely oblivious to the seriousness of such an act -- and the druid was not entirely sure that the girl, Nalia, was seeing it as much of a practical move as he was. She'd seen the young human girl watching him when he was with others -- especially when he was trying to talk to Maiyn, and it made her uneasy.

Maiyn was withdrawn. She'd barely spoken to anyone, not even Imoen, and when Jaheira had tried to discuss the change in her, she'd given up in defeat as the elven girl stared into the distance with a glazed expression. It was imperative that they found Irenicus, and repaired the damage he had done to her when he removed her soul somehow, but Jaheira was no longer sure that it would be possible. She would not rest until they had tried, however, and then she would make her feelings quite clear on the matter of Maiyn taking the form of her dead father's sire.

But then there were the other problems. The group was divided, and neither side seemed to be willing to back down. Xan was already dismayed by the hold up of returning the Lanthorn to Elhan, and Maiyn had forbid any of the paladins to bury Montaron's body. Xzar had shown her some book he had, just before Kivan's funeral, and she'd nodded to him before she pushed him away. It was only upon their return to the Headquarters that she'd spoken of her intention to accompany the necromancer to a temple, somewhere in Amn, and restore his halfling companion.

Xan immediately cried out in outrage, pointing out that the safety of Suldanessellar was compromised further with every day that it took to get back there, while Imoen joined in with him, trying to persuade Maiyn to at least try and fight for her soul first. Maiyn refused to change her mind, however, even when Coran approached her and said he couldn't support the action. The druid was unsure what had happened between them in the aftermath of the battle with the vampires; and despite Coran's recklessness and Maiyn's foolish behaviour with Xan, the druid did wish to see their reunion as something that would give the girl some amount of joy. She knew what the pain of loss felt like -- to even think that Maiyn was wilfully putting herself through it due to her own stubbornness pained Jaheira greatly.

Maiyn had looked at him with sad eyes, and nodded understandingly. Then she'd simply walked away, leaving him to watch her as she left the room, Xzar following her with a smug smile. The others had all then spoken their minds, expressing their dismay, trying to have some sort of unification amongst themselves; but it never happened. There was too much to divide them without Maiyn's gentle leadership, and it had taken the half-elf this long to realise. Xan, almost identically to Maiyn, was refusing to budge, announcing that he'd take the Lanthorn back himself and await the others there; though he politely declined Coran's assistance, leaving his fellow elf looking puzzled. Imoen was refusing to leave Maiyn's side, while Anomen looked torn between staying with Imoen, and doing what he thought was the right thing. Only Minsc seemed to be clearly set on his path.

"Minsc shall not leave his witch," he'd said solemnly. Jaheira had smiled, somewhat wryly -- if only every decision were so clear cut, so decided. She didn't want to leave Maiyn, but she could understand Xan's fretting. The combination of Coran's reappearance, their leader's rapidly changing personality and his status as a moonblade wielder was making the enchanter as impossible to talk around as Maiyn was -- and she would only cite some kind of 'obligation' she felt she had to help the deceased halfling.

She looked up to the sky, feeling slightly mellowed by the warm red tones of sun's rays as they embraced the clouds before departing for another evening. She knew she had to go inside and talk to Maiyn, at least -- to find out what was happening, and if any kind of compromise was possible, whatsoever, for all of them. Unfortunately, she didn't think it would be.

-----------------------

Nalia smiled at him, and he returned the gesture weakly, running his hand through his untidy hair after a sleepless night. This was not how Coran had imagined coming back to the group -- attending Kivan's funeral had been difficult, watching the others united in their grief as he stood slightly away from them, closer to the knights that were present, and to Nalia. He was almost like an outsider to them, again.

Jaheira had made her feelings perfectly clear to him regarding his alliance with the young human girl-- he was trying to avoid using the 'marriage' term. No one had told Maiyn, yet -- he wasn't sure if the druid had even told Imoen, but the lack of chiding from the pink-haired girl meant that it was unlikely. Instead, Imoen and Nalia had struck up a fairly swift friendship, which he found understandable -- neither were averse to using their guile whenever needed, and both had an interest in the arcane arts. He had wondered if the young noble girl would let their union slip, but she appeared as fretful about mentioning it as he was about Maiyn finding out. And so, he dealt with it the way he'd dealt with numerous problems before over the years. He ignored it.

