A/N: And in this chapter, I remember that Minsc is wielding Larry...

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

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Defending the Keep

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"Watch out!"

Imoen ducked just in time, the arrow flying clear over her crouched form as she huddled behind the rampart. The soldier hadn't warned her about anything that she hadn't already noticed, but she appreciated nonetheless; her next spell was a quietly murmured cantrip to protect her from missiles.

The casting complete, she stood back up, looking down at the fighting below. They'd arrived at the Keep and Ajantis had informed the Guard Captain of the Order's intentions and the threatened attack. He'd not been very surprised -- scouts had noted movement on the Roenall border for many days, he'd said, and they were prepared. Now the amassed soldiers mingled below her, fighting with the rougher, swarthy mercenaries who were attempting to take the lands by force. Their leader was well back, completely out of the battle and sitting atop a magnificent black stallion. As soon as he'd noticed the Knights of the Order, he'd signalled for his men to engage everyone, and now none of the knights could through get to him easily.

Anomen and Ajantis were fighting side by side, the other paladins also engaged in the battle. They knew some of the De Arnise Guardsmen -- Imoen had listened to their conversations and discovered that Nalia had given those who had fallen from the Order a chance to serve her lands. They were much more skilled than the other soldiers, and they were helping to fend off the brigands with zeal and skill.

She rummaged through her spell components while searching for another target. Anomen had refused, quite simply, to let her join them down below. He'd said she would be safer up beside the archers, to cast from the security of the Keep. He was right, of course, but her range was limited -- and Isaea was too far away for her to reach. And so, with a resigned sigh, she forced her attention back to the battle. The De Arnise guard, with the aid of the Order and the fallen paladins, were winning comfortably it seemed. Having the advantage of using the small space beside the drawbridge, they were limiting the number of attackers who could find their way to meet their weapons while holding a tight defensive formation. It was only a matter of time.

But then a movement caught her eye; and suddenly, shimmering into existence, were a score more men surrounding a blue robed man. Isaea's smile widened at the appearance, but the men below seemed oblivious to the newcomers; even when the man began chanting, and his guards -- better armoured and more disciplined than the mercenaries -- moved forward.

Imoen turned, rushing along the length of the rampart and bolting down the stairs. "Open the gate!" she screamed at the men above her, standing beside the massive wheel that was used to open the portcullis, as well as lower the drawbridge. One moved back from the outer walls, peering down at her curiously. She glared at him.

"OPEN THE GATE!" she shouted again, this time with more force and presence. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then nodded and disappeared from view. The portcullis was barely raised high enough when she crawled underneath it, and she felt a vague hope that they didn't drop it on her by accident.

When she was free of the walls, she quickly murmured a spell that made her skin turn grey and as hard as stone. Another quick conjuration brought up an army of images around her, all moving in fluid synchronisation and mirroring her actions. Then with a deep breath, she waded into the battle, ducking and dodging as many of the blows as she could as she weaved her way past the fighters. The path she took drew her straight to Anomen, and the priest gave her a look of abject horror as he absent-mindedly smashed his mace against the skull of his attacker. Imoen winced at the sight, and gave him a cheery half-wave as another mercenary tried to slash at her with his sword. His arm jarred at the metal blade hit rock, and his weapon dropped to the ground as Anomen bore down on him. Imoen took the chance, and pushed on with her own advance.

Halfway across and she cursed out loud, quickly grabbing a handful of soil from the ground and using her other hand to locate one of the smaller pearls she had in her pouch. Seconds later, both she and her mirrors were invisible, and the small amount of attention she'd managed to gain was gone. Anomen had watched her disappear and he looked visibly relieved, though there was still a hint of worry on his features. She thought it was quite cute.

Eventually she got herself away from the fighting, and she quickly moved towards one of the trees that dotted around the surrounding plains, quite far from the edge of the forest. At least when her spell dispelled itself with her further casting she would have some kind of cover. Her eyes searched for the mage, eventually finding him standing halfway between Isaea and the battle; his eyes were closed, his form glowing with an eerie purple colour. She glared at him with annoyance.

"Protections up, eh?" she murmured to herself. "Well, we'll soon see about that."

