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

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Paths Set To Cross

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The wind whipped Imoen's hair back and away from her face as she rode away from the city of Athkatla, riding by Anomen's side as they head along the main road that ran to the east. The knight had been in a good humour since their departure from the Order, and she was glad of it; his discussion with Ajantis seemed to have calmed his worries and allayed his fears over his impulsive actions. Now she hoped he could put it to the past; learn from the experience and move on. Move on with her...

He looked up and smiled as he saw her looking at him. She flushed slightly, averting her moony gaze as she coughed. It wasn't long before she heard his amused voice.

"You enjoy the scenery, my la... Imoen?"

She grinned widely as she glanced back over to him, noting the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "I've seen worse," she admitted with a wink.

He laughed. "Truly, you know how to make a man smile," he said as they continued their canter. "I have one worry, however..."

"Oh?" She raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

"I have to wonder how we are to find your sister and her companions. The forest around the temple of Amaunator is fairly dense, and there is no real guarantee we will approach it from the same direction."

She snorted. "That's why you should be glad that I'm here," she announced, somewhat smugly. "I can do all these fancy divination spells that I learnt from..." Her voice faded and she let out a deep sigh. "That I learnt from Dynaheir," she finished quietly.

Anomen's dark eyes were full of sympathy as he looked over to her, but she shrugged it off. "I learnt this spell from her which is really neat," she continued, forcing herself to avoid the melancholy feelings she usually felt when faced with the memory of a fallen companion. "I wish I'd had it when we were back in Candlekeep, Maiyn an' me. It's called 'Wizards Eye' and it means that I can guide this invisible eyeball around without having to move an inch!"

The knight chuckled. "It may take some time for even a conjured eyeball to find them," he pointed out.

"Oh, I know that," the said, frowning slightly. "That's why I'd use one of the divination spells first! It'd show us where they were, and then, we'd just need to find it!"

Anomen didn't look convinced. "Imoen... the Umar Hills are quite large, and fairly vast... are you sure we can find them like this? Perhaps if we head to the village and enquire at the inn?"

She cocked an eyebrow. "You have no faith in my ability, do you? They don't call me Imoen the Amazing for nothing, you know! Just you wait until we get closer... then I'll show you!"

The knight rolled his eyes in good humour, and they lapsed back into a comfortable silence as they continued on their way under the heat of the midday sun, hearts as light as if they were just two young lovers having a ride outside the constraints of the city.

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

"I hope that you at least asked to take these, this time?" Anomen queried, waving one of the fresh pastries around that Imoen had handed him. She frowned slightly.

"Meanie Ajantis told tales on me, did he?" she asked, her scowl turning into a grin. "He'll also have told you, then, that-"

Anomen laughed. "Yes, yes, that the cook was not present and so you could not request a batch of her wonderful cooking!"

"I left a note," Imoen sniffed, delicately taking a bite from her own tart. They'd stopped to eat beside a small brook which was bubbling pleasantly alongside them. It was still warm, and the horses had been tethered beneath two tall willow trees at its bank, allowing them to water themselves until they were content before turning their attention to the oats that Anomen had pulled from the saddlebags.

"How do you think they've gotten on?" asked Imoen, thoughtfully chewing on a particularly sour piece of apple. The taste made her grimace slightly, which only served to draw a bemused look from the knight.

"I am sure that Minsc will be ensuring the safety of your sister," he replied quietly. Imoen nodded, not failing to notice that he answered her question a lot more with what he didn't say, than what he did. She shared his sentiment somewhat. She hoped that things had gone to whatever way Maiyn had wanted, and that the creepy Zhentarim were now on their way somewhere -- anywhere -- away from her friends.

"It won't be long 'til we see them!" she announced cheerfully, taking a drink from her waterskin before crouching down and refilling it from the spring. "And then we'll be on our way south to Tethyr, to find Xan and Jaheira."

