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: I had hoped to get this chapter published quite a while ago, but I've just bought my first house and painting has had a far greater claim on my time than I ever envisioned (or desired). Still, we got there in the end, so a quick 'thank you' to everyone who reviewed and messaged, and to my betas for their invaluable help and for listening to me whinging about how much I hate decorating.

For Alexandra Mary Anderson

Strut and fret

Aerie looked up to the square of pale blue sky just beyond her window, the room about her seeming so much larger where she was sat, on the hearthrug before an empty grate, Nalia next to her, sat cross-legged with her skirts pooled about her while Fritha was at her side, legs stretched out and hair loose as she lounged against the fireplace with an easy grace, a large carafe of deep red wine set on the hearth between the three.

The group had split up after they had left the Order, Aerie and the others returning to the Coronet for lunch, while Nalia went with Fritha to see if Renal had any idea where the disgraced knights might be gathering. The pair returned an hour or so later with a potential location and in a much better mood for their trip, Fritha, who had been so sullen at breakfast, full of smiles as she told the table of their meeting with the old thief master. Of course, this had prompted yet another quarrel between Fritha and Anomen, though Fritha had borne her half with an almost playful civility. Or, at least that was until the three girls had retreated up to Aerie's room, the wine they ordered going a long way to calming the very irate young woman.

Aerie glanced to her, the girl smiling as Nalia showed her some of her latest embroidery. Though the elf could understand Anomen's dislike of Renal, the squire knew how Fritha felt about the man and Aerie did not know why he deemed it necessary to tell the girl of his distrust every time the thief master was mentioned. That Anomen had been irascible lately was putting it mildly and Aerie wondered absently what could have troubled him so, though she suspected from the restraint Fritha was showing, at least in the squire's presence, that the girl may have a good idea.

'So why are you in a mard with the sparrow today?' asked Fritha abruptly, Aerie glancing up to find the two looking at her and it took the elf a moment to realise she was speaking to her.

'In- in a what?'

'In an ill-humour, Aerie,' explained Nalia, giving Fritha a fond if exasperated look as she sipped her wine. Aerie bit her lower lip with a frown.

'Oh, well…'

She had attended the circus last night, walking through the gloaming streets as she made her way to the promenade alone. That Haer'Dalis had been unable to join her had been disappointing at first, but she had soon found herself looking forward to the chance to catch up with her friends and uncle, uninterrupted by the more formal atmosphere that would accompany the entrance of an outsider.

But she arrived to something quite different from the easy air of reunion she had been expecting, everyone greeting her and clearly uncomfortable behind their smiles, though were denying it and it was only when her uncle had arrived that she'd discovered the reason for their disquiet. Aerie sighed, the girls still patiently waiting for her to begin.

'I'm not angry with Haer'Dalis, not at all, it's just… last night when I arrived at the circus without him, everyone was acting so strangely and then when I asked my uncle why, he said that they had noticed Haer'Dalis was not with me and they thought we had separated.'

Nalia frowned slightly. 'That is an odd assumption to make.'

'That's just what I said!' Aerie cried, the girl's agreement bolstering her, 'And Uncle Quayle said- he said that it was not that they did not like Haer'Dalis, but with us being so different they had not expected it to last…'

Aerie let her mind drift back to the night before, picturing her friends as they had been, stood about her in an uncomfortable silence that was a stark contrast to the brightly coloured costumes they were still wearing from their last performance as Quayle gave a voice to their concerns. Of course, she had refuted it vehemently at the time and their group had eventually returned to the easy camaraderie she had been expecting. But Aerie could not seem to forget their words and though it was hardly Haer'Dalis's fault, she was finding it difficult to speak with the man that day, her thoughts and feelings towards him all a jumble.

Something not helped by the unsettling darkness she had sensed in him only the previous morning. Aerie had always known he was tiefling, but she never really realised what that meant before and the fact that he was actually part demon and very different from her was an idea she could not seem to shake.

'Well…' came Fritha after a moment, the girl sending Nalia the same wary look her circus friends had shared as she continued gently. 'You can't really blame them, Aerie. I mean they were probably only worried for you and you and Haer'Dalis are very different; you used to say as much yourself sometimes.'