She tossed a breaching spell at him, then quickly followed it up with an incantation to pierce his magical defences while he continued his own chant. To her dismay, it didn't distract him, and soon the shouting from the battle became even louder. Fear, she thought to herself miserably, glancing over to see some of the guardsmen retreating abruptly, breaking from the fight and trying to flee. The knights stayed true -- she could see Anomen's mouth moving in a chant of his own, probably to counter the effects of the panic. She hoped she'd be able to distract the robed man long enough for him to have success.

The enemy mage had realised he'd been targeted, but had made no effort to restate his defences. Instead, he was looking straight at her, his face twisted into a cruel smile as his lips moved in a silent request. Then, he raised his hand and he pointed at her.

Imoen's mind flashed back to Baldur's Gate, in the Undercity. Alora's face was as vivid to her in that split-second as it had been when they travelled together, sharing jokes and secrets as young girls do. She, herself, had been standing between Dynaheir and Xan -- both of her teachers at her flanks, casting their own, more powerful conjurations as she tried desperately to hurt the fearsome foes before her. But her magic seemed to do little -- both Angelo and Sarevok shrugged off her missiles as they battled, and Tazok was in such a frenzy as he fought Kivan that he brushed off what little damage her weak spellcasting could do.

So she'd looked around, hoping for some inspiration. She'd noticed Alora standing to the side, half cloaked in the shadows as she aimed her bow at Tazok, her arrow striking him in the arm and causing him to roar with fury. Imoen had looked away then; watched as Kivan drove his spear into the ogre's chest before her eyes went back to Alora, passing Maiyn as they went, and noticing that the ranger had not managed to disrupt Semaj's magics despite her best efforts.

He had been standing there, smiling a cruel smile, pointing at Alora. And when Imoen's eyes finally reached the halfling, she was sinking to her knees, her hands wrapped around her throat. Imoen watched her die, desperation and fear etched onto her face. And Semaj stood there and smirked.

Now she was the target.

The memory rushed through her mind at lightning speed, and instinctively, she closed her eyes, waiting for the worst. And it came -- her throat seemed to tighten, but she knew that it wasn't altering physically. She willed herself to breathe, trying not to panic when she found she simply couldn't, reaching out and resting a hand against the tree, using it for support as she fought both her fear and the effects of the magic. She tried to speak, tried to say the words of a counter spell, but nothing came. Instead, she began to feel weak -- her legs began to tremble, her balance threatened to disappear. But with one fierce burst of determination, Imoen somehow managed to fight it off.

She would not die. Not there.

The effects lessened, her strength returned. Her voice came back, and she grabbed what she could from her bag, preparing to strike back against the mage. He, however, had already begun, and flames leapt from his fingertips, rushing towards Imoen as she hastily bathed herself in a green light, protecting her from most of the effects of the fire. Murmuring frantically, she guided her hands to make arcane shapes in the air and levelled her own force back at him. It was one of the most powerful spells she knew, and she'd never tried it before. She'd only recently found the spell in Athkatla and hastily copied it to her spellbook, studying it whenever she had a moment alone in fascination at its effects.

But if it worked, it would buy her some valuable time.

When she finished, snaking tendrils of red spewed from her fingertips and rushed towards the blue-robed mage. He frowned slightly as they surrounded him, swirling around and becoming denser and denser, more and more persistent. She kept her concentration, guiding them with her thoughts, trying to capture him fully within their net. When he realised what was happening, it was too late; they snapped out of existence, taking him with them. He'd return, of course -- it would not be permanent, and he would escape the magical maze somehow.

But now she had a bit of time to try and target Isaea. A quick look to the battle revealed that the guardsmen had rallied under Anomen's prayers, and the fighting was remaining even. Many of the mercenaries lay dead, but the paladins and soldiers were finding it harder to cope with the heavily armoured and skilled fighters that had accompanied the mage.

The Roenall Guard, she thought to herself. And their pet mage, I would assume. She threw her own spell towards the fray quickly -- a minor luck spell that seemed to sharpen the edge of the defence -- and then she quietly crept forward from her cover, pulling out what she'd need as she cautiously got herself close enough to Lord Roenall to cast her spells.

She was about to murmur the first word of her holding spell, when she heard the heavy noise of hooves. She turned, looking to her left and almost cried out in joy. Backup had arrived.

