Disclaimer:
I don't own Baldur's Gate, the great masterpiece of role-playing.
The story on hand, ‚The revenge' is fan-fiction. I wrote it, because I love to write, but I will not use ‚The revenge' in any commercial way.
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Rating: 'M'. Some scenes may be a 'T', but I had the feeling that a few scenes should be rated as 'MA'. I think, in general it's OK, to give 'M'. If you don't like that or if you are too young, don't read!
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Chapter11 - 1
Hammer8th, 1370
Athkatla, Amn
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The headquarters of the Holy order of the Radiant Hearts was well frequented in these days.
Anomen had been able to persuade many of the knights that Shelara needed their help.
To convince Keldorn had been the most difficult part, but in the end the paladin admitted that Shelara had the right for an ordinary hearing.
The word of the Keldorn had a heavy weight and he had convinced the council that the order should lead this investigation. Anomen knew that the council wasn't filled with enthusiasm about this fact, but they didn't want to contradict the order.
In the moment when Keldorn had noticed that Anomen just wanted an ordinary hearing and nothing else, Anomen had won. The old paladin was difficult and somehow too blessed, but when he felt that there was so much anger in the hearts of the council… against Shelara, a person, who had done so much for Athkatla, he got skeptically.
From this moment Keldorn took the control of the investigations.
Anomen stood in front of a table, on that he had unfurled the documents he had collected to find Shelara's innocence.
There was the testimony of the talosian priest. It was full of contradictions and the knight doubted that the priest had told the truth. But the prosecution of the council was based on this testimony.
Then there were the demands of Lord Derils' family. They weren't on the side of the council, but as the 'victims' of the assassination, they wanted Shelara's head. It was quite hard to explain them that Deril perhaps just was a sacrifice to frame Shelara… Or better to say, it was impossible to explain it.
Then there were the statements of the Lathanderian' priest who had been there… and had seen nothing that exonerated her.
All together it didn't look good and the only reason why no bounty was set on Shelara's head was the fact that the Radiant Hearts were on her side.
Whatever.
Ano had searched for answers in the last days and especially with the help of Jan they had found a whistle-blower who told them that there was at least one missing twit of the poison in the store of the Talosians. Valygar, the last heir of the house of Corthalo tried to infiltrate the council and to get information from there. Aerie, Haer Dalis', Mazzy, Cernd and Minsc were on their way to Trademeet, where they should find out if the Alibakars and the Lurroxols had something to do with it. Mazzy had heard gossips about that.
They would do everything possible to help Shelara.
Ano sighed and turned to the direction of Keldorn's room…
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Keldorn lifted his head in surprise, when the man entered the room.
He closed the door immediately and the paladin could see as two mad eyes looked at him. He wore dark clothing, especially a grey coat and a hood. Keldorn didn't feel good thoughts in his presence, but he didn't feel any evil, too… no, he didn't feel anything, just a complete blocked aura.
Whatever. He was tired: It had been a long day.
Suddenly the door opened again and Anomen came in, "Keldorn, we…"
Anomen felt into silence when he saw the man.
In the next moment Keldorn asked the stranger, "I welcome you in the home of the Radiant Hearts, but may I ask you what's your name, sir?"
Keldorn saw an amused flash in his eyes, and then the stranger whispered, "My name isn't that important. I've got important information for you two."
"If you aren't willing to tell us your name, why can't we know if your information is true?" Anomen asked hesitantly.
The man grinned widely, "So that's a dilemma. But I believe you can handle that… if you want."
Keldorn sighed, "I'm not in the mood for mysterious talks. Say what you want to say."
"Not all of the Cowled Wizards wants to work against Shelara."
Anomen tightened, "What do you know about Shelara? Are you a Cowled Wizard?"
"If you want to find the truth, you have to find information from the lines of your enemies."
Keldorn eyed him skeptically, "This could be a trap."
