Disclaimer: I do not own 'Shadows of Amn', the 'Forgotten Realms' or any characters therein. Wizards of the Coast do, at my last check. Lucky them.
I do, however, own Fritha and certain other characters and plot points. Basically, if you don't recognise it from the game, it's probably mine.

– Blackcross & Taylor

Author's note: Quite a long chapter this time and so special thanks go to my third beta reader, (or should that be delta reader?) Ella, who trawled through it for me. And, while we're dishing out the gratitude, thanks to everyone who's got this far, especially to everyone who reviewed/messaged. Feedback is always appreciated. :-)

Love and war

Fritha clattered down the familiar curved staircase of the Copper Coronet, the sound of the other patrons taking breakfast drifting up from the tavern below. The group had returned to the inn soon after her meeting with Higgold the previous evening, the girl explaining to them her plans for the playhouse on the way and was surprised to find that everyone was in favour of her decision, to varying degrees.
Fritha had reached the tavern by now, Nalia, Minsc, Aerie and Haer'Dalis already at a table and the latter pair seemingly deep in conversation, though the bard looked up as she approached.

'My raven, it is good to see you!' he greeted with enthusiasm.

'Well, someone got out of the right side of bed this morning,' Fritha called back, sending a bemused smile to Nalia who dropped her eyes to her cup.

'The right side?' came the bard, puzzled, 'as opposed to the left side?'

'As opposed to the wrong side,' giggled Aerie.

'Hmm, a prime expression, I assume?' he confirmed dismissively, 'well, right or left, I am merely happy to see the beginning of a new day as only one who is free can. Aerie here has just been telling me a little of your quest, my raven. It is a drama worthy of the stage.'

Fritha sank into the empty chair next to Nalia.
'Ah, the quest; my favourite breakfast conversation,' she sighed, smiling faintly, but if he heard her sarcasm he was ignoring it.

'An impossible sum to raise for a dark and shadowy group, and all after your imprisonment by a mage of some power; we have more in common than I first realised,' he laughed, though the elf next to him did not seem to share his amusement. 'But twenty thousand coin is quite a sum; why do you undertake such a task?'

Fritha shrugged absently, taking a dish from the centre of the table, juice dripping on to it as she began to peel an apple.
'My friend, Imoen, is being held by the Cowled Wizards. That is the cost of the location and rescue.'

Haer'Dalis grinned.

'You seem to make a career of freeing the imprisoned from their cages and so you should, for you do it well. Might I enquire as to the identity of this friend? Is he your mentor? A comrade in arms?' he paused to take a sip of tea, watching her carefully over the rim of his cup, 'an old lover, mayhaps?'

Fritha rather wished she had managed to suppress her incredulous snort, sure it did nothing to enhance her air of mystery.

'She is my friend, as I just said. We grew up together.'

'And for that you would even risk the wrath of the Cowled Wizards! You have destructive streak that would fascinate any Doomguard.'

He was smiling in a way that indicated that this was no small compliment and Fritha frowned slightly, feeling strangely unsure of herself and quickly dropping her attention to her dish, glad for the distraction as Anomen and Jaheira finally arrived at the table. There was no denying she had hoped the bard would like her, but she felt uneasy with the idea that it was merely due to her more suicidal lifestyle, especially when for the most part she would have liked nothing more than to avoid it.

'So what is our plan for the day?' came Jaheira, Fritha glancing up to find the woman watching her from under a contemplative frown.
Fritha shrugged, carefully slicing the apple on her plate.

'What else? Looking for more work. I thought we could split up,' she continued, glancing to the table about her, 'ask around the temples, merchant's guilds, look into some of the local bounties. I leave it entirely up to you as to what you accept, the only stipulations being: no portals, no sewers.'

An announcement which was followed by much nodding.

'As ever, all costs are covered by the group, so if you have any repairs to make, see Jaheira for the coin and payments still stand at fifty gold pieces.'

'Fifty gold?' repeated Haer'Dalis with a slight frown, 'would not a percentage of what is earned be fairer?'

Fritha shrugged, finishing her mouthful of apple to answer him.

'Perhaps so, and when we start earning more than a few hundred gold per job, I'll rethink things.' She glanced about the table, her voice mild and curious. 'Does anyone else have a problem? Say so if you do.' A round of even dissent and Fritha turned back to him with a shrug. 'There you go.'

'Yes,' agreed Nalia, looking positively hopeful, 'if you do not agree, I am sure there are other companies in Athkatla that pay better.'
But the bard just laughed.

'Oh, no, no. I cannot value gold above the glory I will no doubt find in your company.'

Fritha smiled slightly. Glory. Yes, the sewers were just knee deep in the stuff.

'Okay, groups. I was planning to head over to the Council Buildings and look at the bounties.'

'I shall join you,' came the druid and Fritha nodded. Jaheira had been rather short with her the evening before and she welcomed this unspoken sign she was on her way to being forgiven.

'Fair enough. Anomen and Aerie, I was hoping you two could perhaps ask about the temples or at the Order.'

Anomen nodded once. 'As you wish.'

'Ah...' Fritha paused. That left that Haer'Dalis, Nalia and Minsc and though nothing had been expressed in words, she had the distinct impression since the prison that Nalia and the bard did not get on. 'You had best go with Anomen and Aerie as well, Haer'Dalis,' she finished firmly, feeling her stomach twinge as the elf's eyes lit up. Well, the group came first. 'And that leaves Minsc and Nalia.'