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Maiyn could barely hear Coran's shouts over the thunder of the hooves, but it didn't matter -- she followed Minsc's lead as Verya ran by her side -- the cat having reappeared on their way south -- heading towards the fight as Coran branched off and Nalia pulled up to prepare for her casting and drop off Jerrenor. She'd expected there to be more men, somehow; armies of them, surrounding the keep, and a fight that'd go on for days, perhaps. It certainly didn't appear that way, though there seemed to be no side having an obvious advantage. It was time to address that issue.

Minsc charged into the battle, sword swinging wildly. Lilarcor's cries could be heard taunting the foes -- the magical effect Adalon had placed on him, and his extended sulking because of it, both lifting with obvious glee. He'd missed the chance to express his appreciation for the fight with the vampires due to the gag the dragon had willed on him, which had lasted far longer than any of the other spells. Maiyn secretly wondered if it was because Adalon knew how annoying he could be.

She pulled her bow free, still a little away from the battle itself, and began shooting arrows towards the injured mercenaries she could spy. Thankfully it was pretty easy to tell who was on which side -- the De Arnise Guard were adorned with the same crest that was flying from the ramparts, and the Knights of the Order were in their usual impeccably shiny armour. The mercenaries had realised what had happened; and the sight of the enraged Minsc, on horseback, was enough to make several of them flee, lessening the pressure on the defenders somewhat. Maiyn focussed on those who were panicking, trying to bring down as many as she could before they rallied. Verya aided her, stealthily skirting around the fighting men, and pouncing on those who failed to see her in time, ensuring they were in no state to get back up.

Behind her, Coran had drawn up a little way from Isaea. The man had watched with outrage as the newcomers threw themselves into the battle, and now he was glaring at the elf with pure, uncontained hatred. Coran nodded to him amiably enough, only serving to cause him further irritation.

"You will regret this!" Isaea shouted, drawing a sword from his belt. "You have interfered in too many matters that were none of your concern!"

"I've done nothing that wasn't required of me," Coran sent back.

"You have brainwashed the foolish girl!" Isaea spat. "You have ensured she broke the commitment she made to me, and in turn, you have forced me to take action!"

"By dealing in slavery and other illegal activities?" Coran enquired pleasantly, slowly pulling free his own sword. "Really, my good man, you cannot possibly blame your own downfall on me."

"If you had not interfered-"

"Then you would have taken an unwilling maiden for a wife and subjected the good people of these lands to a rule they did not wish," Coran interrupted. "Not to mention your other... hobbies, which would have remained out of the sight of the less corrupt officials, hmm? Is that why the Order are here? Do they seek to discuss matters with you?"

The nobleman's eyes widened slightly. "It was you!" he hissed. "I knew it -- you will not get away with this, of that I swear! They may arrest me, bring charges if they want -- but I shall walk free! My family has enough reputation to ensure this is brushed away, but you -- YOU! I will make sure you are brought to trial for breaking into my private property and the stealing my possessions!"

"Now, now," Coran said smoothly. "At least I only broke in, and I didn't lay siege to it and take the building as my own."

"I expected nothing more than insolence for someone of your station," Isaea sneered. "Do what you will -- we shall be triumphant this day, and without you in the equation, the charges against me shall not be worth my worry. I will give you one chance, now, to turn around and walk away. You entered this with nothing -- go back to what life intended you to have."

Coran stared at him for several moments, then slowly turned away. Nalia was watching the exchange with worried eyes, though he had heard her voice chanting as she directed spells to the battle. Glancing to the other side, he saw Maiyn, completely focussed on her task as she cleared up the routed forces. Softly, he smiled.

"Oh, I will," he said calmly, turning his attention back to the nobleman. "But first, I think you and I have some matters to finish."

Isaea looked back at him haughtily. "It is not my usual position to sully my hands on such insignificant miscreants."

Coran dismounted from Patch, patting the horse on the nose as he walked past. "Come now. Surely you're not afraid?"

Isaea frowned. "Your jibes will have no effect on me, peasant."

"Of course not." Coran continued walking. "As an officer of the Amnish Army, however, I expected you to have a little more... courage."

The nobleman's face turned bright red with anger, and he virtually leapt from his horse, causing it to back away with surprise. He pointed at Coran. "You will regret the day you ever met the Lady Nalia!"