Anomen nodded. "Do you think we may come across the others?"

Imoen stood back up slowly, her hands corking the bottle securely before she attached it back to her belt. "You mean Coran and his new friend?" she asked. "I don't know. I... I sort of hope we do, though. I mean... him and Maiyn..."

"Ah, yes," Anomen interrupted quickly, brushing the last of the flakes from his food off his hands. "Your sister spoke... warmly of him."

Imoen grinned mischievously, reaching up to swat away some crumbs that had decided to stick in his neatly trimmed beard. "They were close," she confirmed. "Well, more than close. I don't know... after a while I couldn't imagine seeing one of them without the other being around, somewhere. Even Jaheira'd started to accept it! And then... then it was gone."

"It must have been difficult for her," the priest said quietly.

"It was awful," Imoen said, her voice small. "We'd all lost close companions, close friends. We were all hurting... but she... Maiyn went from hopeful, to denial, to resignation. She told the healers in the palace that he was strong, that he'd come out of his sleep. She wouldn't listen to them when they tried to explain that they'd tried everything... And then she'd sit there, for hours -- sometimes all night -- talking to him. Reminding him about their adventures, about his child. Telling him how they'd spend their future. And then one day it apparently sank in, and she left without a word to me."

"I'm sure she didn't mean to hurt you," he said gently, taking her hand in his.

"No, probably not." Imoen shrugged slightly. "But... but she did. She told Kivan what she was doing -- got him to agree to help her, but... but she didn't tell me."

"Would you have been able to do as she asked?" Anomen asked. "Could you have performed any duties she required of you, and then watched her ride away, possibly forever, without trying to talk her out of it, or persuade her to let you join her travels?"

Imoen laughed slightly. "No... no, you're right. And that's why she didn't ask me. That's why she didn't tell anyone, except Kivan. Though I'm close to her, she shared a bond with him... with the other elves in general, that I didn't understand. At first it made me feel excluded, but I realised I was being silly, I guess. Then I learnt to accept it, because... they're her kin, you know. I just hadn't realised how hard it would be to realise that one day we'd start drifting apart."

Anomen pulled her gently into his arms, his hands softly stroking her hair. "Shhh. I think that if you were truly drifting apart, then our current situation would be very different to how it is now," he observed. "For one thing, we would perhaps have never met."

Imoen nodded, allowing herself to be held, and content with the embrace. "That's true," she acknowledged. "And I'm glad we did."

"As am I," Anomen murmured contentedly, closing his eyes as he relished the moment. "As am I..."

Then, suddenly, Imoen had pulled away, her head craning to look up from the small clearing they'd stopped in, and her eyes scanning the road intently.

"Do you hear that?" she asked.

The knight began nodding slowly. Faint at first, but growing louder by the second, were the sound of hooves. Imoen scrambled up the slightly steep bank, using her hands to keep her steady despite her undignified style, and ignored Anomen's protests.

"Be careful! You do not know who approaches and you do not want to make yourself a target-"

"Sir Ajantis!" she called out, barely unable to contain her surprise, then feeling a slight wash of worry come over her as she regarded both him, and his fellow riders, with a measure of suspicion. "You are the last person I expected to see," she continued as he wheeled his horse up, his customary warm smile adorning his face as he nodded down to her amiably.

"We did wonder if we would pass you on the road," he admitted, "though I thought you may have made more progress on your way by now." Imoen felt her cheeks redden slightly and she subconsciously smoothed out her robes with her hands. One of the other knights grinned over to her cheekily. "We did not expect to be passing this way ourselves," Ajantis continued, seemingly oblivious to her slight embarrassment, "but we received some news just after you left which requires our immediate attention."

"Order business?" enquired Anomen, who had managed to also clamber his way up through the bracken and face his fellow knight on the higher ground of the road. Imoen wondered if he was trained to automatically ask such things, when it was obviously the case -- why else would three knights be riding with their crests so prominently displayed?