'We can ask about the guilds,' said Nalia with her first smile of the morning and Fritha felt her rather deliberate pairings had not gone unnoticed. She nodded.

'Okay, if we all meet back here for lunch to discuss what we've found, if anything, unless you are busy with work, of course.' She glanced to Jaheira as she stood, half eaten apple in hand. 'Are you ready to go?'

xxx

Jaheira smiled slightly as she walked along the wide sunlit street that was the Bridge District, even the bustle of the surrounding stalls not irritating her as it usually did, the towers of the Council Buildings just visible over the rooftops to the north.

Of course, she had not been ready to go when Fritha had asked her back at the tavern, having only joined the table but a few moments before, and she made the girl sit down as well to eat a proper meal before they set off, the group about them laughing as Fritha pretended to glower at her, poking sulkily at the porridge she had been served.

The girl was walking next to her now, absently singing a merry song of love to herself as they made their way across the bridge, looking bright and fair in the sunshine. Jaheira sent her a measured look. Her suspicions had been mounting for some time now as to whether Fritha's friendly interest in the newest member of their group was a symptom of some deeper regard.

'And why are you in such a good mood?' she demanded finally, more to see what the girl would say than in hope of learning anything.
Fritha glanced to her, seemingly surprised she had noticed before shrugging.

'I don't know, I'm just happy.'

Jaheira raised a stern eyebrow.

'You do not know why you are grinning like a loon.'

But Fritha just shook her head, still beaming and the druid felt her stomach groan; Fritha may be unwilling to admit anything, but Jaheira had been in the world long enough to be able to read the signs.

'Oh, Fritha, really, not the bard! I am sure you could do considerably better than him! Even the squire would prove better company, at least he is trustworthy.'

Fritha had looked set to deny everything until Jaheira's mention of the priest, her laughter clearly overwhelming any dissent she had planned.

'Anomen?' she cried with incredulous amusement. 'It would be worth the embarrassment of me suggesting it just to see the look on his face! The poor man would likely die laughing, as long as he survived the initial shock, that is. Besides,' she continued, turning back to their path with a furtive smile, 'I don't know why you seem to think Haer'Dalis should have any influence on my mood, good or otherwise. I am just happy to be back in the city and looking for work with my favourite druid. Come on,' she laughed, tugging her sleeve playfully, 'join in!'

And the girl continued her song, a touch more loudly than before as well, the slight laughter that wavered behind the tune only making it more endearing. People were glancing to them as they passed, some seeming to appreciate more than just the singing and Jaheira found it hard not to smile; whatever the reason for her apparent joy, the girl was certainly looking better for it, smiling in a bright way that made her look closer to her age than experience and circumstance usually allowed her.
It had been too long since she had seen Fritha properly happy; she only hoped that its root would not also be its end.

'Hail there, ladies,' came a voice, and Jaheira glanced up to see a member of the Amnian Watch beckoning to them, heavy leather armour strapped tightly over his scarlet tunic. Fritha stopped her song abruptly, throwing a glance to her as they approached and looking a touch embarrassed as he continued. 'You are just passing through the district?'

The druid nodded curtly.
'Yes, is there a problem?'

'Not for you, I am sure,' he said, his eyes taking in their weapons, 'I am just making it my business to warn all who pass this way to be on their guard and report any suspicious activity to the Watch, another body was discovered early this morning and I don't have enough men to patrol the area regularly.'

Fritha looked instantly alarmed.
'Another body? What do you mean?'

'You new in the city?' he asked, seeming to know they were without any answer. 'Well, that's fair enough; the last killing was about a month ago now, which makes six since Ches. Someone is murdering the street people in and around the bridge.'

Jaheira raised an eyebrow.
'And you seem to think these killings are related.'

The man laughed grimly.
'Oh, I know they are, each of the bodies was found the same way; stripped, lain out neatly as though ready for burial and minus most of their skin.'

'Their skin? That's monstrous!' cried Fritha and Jaheira shared her dismay, though not her surprise. Whoever this murderer was, they were clearly disturbed, yet such things could only be expected when people insisted on cramming themselves into the unnatural madness that were cities. The guard nodded, continuing gravely.

'I am inclined to agree with you, miss, but without proper patrols of the area I fear we do little more than reduce the frequency of the attacks. A local merchant has put up a reward of five hundred gold for the killer, dead or alive, but there haven't been any takers to my knowledge.'

'Until now,' muttered Fritha, throwing her a glance, eyebrows raised, and Jaheira nodded her agreement, the girl continuing. 'We could look into this for you, if you wish; we have been known to deal with such matters in the past.'

'Truly?' he exclaimed, looking in the same moment both surprised and hopeful. 'Well, I'll lend you any assistance I can; I'll just be glad to see the district safe again.'

'Do you have any clues concerning the murders?' asked Jaheira. They had to start somewhere after all. The guard shook his head, but the hopeful look remained.

'Indeed no, but plenty of people about here have seen things. One of the local prostitutes found the last body back in Eleasias and we haven't moved the latest victim if you wish to have a look.'

Fritha nodded once. 'Lead on.'

xxx

Aerie sighed to herself, a smile playing on her lips as she sat on a wall in the Temple District, the canal a bright blue beneath her, Haer'Dalis stood on the opposite side and staring up at the lightning cages outside the temple of Talos.