"And," Coran smiled, weighting his sword in both his hands as he moved into an aggressive stance, "you'll regret the day you ever met me."

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Imoen watched. She watched as Minsc's fury cleared a path through the attackers easily, no matter if it were mercenaries or the better armoured Roenall troops. She watched as Nalia, shakily at first, but then with more determination, fired spells to aid her men. She watched as Maiyn shot arrow after arrow at those who tried to flee, before catching sight of her sister and offering a cheeky wave -- almost like the Maiyn she used to be.

But mostly, Imoen watched as Coran and Isaea fought, their swords causing a ringing noise to filter through the air, even above the sound of the fighting soldiers. Through it all, she stood, watching, as if mesmerised. She was low on spells, low on components -- she'd saved her last incantations for Isaea, though most of them were weak; but she didn't want to involve herself in what was obviously a personal duel. She wasn't quite sure what to do with herself.

A sudden flash soon helped her to decide, however. Quickly she grabbed the feathers and began murmuring, while the blue-robed mage stared around himself, disorientated. By the time he'd recovered, she'd finished her chant, turning away as his body slowly disintegrated and his screams faded away.

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The main battle was over soon after. Slowly the De Arnise troops and the knights pushed their way further and further forward until the final attackers were fleeing or giving up. All that remained was to check amongst themselves for injuries. Maiyn looked over to the sole remaining fight; Coran and Isaea were still matching each other for skill and strength, and a shiver ran down her spine as she recalled the last time she'd seen him fight alone like that.

She nudged her horse on, heading over to see them. She soon realised she wasn't alone; Ajantis was riding beside her, on Minsc's horse. The berserker had finally dismounted in the midst of the fight, preferring to be on foot as he swung Lilarcor around. The paladin had borrowed the steed and was now galloping towards the nobleman and the elf as quickly as he could. Maiyn threw him a questioning look, but he was to intent on staring at his destination to notice.

When they got near, Ajantis dismounted and rushed forward towards the fighting men, despite Maiyn's crying of his name. Coran and Isaea seemed completely oblivious to his presence, but thankfully he had enough sense to draw himself up before he got too close.

"Coran!" he called. "You must stop -- this is not the way it has to be. On behalf of the Order of the Radiant Heart, on and on the express instructions of Magistrate Lanulin, I must apprehend Lord Roenall and escort him back to Athkatla under Amnish arrest to face trial for the misdoings he has performed."

Isaea's eyes flickered over to the paladin, and it was enough for Coran to land a hefty blow across the man's shoulder, finding a way through his armour and causing his sword to fall to the ground as he staggered in surprise.

"Coran!" Ajantis yelled again, this time warningly. The elf paused, looking back to the paladin, then over to Maiyn, who watched from her horse helplessly. From there, his eyes drifted further over -- and Maiyn turned to see Nalia slowly riding over, her eyes widened, and her own gaze flitting between the elf and the fallen nobleman.

"Stand back, Lord De Arnise," Ajantis replied. Maiyn frowned slightly. Isaea spluttered.

"He is no more the lord of this land than you are!" Roenall spat derisively.

"Well, actually-"

"This can be discussed later!" Ajantis interrupted Nalia quickly, causing Maiyn's frown to deepen. "But now, Isaea Roenall, I place you under the arrest-"

Isaea was ignoring him, looking over at Nalia with a shocked expression. "Nalia!" he exclaimed.

Coran threw a look behind him, watching a red-faced Nalia hastily put her gauntlets back on, which she'd removed to improve her spellcasting.

"You cannot mean that you have-" Isaea began to continue.

"Coran!" Ajantis roared.

It happened so quickly that Maiyn had to blink and shake her head slightly, trying to understand it all. One moment Isaea had been standing there, injured but outraged about something Nalia had or had not done. The next moment, he'd keeled to the ground, dazed; Coran's fist had connected with his jaw with quite some force.

Ajantis drew Carsomyr from his sheathe, his face determined. "I shall not say it again: Step back, Lord De Arnise. Lord Roenall is now in the custody of the Most Holy Order of the Radiant Heart. He shall be harmed no further while in my care."

Coran nodded, stepping back from the prone nobleman, and running one hand through his hair. All yours, Sir Ajantis," he said, offering a slight bow. "Might I suggest you remove him from my lands as soon as possible?"

