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
The art of losing
Anomen marched briskly along the street, rather glad of his cloak as a cool autumn breeze whipped round him, the tavern he had been directed to in a district of the slums poor even by their standard, the street lined with small dreary houses, rundown and all leaning into each other as though drunk.
His day had been a slow one and he was happy to be out of the inn and on his way to another meeting, the long hours of study both at the Order's library and in his own room leaving him with too much chance to brood. If he'd know he would be free he could have tried to get a message to meet his sister, but once he'd thought of it, it was too late; he always had to send them early to guarantee his father would not intercept them and cause trouble for the girl, and Moira would have needed time to create an appropriate excuse as well.
Anomen sighed. They usually met in a park near to his house, and at noon he had taken a break from his work, bought some salted bread from a street vender and gone there to eat, walking along the white stone paths amongst the trees and hedges, almost unnatural in their neatness, hoping that by some chance Moira would have come there anyway. But he saw no sign of her and returned to the inn slightly disheartened to continue his studies until the hour of his meeting drew close.
Anomen frowned to himself as he recalled Fritha's haunted look when he had met her on his departure. After matins that morning, he had spoken briefly with Oisig, the priest telling him, amongst other things, that Sassar's sight had finally returned to the degree that he could move about safely and he had left the city on a pilgrimage a day or so before. Anomen frowned again, wishing he had remembered to tell Fritha when he'd seen her before, sure such news would have gone a long way to improving her mood.
It was unfortunate the way things had turned out and it seemed a cruel fate that had set each the task least suited to them, for his work as a healer had made him used to dealing with bodies of varying condition and the girl certainly did not mind dealing with thieves. In fact, the way she talked of Renal, he expected them to be announcing their engagement any day now.
Anomen shook off this slight twinge of annoyance, glancing up to finally see the tavern he had been heading for, a couple of men already passed out in the street before it, while a third was stood next to them being sick.
Inside was little better, the people as grey and lifeless as the gloomy drab room they were sat in. Tables had been crammed in to the point where there was barely enough room between them to get by, most with one or two people hunched over them, drinking it seemed just for the sake of getting drunk, while rouged women sat chatting on some rickety wooden stairs that led up to the next floor, and Anomen suspected Lehtinan's was not the only brothel in the slums. Even so, he was clearly not the tavern's usual clientele and many patrons glanced up as he entered, taking in the fine woollen cloak and good stout boots, some resentful, though the mace at his hip kept anyone from voicing their displeasure.
With no way of knowing who he was looking for, he ordered a drink and took a table against the far wall in good view of both the door and the bar, though he had barely been seated for more than a moment when one of the women decided he must be fair game and left her friends on the stairs to trip over to him, squeezing her ample frame between the tables with a unexpected grace.
'You looking for company, pet?' she smiled and Anomen could not help but feel slightly insulted. The woman was easily old enough to be his mother! Even if he was there for such things, she could at least credit him with having a modicum of taste.
'No, thank you,' he answered bluntly, barely glancing up from his ale, though she paid him no mind, settling herself on the bench next to him with the creak of whalebone and a grin.
'Now let's not be so hasty.'
Anomen frowned, his frustrations rising.
'Really, madam, I am not interested in anything you may be offering.'
'Oh no?' she cooed, snaking an arm along his back and leaning in to whisper, 'Sestus sends his regards.'
Lirsand's friend. Anomen stiffened, gazing out over the sea of faces.
'He is here?'
The woman chuckled slightly, her voice still low.
'Oh aye, he's in the back, pet. But all eyes'll be on someone like you here and the boy don't want to been seen. Best they think you're coming with me.'
He nodded once and followed her as she stood to lead him through the tavern and up the stairs. The back, as the woman had called it, was even darker than the common room, just a long corridor, doorways leading off on either side while couples stood, talking and laughing, paying them no mind as they passed, the woman finally turning into the last room.
It was small, only enough room for the bed and chair, its occupant standing as soon as they entered and Anomen was suddenly stood opposite a lean pale lad, his broad open face looking little older than Avis's.
'Thank you for coming,' Sestus began, reaching out to heartily shake his hand and politely offering him the chair before turning to give a small purse to the woman. 'And thanks to you as well, Ivy, can you wait upstairs until were finished?'
The woman smiled and nodded once. 'Aye, as you will, pet.'
Sestus sighed, running a hand through his short sandy hair and sinking onto the bed as she closed the door.
'I apologise for all this secrecy, but I can't let anyone know I have Lirsand's whereabouts. This new guild has got everyone at our place looking over their shoulders, and I don't want to give the thief master any reason to bring me in for questioning. Especially seen as I don't know anything.'
Anomen straightened with surprise and the chair creaked warningly.
'You do not? But you just said you know of Lirsand's whereabouts.'
Sestus nodded.
'Yes, but he hasn't defected like Renal thinks, well not to this new guild anyways. He and Helenya have joined up with a gang who are working the trade roads south, just outside the city.'
'They've become bandits!' Anomen exclaimed, Sestus holding up a hand as though to calm him.