She, Haer'Dalis and Anomen had left the inn some hours ago, visiting the temple of Illmater first, at her insistence, for their beliefs were close to her own and there was no shrine to Baervar within the city. But there was no work to be found there, and the three had moved on to the Temple District proper, visiting the Helmites and the temple of Lathander without luck, before Anomen had disappeared through the gates of the Order, leaving the pair outside to wait for his return.

Aerie gazed across the path, letting her eyes drift over the man before her, the look of dark fascination he wore as he watched the lightning crackle and leap making her heart quicken. He was so worldly, so travelled, always with some tale of the planes, or poem for her. Something which only she seemed to appreciate, Aerie considered, mildly irritated on his behalf by the unfailing amusement of the others whenever he would recite some verse before them. Yet his ignorance of the Prime was endearing too, and she liked the idea that they could learn from each other.

He glanced back to her, catching her watching him and sending her a grin, Aerie glad that he had turned back to the temple as she felt her cheeks burn. She thought she would have grown accustomed to him by now, but it had been the same ever since she had first seen him in Mekrath's dungeon, the slightest glance from the bard enough to leave her flushed and breathless.

And yet, it was more than just an infatuation. She had always felt like an outsider, ever since she had been taken from her home all those years ago. But there was something about him, perhaps the idea that he was so different from everyone as well, that made her feel as though she belonged, as though she was no longer alone and she could not bear the idea of losing the feeling again, not so soon after leaving the circus.
The circus.

That had been the last time she had felt so enamoured too, and her thoughts returned unbidden to Hollin, the fair half-elven acrobat who had joined their troupe for the season one spring years ago now. Always so full of life and fun, he had made it clear he'd held regard for her. But though she had returned his feelings, she had been timid and hesitant too; encouraging his companionship as much as she shied from it, and the boy had tired of the confusion in the end and did not stay with them once the circus had made camp for the winter.

Aerie had regretted him and her unfounded reluctance for a long time afterwards; it was a mistake she was determined not to make a second time.

'You are melancholy, my dove?' came a voice and she glanced up to find Haer'Dalis walking back to her with a concerned look.

She shook her head, smiling again.

'No, no, I am fine.'

He smiled as well, gesturing back to the temple before them, lightning still arcing about the spherical cages.
'Beautiful, isn't it.'

The effect was rather pretty, though she was sure that was not their intention, the cruel religion more focused on the more destructive qualities of storms and Aerie frowned slightly.

'They don't worship its beauty, they like the destruction, the chaos…'

She trailed off, suddenly aware that they sounded like the sort of people Haer'Dalis may have got on quite well with.

'They are murderers,' she finished firmly, glad for a fact that separated the Talosians from the man, though he did not seem to notice her words, glancing to something behind her and she turned to see Anomen walking across the canals towards them.

'You have a quest for us, knightling?' Haer'Dalis called, the squire nodding, though he waiting until he had reached them to answer, his voice low.

'I have just been speaking with a friend of mine, Sir Erick. A friend of his uncle's family has a problem which a need for discretion has kept him or any other knight from undertaking and he believes that we, unknown as we are, may be of help. The family's only daughter is missing and it is believed she has absconded with her lover. They are looking for means of locating her.'

'And without drawing attention to the fact she was ever gone, I'll warrant,' Haer'Dalis laughed, the sound of the temple bells striking highsun almost drowning him out. 'Well, they have found it. Come, my birds, Fritha will be as happy with this task as any other; noon sounds and we should return to the inn.'

Prompt though they were, they were still the last to arrive, the others already seated at the table they had shared at breakfast, dishes before them and a large ceramic pot of soup at their centre. Fritha glanced up at their arrival, giving them a friendly wave and Haer'Dalis immediately sank into the empty chair next to her, much to Aerie's chagrin. Anomen took the seat next to him, and the elf was left with little choice but to take the spare chair between him and Nalia, Aerie sinking into it tentatively, the girl to her left taking a sudden and keen interest in her food.

Aerie sighed as she served herself some broth, wondering when things had gone so wrong between her and Nalia. She had never intended to slight the girl, but it was as though when the bard entered the room, she just couldn't even see anyone else. Aerie glumly pulled her mind away from their fractured relations, turning her attention to the table where Jaheira was telling them of the task she and Fritha had found, Minsc and Nalia still looking for work, it seemed.

'Apparently, the murders have been occurring since Ches, though they cannot be sure of the numbers. Captain Aegisfield worries many of the bodies could have been missed or dumped in the river.'

Next to her, Anomen nodded grimly.

'Yes, I had heard through the Order there was a murderer roaming the Bridge District, but I had not realised the killings were the work of someone so perverse.' He glanced briefly to Fritha, his look concerned. 'You say you viewed the latest body; how was it?'

Fritha winced slightly, firmly rubbing her abdomen.

'Pretty horrible. It soon became apparent this was the one morning when I really shouldn't have had breakfast.'

A slight smile travelled the table even in face of this grim subject and Aerie felt a stab of jealousy; the girl was witty even when she wasn't trying to be.

'Hopefully, Jaheira and I can catch him before he finds another victim,' Fritha continued more brightly, 'but, what of you? How did you fair at the Order?'