'Well, yes,' Aerie conceded, hastily trying to explain the difference, 'but that was before, when I was less certain of his feelings, the way he would never speak of the future, but now… Though he will still never speak of it directly, only the other day he said…' she smiled and flushed soundly, 'he said that some birds pair for life.'

Fritha glanced to Nalia and the two burst out laughing, Aerie folding her arms with a disgruntled sigh.

'Oh, be quiet! I thought it was really sweet.'

'Oh, we were only playing,' soothed Nalia, taking another sip of wine as she patted her arm. 'Besides, of all things, courting is thoroughly subjective. I remember when I was attending a tournament a couple of summers ago in Riatavin with Father. I was quite well acquainted with a sister of one of the knights competing, and before the joust her brother sought me out and told me he would struggle for victory in my name.'

Aerie smiled, feeling a pleasant flutter just under her ribs as she imagined it happening to her.

'Oh, that's so romantic.'

Nalia quirked a stern eyebrow.

'Is it? As I pointed out to him, he was aiming to win anyway whether for me or himself, so it was hardly a sacrifice on his part.'

Aerie sighed as Fritha laughed delightedly; the romance of such chivalry was clearly wasted on them.

'Gods, I can just see you doing it as well!' Fritha cried, still beaming. 'What did he do?'

Nalia shrugged nonchalantly.

'Stormed off in a huff. I got a bit of a reputation as a shrew after that.' She smiled wryly. 'No wonder I ended up betrothed to Isea.'

Even Aerie joined in the laughter that time, Fritha kneeling to refill their cups, the girl shaking her head with exasperation.

'Knights! Are they all of a sort? I'll warrant Anomen would have acted in exactly the same way. They all speak so prettily and say such mean things!'

'I don't know,' considered Nalia thoughtfully, 'Squire Simon seemed most amicable.'

Fritha grinned.

'All right, I take it back. He was quite lovely actually. He could certainly give our own squire some lessons in charm. Can you imagine?' she laughed, catching up Nalia's hand and holding it to her chest as she continued deeply, 'My lady, I don't know if it was those ten pints of mead I've just necked, but you're looking particularly beautiful.'

Nalia laughed, pulling back her hand to bat Fritha lightly and Aerie smiled, drawn back to her previous musings.

'Do we know why Anomen is so quick tempered at the moment?' she asked the room, though her question was meant for Fritha, Nalia turning towards the girl as well and suddenly frowning.

'Yes, I could hardly believe it earlier he was berating you about Renal again!'

'Now don't you getting involved, dearest,' Fritha warned, patting her arm. 'The last thing we need is for it to grow into a group-wide squabble. I'm sure the whole matter will just blow over if we all keep our patience with him.'

'Just as you were?' asked Aerie innocently, fighting against a smile as she recalled the girl's previous fury. "That man! That overbearing lout! One more word about us working with the thieves, just one, and I'll wring his bloody neck!"

Fritha smiled sheepishly into her cup. 'Exactly.'

Aerie and Nalia laughed warmly; if Fritha knew anything of the squire's sudden ill-humour she was saying nothing.

'And since we're on the subject of patience,' Fritha continued playfully, 'do you have any plans to let Haer'Dalis know why you were trying his this morning?'

Aerie's smile faded.

'You mean tell him what my uncle and everyone said? I-I don't think I could bear to,' she admitted ruefully. 'He would pretend not to care what they thought whether he did or not. He can be so guarded at times, so distant; I sometimes feel I barely know him.' She sighed slightly, taking another sip of wine. 'It is a shame he's not an elf, at least then we could share reverie.'

Fritha raised an eyebrow. 'Oh, is that what they're calling it now?'

Cue raucous laughter from the girls, but even as Aerie giggled along with the pair, she could not help but wonder whether Haer'Dalis would have agreed to share reverie even if they could. It was rare he spoke of his past. She had told him everything of her own over the past few tenday; of her capture and imprisonment; of losing her family and finding the circus. And he had always been ready to listen and comfort her, just never to reciprocate…
Oh, he was always there with some merry tale of the troupe of the like, but of his past, he was a silent as the grave. Aerie frowned at this morbid turn of phrase; how the bard would have laughed if he had heard her.

'There she goes again,' sighed Nalia with a smile, and Aerie started to find them both watching her, 'back to his arms. Which amorous assignation were you reliving that time?'

The elf flushed and shook her head. 'No, nothing.'

Fritha sent the girl next to her a grin.