"We will leave immediately," Ajantis replied, somewhat stiffly, shaking his head slightly at the elf in seeming disappointment. He waved over to the other knights, signalling for them to fetch the horses. "May I take this opportunity to suggest, in return, that you think upon settling your own matters. I think there are some things long overdue for you to see to."

Coran looked at Ajantis and shrugged. "I will deal with things when the times are right," he said.

"The time is right now, I think," Ajantis replied.

"Though I appreciate your concern, there are other, more pressing matters I need to attend to." Coran's tone was quite frosty now. "I will, however, not neglect my duties. I know what I must do."

"Be sure you do it, then," stated the paladin simply, looking over at the approaching paladins and their horses. "It would be unfortunate if it were to be taken from your hands, after all."

Coran's eyes narrowed. "Had that come from anyone else, I would think it a threat," he said slowly. His face softened slowly, and he let out a loud sigh. "Let us not part on difficult terms. We have been friends for so long now..."

Ajantis nodded to him, offering a very weak smile as he sheathed his sword. "We will away now, and ensure that justice is brought to Lord Roenall with haste," he said, extending his hand to Coran. "I wish you well on your continued journey, my friend. I hope one day we will meet again, and it shall be under better circumstances."

The two men shook hands. "I hope so too," said Coran, turning to face Nalia and Maiyn. "Ladies... shall we rejoin with the rest of our companions?"

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It was decided that one night would be spent at the Keep before the departure for Suldanessellar. Maiyn, Minsc, Anomen and Imoen were each given guest rooms which were quickly freshened for them. Coran and Nalia's rooms were also aired, and the cook seemed to be delighted to have such a large party to cater for.

Anomen had conversed briefly with Ajantis before he left, then joined Imoen to walk her back to the building, joining the others in the Great Hall as Nalia and Coran were deep in talks with Captain Arat and the Major Domo. Maiyn and Minsc had settled themselves on some comfortable looking chairs, and even Verya had skulked indoors, now lying stretched out before the roaring fire. The elf and berserker leapt to their feet when Imoen approached, taking it in turns to give her fierce hugs. Anomen stood off to the side, somewhat awkwardly, before discovering that it was his turn -- both Maiyn and Minsc turning their attention to him as readily as they had Imoen. He blushed slightly at the young mage's mischievous grin at him.

"I'm so glad you're both all right," Imoen said, sitting down beside Maiyn on a comfortable couch as the men settled into chairs at either side. "I was a bit worried about you going off with those Zhents..."

"I'm glad you and Anomen are okay," smiled Maiyn. "What happened in Athkatla?"

Imoen looked over to Anomen who sighed slightly, and nodded to her. Imoen smiled back at him. "Anomen had some bad news," she said softly, her eyes remaining fixed to the young cleric. "His father died, and he had to deal with some stuff."

"Oh Anomen," Maiyn said looking over to him. "I'm sorry for your loss. It's not easy to lose a parent..."

He nodded back to her. "Thank you, my lady," he replied gently. "But Lord Cor is, I hope, in a better place than he was during these last few years. Although it came as a shock, I have come to the conclusion that it is perhaps for the best. But, Lady Imoen is forgetting to mention-"

"Yes," interrupted Imoen quickly, turning back to Maiyn and taking the girls hands. "I was going to say that when we've finished with Irenicus and you have your soul back, we should get away for a while! Things have been awful since... well, for a long time, and I think we deserve a holiday!"

"Imoen?"

The girl turned and smiled at Anomen, shaking her head slightly at his puzzled gaze. He nodded back just as inconspicuously, giving her a slightly grateful smile in return and relaxing more into his seat. Maiyn was nodding her agreement.

"I have to admit, the idea is not a bad one. Perhaps we could all, go, though," she said thoughtfully, her eyes drifting off towards Coran, who was still deep in discussions. "I know that some time with Jaheira would be good..."

"And Xan," Imoen said quietly.

Maiyn nodded, her gaze returning to Imoen. "And Xan," she agreed. "Everyone, really... if we can bear to keep each other's company for any length of time! And if the Order would permit you some time, of course," she added, smiling over to Anomen. He looked momentarily surprised.