The stranger ignored Keldorn's qualms and kept talking, "The wizards aren't the problem, but beware of the council."
He didn't talk one more word. When Anomen tried to hold him, the stranger turned his head and looked at him. And when Ano saw into his eyes, the knight started, stumbled back and felt… pure fear. The stranger grinned, "Don't dare to stop me or you will regret it." Then he left the room.
Silence.
Anomen stood shivering at the wall of the room and stared to the door.
Keldorn cleared his throat… and brought the younger knight back to reality.
Ano started, focused on Keldon and whispered, "Helm shell help us! Who was this?"
The paladin scowled at the door, "I think the better question is to ask what was this, not who."
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Chapter11 - 2
Hammer8th, 1370
Athkatla, Amn
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Jan stood still.
Before him the shadows moved in a bizarre play.
Jan clasped his skull thrower and tried to feel better, but he knew that the creature in the other side of the crypt wasn't a slow mummy, a goblin or a spider, it was a drow.
If Viconia wanted to fight, Jan didn't have a chance.
Silence.
Then Jan cleared his throat, "I'm greeting you, Vici."
He heard an angry growl, "The punishment for calling me 'Vici' is your death, annoying yingil. [1]
But because we fought together in earlier days, I will allow you to talk, before I decide if I kill you."
Jan sighed. Yes. It was Vici. Then he began to speak, "I ought to tell you that Shelara wants to see you. She needs your help."
The gnome saw the drow leaving her stash, "Why should I do that?"
"Eh… Because she has saved your life two times and because the council wanted to have her head."
Viconia grinned, "I've heard what she had done and I was quite astonished. I hadn't thought that she shows enough moral to give this despicable rivvil [2] what he deserves."
"Eh, yes. Whatever. In any way she needs your help and she's ready to pay you for your help."
Viconia's eyes flashed, "Sounds good… So tell me what to do."
"I just know that you have to be in about two weeks in the hut in the forest of Tethyr."
Silence.
Then he saw her nodding, "I will do it. Leave now, unworthy gnome."
Jan grinned, "Thanks, sweet Vici."
He turned around and ran to the exit of the crypt immediately. Everything he heard was her loud and furious scream, "Oloth plynn dos!"[3]
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Chapter11 - 3
Hammer9th, 1370
Near Sigil, Outer Planes
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Chloe lay on the ground and stared down the hill.
The djinni, which they should rob, sat on a stone and seemed to rest for a while. Duke Darkwood had told them that this djinni who was a mighty wizard, had an item which was the prize for Saerileth.
The kensai knew that Nalia had hated herself for making this deal, but it was a chance to get the young paladin without killing anybody and Nalia had accepted it.
When they had came back and had told about the deal, Shelara had been – like Nalia – quite angry. She had needed a while to accept that it was like in the old times: that they made dishonest deals to reach their goals. And Chloe had to admit that the deal was unpleasantly and... ridiculously.
Whatever.
They had accepted it and they would do their part of the deal.
"I see him," Chloe whispered and turned to the persons in the background.
Shelara nodded, "Good. Everyone is in position. Prepare yourself!"
The priestess stood up and walked down the hill. Darkwood had told them to steal a silver plate, which was an old heirloom of his family, but nobody forced her to do as the duke told. Shelara wanted to buy the plate.
Chloe knew that it was a risk. To make a deal with a djinni was dangerous every time and Darkwood had told them that he was a great and cruel wizard who was responsible for many murders in the Outer Planes and that he was perfidious and ruthless. To talk to him would give him a chance to kill everyone in the party immediately. But Darkwood was the enemy of the djinni: It was clear that he had to say anything like that… The hell, it just was a plate.
The djinni lifted his head when he saw the woman coming down the hill. She walked slowly, wanted to give him the feeling that she wasn't a danger.
She stopped when she had come quite near to him and bowed, "I'm greeting you, mighty djinni. I'm Shelara and don't want to fight against you."