'Must have been good.'

'Are you in love with him, Aerie?' asked Nalia, giving her an unusually piercing look and Aerie shrugged.

'At first, I would have said yes without a thought… and I do love him,' she added earnestly, worried they would doubt it, 'but in love with him… I- I don't know. How can you tell?'

Fritha smiled playfully. 'I'll field this one. Whenever you see him it feels like you're going to be sick.'

'I must have been in love with Isea then,' commented Nalia dryly and the three laughed.

'No, not like that, like, nice sick,' Fritha continued, grinning widely as she clutched her stomach, 'Oh, owww…'

Aerie watched the girls as they giggled and played, Fritha now crying affectedly about suffering from 'the vapours' as Nalia laughed and fanned her with her shawl.

Was her uncle right? She had just admitted herself she was not in love with Haer'Dalis. She had hoped such would grow with time and intimacy but perhaps they were too different. She felt so distanced from the bard sometimes, but how much of that had been her own doing? A subconscious fear of what she would see within him if she looked deep enough…

The elf glanced to her friends who were still giggling into their cups, Fritha going to flick her hair in a coquettish manner only to get her fingers tangled in it and rouse even more laughter.

How could you expect to fall in love if you refused to let yourself?

Aerie smiled slightly.

The answer was, you could not.

xxx

Fritha yawned widely and locked her door, stretching as she slipped the key back into her bag and set off down the corridor, the hallway empty about her though she could hear the sounds of the patrons drifting up from the tavern below, unusually noisy since the evening meal should have been served and cleared again by that hour. The afternoon with the girls had been pleasant though she had not stayed long into the second carafe, the wine and her previous late night leaving her sleepy and she returned to her room, stoking up the fire and pulling the blankets from her bed to cocoon herself before the hearth and doze the afternoon away.

She had awoken hours later, the world outside greying as dusk fell and she'd just taken enough time to change her tunic and wash her face before setting out to find her friends. Fritha smiled and stretched again, reaching her arms high above her to playfully brush the archway to the landing as she passed under it.

'Trying to stretch a couple more inches to your height, my raven? I should not bother, the dearth of stature suits you.'

'Haer'Dalis!' she laughed, turning to see the man walking along the hallway towards her, clearly having come from his own room and the girl waited for him to reach her. 'What are you doing?'

'Coming to fetch you!' he answered brightly. 'All have been gathered downstairs for hours now, though it is hardly a table without our raven. I wished to come hours ago, but the girls said you were sleeping and I wasn't to disturb you.' The bard smiled slyly. 'They disappeared off to change their robes a moment ago though, so here I am. Tell me, did you enjoy your afternoon?'

Fritha thought back to the wine and laughter and poor Aerie's worries for their relationship. The elf had seemed concerned by the idea that she was not in love with the man, but Fritha had found her confession rather heartening. Such depth of regard could only be expected to come with time and if Aerie had been claiming such now Fritha would have dismissed it as the continuation of her previous infatuation. She smiled innocently.

'My afternoon? Oh, yes, very nice, though I spent most of it listening to Aerie going on about some chap she's keen on, what was his name now?' she considered aloud, tapping her chin thoughtfully a moment before shrugging. 'Anyway, apparently she's all besotten -or smitted, one of the two.'

Haer'Dalis laughed warmly, looking rather pleased.

'Ah, the merry little raven, you are always able to tempt a smile from me. The dove has been in a much better temperament since her time with you; I assume you said something?'

Fritha shook her head, her answer just skirting the wrong side of the truth.

'Not at all, though I am glad that whatever was upsetting her has blown over.'

'Indeed,' he replied slowly, clearly unconvinced before he blithely changed the subject. 'It is actually the dove's birthday soon, the ninth of this month, though she tells me it is not one she would usually observe; apparently elves of the Prime do not celebrate every year.'

Fritha laughed brightly.

'More fool them then! A year's as long whether you'll live fifty or five hundred of them.'

The bard grinned.

'Ah, my raven, you and I are ever of the same mind. I assume we will be celebrating it then.'

'Of course! Any excuse for a party. We'll shall have to arrange something closer to the day.'

'Indeed and speaking of opportunities to make merry, we have one this evening as well. A group a minstrels from, oh, somewhere north of here' the tiefling continued indifferently, seemingly unconcerned that quite a bit of Faerûn fell under such a description, 'are setting up down stairs as we speak.'