Now he was sitting, with his wife, at the entrance to the Order's stables as the sun set slowly. There was too much ill feeling and tension running around the rest of the group for him to sit easily with them, and so he'd sought solace and quiet outside, only to discover Nalia had beat him to it. Quietly he'd taken up a position beside her and they'd sat together in companionable silence since, each thinking over their own thoughts.

Maiyn had been... different, to how he remembered. Jaheira had warned him, when she outlined what they'd been doing in his absence; and before Kivan's funeral, Imoen had walked with him for a while, quietly explaining that she was of the same blood as his former lover, and while she wasn't experiencing the taint in the same way, she was sure that it was the taint, and not Maiyn, that was causing the changes.

They'd talked. The night they arrived at the Order, he'd gone to see her in her room and sat by her bed as she recovered from her remaining injuries. She'd asked why he'd came, and he'd described how he felt when he awoke to find she'd left him, and his determination to follow her. She'd nodded, asking if he'd read the letter she gave him. He'd shaken his head, watching as she closed her eyes. Whether it was in relief or regret, he couldn't tell, but it was partly why he now had it in his hands. To date, he'd failed to read it, too scared at what he might find, written down for him to see; but now he felt as if he had nothing to lose. Yet still, he put it off, trying to enjoy the sunset and push the thoughts of Maiyn's spurning away from his mind.

Especially when she had not -- well, not entirely. She had asked him to leave that evening, but cited tiredness as her reason. The following days had seen her involved in arguments with Xan and discussions with Jaheira, which were always one-sided. Xzar, to Coran's annoyance, never seemed to leave her alone for very long, and he'd suspected the use of some magical cantrip on her until both Imoen and Nalia had agreed they could detect nothing. He'd waited, patiently, for her to have the time to talk to him, but it had never come -- instead she'd announced her intention to travel with the necromancer to restore his companion and Nalia had thrown him a careful look. Much though he was loathe to admit it, he couldn't support her with the plan -- it would be like betraying Valygar, a man he'd come to consider a friend; but she was hearing no argument against it, adamantly insisting that it would be her next move, even when Xan threatened to cause a split in the group.

It had surprised Coran slightly to see him so agitated, though it didn't completely surprise him. His fellow elf was so consumed by duty to his people that he probably felt he had no choice, but he had suspected his friendship with Maiyn would have overcome it. But then, perhaps with a different task it would have -- rescuing a Zhent was hardly something the enchanter would deem as important, but even Coran could recognise the urgency required to act for Suldanessellar. He had grown up near the city, and he still had fond memories of many of its inhabitants.

Slowly he let his hands unroll the paper, letting the neat lettering of Maiyn's hand slowly take form before his eyes. It took him several minutes to begin reading it; while around him, the sound of light chatter filtered through the air as worshippers made their way to and from the temples, and the faint sound of a ringing bell echoed across the city. Quietly he absorbed the words, letting the cool air swirl around him as he did so.

My dearest Coran,

You may have already read the letter I left for the others, though in my heart I think it is unlikely -- even if you recover from your ails, I would imagine that it would be a long time passing, and I don't doubt my companions will have had to move on. I did, however, think that you deserved your own explanation about what I am about to do, and I can only hope that if you ever come to be reading this, that you understand.

As I wrote to the others, too many people, now, have fallen because of what I am and through no fault of their own. I can't risk the thought of any others meeting the same fate -- especially not you. In your current condition I am nothing but a risk to you, in danger of attracting the wrong kind of attention due to my heritage. While you sleep, you cannot defend yourself -- and I cannot defend you.

I need to go, to be on my own. The stakes have become too high, the chances of losing another dear friend, too real. It saddens me beyond words to know this is the only real option I have, but I thank Fenmarel that I had the chance to meet everyone -- especially you -- and have a small time where I felt as if I had a proper family surrounding me.