And then her worry changed; from fears of them coming back for Anomen, to bring up his near transgressions, to a realisation that anything they'd been called to do, Anomen may also wish to partake in due to his duties. And then... and then, what would happen?

"Normally it would not be, no," the Ajantis replied, his face turning grim. "But the Magistrate Bylanna Lanulin herself has asked us to act on her command in this matter, and we have no choice."

"The Order is involving itself in politics?" queried Anomen, a slight frown on his face. "Whatever for?"

"It's not as simple as that, I'm afraid," Ajantis sighed. "We ride to the Keep of the Lord and Lady De Arnise with all haste, in order to apprehend the former soldier Isaea Roenall, who has fled the custody of the town's jail after accusations of kidnap and slavery were brought against him."

"The De Arnise Keep?" Anomen asked, bewildered. "But why?"

"Isaea was last seen marching an army of mercenaries that he'd funded with his illicit gains through his father's lands," Ajantis replied. "They look to be set upon taking the De Arnise hold by force."

Anomen looked horrified. Imoen was frowning.

"Whoa, wait a second there, boys," she said puzzled. "Did you just say the Lord and Lady De Arnise? As in... Nalia and a... husband?"

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

After Anomen's determined pointing out that it made more sense to travel somewhere where they'd find companions, rather than wander the Umar Hills for potentially days, Imoen was persuaded to accompany the knights as they raced to the Keep. Her mind was racing as they went, making her much quieter than she'd been when she'd been enjoying her leisurely journey with Anomen, but the men didn't seem to notice or mind. They, too, had their minds focussed elsewhere, except unlike Imoen, their concentration was on the road. It was sheer good fortune that kept her on her steed as they rode along the dusty roads.

Ajantis had come clean, and admitted that he'd learned about Coran and Nalia's wedding -- but he went to great lengths to explain to Imoen that it had been done as an act of convenience, and not out of any other obligations. This hadn't done much to calm her down, and only Anomen's rather shocked expression at her choice words had made her realise what she was saying.

Now she was seething quietly, preparing herself for seeing the man she knew her sister still loved. Sure, she'd been a bit close to Xan since they'd been apart, but she'd wrongly thought he was dead! Imoen had been certain that, with half a chance, they'd fix things and go back to how good they'd been before. That seemed unlikely now that there was the slight impediment of a legal union between a man and his wife.

She caught a glance of Anomen throwing her a worried look over his shoulder as he rode at the front, by Ajantis' side. The other two knights were behind her -- they'd all fallen into formation automatically, instinctively placing the sole female in the centre of their protection. Imoen would have been bemused by it had she not felt so terribly angry.

They rode over the crest of a hill, and her eyes widened at the sight that lay before them. Fields of green stretched out towards the dark forests in the distance, with small huts and clusters of settlements dotted around. And further off, still a fair distance away, was a tall stone structure; Imoen screwed up her eyes and could just about make out some flags flying from the ramparts. Anomen and Ajantis set off on the trail heading in its direction, but Imoen was frowning again as she followed.

"It doesn't look like there's a war going on," she noted dryly.

"It does appear to be rather... peaceful, my Lady Imoen," agreed Ajantis. "However, I must serve the warning from Magistrate Lanulin to the Lord and Lady, or at least the Captain of the Guard, and we must seek to detain Lord Roenall if we happen upon him."

"You're going to take him back to Athkatla?" Anomen asked.

Ajantis nodded. "The Magistrate is keen that he faces the charges brought against him. I think she hopes to set an example for the other nobles and influential citizens of the city."

Imoen snorted. "It'll just make them more determined to not get caught."

Ajantis nodded sadly. "I fear that is the case," he sighed. "But we in the Order shall continue to strive against the evil practices that plague our lands. And because of this, we are only too happy to offer our aid in this matter."