And so Anomen related to the table what he had told them outside the temple, Aerie only half listening as she played with her broth, her mind dwelling on matters closer to her heart. Why had Haer'Dalis sat immediately next to Fritha?

He had seemed so wholly devoted to her all morning, but was that merely because she was the only one there? Did he, if given a choice, prefer the girl's company? It had been the same at breakfast as well, the bard hardly sparing her a glance once Fritha had arrived at the table.

Aerie frowned, trying to allay these feelings of unease. Perhaps he just wished to speak with Fritha; the girl was entertaining, after all. But this was a thought that provided the elf with little comfort, especially as she glanced up to find the pair deep in conversation once more. The talk of work had moved on now; Jaheira advising Minsc and Nalia on which guilds may prove more fruitful, while Fritha and Haer'Dalis were caught in a strange discussion that seemed to be about language, Anomen watching the pair in silence, and Aerie could just hear them over the din of the tavern around her.

'Imoen and I used to make lists of them; well, I say we, I think she was just humouring me for the most part. She never found languages as interesting as I did. But we would make the lists together all the same. Words we liked, words we didn't, words that sounded like what they are.'

'You mean onomatopoeia?' interjected the bard, but Fritha shook her head.

'No, no, they're easy. Words that sound like their meanings are a lot less straightforward. For the most, part you have to feel your way and, of course, it's open to interpretation. Like lustre, it has a sheen, that word. And cove, a word of shelter. Ah, and lush, a verdant word; you can hear the whisper of wet grasses in it, can't you?'

Haer'Dalis made no reply, but he was smiling broadly, gazing at her as though he could not quite believe she was there, not that Fritha had noticed, her mind still intent upon her words, it seemed.

'But death…' she continued thoughtfully, 'death doesn't sound like it should; it doesn't have enough weight to it. Death should sound like- like tome. A heavy grave word.'

She was nodding solemnly to herself, and Aerie could hear the tiefling's amusement in his voice.

'And what of other words, say bard perhaps?'

The girl glanced up sharply, but after a moment she just shrugged, mildly going back to her soup.

'It doesn't work for most words; that's why the game was fun.'

Aerie frowned as Haer'Dalis went back to his broth as well, seemingly not offended by this abrupt end to their conversation. That Aerie was unsure of the bard's feelings was true enough, but that was nothing when she compared them to Fritha's.
The girl was always very friendly, especially to newcomers, but there was something about the way she was relating to Haer'Dalis that made her feel wary.
Did Fritha perhaps hold an affection for him as well?

Aerie sincerely hoped not, because she did not want to lose another friend in this, and for a moment she considered stepping aside for the sake of their friendship, the awful circumstance of having to travel in the group with the pair as a couple, watching, dejected, while they shared the looks and kisses she herself had dreamt of.

Aerie swallowed, feeling instantly very emotional and very silly. She would have liked to take things slower, but Fritha's interest complicated things. Haer'Dalis would have to choose between them in the end, all Aerie could was open up to him and make her regard as plain as possible. At least then, she would not have to suffer the same regrets of before, even if her heart was broken.

xxx

Anomen walked along the quiet cobbled street, the sound of Haer'Dalis and Aerie chattering following him as the three made their way through the well-kept houses of the more affluent south-eastern quarter of the city.

It had been pleasant to meet with Erick once more, for his friend had been away on campaign the last time he had visited the Order and he had missed their companionship long before he had left for Fritha's company. Erick's knighthood had thrown up something of a wall between them and one Anomen was now quite willing to admit was more his doing than his friend's. His own feelings of resentment and inadequacy had made him shy from the man's company, unwilling to hear of the acts of valour he had performed under the Order's banner.

But though he was still no knight, Anomen felt a certain pride in the tasks his group undertook. The destruction of the Beholder Cult had brought him quite a bit of repute within the Order and though their latest task did little to help the citizens of Amn, there was a certain confidence that came from travelling to other planes and slaying demons. And whereas before, he would have been eager to tell the man of his quest and prove his worth, Anomen found himself reluctant to speak much of it when Erick had asked him about his recent adventures, suddenly not needing the man to know of his deeds; that he had done them was enough.

In fact, he considered crossly as the two behind him laughed loudly, the only regret he had from freeing the actors was that they had only received Haer'Dalis's company for their trouble. Anomen glanced back to the pair, Aerie gazing at the bard adoringly as he spoke, a hand resting casually upon her arm. That they held a regard for each other was obvious; Fritha really should have split the pair up. Or at least not sent them with him, he considered, as Aerie giggled again in a most irritating manner.

Anomen frowned as he thought back to lunch at the inn. After Fritha's rather odd conversation with Haer'Dalis had ended, Aerie had caught his attention and she and the bard had spent the rest of the meal talking across him, much to his annoyance, Fritha offering him a commiserating smile as she finished her soup and escaped off to the Bridge District with Jaheira.
Anomen understood that sending Haer'Dalis with Nalia might not have been conducive to the smooth running of their group as it stood at the moment, but why couldn't Fritha have taken the bard with her?

He sighed, pulling his mind away from his irritation as they finally arrived at the correct house, the squire knocking firmly on the heavy wooden door, and it opened a moment later to reveal a young housemaid of about eighteen summers, the girl still drying her hands on her slightly crumpled apron, mousey curls tied neatly under a starched linen scarf.

'Yes sir?' she came tentatively and Anomen smiled.