'Lehtinan has hired musicians?' confirmed Fritha, surprised by the landlord's sudden departure from his usual meanness.

'Not exactly. I was speaking with them earlier. They have been playing over at the Seven Vales this last tenday, and were due to take a caravan north this morning, but there was a delay in their setting out and landlady already has another group booked to play at the Vales, so Lehtinan offered them a night's board here in exchange for a performance. Come my raven, they are an interesting enough group, you should be introduced.'

Fritha smiled, the man's enthusiasm rousing her own and she followed Haer'Dalis down into the tavern, the man ignoring the table where Jaheira, Anomen and Minsc were already sat to lead her across the room. A good quarter of the common room had been cleared of tables to make a rudimentary dance floor and in the far corner a jumble of chairs and instruments were nestled, though there was no sigh of the band, the only one there a lone man with greying hair and a wild tangle of a beard.

'Haer'Dalis, well met again!' he greeted kindly as they approached, his voice mellow with an accent Fritha placed as from the Dalelands, though the exact region escaped her. At her side the tiefling bowed slightly, turning to present her with a flourish.

'Jorric, this is Fritha, the one of whom I spoke before. She owns one of the local theatres here, the playhouse under the Five Flagons. If you were staying any longer in the city perhaps she could have arranged some performances in the tavern for you.'

The man smiled warmly, his eyes sparkling as he turned to her.

'Ah, miss, that would be right kind of ye, but our home calls and we must leave 'fore the snows set in.'

'Fair enough, sir,' Fritha nodded politely, her eyes drawn to the round-backed long-necked string instrument in his hands.

'Tis a yarting, miss,' he explained, clearly noticing her looking, 'and your curiosity mirrors my own when I first seed one, oh, must be ten year or more ago now. They are quite rare in the north, though much more popular down here in Amn and further south. They are similar to sitars, though the sound is much fuller, don't ye find?'

He strummed a chord, a warm full note hanging in the air before it was lost in the general din of the tavern and Fritha beamed, Haer'Dalis nodding knowledgeably.

'Ah, yes, I have seen similar in Sigil. There they are known as guitars, though neither seem too dissimilar to the lute you play so well.'

Jorric turned to her and Fritha felt her stomach lurch so violently she felt suddenly sick.

'Ye play the lute, miss?

'No, no, not really,' she countered hastily, but Haer'Dalis was having none of it, the tiefling smiling broadly as he was helping her to a real treat.

'Nonsense. Despite her name, the raven here is quite the lark. I'm sure she can give you a tune.'

Jorric glanced between them before holding the instrument out to her with an encouraging smile.

'Well, if ye can play the lute, tis merely a step from there; I would gladly show ye.'

'No, he's just joking, really, no.'

'Come now, this sparrow is sure he has heard you-'

'I'm sorry, sir,' Fritha interrupted briskly, barely sparing Haer'Dalis a glance as she bowed to the bewildered musician, 'I don't think I can help you. Well, I am sure we have disturbed you long enough, my thanks, sir.'

And with that, she turned quickly on her heel to march across the open floor, the bard catching her just as she reached the first table.

'Not funny, Haer'Dalis.'

'It was merely in jest-'

'Yes and taken entirely too far!' she snapped, whirling on him, her voice coming shrill as she fought against the surge of emotions within her. Haer'Dalis frowned, though more with concern than any irritation at her tone, the man laying a hand upon her arm.

'Peace, my raven, I did not think it would affect you so. For all your previous claims of being stage shy, you do not seem to mind making a spectacle of yourself at the city gates yesterday, and you played very well back in the theatre with Marcus and I.'

Fritha shook her head, trying to find the words to explain to him something she barely understood herself.

'That's different, you and Marcus were playing too. And besides, I can do anything if it's not supposed to be serious, if it's just to make people laugh. But to be stood there, with people watching me and not laughing, but just thinking things…' Fritha shook her head again, her face growing hot even as she imagined it. 'Oh, no, no. That would be horrible.'

She glanced up to find Haer'Dalis still staring at her with a bemused look, a smile slowly spreading across his face.

'Why, I do not even believe the playing has anything to do with it, you merely do not like people looking at you.'

'Well, no, not unless I'm prepared for it,' she agreed crossly. His incredulity at something she thought quite reasonable was rather annoying, though the bard just laughed.