'Now, don't go getting me wrong. Lirsand's a good friend and he wouldn't be messed up in anything bloody. The only reason he left our guild was because Helenya's parents got the Watch on him and he couldn't make his tithes with them breathing down his neck. He was over at the Crooked Crane near the city gates when he met with these two who were there keeping an eye on what caravans would be leaving the city that day, numbers of guards and the like. Apparently they got talking and offered him a place with them. I never met them myself, but Lirsand said they were all right sorts and there's no way he'd have had Helenya join him if he was in any doubt.' The lad smiled faintly. 'He loves that girl more than life.'
'The group are just taking a cut of trade that's heading for Tethyr, and then letting the caravans pass by unharmed. Every few days he'd return to the Crane after dark to learn more about the caravans and we'd meet up.'
Anomen frowned slightly, the man's casual description of this robbery irking him.
'So why are you telling me this? You surely know I am charged with Helenya's return.'
Sestus sighed, his face darkening and Anomen could see the worry etched there.
'Because I was supposed to meet Lirsand again a couple of days ago, only he didn't turn up.'
'There could be many reasons for that,' offered Anomen promptly and Sestus shook his head.
'Perhaps, but I don't like it. At our last meeting he was, well, tense. The trade's been easing off now summer's over and the group are getting short of supplies. He tried to play it down, but…' The thief sighed deeply. 'Lirsand's no fool, but he sees the best in people, and he's too nice for his own good sometimes. Truth be told, I'm worried for him, him and Helenya both.'
The thief stood to take a neat square of parchment from his pocket, sitting again as he passed it to Anomen and the squire unfolded it to find a roughly drawn map of the southern forests.
'Here, I've marked on it where Lirsand said they were last camped. Tell him to send Helenya back to the city and come back himself too. Renal's a reasonable enough sort, we can explain it all to him together. And I've been saving all but my tithes; if her parents send Helenya to Waterdeep, then we'll follow.'
Sestus was leaning forward slightly, his young face earnest and resolute; the lad was willing to risk his livelihood and perhaps even his life, and Anomen suddenly realised that whether thief or not, he was clearly a loyal friend. He nodded once, feeling a strange respect for the man.
'I shall tell him.'
xxx
A stiff breeze was blowing up river as Haer'Dalis walked along the bridge, the sky before him blazing gold from the sunset and the brightly lit windows of the Five Flagons seemed hollow by comparison. He sighed, trying to ignoring the twinge of reluctance he felt as he reached the inn.
Aerie and Fritha. The girls were suddenly more similar than he had first believed, at least in their distress; the choice between them was getting more difficult. It had all just seemed liked fun before, almost unreal, but only an hour later found the situation much more serious and part of him didn't want to make a choice. Whatever he did someone would be hurt and the decision for whom would be landing squarely on his shoulders.
Firstly, Fritha had arrived back, grey and tired, and Haer'Dalis recalled clearly her troubled look as she had talked of the murders, her habitual distance finally lessening. But then Aerie had so taken him by surprise with her confession of past tortures and before he had recovered from that shock Fritha had left for her room, Nalia disappearing with her.
Poor Aerie. She had spent an age trying to reassure him all was well, that she had never minded being called dove, that she had wanted to tell him, but Haer'Dalis could tell she had been upset and, for his part, he could not help but feel uncomfortable about the revelation and silence had soon fallen between them. And then Fritha had passed them with that bright false smile twisting her face, and he knew he had to speak with her.
He had finished his wine merely for politeness before mentioning he wished to visit the theatre as well, and though Aerie did not want to accompany him, she had nodded gravely when he said he would be going, no hint of her previous jealousy. But as adamant as he had been, Haer'Dalis could not help but feel a touch reluctant when it came to seeing Fritha now, the bard suddenly unsure of his reception. He sighed again, glancing up at the inn, the laughter that drifted through one of the open windows somehow chilling, before he pushed open the door to finally step inside.
Rehearsals were taking place, though, thankfully, Samuel had recognised him from his time with the Sigil troupe and let him down into the theatre, the actors paying him no mind as he skirted along the wall to the stage and through the wings. Once backstage, a passing stagehand told him that the Patron was up on the flies, and Haer'Dalis ascended the wooden steps to find Fritha sat, feet dangling over the edge of the catwalk, her back cloaked in the darkness of the rafters, hands and face awash with light from the stage. Her attention, though, was not on the actors beneath her, her eyes upon her hands as she slowly drew a file across her nails, and he took a moment to watch her, the girl absently reciting their lines under her breath.
'Oh, Karenina, back from me, your love will be our doom. Sweet Velden, your cold words belie a passionate heart, I-'
He shifted slightly and the rail creaked beneath his hand, alerting her to him before he could announce himself and she glanced up sharply, a sudden hope flashing behind her eyes before they narrowed with a mild frustration, to finally be lost to the blank look she wore so well as she turned back to her hands.
Haer'Dalis frowned, unsure of how to proceed. It was all very well being able to read another's mood on their face, but it only worked if they themselves knew what they were feeling. He said nothing at first, moving to sit beside her, close enough to touch her if he wished, but there was still a gap between them, silence holding them a moment longer before he finally felt settled enough to break it.
'Was this the pressing task that swept you from our company before, my raven?' he asked gently, gesturing to her filing and hoping that being caught would make her honest. But the girl just shrugged, not looking to him as she answered.