Thank you for the time we have had together. You've brought so much joy and happiness into my life, that I didn't believe such a thing was possible. You've supported me through everything we've faced together, and we were able to prove everyone wrong when they had doubts about our relationship. With you, I grew from a young girl into a woman who felt loved, cherished and wanted, and all I had to do in return was the simple task of adoring the man who made it so possible. Every day was filled with sunshine when you were by my side, and now I look out to a dark night, doubting if I'll ever see the light of the sun again.

No matter what happens, I want you to know that my feelings for you are as strong now as they were that night in the Friendly Arms. I don't think I'll ever be able to forget you, and if the Seldarine are willing, you'll survive this condition and go on to leave a long and happy life. Live it, knowing that I will still be loving you, and that you will always be in possession of part of my heart.

I love you.

I'm sorry.

Maiyn

It was only when Nalia reached over and gently wiped his cheek with a handkerchief that he realised there were tears running down his face. With a silent nod, he accepted her offering, hastily composing himself in his embarrassment to have been caught in such a state. When the girl put her arm around his shoulder, though, he put up no resistance, and they continued their companionable silence into the darkness of the night.

-----------------------

"Child, you must consider this carefully." Jaheira's words were level and calm, and Imoen found herself somewhat soothed by the presence of the druid. No longer was she caught between Maiyn and Xan as they argued, once again, about what was best for the group.

"I already have," stated Maiyn quietly. She was looking impassively at the half-elf. Imoen heard Xan sigh with exasperation somewhere behind her.

"Then let me rephrase this," said Jaheira. "If we do not pursue Irenicus, then not only does the fate of an elven city lie in the balance, but your own fate is likewise."

Imoen nodded her agreement even though her sister was paying her no attention. Maiyn's face took on the familiar glazed expression they'd seen all too often recently, and Jaheira's brow furrowed. It passed quickly, however, and the ranger resumed shaking her head.

"I am going to help Xzar."

"But why?" asked Jaheira, a slight hint of impatience infiltrating her tone. "If you would even explain your reasoning for such a choice-"

"He saved my life outside the Friendly Arms," said Maiyn quietly.

"And you have repaid him for that, since then, have you not?" Maiyn raised an eyebrow, and the druid continued confidently. "Minsc has informed me of your encounter in the Sorcerous Sundries when we were otherwise engaged in business downstairs. You aided them in their battle then, and you owe them no allegiance now."

Maiyn smiled softly -- Imoen felt slightly spooked by it, as her sister's eyes seemed to glow a little more intensely, her demeanour was confident and secure. "Oh, but I do."

"No, child. You need to-"

"You're not the only one Minsc has been talking to."

The druid paused, waiting for the elf to continue and Imoen watched with fascination. Even Xan had stopped his pacing.

"The day we fought Sarevok... we might well have died, if it hadn't been for Montaron."

Jaheira frowned. "Explain yourself."

Maiyn's disturbing smile grew. "The maces that Minsc used to kill Sarevok? Guess who provided them."

Jaheira looked over to Imoen and the girl shrugged. Surely not... Maiyn leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes as she seemed to bask in her position, displaying her knowledge for all to see.

"You are telling us that the halfling and his mage companion where there?" Jaheira was scowling.

Xan groaned. "Seldarine... it is a surprise we managed to survive, though no doubt they only left us due to the arrival of the Grand Dukes..."

"Minsc was seriously injured," Maiyn reminded them. "Only his rage was compelling him onwards, and even that had to fade. Without Montaron's assistance, Sarevok would have been able to pick himself up and..."

She didn't have to finish. Imoen shuddered at the thought -- at what could have happened had their unlikely saviour decided not to help them -- or rather, to help Minsc. Jaheira was shaking her head with confusion, seemingly unable to grasp what Maiyn was saying, while Xan had sat himself down, head in his hands.

"You cannot help them just because of this," pressed Jaheira. "There is no way of saying what might or might not have happened."

"No, you are right," admitted Maiyn. "So, I will help them because of this, because this is how it did happen."

The druid stood up. "Maiyn, I cannot help you with this. To help them... they are Zhents!"

"And you are not a Harper any more."