"I don't understand why regular guardsmen weren't sent out to do this," Imoen muttered. She was still feeling put out over their detour, despite Anomen's reassurances that they would find Maiyn and Minsc again -- even if it involved going straight to Tethyr and rejoining there.

"Lord Roenall was a high ranking officer in the guard," Ajantis informed her, his tone serious. "It was feared that many would still remain loyal to him even when his other business was discovered. The Lady Lanulin conferred with some of her more trusted aides, and it was agreed to enlist the help of the Order, if we would. And since it was I who delivered the evidence against Lord Roenall to her in the first instance..."

"I guess," Imoen shrugged. "But what happens if he comes marching onto the lands and starts fighting with the soldiers here? What do you do then?"

"We arrest him," the paladin replied simply.

"And that's it?" She peered at him curiously. "You'll just march up to him, in the middle of a battle, and arrest him?"

"The Order will not align itself to one side or the other," Anomen answered. "Such feuds are matters to be settled between the involved families."

Imoen scratched her head. "So... this Isaea can come to these lands, kill however many people, possibly including Nalia and her... 'Husband'..." She snorted slightly before continuing. "And then take it all for the Roenall family, and you'd just smile cheerfully, and say 'Right-oh chaps, enjoy the new land, but you, Mr Lordy-man, have to come with us!'"

Ajantis and Anomen exchanged a glance.

"Er," Anomen said.

"Well, not quite like that," Ajantis added.

"But, in essence; like that?"

"Well." It was Ajantis' turn to scratch his head. "Obviously we would ensure that there was no other maligned behaviour taking place-"

"You mean, like taking over someone's land?"

"My Lady Imoen." Ajantis was beginning to sound exasperated. "I know it might be hard for you to understand-"

"Because I'm a buffle-minded Northerner?" Imoen interrupted.

"Of course not!" exclaimed Ajantis. "What I mean is that-"

"So if someone came along and forced their way into your house and killed your head butler in your absence and then declared your home as part of their family's estate, what would you do?"

Ajantis stared at her for a long time. Anomen was purposefully looking away, and Imoen had realised by his sudden silence and lack of moral outrage at her words that he'd guessed she was merely teasing them. It seemed that the paladin was only just beginning to work it out for himself now.

"We don't have a head butler," he replied, eventually.

Imoen continued to stare back at him, then erupted into a fit of giggles. "Gosh, you get this really outraged expression when you think you've offended someone!"

Ajantis grinned widely to her; she couldn't help but be amazed at his continual good humour and easy attitude. Anomen was also smiling -- though his initial experiences with Imoen's idea of humour had been slightly less well received. But now... now he seemed a lot more relaxed. And she was glad. So glad, indeed, that her temper regarding Coran's stupidity was temporarily forgotten.

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

"Tell me, why do you waste your time with such simple tasks when you have a perfectly capable simian at hand who could do them for you?"

Maiyn looked up from skinning the rabbit in her hands to see the strange red-robed woman looking at her intently. They'd encountered her not far from the temple; Coran and Nalia both giving groans of apparent recognition -- and disappointment, it seemed, that she'd managed to find them -- and Minsc had been looking at her with unconcealed obviousness as they rode south looking for somewhere to camp. She seemed to be quite uncomfortable with the berserker's attention, frequently trying to hide herself behind Coran's presence and drawing her hood up and around her face as far as possible. Maiyn couldn't really blame her; she was almost feeling embarrassed herself by Minsc's continual staring -- it was unlike him to show such visible attention to a female companion.

"I like doing it," she replied quietly, turning back to the job at hand with a shrug. "It's something I'm good at."

"You could be better at much, much more." The woman -- What was her name? Ah, Edwina -- sat down next to her, muttering under her breath. Maiyn politely tried to ignore it.

"I really am happy as I am," the ranger stressed. "And I'm good at what I do, and I've learnt everything I've been taught so quickly."

"And what if you were offered the chance to learn more, hmm? (Surely she shall not turn down such an offer. It would be unthinkable!)"