'Good afternoon, I am Anomen Delryn of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart. I am here to speak with Pallas Cornwell.'

The girl brightened slightly.
'Oh yes, sir. We had a messenger earlier saying to expect you. Please, follow me.'

She let the door swing wide, turning to lead them down a hallway past several doors and into an airy high-ceilinged room, the walls painted a cool shade of blue and the furniture within all looking very new. The maid bade them sit, disappearing as soon as they had, though it was only a moment before Anomen was on his feet again, standing politely as the maid re-entered, a broad dark-haired man and petite blond woman both of middling years following her and Aerie hurried to stand as well, a moment passing before the tiefling reluctantly followed suit.

'Thank you, Avis,' the man nodded and the maid bobbed a timid curtsey, before hurrying out, shutting the door quietly behind her.

'I thank you all for coming,' Pallas began once they were all seated once more, his voice holding a firmness that belied the fatigue on his face, 'these last few days have been a very trying time for Dinah and I.' The woman next to him stifled a sob, pressing a handkerchief to her thin lips and he patted her hand gently. 'What do you know of our daughter's abduction?'

'A-Abduction?' came Aerie gently with a surprise that mirrored Anomen's own, 'I thought she, well, ran away.'

'She did not run away!' his wife burst out suddenly, her red-rimmed eyes wide. 'Helenya was happy here. She never would have left us had she not been corrupted by that wretch, Lirsand!'

'Dinah, please,' Pallas soothed, though there was a steel behind his words. 'I fear my wife is correct though. Our daughter is young and cannot understand the consequences of her actions. Lirsand is a thief and a scoundrel who has exploited Helenya's naivety, poisoning her against a family who loves her.'

'But why?' asked Aerie, even more quietly than before, the memory of the woman's previous outburst clearly still fresh in her mind.
Pallas frowned grimly.

'Why for money, of course; we are wealthy, he is not. Helenya is our only child and stands to inherit everything. When we found out they had been meeting, we tried to make her see reason, but she is a child and does not understand the harsh realities of the world yet. She refused to believe the thief could ever use her so, and when we tried to press our case, he stole her away. Perhaps he hopes to ransom her back to us, or- I do not know!' he finished with frustration. 'I only wish for my daughter back.'

They spoke little after this, Pallas merely detailing the last time he saw his daughter and what she had taken with her in hope this would lead to some clue as to where the thief could have hidden her, before they all rose and moved back out into the hall. He and his wife excused themselves as the maid, Avis, arrived, the girl leading them politely back along the hall, though she paused before they reached the end, hastily pushing open the door next her and turning back to them.

'M-Might I speak with you all a moment?' she asked, her voice little over a whisper. Anomen nodded once and she disappeared through the door, the others at his back as he followed her into a well kept kitchen, a fire crackling in the hearth, copper pans hung neatly on the chimneybreast above and gleaming brightly.
Avis drew a deep breath, wringing her apron nervously and glancing to the door as she began.

'I would not say anything, but you are from the Order, sir,' here she nodded respectfully to Anomen, 'and I know you can be trusted to act justly. It is about Helenya, and well, Lirsand.'

'You knew him?' asked Anomen, noting her use of the name.

'Not as such, sir, but I was good friends with Helenya, and her leaving was not at all how the master painted it.'

'You were listening in?'

A blush crept into her cheeks, though her voice remained firm.

'No sir, but I know well enough what will have been said. The boy corrupted their daughter, charmed her away from her parents.' She shook her head, her timidity giving way to a sudden passion. 'But Lirsand loved Helenya, truly! I could have shown you his letters had they not burnt them all when they found them.'

Avis sighed, regaining her composure to drop her voice, sending another furtive glance to the door as she continued.

'This family is new to money, their business only just came good last year and it has made fools of them. They moved from their home in the docks, Helenya taken away from all her old friends; suddenly she was too good for them. The master's words, not Helenya's, for she was desperate lonely and no number of fine dresses would change that. She befriended me soon after I was hired, as we are of a similar age, and we would sneak out together at night, go back to all her old haunts in the docklands; that is how she got to meet Lirsand.

'They say he's a thief,' Anomen pressed but the girl just shrugged, clearly deeming that of little consequence.

'He might well be that, but he loved her and she him and they were content enough to wait until she was old enough to marry without her parents' blessing.'

'Then, what happened?' came Aerie behind Anomen, Avis glancing to him for approval before answering the elf.

'The mistress was in Helenya's room one day while she was out, found the love letters he had sent her and, by Tempus, you should have seen the woman's rage. Suddenly, the house was full of talk of sending Helenya to school in Waterdeep and getting the Watch after Lirsand if they did not stop their trysts. I don't know if they were just threats or plans, but they had an effect -though I'll warrant not the desired one,' she added darkly. 'A tenday later and Helenya was gone.'

'And you do not know where?' Anomen asked sternly, watching her carefully for some hesitation, but the girl just shook her head, suddenly sad.

'No sir. I expect she thought she was protecting me by not saying, though I wish she had. I am worrying for her something terrible and though her parents were hard on her, I know that they are too.'

xxx

Haer'Dalis sat back in his chair, his food untouched as he gazed about the tavern around him, watching the other patrons as another brief scene in the story of their lives played out.