The druid froze as Imoen cringed. Maiyn stared at Jaheira, seemingly emotionlessly, and the young thief could tell that the half-elf was battling to keep her composure. It was a long time before anyone moved or spoke, though eventually Jaheira stiffly turned away, heading towards the door.

"I was aware of that, thank you," she said coldly, turning back to the elf before she left the room. "I will accompany Xan tomorrow to Suldanessellar. You can do as you wish -- I only hope that you come to your senses before you are completely destroyed from within."

The door was slammed shut behind her, causing Imoen to jump slightly. Maiyn seemed completely unperturbed, her gaze fixed to the flickering flames in the fireplace. Slowly, Imoen rose from her chair and made her way from the room also, running down the corridor as she searched for Jaheira. She found the druid before long, standing at one of the tall windows that looked out over the Headquarters courtyard, leaning on the sill; her hands clenched together so tightly that her knuckles were white.

"She didn't mean it, ya know?"

"She didn't," Jaheira agreed quietly, relaxing slightly with the girl's company. "But whatever is within her did."

Imoen nodded. "We have to help her -- help her to get Irenicus and get back to normal. This... this isn't her."

"We cannot force her to do what she does not wish to do on her own," sighed the druid. "I will go with Xan tomorrow and try to ensure that the city does not fall. You will stay with her, I presume?"

Imoen nodded sadly. "I... I gotta. I can't leave her, especially not when you have to -- one of us should stick with her, and Coran's already said he'll not go with her. Hopefully we can sort out this thing with Xzar quickly, and I can persuade her to head to the city to meet you there."

Jaheira nodded, the moonlight streaming in through the glass, making her seem paler than she had before. "That would be for the best," she said eventually. "Did Coran tell you where he intended to go?"

"I think he said he'd go back to Nalia's lands with her," replied Imoen. "He doesn't really understand why Xan doesn't want him to go with you two, but he didn't want to push it."

The druid nodded. "It is understandable, I suppose," she said quietly.

Imoen raised an eyebrow. "What is? Xan? Because he and Maiyn... well, got close?"

The half-elf smiled wryly. "Something like that, Imoen. Come now -- you should rest if you are leaving with Maiyn tomorrow. The trek will be long, for the temple Xzar spoke of is near a village called Imnesvale, up in the Umar Hills. I believe Anomen has told you of our adventures there?"

Imoen felt herself blush slightly. "He did... he said there was a dragon there, though, that... well, that you left..."

Jaheira let out a cry of dismay, her hand going to her forehead. Imoen giggled slightly.

"It's all right," the thief said with amusement. "Coran was bragging to us about killing a Shadow Dragon in the Umar Hills when Anomen interrupted and told him about your meeting the Firkraag."

Jaheira looked slightly impressed. "Coran killed it?"

"Apparently so," nodded Imoen. "Uh... with Montaron's help..."

The druid's eyebrow rose. "Montaron?"

Imoen grinned and hopped up onto the windowsill, making herself comfortable. "Well, I'll start from the beginning..."

-----------------------

Birdsong filled the air as Jaheira, Xan, Coran and Nalia left the Order's Headquarters the next morning. The druid and the enchanter bid farewell to the two thieves before long, using the fresh mounts gifted to them by the Order to canter along the almost deserted roads outside the temple district as Coran and Nalia strolled leisurely towards the city gates to pick up their own horses. They conversed as they went, though Nalia was careful to avoid any tender topics, and instead spoke mainly about the weather and what she suspected Edwin might have been up to in their absence.

It wasn't long before they'd left the city, cantering east towards the rolling hills in the distance where the De Arnise lands beyond. Neither of them noticed the large spotted cat that watched them from its concealment in the trees.

-----------------------

A shriek echoed along the corridors of the De Arnise Keep, long before the squirrel went bounding past, leaving behind a simple set of guardsman's armour and guard's sword. Edwina, formerly Edwin, Red Wizard of Thay watched it scamper away with a smirk on her face.