'I came to help them with the sewing, but Wynn finished the last of it this morning.'
'You could have come back,' he pressed.
'I prefer it here,' she answered mildly, the hint of a sigh creeping in and he felt slightly disappointed that their previous distance seemed to have returned as silence fell again, the voices of the actor's drifting up to them.
'Prepare the horses, Karenina is to leave here this very night.'
'But master, you said she was to remain here till the spring.'
'Reside. Reside here till the spring,' Fritha muttered to her filing. Haer'Dalis smiled.
'You have learnt the play already, my raven?'
She glanced up, looking for a moment surprised to find him there, before she answered.
'I've looked over it a couple of times, I suppose I just remember this part.'
Haer'Dalis felt his smile broaden. He had suspected for sometime now that the girl was more than "merely a mercenary" as she had rather casually described herself when they'd first met, and now was as good a time as any to press the truth from her.
'Come now,' he laughed genially, 'there is no need for such modesty. For one such as you, memorising a play is hardly a feat.'
The girl drew back, blinking owlishly and for just a moment he was sure he saw a flash of panic in her dark eyes.
'One such as I?'
Haer'Dalis sent her a knowing smile.
'Really, Fritha, do you expect I should not recognise it in you, even if the others remain ignorant.'
She was gazing back at him, eyes travelling over his person and seeming to rest for more than a moment on his hair, before she shook her head and turned away, her voice wavering and strangely anxious.
'I'm really not sure what you're talking about, Haer'Dalis.'
He tugged at her sleeve to get her to look back at him, her reaction catching him out.
'You have had formal training in the arts, have you not? Music, the poets?'
She blinked again and suddenly she was beaming, nodding her head as she laughed quietly and Haer'Dalis could almost taste her relief.
'Yes. Yes, of course.'
The bard smiled as well. He had a strong feeling that there had been more to her alarm than what she'd admitted to, though he pushed his curiosity back for now, content to pursue this secret while she was apparently willing. He relaxed the hand at her sleeve, letting it rest casually on her arm.
'I told you we had more in common than I first realised,' he smiled, but Fritha just snorted.
'Hardly. I make my living by the sword not song, well, unless you count the time early on in my training when Imoen offered me everything she owned to go and practise somewhere far away from her.'
Haer'Dalis laughed, unconvinced.
'Perhaps, but the skills are still there. Tell me, do you act?'
The girl smiled slightly. 'Does lying count?'
Haer'Dalis frowned, but chose to ignore this.
'Do you play an instrument then?'
'The lute.'
Haer'Dalis smiled. 'Truly? It is back at the inn?'
'No, I lost it when we were captured by Irenicus.' Fritha sighed, looking sad for a moment before shrugging absently. 'Such is life.'
'A shame truly. I play the lyre well enough to impress those who know no better; together we could have drawn quite the crowd.'
But Fritha just shook her head, impassive.
'I don't think so. I never really liked playing for other people, I get nervous.'
Haer'Dalis smiled generously.
'Ah, my raven, such a thing is more common than you would think amongst performers, but with the right techniques it is easily overcome. I would be happy to give you some lessons.'
'Oh, it's kind of you to offer, but I think you'll be quite busy enough helping Aerie's talents blossom,' she answered mildly, turning back to her filing with a smirk and Haer'Dalis drew back slightly.
Fritha played these games too well, or at least, too flawlessly, and he was never sure whether she was teasing him or actually irked. He watched as she held her nails up to the light to inspect her work, finally satisfied it seemed, as she swapped the file over and made a start on her other hand.
Fritha gazed at her fingers, just dark silhouettes with the light of the stage behind them. Her heart was beating heavily and she could feel the tremble she was suppressing in her hands, glad for the moment when she could pass the file casually from one to the other and occupy herself with filing once more.
Why did he have to come here? She had been so close to just giving up on the whole thing and now she was unsure again. He seemed to be impossibly close and though he had removed his hand from her arm, she could still feel the warmth it had left there.
'You disapprove my teaching Aerie to act?' the bard asked and Fritha felt her stomach tighten, forcing herself to look at him as she answered.
'Disapprove? Why should I? Aerie has been through much, as now you know, anything to bring her a little joy is fine by me.'
Haer'Dalis was watching her carefully, but Fritha just smiled, confident in her mask. After all, the best deceptions were just misleading truths and she had spoken no word of a lie.
'Ah, yes,' he continued, shaking his head gravely, 'our dove's taste of a cage, a terrible thing. I must confess to being quite taken aback when she told me. I assume the rest of you knew.'
'No, only I and Nalia,' she confessed, taking a perverse pleasure in adding, 'Aerie must trust you quite a bit to tell you of it.'
'Yes…' he said slowly, still watching her as he continued, 'she seems to be a trusting soul; an even more unexpected quality considering what she has been through. She is so innocent and gentle, I am surprised she has managed to retain a heart so full of goodness after such suffering. It is so unlike myself and others I know,' he glanced to her with a smile, 'I cannot help but find her kindness interesting.'