He, Aerie and the knightling had returned to the slums an hour ago, Nalia and Minsc already at a table and they had joined them, eventually ordering food, though Haer'Dalis was not particularly hungry. He had never been sure whether it was the influence of his heritage or not, but he'd never had much of an appetite, or indeed the same need for food most other people had, and could quite happily exist for days without eating a thing.

He sighed, dropping his attention to his dish to push the rice about half-heartedly; there was no denying it, glad though he was to no longer be the focus of a murderous cambion, life was certainly much quieter than he was used to on the Prime. Still, he considered, trying to bring himself round slightly, spending the afternoon with Aerie had been a pleasant distraction, and this row with the children could prove to be interesting, depending on how it played out.

Haer'Dalis was well aware that they had been hired to return the girl to her overbearing parents rule, but once located perhaps they could instead help the young lovers to escape her family's clutches! He sent a smile to the elf next to him, pleased to get one in return before the girl went back to her conversation with Anomen.
The knightling would more than likely be against that idea, but Aerie would undoubtedly be with him and Haer'Dalis couldn't imagine Fritha agreeing to drag some girl away from her sweetheart either. The family would be broken, the children free, chaos consuming the previous order of their lives and the planes were one step closer to oblivion.

Haer'Dalis smiled, cheered again, glancing up from his dish to see Jaheira descending the stairs into the tavern to join the table at last, the bard glancing round her for sign of Fritha, ready to continue their talk from before, though it seemed the druid was alone.

'Where is the raven? She is not with you?' he asked as she sat down, realising too late he probably should have greeted her first; ah, the primes and their pointless formalities.

Jaheira sent him a dark look before turning to tell the table, 'I left Fritha on the bridge an hour ago, with plans to visit the theatre.' She glanced back to him to add, 'I believe she is viewing the auditions.'

'Auditions?' he repeated, rising from his chair, certain they would be a world more interesting than sitting there watching the others eat, 'then she will surely have need of this sparrow.'

At his side, Aerie dropped her eyes to her cup and said nothing.

'Fare thee well, my birds,' he called genially, and an assortment of replies drifting after him as he turned from the table to make for the doors.

The air outside was finally cooling as the sun dropped beneath the rooftops and he felt he could almost taste the promise in the air. He had a new troupe to play in, a new role to perform and perhaps even a new leading lady if he had read the signs correctly. Perhaps even a choice…

Raelis's rejection had been hard to bear and it was nice feeling, being reminded that he was not so undesirable a companion as she had perhaps once made out.

Aerie's affections he was surer of, indeed, the girl seemed so brim full of honesty it was hard to imagine she could have hidden her regard even if she had wanted to. That she was fair was an attraction in itself, but she also was very different to him, all innocent goodness and hope, and it was something that only seemed to make her all the more appealing.

And then there was Fritha, no less beautiful in her own way, all dark eyes and wild hair, with her easy smile and that bright sharp spark of wit. But she was much harder to read and he was never sure whether what he saw of her was merely the friendship offered to any new member of her company, or the surface of something deeper.

He thought back to their conversation that noon. On the delightfully grave way she had considered the words, on the fact she had even thought about it! Fritha was much more interesting than the usual primes and that afternoon he had found himself considering the words he had heard and said; the sound of them, the way they felt on his tongue, searching for a few more to present her with.

He had reached the bridge by now, the district about him a bustle of merchants closing up their stalls for the night. The Five Flagons looked warm in the dying sunlight and his thoughts drifted briefly back to Raelis and the time he had spent there with the troupe, wondering absently what she was doing at that very moment. But he pulled his mind away before he could consider the thing further. He had made his decision in the prison; he must press on with the future and all it held, and with that he pushed open the door and entered the inn.

The theatre was hushed saved for one clear voice ringing out and he descended the stairs to find the troupe Higgold had secured gathered on one side of the auditorium, Fritha and Higgold stood on the other, all watching the golden-haired elven woman on stage performing her audition, smoothly enunciating her lines with an almost jaded ease.

Haer'Dalis smiled, using the distraction to move silently down the central aisle and along the row behind Fritha's, stopping at her shoulder and still unnoticed as the elf finished and a round of half-hearted clapping travelling the troupe, only Higgold showing any enthusiasm as he left his bench to hurry down to the stage, his affected tones ringing out as he applauded dramatically.

'Oh bravo, Iltheia, bravo, a very emotive performance.'

'Emotive? More like emetic,' the girl muttered darkly, and he could not quite suppress a snort of amusement, Fritha whirling back and looking intensely relieved it was he who had overheard her.

'Haer'Dalis,' she scolded, pretending to bat his arm as he stepped over the bench between them to stand next to her, 'you frightened the life out of me!'

'Guilty conscious?' he inquired innocently and she grinned, flushing pink.

'Perhaps. Anyway, why are you here? Are the others with you?'

Haer'Dalis shook his head.

'This sparrow alone has come to your aid. The druid told me you were here; how go the auditions?'

She shrugged, turning back to the stage.

'Well, we've found all the minor roles and Zeran's playing the male lead, Velden,' she answered, pointing to a tall handsome human of dark blonde hair and middling years. 'It's just the role of Karenina we're having trouble with. I've seen almost every woman in the company. One more to go and then I'm going to start auditioning the men again. I hear they can work wonders with the right make-up.'

'Really, my raven,' he laughed, the girl looking quite enchanting as she tried to hide her own smile in her sleeve.

'You're not tempted by the role yourself then?' he continued, already knowing her answer, though her bluntness surprised him.