"I would, er... I would be most glad to spend some time in your company without your soul depending on it," he finally managed. Maiyn grinned.

"You're going to have to accept, one day," she said, slightly teasing, "that you're as much a part of this group, now, as anyone else." He flushed at her words.

"What happened with Xzar and Montaron, then?" asked Imoen, prodding Maiyn slightly to regain her attention. "I assume you got to the temple, since Xzar's not with you any more."

Maiyn nodded and recounted the tale, including the encounter with the ranger Valygar, with only the occasional interjection from Minsc. Imoen and Anomen listened intently, then looked over to Coran and Nalia.

"So they'll be coming with us?" Imoen asked.

"I guess so," Maiyn said with a slight frown. "Though there's something that bothers me... outside, when Ajantis was there -- he called Coran 'Lord De Arnise." She looked over to Anomen. "Is that a normal thing? I mean, I know he's meant to be the head of these lands, now, for Nalia, but does he take the family name, too?"

Anomen shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I, er, think it would be best to ask those, my lady," he replied nervously. "The customs can be quite complex, and vary on occasion."

Maiyn nodded distractedly. Her eyes were back on the elf and the noblewoman, who had been left on their own now that the conversation with the Captain and the Major Domo were concluded. They were discussing something in hushed voices, even though they were quite far from the others, and Coran's hands were holding Nalia's as he looked at her intently. She wondered what they were discussing, and felt a small pang of jealousy well up inside her. "I might do that," she murmured, completely missing the look that Imoen and Anomen shared, and Imoen's idle glare over to the elven thief.

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The De Arnise Keep was, Maiyn noted, an accommodating place. Coran had certainly fallen on his feet to be able to consider it a home -- which seemed slightly ironic to Maiyn; the vagabond, vagrant elf, who liked having the road for his home, had found somewhere he could theoretically settle, while she, desperate for a semblance of normality and somewhere to fit in, was left with nowhere.

She was trying not to let the feeling become overwhelming bitterness, especially combined with her suspicion regarding Coran's new title. And the closeness he demonstrated, fairly frequently, that he had to Nalia.

They filed into the dining room and were faced with dishes of every description covering a long oaken table. Each seat around it had a place set out neatly before it, and wordlessly the companions settled themselves down -- Coran and Nalia sat at either head, Minsc and Maiyn to one side, Imoen and Anomen to the other. There was an awkward silence while people arranged themselves, then Imoen clapped her hands together.

"Wow! There's s much food!" she exclaimed. "I could eat a horse!"

"Minsc doesn't think there is any horse here," the berserker said seriously, his eyes roving across the laden plates and platters. "But there is plenty of other meats for little Imoen to try."

Imoen grinned over at him, causing him to blink at her in confusion. Nalia cleared her throat nervously.

"Before we start," she said quietly, "I just wanted to offer my thanks to the help you gave today. I don't know what would have happened if we had not got back when we did, but... well, my home should be safe now. Messengers have been sent to talk with Isaea's father, and he has always been a fair and decent man. I hope that with he will not share his son's sentiments, and that my land will stay secure."

"I'm sure that we all hope that it will, my lady," Anomen said, smiling over to the noblewoman. "And should you be in need of any assistance again, we would do our utmost to offer aid."

"Yeah," Imoen agreed, reaching out and helping herself to a piece of crusty bread. "We'd help you and Lord De Arnise."

Maiyn tensed, her eyes darting over to Coran. To her dismay, he shifted uneasily, looking down to the table to the woman who sat opposite him. Maiyn didn't dare switch her gaze so obviously, and so looked gloomily down at her plate, where Minsc had heaped some stew and potatoes for her, oblivious to the change in atmosphere around him. She started stabbing at the innocent vegetables with a fork.

"So," Coran said quickly. "Are we to set off early tomorrow? The ride to Tethyr will be long, after all."

Maiyn shrugged, somewhat sulkily. Imoen kicked her under the table, and she looked up to glare at her sister. "I guess so," she said through gritted teeth.

"I'll make sure the horses are readied, and we have whatever we need to take with us by dawn," Nalia said, seeming to perk up with the task. "If we take enough supplies to see us through the day, we won't need to stop overly long on the way, and as long as the horses can last..."