Maiyn grinned slightly. "I'd be very grateful for the opportunity, but I don't think there's much else for me. I have my knowledge and my link to the Seldarine. I really couldn't ask for much more."

Edwina rolled her eyes. "There is magic! It does, of course, require a high amount of intelligence and an unrivalled dedication, which may be lacking somewhat -- but nevertheless; I think I could at least manage to get the grounding of a few basic cantrips through your head."

"I really don't-"

"It's magic!" Edwina shrieked, causing Maiyn to jump. Coran and Nalia looked across from their places beside the horses, and Minsc also glanced over, his face frowned with confusion.

"My sister uses magic," Maiyn said, trying to appease the woman's outrage. "She's very good with it -- picked it up very quickly when she put her mind to it. I've seen her studying, and I really do think it's all a bit beyond me."

Edwina's hands rose up, fingertips resting lightly on each other; and she looked, for one moment, as if she was praying. Then, slowly, she began to nod. "Sister, you say? In the... literal meaning of the word?"

Maiyn peered at her curiously. "What... other meaning is there?" she asked carefully.

The woman snorted. "(Do I have to explain myself thrice over to these simpletons every time I ask a simple question?) I mean, does she share your blood? Your heritage, your... birthright?" There was a gleam in her eyes, and Maiyn drew back abruptly.

"Exactly who are you, anyway?" the elf asked, her gaze becoming a slight glare. "I mean, I know you know Coran, but he's never exactly explained how-"

"That is unimportant," the woman declared loudly. "Now tell me; is she or is she not your true sister?"

Maiyn stood up and put her hands on her hips. "Now look here," she said. "Until you tell me who you are-"

And then she stopped. Suddenly there was no strange woman standing before her; instead, there was a pleasant young lady dressed in a shapely and flattering red gown, who made her feel safe and secure. She'd be foolish to move away, and she was being rude to act so aggressively to a concerned enquiry. Maiyn sat down, abashed.

"I'm... sorry," she muttered. "I... I don't know..."

Edwina waved her hand dismissively. "You were telling me about your sister," she said, her voice strangely low. "About how much of your heritage she shares."

"Imoen..." Maiyn said, nodding happily. But something was stirring in her mind, as if it was trying to close of the memory of her sister and prevent her from remembering. "She... she learnt her skills from some of the finest thieves on the Sword Coast," she murmured, almost trance-like. "And then... then Dynaheir began to teach her a few spells..." Maiyn didn't notice the red-robed woman tense at the name.

"But does she share your birthright?" Edwina asked sharply.

Maiyn continued her serene smile. "You mean, is she a Bhaalspawn? Oh, I know the answer to that..."

Enough.

Maiyn's eyes widened, and suddenly the tranquil feeling passed. She started as she noticed the mage leaning over her, in an almost threatening manner.

"Answer me!" Edwina demanded.

Maiyn frowned slightly. A faint hazy feeling of happiness was lingering in the background, but it seemed to be unable to take a hold of her; instead, she was left with a very antagonised feeling. What now?

Can you not see what this charlatan is doing? The voice seemed to be quite amazed.

I have no idea what you're talking about. Maiyn shook her head slightly, pushing Edwina away from her as she returned to her feet. Coran had come closer, looking over at the pair of them with concern. Nalia had stayed back to tend the horses, and Minsc was nowhere to be seen. Maiyn took a few stumbling steps away from it all to clear her head. Edwina, to her irritation, followed.

"It is a simple question -- I must know the answer!" she stated.

Do you often find yourself unable to resist even the most basic of charm cantrips? I would have expected better from what is allegedly my most powerful offspring.

"Ah, isn't the strange wizard-lady pretty, Boo?" Minsc's voice came from nowhere, just as the man himself did -- he stepped from the shadows of some of the trees to block Edwina's path, and took the full advantage of studying her form intently. Maiyn cringed slightly.