Well, there you had it. He really couldn't have put it any plainer for her. He liked Aerie, just as he'd hinted and alluded ever since this had all begun. A strange rush of emotions surged in her, a horrible empty feeling suddenly yawning under her ribs and she struggled with the conflicting desires of wanting to burst into tears or shove him off the flies. But in the end she just sighed, turning back to her hands with a slight smile.
'Aerie's not as innocent as she seems. There is a strength beneath her soft look. Like those flowers that grow in the coldest North; such pale delicate blooms, but their roots go deep; they can survive conditions that would kill other plants.' Fritha smiled as she recalled the elf's surprised look after she had destroyed the beholder; it was hard not to be fond of her even with all that had happened recently. 'She has strengths you have yet to see.'
He looked as though he would reply to that, but the sound of Higgold ending the rehearsal cut him off.
'Right, that's all for tonight everyone. Davith, I think you may need to look over your lines a touch more, but other than that nice performances all round.' The man turned to look up at her. 'What did you think, my lady?'
Fritha smiled, forcing a buoyancy she did not feel into her voice.
'Very nice and good projection too, I could hear you all the way up here. That's important,' she added with a grin, 'I plan to have a full house on our opening night.'
A gentle laugh travelled the actors, and Fritha watched them disband before standing herself, Haer'Dalis following her back up to the tavern and out into the street. The sun was almost set now, the wind more bracing than it had been earlier and though not cold, it was unexpected and Fritha could not quite suppress a shiver as the first breeze caught her.
'Are you cold, my raven?'
Fritha sent him a contemplative look, fighting hard against the fluttering that had suddenly begun in her stomach. She had read enough romance novels in her youth to know what came next should she answer in the affirmative.
What was he playing at? He had just spent the last half an hour telling her how fascinating Aerie was, and then in practically the same breath he goes and reasserts himself with her. Was he just being nice or perhaps looking to make Aerie jealous?
Fritha just did not understand what he meant by any of it and suddenly she did not care. She shrugged mildly.
'I suppose.'
He slipped off his jacket immediately and she allowed him to put it about her shoulders. It smelt of him, of the dust of the flies and a faintly musky undertone, a single long blue hair still clinging to the collar. It was nice stood there in his coat, warm and comfortable, the slightly awkward feeling of the sleeves hanging empty at her shoulders merely adding to the unfamiliar sensation. And that was when she made her decision.
She had once wondered whether just flirting with the man would be enough and in that moment it seemed it very much was. Haer'Dalis liked Aerie, and probably always had, but if he wanted to flirt with her as well and get the elf all aflame with jealous affection, then that was his concern and it was somehow easier to enjoy now Fritha knew it would not lead to anything.
Besides, it was rare for men to pay her any attention of that sort, (she wondered how many of them even saw past her sword) and it wasn't as though she had the opportunity to enjoy such things very often.
Try, ever! sniped her mind and she snorted, hiding her laughter behind her hand, feeling suddenly giddy with melancholy and Haer'Dalis sent her a sidelong glance.
'Is something amusing, my raven?'
Fritha shook her head with a smile.
'No, nothing, nothing. Come, let's get you back to your dove.'
xxx
They walked back to the inn in silence, even and reflective. A few times Haer'Dalis turned to her as though to speak, but would always just turn back to their path again without a word and Fritha was glad of it. It would have been awful to stand there with him gently explaining the obvious to her, telling her how he valued their friendship or some other trite nonsense, and Fritha wondered absently why people bothered trying to spare each other's feelings in such situations. It would sting whichever way you told someone you did not return their regard, at least have the decency to be blunt. After all, they would be in a much better starting position for getting over their un-requiting paramour if they could spend the next tenday raging about what a heartless bastard they were.
Fritha smiled. No, all in all, it was much better with things left unsaid, and she was rather enjoying the walk in an empty sort of way; wrapped in his coat and lost in absent dreams of another life.
The inn was ahead of them now, the windows aglow with a welcoming light and Fritha wished she had made some excuse to stay in the darkness of her theatre. It was too late for such thoughts now though, and she allowed Haer'Dalis to open the door for her, entering to find Aerie still sat where she had left her. The druid had finally joined the table as well and the pair glanced up as they approached, Aerie's eyes round as she took in the coat at her shoulders, colour creeping into her cheeks as she hurriedly emptied her cup and stood, teapot in hand.
'Oh, you- you are back,' she stuttered, suddenly unable to meet their eyes, 'well, I think I may, ah, fetch some more, well, please excuse me.'
And with that Aerie turned and fled to the bar, Haer'Dalis's gaze following the elf before he glanced back to her and Fritha had never seen him look so unsure.
'Tis your cue, sparrow,' she said with a forced mildness, gesturing after the girl. The man said nothing though, merely sent her a contemplative frown before pushing past to follow the elf. Fritha sighed, shrugging off his coat to take a seat and laying it neatly on the table next to her as she helped herself to some ale.
Well, she had known it would be so; there was no point getting upset about it now.
'Cold are we?' came Jaheira.
Fritha sighed, taking a long draft of the bitter liquid.
'No, not particularly,' she answered finally, glancing up to notice the druid's gaze upon the coat at her elbow and Fritha swallowed, dropping her attention back to her drink as Jaheira gave a deep sigh.