'No,' she said shortly, glancing back to the script in her hand without a hint of coyness, 'you know as well as I, I would be awful. Who's next, Higgold?'

The director glanced back to her as Iltheia swept from the stage.

'Ah, Jenna, Lady Patron, but- well, she's just finishing in wardrobe. Tell me,' he continued carefully, his voice dropping as he walked back to them, 'what did you think of Iltheia?'

Fritha's face was a mask.

'She seemed nice enough. As I said, I would see all auditions before making a decision.'

'Yes, yes, of course,' he agreed quickly, slyly watching her face he continued, 'I'm sure she understands, she has been an actress for decades now. You know, she has quite the reputation in Waterdeep; we are very lucky to have her in the troupe.'

'I'm sure her reputation is well-deserved,' continued the girl evenly and Haer'Dalis could hear the disapproval behind her words, though Higgold seemed to brighten. 'Could you go and hurry Jenna along please?'

'Certainly, Lady Patron,' he smiled, bustling off and Fritha sighed tersely.

'This Iltheia,' Haer'Dalis questioned, using the need for discretion to close what little gap there was between them, his voice low, 'you did not appreciate her performance?'

'Oh, she was all right,' the girl conceded quietly. 'A little overly dramatic for my tastes, all talk and no feeling; in fact, I was rather given the impression she was bored with the piece. It was more her attitude that gives me paused though. She got on everyone's bad side within about three seconds of walking onto stage by demanding complete silence in the auditorium so she could "centre her muse", and then she spent the next five minutes insisting the crew re-set the angle of the lights because they were dazzling her. I'll warrant the only reputation she has in Waterdeep is that of a silly Prima Donna,' she finished with a smile he shared, the tiefling placing a hand lightly on the small of her back, though she stiffened instantly and he removed it feeling a touch injured.

'I meant nothing by it.'

'No, I know,' she conceded gently, still looking a touch uncomfortable, 'it's just people don't usually lay hands upon each other so casually here.'

Haer'Dalis shook his head.

'You Primes are a strange lot, though perhaps I am making too sweeping a generalisation here, my raven,' he continued with a furtive glance to her, 'for Aerie certainly does not seem as averse to my hand as you.'

He had meant it to rile her, hoping to see a little of the jealousy he suspected was there and confirm her feelings for him. But apart from a momentary surprise, Fritha remained impassive, nodding absently as she turned back to the stage.

'Well, she is an elf; I imagine they are brought up differently to the human cultures, and even within those the customs differ greatly. Ah, Jenna isn't it?' she continued genially to the fair, brown-haired girl who had just walked onto the stage, wringing the sleeves of her dark blue dress and looking nervous. Fritha smiled kindly. 'In your own time, dear.'

The girl nodded once, clearly steeling herself, and began.

That she stumbled over her lines here and there was true, and her gestures seemed a little forced in parts, but her nerves seemed to add rather than detract from the gentle innocence of the role, and the girl was young; Haer'Dalis could see the potential for greatness within her. He glanced to Fritha, gazing up at the stage, nodding now and then as though making note of something and when the girl had finished she smiled broadly.

'Thank you, Jenna.'
The girl nodded politely and hurried from the stage, Fritha turning to Higgold.
'Are there any more to audition?'

'Ah no, my lady.'

Fritha turned to the troupe, who were all watching her with looks that were a little too nonchalant, and Haer'Dalis suspect this choice of leading lady could be a contentious one.

'Right, if you could just give us a few moments, please,' she called politely, waiting until they had all filed backstage before turning back to Higgold, suddenly earnest. 'I liked Jenna.'

Higgold frowned slightly, clearly considering the most tactfully way to disagree with her.
'Yes, my patron, a very, ah, nice performance, but she did seem rather nervous.'

Fritha shrugged mildly.
'That will pass as she rehearses.'

'Well, yes, quite,' continued Higgold, 'but there are some within the troupe who have much more experience than she.'

'You refer to Iltheia? The only thing I can see she has had ample experience of is getting her own way. Her performance was flawless as it was soulless.'

Higgold frowned again but nodded all the same.
'I will concede that perhaps she was not giving her all to the audition, but consider the presence she could bring to this production.'

Haer'Dalis was surprised at the way Higgold seemed ready to accept the actress's attitude because of her apparent fame. If the woman had considered the audition beneath her effort, then that alone would have given him cause not to allow her the role and Fritha remained similarly unmoved.

'A presence that can serve just as well in a secondary role. Jenna is in earnest. She cares about the role. Iltheia cares only that she has the lead, and I am loathed the feed her ego even more by giving it to her.'

'But, Lady Patron, consider-'

Fritha sighed, smiling faintly.
'We are both set, it seems. The deciding vote is yours then, sparrow.'

Haer'Dalis smiled through his surprise; he was quite happy to give the decision his consideration, though he could not help but be flattered that she would value his opinion as highly as he himself did. Higgold though did not, it seemed.

'You are just letting him decide? What does he know of the theatre?'

'More than me,' she answered evenly, not even sparing the man a glance. 'Just speak your mind, Haer'Dalis, I shall not hold it against you if you side with Higgold.'

Her voice was mild, her look open and in that moment he would have said anything to please her, though, with luck, on this occasion his true opinion allowed him such.
'Well, my raven, I hold with you. Jenna is the one.'