"Minsc-" she began. The berserker wasn't listening, and Edwina was hastily retreating.

"And with such vivid red robes," Minsc continued to boom. "Minsc can only remember ever seeing such colourful apparel before, though the vent of the memory is clouded!"

"Will someone call him off!" Edwina shrieked, tripping over the root of a tree in her attempt to escape Minsc's scrutiny. "(Barbarians! Simian barbarians! He cannot possibly recognise me!)"

"Boo was not with Minsc when he suffered his h-head wound," the berserker continued. "But Boo has a very clever mind, and he has been discussing matters with Minsc as we have travelled here. And so Minsc needs to know; are you the sister of the evil wizard Edwin?"

Maiyn looked over at Coran, who shrugged helplessly back to at her. Nalia was watching the exchange with a mixture of confusion and amusement, and Maiyn decided not to get involved.

"I have no idea what you are talking about," Edwina replied haughtily. "Though it is understandable that you would associate a... woman, yes, woman, of my intelligence and refinement with someone as culturally diverse and intellectually endowed as the Great Edwin Odesseiron."

"Erm," Maiyn interrupted. "Minsc didn't actually mention which Edwin..."

Edwina looked slightly flustered. She was backed up against a tree.

"What is that Boo?" Minsc asked, frowning as he held the hamster up to his ear. The hamster chirped as he trembled violently, his fur standing on end. He actually looked quite angry at Edwina to Maiyn -- and he wasn't the only animal to avoid her. Verya had wandered off almost immediately after they found the wizard, and was still nowhere to be seen.

"Why must I be subjected to this ridiculous behaviour?" Edwina looked quite nervous now, and for good reason. Minsc was glaring darkly down at her, seemingly trying to come to terms with whatever Boo had told him. Maiyn nodded slightly to Coran, and the two elves stalked a little closer to the berserker.

"Boo says that you are telling the truth, little wizardess," Minsc said slowly. Edwina sighed with apparent relief. "But, Boo says that you are hiding another secret from us, though Minsc does not understand how it could be."

"What secret's that?" Maiyn asked.

Minsc turned and gave her a perplexed look. "Boo is saying that this woman is maybe the evil wizard Edwin, who tried to kill Minsc and glorious Dynaheir, back when we travelled through Cormyr!"

Coran glanced sharply towards Edwina. "Well, I can help with this," he said, ignoring the mage's shaking of her head. "Because Edwina, here, certainly was Edwin until very recently."

Maiyn stared at Edwina. "She was?"

Nalia nodded, skirting closer to the group. "He read some scroll that he shouldn't have, and this was the effect it had."

"Wait, wait," Maiyn said, her brow creased. "How did you meet him? And how does Minsc know him? And- Hey!"

The elf stumbled backwards as Edwina barrelled past, sprinting towards the horses as her red robes billowed out behind. Minsc roared with fury as she untied its reins.

"No! The attacker of fair Dynaheir and Minsc shall not flee!"

"Get away from me, you brutish lout!" Edwina shrieked, clambering onto her horse and urging it away. Only a vague muttering was heard as she cantered away into the depths of the forest. "(Why did the rockslide not just kill the oafish imbecile?!)"

Maiyn just stood there for a few more moments, carefully keeping an eye on Minsc -- to her relief, he didn't appear to be overly enraged, and Coran was able to prevent him from going to his own horse and pursuing the wizard. "We'll come across her again at some point," the elf said levelly. "I'm sure of it."

"That red robe... it's familiar," said Maiyn, frowning as she folded her arms. "Do you not remember it?" Her accusing look was directed at Coran. He stared back at her.

"No?" he ventured with a slightly raised eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes slightly. "In Baldur's Gate -- when we came out of Sorcerous Sundries..."

Coran was still looking at her blankly, though there was also an apologetic hint in his eyes.