'Well, whatever the reason, it was not my intention to upset you. I am sorry, Fritha.'

His hand was still about her arm and he squeezed it lightly as he spoke. Haer'Dalis did not usually apologise for anything, nor use her name and the whole thing felt like much more than his words suggested. The tiefling smiled suddenly and released her. 'Come, let us return to the table. I much prefer it when it is the knightling upsetting you and I can step in with some well-placed wit.'

Fritha nodded, already feeling rather silly about her outburst and she was glad that Haer'Dalis seemed happy to forget it had even happened as they moved to join the others. A cup of wine and some laughter later and their group was finally complete as the girls arrived back at the table, both flushed pink and quite giggly, Aerie glowing in robes of yellow while Nalia looked just as fair in a dress of dark blue, the garlands of amber leaves she had embroidered about the neck complementing her hair most beautifully.

'Fritha, you're here,' Aerie smiled, 'We went to call for you, but you had already left. I suppose Haer'Dalis beat us to it.' She laughed, sending the man a mildly reproving look as she took the seat next to him, the elf hesitating a moment before leaning over to plant a kiss on his cheek. The table about them seemed to stop at this unprecedented display of affection, the man himself looking rather surprised but pleased all the same while Fritha and Nalia hid quiet laughter in their sleeves, though any comments were forestalled as the band started up, Haer'Dalis instantly asking the elf to dance.

And the evening passed pleasantly in a round of music and dancing, the revelry as good a distraction as any from his worries as any and Anomen rather enjoyed it, though he himself did not partake, content enough to sit at the table with Jaheira watching as Haer'Dalis and the girls and, on occasion, even Minsc joined the other couples on the floor.

Anomen gazed out of the window next to him, the street outside reduced to deep blue shadows as the hour grew later. The musicians were having a break between pieces, Haer'Dalis taking the opportunity to collect another round of drinks from the bar while the rest of the table talked quietly.

'Oh, excuse me,' sighed Nalia and Anomen glanced back to watch as she stifled a yawn in her sleeve, Fritha laughing brightly.

'You should have had a sleep this afternoon like I did.'

'I'm beginning to wish I had,' the girl agreed, her nose crinkling delicately as she hid yet another yawn. 'Oh, it's no good, I shall have to retire for the evening.'

At Anomen's side, Minsc nodded rolling his broad shoulders.

'Minsc leaves for bed as well. As Boo says, when much ale has been had, much sleep is needed.'

'Oh good,' cried Aerie, standing hastily as well. 'If two of you are going, that means I can too.'

'You?' exclaimed Fritha, staring up at her, 'I thought you were having fun dancing with Haer'Dalis?'

Aerie sighed wearily.

'Oh, I am, but I'm so tired and he always wants to dance so complicatedly. I've said I wanted to retire, but it's been 'just one final dance' for the last hour now … just tell him I've gone to bed, won't you?'

Fritha shrugged mildly. 'All right, but don't blame me if it breaks his heart.'

'Oh, be quite!' Aerie snapped, but Fritha just laughed, standing to gently hook a stray lock of hair behind Nalia's ear.

'Sleep well, poppet.'

Nalia gave a warm laugh and nodded.

'I will, enjoy the rest of your evening, dearest. Goodnight everyone.'

'What is this?' came a familiar voice moments later when Haer'Dalis return to the table, and Anomen glanced up to find the tiefling stood, a tray of drinks balanced on one hand as he stared down at Fritha, 'We have lost half the group! Where is my dove?'

'Flown back to her cote, I'm afraid, sparrow. She was tired,' the girl explained, tactfully leaving out just exactly what the elf had been tired of and Anomen hid his smile in his cup. 'So were Nalia and Minsc.'

'Ah well,' Haer'Dalis sighed, setting down the tray as across the tavern the first few strains of a bransle began to play, 'a pity, to be sure. But I will settle for your hand if you will deign to lend it, my raven.'

Anomen frowned, riled by the way the man was so blithely presenting her with the fact she was not his preference. But if Fritha was injured by this insensitivity she was hiding it, the girl merely giving him an appraising look, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

'Dance with you? Well, beggars can't be choosers, I suppose.'

Haer'Dalis just laughed genially though, taking her hand as she rose and the pair moved off to the floor.