"Ha! Does that answer your proposition? (Ignorant man! As if I could ever be tempted by such base stupidity! Ah… if I was ever inclined that way, of course.)" With a satisfied nod, she turned back into the library and picked up the letter she'd only just begun to read when she was so rudely interrupted. It was a reply from one of her associates, regarding her current unfortunate condition -- of course, she hadn't been stupid enough to mention what her ailment really was, but she was sure she'd made it quite clear how important it was to find some form of reversal, and she eagerly skimmed over the writing to find out what the solution was.

She was sorely disappointed to find that there was none, as far as her colleague could tell. "Simians! Everywhere I go, I deal with simians!" she yelled with rage, tossing the paper into the fire. With a scowl, she hitched up her robes slightly, taking the time to appreciate how well she'd sewn and tailored various parts to take full advantage of her new figure, then stalked towards the main hall, intent on venting her frustrations further.

-----------------------

Maiyn waited patiently in the courtyard for Anomen to arrive. Imoen and Minsc were standing beside her, the girl watching the door into the building with worry, while the berserker held Boo up to the sky and conversed with the hamster about the likely weather conditions for travelling. By the gate was Xzar, the body of Montaron beside him, wrapped in cloths and sheets. The necromancer was talking to several shady looking characters, seemingly instructing them on some matter of urgency; Maiyn made no effort to find out what it was, deciding she would probably rather not know.

The sound of running footsteps alerted them to someone approaching as the strangers dispersed, and Ajantis appeared looking flushed and flustered. He stopped running when he saw them, and walked briskly over to them instead with a look of worry.

"My apologies," he offered, "but I thought you all to still be inside, so I have been searching for you for quite some time!"

"Is something wrong?" asked Imoen, her own frown matching the paladin's.

"Ah, it is something like that," said Ajantis carefully. Maiyn noticed how he tried to avoid looking at her directly, as if her mere presence made him uncomfortable. She wondered why the knights had even let her stay within their hallowed halls. "Sir Anomen received some distressing news," he continued, looking at Imoen, "and he... well, he has had to return home."

"What happened?" Imoen's voice trembled slightly.

"His father... his father died last even," replied Ajantis solemnly. "He was very distressed by the news, and asked me to pass on his apologies before he left for his estate."

"When did he leave?" asked Maiyn.

"Not many minutes ago. He wanted to get there with all haste."

Imoen nodded then turned to Maiyn. "You go on -- with Minsc. I'll find Anomen and we'll follow after you when he's done what he has to do."

Maiyn frowned slightly. "Im, I don't know..."

"Go on -- we don't have the time to spare, because we need to get you to Suldanessellar after all this!"

"Minsc does not like the idea of leaving his witch," said Minsc, seemingly nervously. "Minsc has sworn to protect her..."

"Ajantis will show me the way to Anomen's house, won't you?" said Imoen quickly. The paladin nodded. "And then Anomen can show me the way to Imnesvale, and we can meet you there."

"Minsc is not sure-"

"Ask Boo. Ask Boo if Maiyn won't need your help since she'll just be with Xzar."

The berserker frowned slightly, then held the hamster up and listened intently to its squeaks. With a sigh, he nodded. "Boo thinks little Imoen speaks sensibly, but Minsc does not like the idea of leaving his witch."

"It won't be for long," Imoen assured him, throwing her hands around the large man's neck after standing on her tip toes and waiting for him to bend slightly. "We'll be back with ya before ya know it! Look after my sister, for me -- I'm fond of her, ya know?"

Minsc nodded, but the frown didn't leave his face. Imoen turned to Maiyn.

"We'll meet ya up there -- don't do anything stupid while I'm gone!"

The ranger grinned slightly. "I'll try not to," she said, sharing the embrace with her sister. "Make sure Anomen's okay."

Imoen nodded and waved, disappearing off with Ajantis as they made their way to another exit. Maiyn sighed, suddenly feeling quite alone, but then Minsc's arms descended on her and she felt the pressure of one of his familiar bearhugs.

"It is not so bad," he said quietly. "Though little Imoen, colourful Coran and little Jaheira have all gone their separate ways, Minsc is sure that we will all see each other again soon."

"I hope so," muttered Maiyn softly, walking with him as he went to pick up Montaron's body and collect their horses for the trip. "I really hope so."