She nodded once.
'That's settled then. Come now, Higgold,' she smiled kindly, as the director gave a disgruntled sigh, 'did you really want to spend the next six months dancing to Iltheia's whims?'

That seemed to bring the man round slightly and he nodded, gracious in defeat.
'No, no, you are correct, my patron. We do not need such upsets for our first performance either.'

Fritha's smile broadened.
'Good, then we are in agreement. Call them back in please, Higgold, I shall tell them the decision; it will serve better if Iltheia sees you as blameless in this.'

He seemed about to protest, but perhaps the thought of Iltheia's wrath entered his mind, for after a moment he nodded, Haer'Dalis watching him hurry off backstage before turning to the girl at his side, Fritha glancing to him with a grin.
'And you were worried about the Duke.'

xxx

Fritha's predictions were correct, in that the elf had quite a few things to say on the matter of her decision. But she held fast, using a combination of firmness and flattery to coax the elf into accept the secondary role of the maid, and although not pleased the woman was at least mollified.

For the moment, in any case, Fritha considered darkly, sure she had not heard the last of it. Still, she could not regret her decision, not in the face of Jenna's joy, the girl bursting in to tears as soon as the announcement had been made, and the troupe's young harpist, Marcus, was still sat with her, trying calm her with some wine when Fritha and Haer'Dalis left.

They were in the slums now, walking back to the Coronet in comfortable silence, the evening air cool and still about them. Haer'Dalis was humming a tune she did not recognise under his breath, the composition much more dissonant than she was used to, though it was a nice melody albeit a haunting one. Fritha smiled slightly as she watched him walking next to her, pale in the twilight, his hair stained a dark indigo. She did like him, of that she was sure, but his regard for her…

She frowned slightly, trying to make some sense of the jumble of thoughts within her.
His comment about Aerie had stung, and Fritha could not quite forget about how he had flirted with both her and Aerie whilst still clearly holding affection for Raelis.

Perhaps it was all just a game to him, perhaps it was just what he did with pretty girls he met and he meant nothing by any of it, and Fritha was put in mind of the time when they were children, she had found Imoen outside the stables crying because one of Phlydia's cats had caught a bird.

The poor thing had hurt its wing and could not fly away, though it would make a valiant effort every time the cat released it, letting the bird flutter and stumble to just out of its reach before pouncing on it again. Imoen, stood watching helpless beneath, could not understand why the cat was being so cruel and Fritha had had no answer for her either, Phlydia finally arriving to shoo it off and explain gently that it was not cruelty, but instinct which drove the cat; it was just its way.

Perhaps it was the same with Haer'Dalis; he did not mean any of it unkindly, it was just his way.

And would you be happy with that? Just flirting with him? Watching him flirt with others?
Fritha shrugged to herself, unsure either way. Such a situation seemed like one of those things that would look very straightforward on paper and be hideously complicated once people and feelings and all that nonsense got involved.
Besides, there seemed little point in worrying about it at the moment, only time would tell whom he liked and just how much.

If it had just been her and he, she may have felt braver, but Aerie's interest had complicated things somewhat and Fritha decided the best course was to just step back and watch what happened, rather than pressing her affections and making an idiot of herself. Fritha shivered slightly. Especially when the idea of even trying to take his hand right now, was making her break out in cold sweat.
In the end, the choice would be Haer'Dalis's, and if he liked her then it shouldn't really matter if Aerie or Nalia, or half the female population of Amn liked him.

He turned to give her a warm smile, eyes watchful behind the gesture and she smiled back, trying to show her affection on her face, though perhaps he saw only her worries there, for he frowned slightly.
'Is something wrong?'

She shrugged.
'Just thinking about the playhouse. You know it is the first theatre I have ever even seen and suddenly it's mine and I'm organising a play for it. It all feels very strange.'

Haer'Dalis beamed, his tone almost condescending.
'Do not fret, my raven, for I can see you have a gift for such things, and I shall always be around to give you the benefit of my talent and experience.'

Fritha laughed lightly; modesty was clearly not one of Haer'Dalis's strong points, but his confident air rather suited him.

'It is as I said before,' he continued gravely, ignoring her laughter, 'I hold with you.'

He was staring at her, his eyes intense, as though waiting for her to do something and she turned quickly back to the path ahead, suddenly embarrassed.

'Well, it is nice to know I am not alone in this,' she continued brightly. She could still feel his eyes on her though, and was wrestling with herself to turn back and- well, she hadn't quite got that far yet, but after a moment he turned away as well, his voice as bright and even as hers had been.

'No, I will help you in this venture. Have I told you of the time, my raven, when the Sigil troupe were performing in Tradegate…'

Fritha smiled, letting his voice drift over her, feeling glad she had not acted before. There was no need to rush into things and there was an enjoyment in just being friends. She drew in a breath of cool air, her worries giving way to a thrill of anticipation. That night seemed full of possibilities and she could sense a beginning in the air. Work had been found, she had a play to produce and a new friendship to nurture.

'My raven,' came his voice next to her and she glanced to him, his stern look not quite hiding the amusement in his eyes, 'you have that absent look again; you are not listening.'

She laughed warmly and shook her head.
'I'm sorry. Start again, you have my full attention this time, I promise.'

He smiled slightly.
'If it were anyone but you… Some years ago now, the Sigil troupe were performing in Tradegate…'