Anomen watched them as they joined the rows of people already there, the girl tapping her foot to the beat as they found their place and began. They danced well together, both seemingly able to read the subtleties of the music and each other to make even the most complicated series of steps look natural and easy, the pair laughing and talking as they went.

Anomen thought they would rejoin himself and the druid after a few dances but it was not so, the pair moving off to chat with the musicians in the breaks between the sets and it was at least an hour later before they returned, Fritha dancing over to their table, a cup in her hand and a smile on her face, the tiefling not far behind her.

'Hello, you two, enjoying the music?' she asked, turning to him with a smile and Anomen suspected the wine had helped warm her to him since their last argument, 'You should come and have a dance, Anomen. Lighten your heart along with your heels.'

Haer'Dalis smiled broadly as well, though his eyes remained narrow.

'Indeed, I'm sure Fritha could teach you a thing or two, knightling.'

Anomen frowned, though more at the bard's tone than Fritha's invitation.

'No, I do not think so.'

Fritha just shrugged, but the tiefling remained undeterred, turning his attentions to the woman next to him.

'Come now, my good druid, take a turn with me- I'll even let you lead,' he added cheekily and the woman snorted, a wry smile pulling at her mouth.

'Tempting though such an offer is, I will have to decline.'

Fritha turned to Haer'Dalis with a sigh.

'Sorry, sparrow, looks like you're with me.'

The bard smiled, taking her arm as he made to lead her back to the floor. 'In all things, my raven.'

Anomen turned away from them feeling unreasonably irritated and taking a long draft of his ale as he waited for it to subside, Jaheira across the table and watching him with a contemplative look.

'You know there would have been no harm in accepting her offer.'

Anomen bristled, the feelings of annoyance rising. 'And yet I note you refused as well.'

'Yes, but I did not wish to dance.'

Anomen snorted crossly and dropped his attention back to his cup, though he did not drink again, silence descending over the table before Jaheira broke it with a sigh.

'So Squire Anomen, what do you plan when we meet with these knights of yours?'

Anomen glanced up, expecting to find her watching him again, but her eyes were trained on her cup.

'They are knights no longer and when the time comes, I shall follow the doctrines of the Order. I could do naught else.'

Jaheira nodded absently, still not looking to him as she continued.

'No, no, of course not… It is important, the service of those you have sworn alliance to… and yet it is more than that. It is not just a simple contract, soulless and barren; it is friendship, loyalty.' The woman sighed and shook her head. 'The others would not understand it, the knowledge there is always something to which you belong, that will fight alongside you, that embodies your ideals as though an extension of yourself, until you wonder if you could even stand apart from it…'

She trailed off distractedly to take another mouthful of wine. Though by no means drunk, Jaheira seemed much more emotive than usual, the woman pale in the flickering lamplight, her angular face dominated by eyes that held a lot more uncertainty than he was used to seeing in them and Anomen found it a touch unsettling.

A silence had fallen between them again and the squire glanced absently over to the floor, barely a handful of couples sweeping about it now, the late hour no doubt to blame and he found Fritha and the bard easily. The pair were dancing still, though much less formally than before, the bard holding her closer and putting in extra steps here and there to try and catch her out, the girl laughing joyously as she thwarted his efforts. Anomen frowned, glad of a reason to change the subject.

'Those two seem to be growing rather… familiar. Do you not think something should be said?' he prompted as the song ended, Haer'Dalis kissing their still entwined hands fondly as they made their final obeisance. But Jaheira just smiled and shook her head.

'My worries concerning those two were long ago laid to rest.' She sighed deeply, emptying her cup as she rose from her chair. 'Well, this day has been long enough for me. Goodnight, Anomen.'

'My lady.'

Anomen watched her leave before turning back to the floor. He had not noticed when he and Jaheira had been talking, but the music had stopped and the tavern seemed suddenly very quiet without it. He let his eyes find the pair again, now laughing and talking with the band as they packed up. Haer'Dalis was sat upon a table, a casual arm about the girl perched happily next to him, Fritha stifling a yawn as she rested her head upon his shoulder and Anomen felt a twist of irritation in his stomach. He did not care what the druid said, he was of the Watchers and had once had a sister of Fritha's age; he knew an infatuation when presented with one.