'Fritha, if you like him-'
'I don't,' she interrupted quickly, conceding at the druid's measured look, 'I mean I do, but-' she stopped and drew a measured breath, 'his feelings lie elsewhere.'
Jaheira raised a sceptical eyebrow.
'And how are you so sure?'
Fritha felt herself colour but answered promptly all the same, evenly meeting the woman's gaze.
'He talks about her when we're alone together, has done ever since he joined us really.' She shrugged. 'I can't see him doing that with her about me.'
Jaheira frowned slightly. The girl had a point. It was a rare courting technique that involved mention of the other woman, and by the look on the girl's face, it had not been pleasant to hear. It was difficult to tell sometimes whether the tiefling was obtuse or just incredibly unkind.
'He says she's innocent…' Fritha continued, eyes determinedly fixed on her cup as she took another drink, 'he finds it interesting.'
Jaheira snorted, feeling suddenly angry that Fritha was still young enough to be injured by such silliness, and that the other two were old enough to have forgotten how it could hurt.
'Aerie is not as innocent as she makes out, and she certainly has nothing on you!'
'Me?' laughed Fritha, though more with disbelief than any real amusement. 'I'm no ingénue in this. I know what he's doing, letting her see me in his coat to make her jealous, get a reaction.'
'Then why go along with it?'
Fritha sighed and shook her head, unusually open as she answered her.
'Because, whether he meant it or not, I just wanted to see what it would feel like, a man's coat about me. It was nice, like I was owned, like I belonged to someone.'
Jaheira sent her a measured look
'Belonged to him?' she baited, but the girl did not rise to it, shrugging mildly.
'Belonged to anyone. So where is the harm? Haer'Dalis is my friend and I am resigned to nothing more.'
Jaheira snorted.
'You know exactly where the harm lies: Aerie. And despite what you may think, you are a lot greener than she in this. She more than likely knows Haer'Dalis is trying to make her jealous.'
Fritha frowned slightly, genuinely puzzled.
'Then why did she get upset?'
'Well, I suspect she was trying not to, but emotions have a tendency to make themselves known.'
Fritha snorted with disdain. 'Amateurs.'
'Well, we can't all be as deft with lies as you are, girl,' Jaheira snapped, angry at Fritha's characteristic distance. 'But have you stopped to consider that perhaps there is sometimes more to gain by showing your emotions? At least the bard knows where he stands with her, which is more than can be said for you!'
Fritha felt her stomach grow hot. That was true enough; she had persistently concealed her jealousy with a flawless mask of friendly indifference. What would he have inferred from that?
And suddenly it was all painfully clear.
Oh dear…
He hadn't been teasing her about Aerie for fun, or even for spite, but to see if she liked him. Jaheira was watching her with a gentle pained expression and, unreasonable though it was, Fritha had never wanted to scream at anyone so much in her life.
'Fritha, you hide away from everyone and you do it too well. I worry for you. If you have feelings for him, then let him know honestly before it is too late.'
With a will that felt like it could have moved the heavens, Fritha forced a smile. Not too bright, not too melancholy; a perfection in balance.
'Haer'Dalis is just a friend, Jaheira, we may flirt and such but it means nothing.'
But the woman merely shook her head with a weary sigh.
'Fritha… this is a dangerous game you're playing.'
'Oh, life's a dangerous game, and the stakes are much higher,' she snapped, the druid's words echoing her own mind in an unwelcome way.
'Oh, is that the attitude we are having now?' Jaheira snapped back, her temper finally winning through. 'Your games could split this group! Something that you railed quite vehemently against when it was I causing the tension.'
'Fine,' Fritha shouted, standing to snatch the coat from the table before her, 'the ties will be cut!'
'Fritha-' Jaheira came more gently, reaching a hand across the table as though to sooth her, already regretting her sharpness it seemed. The girl remained unmoved.
'Oh, leave me alone, won't you. Here!' she snapped, turning to redirect her ire on the man stood at the bar behind her, Fritha throwing the coat to Haer'Dalis as she stalked past, he and the elf glancing up with surprise. 'My thanks.'
And with barely a moment to take in their shocked faces, she continued across the tavern and stormed off upstairs.
xxx
Fritha stood at her window, head resting upon the sill as she stared out over the city feeling tired and stupid.
Why had it turned out like this? Why hadn't she seen from the begin what Haer'Dalis was doing? Always watching her reaction so carefully whenever he mentioned Aerie. Fritha felt another surge of anger. Why couldn't he have just been honest with her instead of playing such games?
Yes, honest, just like you've been.
Fritha shook her head. She had no right to be angry about it, not when she was as bad as he was. Nalia had told her to be more open with him, as had Jaheira. But it seemed it didn't really matter in the end. She had liked him, did like him, but it was clear he favoured Aerie now and, be it pride or cowardice (or as Fritha suspected, a healthy mix of both), she had no intention of trying to change his mind.
Fritha drew a deep breath, blinking furiously and determined not to cry over something so stupid as she pulled her gaze back to the window. The streets were quiet now, the sun just a dark red sliver above the sea, and the whole city had a sleepy look.