"We should be able to get there by nightfall," Anomen agreed. "What is our plan when we reach there, though? Elhan will have taken the Lanthorn to re-enter the city, and the Lady Jaheira and Xan shall have accompanied him."

"We'll have to go to the camp," Maiyn sighed, "and hope someone there can guide us to their location."

"I hope they're both okay," said Imoen quietly. "I don't want to think about what they might be facing while we're up here..."

"There's nothing we can do for them tonight," Coran said gently. "Better we rest and recover from our own battles so we can offer them full support when we get there."

"Sure... Lord De Arnise," Imoen said. Maiyn raised an eyebrow at her.

"Im?"

The girl bit rather viciously into a bit of bread and slumped back in her chair with a wave of her hand. Maiyn frowned in puzzlement.

"Perhaps we should eat and then think about retiring," Nalia said hastily. "It's been a long day for all of us, and we've all had a trying time recently. May I... may I have some of the cheese, please?"

Maiyn nodded, reaching over to pick up the platter of cheese that had been left for them, and pass it to the noblewoman. As she did so, she caught a sight of Nalia's hands and froze for a moment. Then wordlessly, she passed the platter on and stood up.

"I'm tired," she announced, pushing her chair back and moving away from the table. Coran gave her a concerned look.

"Maiyn? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," she said bluntly. "Enjoy your meal."

Coran moved to stand up, but Imoen shook her head at him, following Maiyn as she left, and running up the stairs after the elven girl as she ran to her room. It was only after they'd both entered and closed the door behind them that Maiyn collapsed onto the bed and covered her face with her hands.

"Oh, Seldarine."

"Oh, Maiyn..." Imoen sat herself down beside elf on the soft mattress.

"Did you see her hand?" Maiyn asked quietly, her hands not moving. "It's just sitting there, rather obviously. And his title... and the fact they keep avoiding the topic when it's mentioned..." The ranger paused and sat up, staring at Imoen with narrowed eyes. "You knew, didn't you? That's why you kept referring to him as Lord De Arnise?"

The human sighed. "I only found out from Ajantis when we left the city," she said, nodding slightly. "And I haven't had a chance to tell you, really. I was going to though..."

Maiyn nodded dismally. "I know," she said. "I should have expected it, really. The minute he turned up, back in my life, in the company of a pretty young girl..." She threw herself back down on the bed.

"If it's any comfort, it was apparently just for convenience, or something," Imoen said. "Nalia needed the help to secure her lands, and when that Lord Roenall guy tried to kidnap her, Coran thought the only way to protect her..."

"Was to marry her," finished Maiyn. "Maybe I should have had a bit of land and villainous man intent on getting his hands on it. That seems to be the only way to get that elf's attention."

"That's not entirely fair," Imoen pointed out. "He stuck by you all the way up to Sarevok, didn't he?"

"And look what good that did him," Maiyn replied dolefully. "He virtually died."

"And now he's back."

"It's not just the marriage thing, Im, though the Gods know, that's bad enough! If it was anyone else, I'd be... more shocked, I guess, but really... I don't think anything can surprise me any more from him."

Imoen raised an eyebrow. "Then what is it?"

"It's the way he was looking at her," Maiyn sighed. "There was real caring in his eyes, you know, and she... she likes him, Im. I can tell by the way she stares at him."

"Lotsa girls have liked Coran. He's stopped liking them back, though, and decided you were enough, remember?"

"That was back then. Now... now it's all different."

Imoen nodded slowly. "Because of Xan?"

Maiyn groaned. "Even without Xan... that's just further complicating things..."

"He really likes you, and you know it. Do you not think he's finding it hard since Coran came back on the scene?"

"I am too!" the elf replied defensively.

"Sure, I'm not saying you aren't!" Imoen exclaimed. "But there's more to this than you an' Coran, and Nalia's not the only other factor. You need to do a lot of talking, sis; and the sooner you do it after we get your soul back, the better for everyone, I think."

Maiyn shrugged, but was interrupted from talking any further by a gentle knock at the door. Imoen patted her arm before standing up and answering, conversing in a hushed tone with whoever had disturbed them.

"I'll be in my room," she called over to Maiyn. "Come through if you need me, otherwise I'll see you in the morning. Sleep well."