Anomen sighed and emptied his cup, turning contemplatively to the bar. He needed no more ale, he was tired and had drunk enough that evening that sleep seemed likely. But part of him did not what to leave yet, not when it would mean Fritha and Haer'Dalis would be left alone together and Anomen wondered absently how long he would feel compelled to persist with his foolishness before his tiredness won over and he retired without them.

Fritha left the tiefling to it after a few moments though, dropping lightly from her seat to drift back to his now empty table, the girl looking tired but blissfully happy, her pale cheeks warmed to a mellow pink and Anomen felt another twinge of annoyance.

'Hello Anomen,' she sang, a slight frown creasing her brow as she continued, 'what are you doing still down here? The moon must be well risen by now.'

The squire dropped his attention back to his cup, suddenly melancholy.

'Sleep does not hold the rest for me it once did.'

'Ah, yes,' the girl continued gently, 'the dreams of your sister. I am sorry. It's not easy seeing ones lost to you, is it? The sages say you can never think too long on those departed, but I find a balance between living and remembering serves me better.'

'Indeed, you were certainly focusing on the former aspect of that this evening, though I wonder whether diverting yourself so may not have been a touch ill-advised,' he warned, adding when she persisted to look confused, 'I do not think it was appropriate for you to have been dancing like that with Haer'Dalis. What would Aerie have thought?'

Fritha just shrugged though, looking supremely unconcerned.

'I really don't think Aerie would have been bothered and if you were, you should have come and danced with me when I offered.'

Anomen felt himself flush, temper and embarrassment rising as one.

'And make a fool of myself along with you?' he snapped, but Fritha merely sighed tiredly, sending him a measured look.

'I wonder sometimes if even you yourself believe what you say, or whether it is just you have always said as such and you feel others will expect it of you. Goodnight, Anomen.'

And with that, she downed the last of her wine and tripped off towards the stairs. Anomen watched her go, feeling tired and frustrated. Why did he find her so difficult to talk to? He had merely wished to express his concern that she was growing too close to a man whose affections were promised elsewhere. And not only because it would cause untold problems within the group, but he would not wish to see her get hurt either.

Ironic really, since the only person who seems to upset her with any regularity is you…

Anomen frowned, his anger at the world rising. Though the hour was late, he was very tempted to attend temple, if only to cleanse this bitterness from his heart. But in the end he sighed and rose to make his way to the stairs as Fritha had. He had to learn to control this anger, to find the calm of the temple within himself.

Besides, he considered tiredly, all he truly wanted was one good night's sleep.

xxx

Fritha returned to her bed in much better spirits than when she had left it that morning. The combination of wine and dancing had left her warm and contented and to the point where even the squire's insinuations could not mar it, and she had had little trouble in getting to sleep that night. How unfortunate then, she considered later, that it had not lasted past an hour.

Fritha stirred, a noise on the edge of her senses pulling her from sleep. Slowly she opened her eyes and lifted her head from the pillow, her temples throbbing as she did so and she suddenly regretted the liberal amounts of wine she had been so enjoying earlier in the evening. There it was again, a knocking. The room was dark and empty about her, cool now the fire had died and her skin bristled as she threw off her blankets and made for the door.

Fritha squinted in the light of the hall and her frown remained as she looked down to the disgruntled form of Meck.

'You again! For the love of Illmater, that playhouse had better be in flames as we speak!'

But the boy did not have chance to reply as further along the hallway another door opened and the dishevelled scowling form of Jaheira appeared.

'Fritha, what on Toril are you doing u-? Oh…' she tailed off, finally noticing the boy at her side. Fritha sighed.

'Just go back to bed, I'll go and see what the problem is.'

'I wouldn't be doing that, Lady Patron,' offered Meck gravely, 'you might be needing yer friends along fer this un. Some Turmian louts 'ave raided the theatre and threaten to raze it to the ground unless you come speak with 'em.'

Fritha blinked, feeling more than confused.

'People have stormed the playhouse? But why?'

'Well, from what I gathered 'fore Jenna pulled me out o' there, they think the play is insulting.'

Fritha scrubbed a hand across her face, the beginning of a headache already gathering behind her temples.

'Wonderful, just wonderful! All right, Meck, in here,' she sighed, gesturing absently to her room, 'Jaheira can you get the girls up? I'll throw something on and then wake the others.'

The druid nodded once and moved off down the corridor as Fritha turned to follow the boy into her room. She took up her tinderbox, lighting the first candle and then passing it to Meck to do the rest as she stepped behind her screen and started to change.