It reminded her of the night they had first arrived in the city, how she had looked out at the unfamiliar rooftops full of worry and sorrow as she thought of Imoen newly taken. Almost a month ago now and Athkatla was much more familiar to her, but she still didn't feel as though she belonged there.
A month; how many more would she see in that city before she raised enough to get Imoen back?
Fritha felt a steel creep into her stomach. That was why she was there, after all. Not for boys or plays or any other nonsense, but to raise coin for Imoen, and that is what she would focus on from now on.
A knock at the door behind her, the person entering without invitation and she knew instinctively who it was before they even spoke.
'Fritha,' came Jaheira softly, and the girl glanced back to watch her cross the room and take the chair before the dresser. The woman had always had a nice way of moving; confident but undisruptive, as though she existed with her surroundings rather than forging through them. Fritha sighed, turning to lean with her back against the sill and offer the woman a wan smile.
'I am sorry I lost my temper before. I was angry with myself, not you.'
But Jaheira just waved her apology away with an understanding shake of her head.
'Are you all right?'
'I'm fine,' she sighed, but the druid sent her a measured look.
'You are not so skilled at acting yet as to conceal things from me.'
Fritha was tempted to ask her to consider that perhaps she was and that her slight show of melancholy here was in fact a ruse to reveal she was lying and ensure later lies, flawlessly delivered, would be readily believed. But that would just be making things harder for herself in the long run and she kept silent. Jaheira sighed gently.
'Fritha, if you have feelings for him -and I really cannot see why you would,' she added with a frown, 'but if you do, then you must tell him honestly and let him make his decision openly. All this duplicity breeds only bitterness and will split this group.'
Fritha smiled faintly, glancing back to the somnolent city.
'There is music in his wake; I could not help but like him. But,' she continued, her voice becoming firmer, 'my regard is not returned, at least not in any equal way and since I can't have him wholly, it's best not to have him at all.'
Fritha sighed gently.
'Haer'Dalis is my friend. I will not fight to further it and, in that, Aerie does want this more than I.'
'And what of the flirting?' Jaheira continued with a stern look, 'this making Aerie jealous.'
'It's him that's doing it! I accept only what he sends me, I never solicit such advances!'
'Yes, Fritha, but people tend to blame the one they are not infatuated with!'
She opened her mouth as though to protest again, when she suddenly shook her head, defeated by the truth of it.
'You're right. You are, I know it.' She drew a deep steeling breath. 'It causes problems and the group should come first… I will make sure things remain deep within the bounds of friendship from now on; no word too large, no glance too long.'
Jaheira nodded once, just as three resounding knocks sounded upon the door followed by a strangely tentative, 'Hello?'
Fritha smiled slightly.
'Come in, Nalia.'
The door opened, the girl taking a step into the room and stopping as she noticed the druid.
'Oh, Jaheira, I didn't expect…' she trailed off, Fritha moving to welcome her in as Nalia explained, 'I just spoke to Haer'Dalis and Aerie, they said you were downstairs talking to Jaheira when you suddenly stood up, threw his coat at him and stormed up here in a temper; they thought you two were fighting.'
Fritha gave the druid a wry smile.
'Wouldn't be the first time, would it? Is Haer'Dalis angry?' she continued more anxiously.
Nalia shook her head.
'No, more confused, I should say. Don't worry though,' she snorted, 'Aerie's comforting him.'
Fritha sighed, smiling ruefully as she slumped onto the bed.
'Ah, the game is won.'
'Yes,' reasoned Jaheira, 'but it doesn't necessarily make you the loser.'
'Quite,' Nalia agreed, cheering slightly, 'let's go back downstairs and have a hand of Talis to divert you.'
Fritha glanced up to her face; freckled and pretty with a forced sort of brightness to it, but at least she was trying. Fritha smiled as warmly as she was able.
'All right.'
xxx
But the three women had only just returned to the common room and begun a hand, when Anomen arrived back at the tavern and they immediately put aside their cards to hear his news, Aerie and Haer'Dalis joining them, a stiff sort of politeness descending on the table, everyone seemingly determined to pretend the last hour had not happened.
'How was the meeting?' asked Fritha, pouring him some ale as Anomen sank into the chair next to her, the man nodding his thanks.
'Fine. I learnt much.' And he related to them his meeting and all the lad had told him, the others about him quiet until he had finished.
'Well,' sighed Fritha, the first to break the silence that followed his account, 'there is only one thing to be done now, the investigation will have to be taken to the source. You said Sestus told you where these bandits were last camped?'
Anomen nodded.
'Indeed. About a half a day or so into the forests southeast of the city. Though that was a few days ago now; they may well have moved on.'
Fritha shrugged her acceptance of this, glancing to the others about her.
'Well, once Minsc returns that will be our tasks within the city complete. We can all set out for the camp tomorrow.'
'A sound plan,' agreed Anomen, taking a drink as he continued conversationally, 'as I was out, I heard rumours already travelling the slums that the Bridge murderer is dead.'
'Good news travels fast,' commented Jaheira dryly.
'I heard the Watch have already removed Rejiek's body. I imagine they will wait until nightfall before removing the rest considering their state- oh, your pardon,' he cut in suddenly with a glance to her as Fritha gave an involuntary shudder, 'I did not mean to…'
'No, no, it's fine,' Fritha smiled, waving his apology away. For the most part, she just felt numb about it all now, as though she had watched the whole thing happen to someone else. But that day had seen far too much honesty from her as it was, and she merely leaned back in her chair with a nonchalant shrug.