Maiyn just grunted a response as the door was closed, her eyes shut as she lay on the bed, one arm across her forehead. We should never have come here...

"I wondered if we could talk?"

She jumped at the voice, having wrongly assumed that Imoen had shooed away whoever had knocked, and sat up so quickly that her head began to spin, and she swayed rather violently. In a flash, Coran was by her side, sitting close to her and supporting her frame as she regained her balance. Her heart began to beat rather rapidly.

"I'm fine," she murmured, only half-heartedly pushing him away. To her disappointment, he shifted further from her, giving her space. He was watching her with his usual intense expression, the one that replaced the humour-filled, light demeanour that he used to wear more often than not.

"You are not," he observed. "And I think I have some explaining to do."

"You don't need to say anything to me," she said quickly. Suddenly she felt very awkward.

"But I want to, Maiyn," he stressed. "Hear me out, please?"

She nodded slightly, keeping her gaze carefully away from him.

"Yes, Nalia and I have... taken some vows together," he said carefully -- hesitantly. "But it was purely for the sake of her safety, and for the security of her lands. You saw the man who was pursuing her today; you must surely understand why I felt I had to take such a drastic step?"

"Of course," Maiyn replied weakly.

His hand reached out, taking hers gently. She didn't resist it.

"I will not lie to you. I am fond of her, and when I thought I would never find you again, I let myself consider a future with her."

Maiyn stiffened.

"But though we became close, we are not lovers," he continued. "I have held her in my arms as she slept, and I have tasted her lips upon mine, both as we acted parts in order to fulfill a favour, and as we grew together as... friends. But you were always in my thoughts, and I carried you in my heart too deeply to be able to let go. Until I'd exhausted all opportunity to find you again, I knew I would not be able to put my past behind me."

"If she is what you want, then I would not stand in your way." Maiyn's voice was tight and dry as she spoke, and her words were hoarse. She rubbed her brow with her free hand.

"If she was what I wanted, I would not have had the hope of finding you," he pointed out gently. "But now I have, and I had admitted that I have handled some things... impetuously. I know we can't go back to how we were… not immediately, with any regard. But I have been honest with you."

She looked over to him. "And I appreciate it," she said quietly.

"And what of you? I know little of what happened to you in all these months."

"I am sure Imoen and Jaheira will have filled you in," Maiyn said wearily. "I am... tired of it, and I do not think I could bear another rendition of it all."

It was Coran's turn to stiffen, and he removed his hand from hers. "I see," he said. "Are you sure there is nothing you wish to share with me?"

Maiyn frowned in puzzlement as she watched him. "I am sure," she said. "Should there be?"

He sighed. "You know, it was your pain that woke me from my sleep in Baldur's Gate," he said quietly. Maiyn's eyes widened. "I didn't know at the time, but I wager that it was while you were being held captive that I was roused. And then, from that point on, I felt you with me. Not strongly, no... But you were there -- as if I was carrying a part of your soul with me."

"Coran?" Her voice was a whisper.

"I felt your fear, I felt your anger." His voice became colder. "I felt your lust, Maiyn, and believe me -- I've had enough experience with the carnal pleasures to recognise the excitement and satisfaction one can gain from them, even if I don't normally receive such from the female's perspective."

She paled, shaking her head slightly.

"And if it could not possibly get worse -- to know that you had fallen into bed with another -- I then lost the link completely," he continued. "I assume when your soul was taken, my bond was also removed. Why it was there in the first place, I will not know. Perhaps because I had opened up to you more than anyone else, and you were eager for us to have some form of commitment, even if you avoided mentioning it? Whatever reason, it is irrelevant now... but I will say this. My actions with Nalia -- they all happened after you chose to share yourself with someone else. And I have admitted them to you, even though it has been hard. Would you have ever told me about your night of passion?"

She sat in silence, not knowing what to say. Eventually he sighed and stood up abruptly.

"I am sorry things are how they are -- I truly am," he said. "But I need to know... who... who was he?"

Maiyn shook her head; her mouth opened but no words came, and a solitary tear ran down her cheek. Gently he reached down and wiped it away, then turned and walked to the door.

"We will be ready to ride with you in the morning," he said, not looking back. "As for other matters... I think we both need some time."

As the door closed behind him, Maiyn let the tears flow more freely, and buried her head into the pillow.