"There was a man when we came out -- he walked straight up to Minsc and Dynaheir-"

"The evil Red Wizard!" Minsc bellowed.

"Yes, him," Maiyn said, absently patting the berserker's arm. "He sent us all to sleep -- we were smouldering gently when we woke up?"

"Oh!" the elven thief exclaimed. "The one who left us to deal with the Flaming Fist after he fireballed those civilians?"

"Yes," Maiyn replied patiently. "Did you not remember it when you first met him?"

Coran sighed and shook his head. "No... no I didn't," he admitted quietly. "But there are a few things I haven't managed to remember without some guidance."

Maiyn bit her lip and stepped forward slightly. "Oh, Coran... I... I didn't mean to... I'm sorry."

He offered her a weak smile. "It'll come back, it always does," he replied. "And perhaps, when there is time, I rediscover some of the gaps by speaking of old times. With you."

Maiyn returned his smile, the familiar warmth creeping into her soul as she did. "I'd like that," she said, shyly moving away and returning to the cooking, making sure that Minsc accompanied her, now fully calmed down once again. She flushed slightly when she realised Coran was still watching her, the half-smile on his face she'd become so familiar with during their travels together. But it was as her gaze drifted to the sides of their camp that she saw Nalia. The young girl was staring at Coran, a strange expression of longing and sorrow on her face.

It made Maiyn's heart freeze.

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

They rode on early the next morning after a subdued camp. Maiyn had spent a while listening to what little Minsc could recollect of his previous meeting with Edwin, assuring the large man that his rage was unnecessary; Dynaheir had been protected from him, and though she'd fallen to Irenicus, she'd been amongst friends despite the Red Wizard's intentions. Minsc had calmed slightly at this, until Nalia had mentioned Edwina's interest in Imoen; at that point the berserker had erupted into fury again, demanding that they find his witch, berating himself for leaving her side and allowing danger to threaten her in his absence.

It had then taken the combined efforts of Maiyn and Coran to calm him down, telling him that not only they, but their horses, needed some rest before the long journey ahead -- that Imoen was with Anomen, and he would protect her until Minsc returned to her side, and that she herself, with her powerful magics, would ensure they met again, and soon. They'd even detoured long enough to pass through Imnesvale, checking to see if they'd passed through at all, but no strangers had been seen for some time.

And now they were riding south at full speed, keeping close to the main roads leading through the lands so that Imoen could easily work out where they were if she was using her divination magic. Minsc was frowning almost constantly with worry over his witch, and the further they travelled, the more agitated he became.

They met no one else on the roads; not even a single trading caravan was about under the overcast skies as the morning dew still lingered on the grasses and reeds lining the road and streams they occasionally had to cross. Mostly they rode in silence; Maiyn was quite content with this, having enough of a discourse going on mentally to be able to keep up with any happening out with her body. She'd hoped to speak to Coran a little more, however, but it was not to be; he'd taken the first watch with Nalia, giving her some time to rest after her ritual, and Minsc some time to get over his rage. When changeover had come around, he'd fallen into a reverie almost as soon as he lay down.

He is as worthless as the rest. The only service he could provide for you, is to die for you.

I think he's done that already, more or less. Thanks for the reminder, though.

Ah. Yes, so he has. Then perhaps he has some potential -- he must be strong on the inside to have overcome the shadow of death. Or perhaps...

Perhaps?

You are interested? It was amused.

Maiyn grit her teeth. No, you're right. I'm not. Not really.

How terribly you lie. Why would I tell you when you dismiss me so easily whenever it suits you?

Fine then.

Ah. My child.

Maiyn was saved from her inner argument by a call from Coran, and she raised her head from staring down at the immediate road that lay before her steed, looking up to where he was pointing. Someone else was on the road and travelling towards them. Her heart lifted for a moment; but then, with bitter disappointment, she realised the traveller was a lone figure, on foot, and neither Anomen nor Imoen. She sighed heavily, shaking her head to Minsc -- the human's eyesight was less sharp than her own.