'What were they doing there at this time of night anyway? It must be almost midnight,' Fritha continued as she heard the familiar creak of the chair and guessed the boy had helped himself to a seat.

'They were rehearsing that scene where the mage declares 'is love fer the girl,' the boy explained, his disgust at such soppiness audible, 'only 'iggold weren't 'appy with it and said they weren't leaving till they'd got it right. I imagine the attack were quite welcome in the end.'

'Has anyone been hurt?'

'Nah, they seemed more bent on frightening than 'arming, not that that lot didn't need much persuading. Buch o' cissies! The leader just shouted some talk about the play being an affront to 'is "proud Turmian 'eritage" and tore a backdrop down, and 'iggold was running out o' there crying like a little girl and the others weren't far behind 'im.'

Fritha snorted at the image of it, straightening her tunic and finally stepping round the screen as Meck was lost to laughter.

'Now, wait here a moment.'

The boy nodded, not enough breath left in him to reply and Fritha smiled as she moved out into the corridor. Jaheira's door was shut again and she suspected that only three of their group remained in blissful ignorance. Well, not for long…

'Anomen?' she called as loudly as she dared, face close to the wood as she rapped lightly on his door, 'Anomen, wake up…'

'My lady?' came a muffled reply and tentatively she pushed the door open, light from the hall behind her opening the room in shades of grey and she could just make out the man in the gloom, sat up in bed, his broad chest hatched with scars.

'What is it? Is something wrong?'

'I'm sorry to wake you. It's the playhouse, it's been raided by Turmian fanatics. We're going to sort it out.'

Anomen sighed, running a hand through his hair.

'Really, my lady, such a matter clearly lies within the jurisdiction of the city guards.' He sent her an accusing look, 'Have they even informed the Watch?'

Fritha stood, staring back at him feeling rather stupid, his reluctance quite unexpected.

'I- I don't know, Meck just arrived with a message… if you don't wish to come-'

'No, no,' he dismissed with another sigh, 'I shall be ready in a moment.'

Fritha just dipped her face and closed the door, wondering why she hadn't left him asleep as she moved on to wake Haer'Dalis and finally Minsc. She found the ranger in a much more agreeable mood and sat on the edge of the man's bed as she waited for him to dress, watching Boo scurry about the crumpled blankets and still brooding over her last encounter with the squire.

She was trying to keep her patience with him, but he had been snapping and scolding her ever since they had left Imnesvale and it was beginning to wear a touch thin. Though, initially, she had attributed his temper to his continued grief over his sister and then to his worries for his father, Fritha was starting to wonder whether perhaps the problem wasn't just that Anomen didn't like her.

She glanced up as Minsc appeared from around the screen, now dressed, the man sending her a concerned look as he crossed to his armour and she rose instinctively to help him with the straps.

'You are worrying for your theatre, young Fritha?'

She shook her head, putting all her focus in to the stiff buckles that fastened across his broad chest.

'No, not really… it's just, well, Anomen, actually…' she confessed, trying to get an airiness to her voice that would not come. 'He seems to have taken a real dislike to me recently. Everything I do makes him angry, and it… it's just starting to get to me, I suppose.'

Fritha sighed and finally glanced up, her stomach growing cold as she noticed the furious scowl that was suddenly furrowing Minsc's brow.

'What is this? Minsc and Boo will have words with him, this squire who would pick on our Fritha!'

'Oh no, Minsc!' she groaned miserably, wishing she had never said anything and taking his arm as he made to storm into the hall, 'please, you'll only make it worse! I'm just being silly, it's fine really. Please Minsc!' she cried, a real panic rising in her as he reached the door, Fritha still clinging to his arm and with about as much chance of halting him as she would an angry dragon, 'Honestly, it's fine. Promise me you won't say anything.'

He stopped just before the door, staring down at her and silent for a long while before nodding once, his eyes still dark but at last she felt her panic subside. She had his word and Minsc would rather die than break it.

Still, that did not mean he had to like it, she considered practically as they finally moved into the hallway, the others gathered there, pale and tired, Anomen among them and looking quite confused by the angry scowl Minsc was sending in his direction. Fritha sighed and forced a smile as, outside, the bells across the city sounded midnight. Another new day in the City of Coin.