'Besides, it all adds to the experience. I'll be rooting blithely through skinless bodies in no time, turning up all sorts of things with barely the bat of an eyelid. Oh, do you like my new coat?' she continued affectedly, primly straightening an invisible sleeve. 'I found it on my last adventure. Genuine baby hide. I hear the Earl of Crimmor has one just like it.'
'Fritha!' snapped Jaheira, looking annoyed that she was hiding behind her humour as usual, but Fritha just laughed, the bard the only one it seemed who appreciated the joke.
'Perhaps this Rejiek was hoping to start a new trend,' he offered with a smirk.
'Haer'Dalis!' reproached Aerie while Anomen shook his head gravely.
'Even to jest about such a thing is against the Gods.'
'I don't see how it can be against all of them,' commented Fritha, casually emptying her cup, 'religion is a tricky thing. So many gods and all opposing each other; one man's sin is another man's salvation.'
Four faces turned to her, appalled, and Haer'Dalis laughed, clearly pleased with her intervention and she suspected she was forgiven her earlier outburst.
'Well observed, my raven, another round?'
And before anyone could answer either way, he had stood to pass her the teapot, taking up the empty ale-pitcher himself and Fritha had little choice but to follow him to the bar.
'Haer'Dalis, really!' Fritha complained as she weaved after him through the press of people, the weight of the pot shifting in her hands as liquid sloshed about inside it. 'This teapot is still half full!'
'Oh, bar that!' he hushed her genially, glancing back with a grin as they finally found an unoccupied section of bar, 'did you really wish to stay there and burn under the glare of their disapproval?'
Fritha smiled, shaking her head absently as she turned to place the teapot on the bar between them.
'They merely wait for our return, you know,' she warned, but the bard just laughed, seeming to relish the trouble of it.
'Let them. Ah, my raven, did you mark the knightling's face? Oh, and the druid; if looks could kill.'
'Yes, and even your dove seems to have found her talons,' Fritha muttered mildly and the bard looked delighted, a broad smile lighting his features.
'Fritha, do I notice a hint of green creeping into your plumage?'
But the girl just laughed heartily and found it was a lot less forced than she would have thought.
'I've no more jealousy in me, than you've sense in you,' she lied blithely, 'your favours are your own and you may bestow them where you please.'
Haer'Dalis grinned.
'Oh my raven, I am a mere mortal and ergo cannot help but be swayed by a fair countenance and even fairer heart,' he paused to send her a sly look, 'but I shall be forever sworn to you if you can make the knightling blush.'
Fritha laughed, shaking her head as a dozen ideas came to her unbidden, the voice grave behind her eyes.
Oh, not for the wide world.
Anomen had done nothing to earn such treatment, certainly not just for the bard's amusement, and Fritha was glad this first test of her resolve was such a painless one. Haer'Dalis was watching her carefully, perhaps seeing if she would take this chance to take up the game and reveal her feelings, but in the end she just smiled.
'I think you're a bad influence on me.'
'If nothing else is attributed to me in this fair Prime plane of yours, I shall be more than content!' he laughed, a grin lighting his face and Fritha recognised a mask when she saw one as he turned to the bar.
Haer'Dalis frowned slightly to himself, focusing on the myriad of bottles that covered the shelves behind the bar as the girl moved to stand next to him. A large group of mercenaries had just arrived and moved up to the bar, all shouting and laughing as they joined the waiting patrons, and the crowds already there shifted to accommodate, Fritha suddenly pressed against him. He thought she would at least blush after the fuss she had made before, but she hadn't even seemed to notice, all her attention on trying to catch the eye of the servers.
She glanced to him, giving him a friendly smile as an elbow in his back pressed him closer.
'It seems we've escaped one discomfort to find another. Jaheira would deem this the Balance at work.'
He smiled slightly at her quip.
'Divine retribution. Perhaps the gods did not think much of your theory. What were you and the druid quarrelling about before?'
'Oh nothing really,' she dismissed, the girl smiling slightly to herself, 'Jaheira was worried I was putting too much of my focus on the theatre and it was making me tired for my other responsibilities. And about that,' she continued, dipping her face slightly, her shame apparent, 'I am sorry if I seemed sharp before, I know I was in a temper with Jaheira, but I shouldn't have taken it out on you or anyone else.'
Haer'Dalis shook his head with a smile. He had been more surprised than offended and her contrition was so genuine, he doubted he could have remained angry with her even if he had been.
'Ah, worry not, my raven. Your day has hardly been peaceable, it is unsurprising it has coloured your mood.'
She looked at him and nodded once, suddenly grave and he felt there was much more behind her words as she replied, 'thank you, you are very kind.'
And then the moment was gone, and she was leaning across the bar to finally catch the attention of a serving girl, passing her the jug and teapot to be refilled.
Haer'Dalis sighed to himself as he stepped back slightly to watch her. Fritha was a confusing little thing. So warm one moment, so cold the next, it made his head ache just to try and work out what she was thinking and he wondered sometimes if she herself knew.