The djinni stared at her, "Shelara, hm? I've heard what you've done in Amn and Tethyr. That was impressive."
The cleric smiled, "Thanks… But aren't you surprised to find me in the Outer Planes?"
He hesitated, but after a moment he smiled with a look of disdain, "Nothing can surprise me. I'm a djinni… Hm, and tell me, what do you want, Shelara?"
"Oh, eh, how should I say… I and my party…"
"Your party?"
"Some old friends. I told them to wait on the hill."
"I want to see them."
Shelara nodded and waved to the hill. A few moments the djinni could see them as they came down the path.
After they stood side by side to Shelara, the djinni kept on talking, "All right. And now please tell me what do you want?
Shelara hesitated, but after a moment she said, "Duke Darkwood sent us to bring his silver plate back."
The djinni began to laugh immediately, crossed his arms and looked to the priestess, "So, why shell I give you this plate?"
"The duke told that the plate isn't special for anyone out there. It's just an heirloom; it has no magical powers or something like that. I'm willing to give you enough money for it. I'm sure that the money means more to you than a boring plate."
In the background they heard that Nalia snorted. Again the priestess forgot that it was the money of the noble which they spent in this adventure.
"Hm, sounds fascinating… But I'm not interested. I like the idea that the duke is desperated enough to send a party of sleazy mercenaries."
Chloe made a step towards him and looked at him angrily, "Mind what you're saying!"
The djinni laughed loudly, "Do you know, why he's so interested in the plate?"
Shelara shook her head.
"Oh, you take the job and aren't interested in the background? Hm, that's quite poor. It's pretty easy. This plate belongs to the house of Darkwood. Whoever possesses the plate is the leader of the house. In my eyes, that's a stupid tradition, which just shows the piteousness of material creatures."
"Why he didn't send his own men?" Chloe asked.
The djinni grinned, "Oh, he had done so, but… they weren't very successful, if you understand."
Shelara crossed his arms, "So, what shall we do? If you don't want to give it to us, you forces us to kill you and I don't want."
He hesitated and grinned, "I see one possibility… I'm a djinni and all djinnis like to riddle. That's my suggestion: Answer me three riddles and I give you the plate."
Shelara sighed and pulled her face. But then she nodded, "All right, if it is our only chance to get through this without hurting someone, ask your riddles."
He smiled, "Well, here's the first one:
They see me in the sky
They need me to find a path
They love me in the darkest hours
They forget me in bright sun."
Imoen grinned immediately, "Hey that was easy. The answer is star!"
He smiled, "Star is the right answer. But don't be afraid, it will be more difficult… So, here is the second riddle:
I was made under the rocks and burned in the fire of ages
Bringing wealth and dirges
I'm shimmering without color and women adore me more than gold
But remember: my heart's cold."
"That's easy, too," Nalia said after a moment. "It must be diamond."
Again the djinni grinned, "That's the right answer. I see you aren't inexperienced in riddling… So, tell me the third answer:
I'm as old as time
If you need me, you can get me for a dime
Laughing at any fool
Using everybody as my tool
I'm breaking kings and houses
But against me, no creature arouses
And I'm the only one who can beat my own reign
However to remove the evil I've made, you have to act like a villain
You can't fight me, because I'm in your heart
And in my whole life, I haven't found a solid counterpart."
Silence.
Shelara smiled constrainedly. The djinni grinned widely, "You don't need to answer right now. You have as much time as you want."
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-tbc-
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[1] yingil : gnome
[2] rivvil : human
[3] Oloth plynn dos: Darkness takes you!
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Author's note1: Yeah, I know I know… I'm cruel to my readers, but BG wouldn't be that funny without riddles and I thought you would like to find the question on your own, until I tell you my answer in two weeks. *grinning evilly*
Author's note2: If you're interested in the language of Drow, just look for it in the web. I found some nice pages with Drow-dictionaries.