We should have had a proper plan, she berated herself internally. Stupid, stupid, stupid...

"Lady De Arnise!"

Nalia straightened in her saddle, leaning forward to try and catch glimpse of the young man now running towards them. He was thin, clad in greens and browns, and cloaked in a cape made from some heavy looking wool. Eventually a look of relief and recognition crossed her face and she nodded to Coran, who was watching her intently.

"It is one of the younger scouts," she said, "Dale's son, Jerrenor." She paused, biting her lip as she frowned. "I wonder why he is so far out of our lands, however."

"Something must be wrong," Coran said quietly, guiding his horse nearer to hers as she nodded to him, worry etched on her face. Maiyn felt the briefest hint of jealousy passing over her; then a dull feeling as if something inside was laughing at her expense.

"Lady Nalia, Lord Coran," the boy panted, finally reaching them and bending over, taking deep, laboured breaths. "I'm so glad I've found you!"

"What's wrong, Jerrenor?" Nalia asked, her voice authoritative but kind. "Why are you so far from our borders? Is it... has Isaea...?"

"He's on the move, m'lady," Jerrenor nodded affirmatively. "Captain Arat's got most of the men readied, though he thinks it'll still be another day before they get to the Keep. And..."

Nalia waited expectantly for him to continue. "And?" she finally said.

"Well, m'lady. We've got ourselves some other help, from the city," Jerrenor said, some excitement shining in his eyes. "Some knights from the Order have come, looking to arrest Isaea if he comes anywhere near, and there's a real pretty young girl travelling along with them -- she says she knows the Lord Coran." He nodded respectfully to the elven fighter.

"Did she say her name?" Coran asked, squirming slightly under the twin intense gazes he was receiving from Maiyn and Nalia.

"Said she was called Imoen, m'Lord. Said she'd travelled with you before."

"Imoen?" Maiyn asked. A wave of relief washed over her.

"Little Imoen is safe in the big castle! Of glorious day, Boo! Our witch shall be in good hands until we are back by her side!"

Maiyn grinned over to the berserker, then continued her smile as she looked over to Coran and Nalia. They were discussing something quietly, both faces looking quite fraught and worried. "We'll come with you, to your keep," Maiyn aid softly, interrupting their discourse. "That is, if you want us to... obviously, we'd want to come and get Imoen, at the least, but if there's anything we can do against this... Isaea person..."

"You'll help us?" Nalia sounded surprised, but there was gratitude in her eyes. Maiyn nodded to her.

"Imoen is a fearsome mage," the ranger grinned. "And Minsc's more than just handy with his sword. I can shoot off a round or two with a bow, so we'd not be adding much to your forces, but... what we have is yours to command."

Nalia looked quickly to Coran, who gave her a slight nod. Then the young noblewoman smiled with relief. "Then we must ride there as quickly as possible. Here, Jerrenor -- take my hand, climb up -- yes, she can manage us both." The young boy clambered up behind her and desperately looked for somewhere to hold onto that would not offend his mistress -- Coran just gave him an unhelpful grin and a wink, and Nalia turned her attention back to Minsc and Maiyn.

"Thank you for your assistance; I fear we shall need it, as Isaea is a very determined man." She sighed heavily. "But I promise that if we can drive him away from my lands, and secure them, somehow, from the Roenall threat... then I will be at your service, for however long you require it. I... I am learned at some of the art myself, and Coran, I'm sure, can vouch for my abilities. It would be a... pleasure to repay the favour."

Maiyn inclined her head. "It would be an honour to have you travelling with us... both," she said quietly, smiling to Nalia until the girl looked away, guiding her horse ahead and onwards. Then Maiyn's eyes drifted to Coran, meeting the intense stare he had directed at her; and the stare was only broken as Minsc charged through them both, following Nalia's lead back towards the De Arnise Keep.