She was so cool in the theatre, talking about Aerie as though she wanted nothing more than to see him paired with the elf, but then the girl was happy for him to put his coat about her on their return. And then, but moments later, she was flinging it furiously back in his face.
Haer'Dalis shook his head. It was not hard to see she had suffered something in the past, the way she danced, hesitant, before a relationship as though a portal of unknown destination.
Normally, he would not have minded the challenge, especially when the prize was as fair as she, but the chase was only fun if you knew you would eventually catch your quarry. Raelis' rejection had left him wary, and though he did not believe Fritha would ever intentionally do the same, she was in a difficult situation and he could see quite clearly the circumstance where he would finally corner the girl for her to turn about, sadly shake her head and say she could not put the group aside for him.
And then there was sweet Aerie, all warm and temperate and already so devoted.
She was so unlike him, so unlike anyone he had been attracted to before and though he said it as much for Fritha's reaction as anything, he truly did find her innocence fascinating. Even courting her did not feel like a chore, but merely something they could enjoy together, the girl giving as much to it as he, and she appreciated his talents even if she was not always as ignorant of them as she pretended to be.
He glanced back through the crowds to their table to find the elf clearly searching the press for him, her eyes finally catching him and lighting with joy to find him watching her. She waved and blushed soundly. Haer'Dalis smiled; the decision was made.
xxx
Fritha drew in a deep measured breath of cool evening air, watching the lights of the city lain out and flickering before her, the low rumble of the tavern beneath the only thing to break the stillness of the empty street. The group had played another few rounds of cards, but then Haer'Dalis had invited Aerie to walk out and Fritha had found it difficult to concentrate since; her mind drifting back to the evening but days before when she and the bard had walked back from the theatre together and how full of promise the world had seemed, the knowledge that she had brought its end about by her own decision little comfort.
Predictably, her card playing had suffered and after coming last three games in a row, she had bowed out to enjoy her melancholy alone, sat outside on the rotting wooden steps that led to the roofs next to the inn, her feet dangling above the street and hands resting on the railings as she casually tortured herself with thoughts of the couple.
Footsteps on the edge of her hearing caught her attention and Fritha glanced to the end of the street, the dark outline of a man just visible in the twilight and large enough to recognise even at a distance; it seemed Minsc had finally returned from the temple.
She watched him in silence as he strolled towards the inn, contemplating on whether to announce her presence or let him pass her by. But it seemed his eyes were sharper than she had given him credit for, the man glancing up to finally notice her, his voice warm and loud after the cold silence she had been sat in.
'Young Fritha, what are you doing up there?'
She shrugged.
'Nothing really. You're back late, how was the temple?'
'Good. All went to a tavern afterwards to celebrate and much ale was had. Minsc thought he would be having to carry some of the acolytes back to the temple as well,' he laughed, moving up the steps to settle on the one beneath her, the man still taller than her even then.
'As we walked back here, Minsc and Boo passed little Aerie and the bard. Minsc has noticed they spend much time together, yes?'
Fritha glanced to him, the man sending her an unusually searching look before turning back to gaze out over the rooftops.
'Minsc and Boo know there is much in this world worth fighting! But…' he continued gently, 'Boo also says there are some things that you should not have to fight for…'
Fritha smiled wryly; she and Boo were in agreement, it seemed.
'Do you ever think of taking a wife, Minsc?'
'No, indeed,' he replied genially, 'for I have Boo for company.'
Fritha sighed, resting her chin on her hands.
'Perhaps I should get a cat…'
'This is a good idea!' enthused Minsc, and Fritha smiled. 'As long as it knows that Boo is not for eating,' he added in stern afterthought, before continuing blithely. 'But you shall get a husband too one day, I am thinking.'
'Sorry?' she exclaimed, sitting bolt upright to look at him, though the man continued as mildly as before.
'Yes, Boo can see the truth of it even now. A man will come, and after many deadly trials to prove his worth, dragon-slaying or the wrestling of giants perhaps? Minsc and Boo will help you to decide once the time comes,' he assured with a gentle pat to her shoulder. 'But after these many tests, he will have earned the honour of courting you.'
Fritha snorted wryly.
'All that just to court me? I can't see there being many takers.'
Minsc shrugged.
'If they are unwilling, they are unworthy,' he said simply. 'Dynaheir would have expected as much of any man, and you are no less of a woman than she!'
No less of a woman than Dynaheir; Minsc's plain-speaking disposition only making it more of a compliment.
Fritha dropped her chin back down to her hands again with a slight smile as she imagined herself sweeping about with imperious grace, reducing all men within a three-mile radius into stammering mush. The image, though amusing, did not really marry with the one she had of herself, and that sort of attention wasn't really for her anyway. Besides, she considered, what was the rush? Yes, her heart was bruised, but it would heal, and she had the rest of her life to fret about such things. And to find someone willing to undertake Minsc's rather rigorous selection process.
'Minsc, can you teach me some more of the Ode of Duric and Alecva?'
He nodded once and began to intone the words, his deep voice echoing almost eerily in the empty street, Fritha joining him an octave higher, their voices drifting up to a star-strewn sky.