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

Return to earth

Jaheira stood in the clearing where they had spent the night watching the bustle about her, everyone busy packing up, getting ready for their imminent departure; they had only been in the grove for one night, how on Toril had they managed to get their belongings so spread out? All were there with the exceptions of Cernd, who had left early with some mention of making his farewells, and Nalia and Fritha, Jaheira dispatching the former to look for the latter after Anomen mentioned he had left Fritha reading; Jaheira knowing that all sense of time was lost once the girl got her hands on a book.

The druid sighed. Half the morning was already gone, though she couldn't really blame them for wanting to linger; not only was the grove beautiful, it was still quite fresh in her own mind the conditions in the swamp outside of its magicks.

Magicks that perhaps affected more than just the weather, she considered slowly. She had slept well that night, the best since Khalid had been taken and there was a certain clarity of mind that came from being well rested. Verthan had mentioned the leadership of the grove again that morning, asking her to reconsider her decision, but though she was not exactly looking forward to her eventual return to Athkatla and the difficulties she would have to face, she knew her path and would not shy from it.

The crash of undergrowth caught her ears and Jaheira turned to see the girls step into the clearing, Fritha drowning in one of Nalia's robes and the cause of much amusement among the rest of them, something the girl only encouraged.

'Oh I feel so pretty!' she cried affectedly, laughing along with everyone else as she twirled back and forth making the long blue skirts billow and leap. Jaheira sighed, trying not to smile.

'Fritha, what are you wearing?'

'Here, our clothes,' Fritha announced, ignoring her question in favour of dumping a neatly folded tunic and trousers into her arms, turning to hand out the rest as she continued. 'Some of them are still a bit damp, including all of mine, so Nalia lent me this. It's too big, but…' Fritha shrugged, sending the girl in question a fond smile, Nalia returning it as she moved to help her belt up the long skirts.

'I had dozens of dresses back at the keep, even more if you counted the ones that didn't fit me any more -it's a shame really, you could have had those ones, dearest,' she added with an absent smile, turning her attention back to the buckle under her fingers.

Fritha grinned ruefully. 'Oh, don't. I could almost cry when I think of all those beautiful gowns just mouldering away in your cupboards like old maids.'

'Fritha!' Nalia laughed, slapping her leg lightly, 'There, how is that?' she asked, finally straightening and stepping back, Fritha giving an tentative twirl, the girl beaming as she clearly enjoyed the weight of material swinging about her legs.

'Ah, skirts were made for dancing- quite frankly, I don't know how you two manage to stop yourselves,' she added with a nod to Aerie and Nalia. 'Oh, I'd sell my soul for a waltz! And one, two, three. One, two, three, fa-laaa, fa-laaa, fa la la-la…'

Jaheira shook her head as the girl began sweeping about the clearing singing the tune, though she was not partner-less for long, Nalia stepping up and they both curtseyed in a most formal way before joining hands to commence again, Nalia taking the lead while Fritha used her free hand to hold her skirts out of the way.

'Come on Jaheira, get Anomen up here!'

Jaheira glanced to the squire and they shared a frown.

'Silvanus help us,' she sighed, turning to gather up her cloak, the squire still watching them with a rather daft expression. 'Anomen, have you finished packing yet?' she demanded, not waiting for an answer as she glanced across the camp to the ranger who was grimacing as he shrugged his pack into place. 'That looks heavy, Minsc. Haer'Dalis, I know for a fact you've room in your pack, come and take the canvas from him.'

Beside her, Jaheira sensed Fritha pulling a face, Nalia laughing.

'And you need not think I can't see what you're doing, girl! Stop prancing about and put your boots on.'

'Er, excuse me?' came a voice and all turned to see Verthan, the elderly druid watching the scene before him with an undisguised bewilderment, Cernd stood at his side. The two girls suddenly stopped mid-waltz and it was hard to tell which pair looked more bemused. Verthan glanced briefly to Cernd before turning back to them, 'Ah, I am looking for the young Lady Fritha?'

Fritha coughed self-consciously, stepping forward to a background of snickering, one hand still holding Nalia's.

'Er, here.'

'Ah yes, miss, I believe we did meet briefly last night. Well then, I am come to ask a favour of you and your group. As you know, having been dispatched from Trademeet, Faldorn's tyranny did not only harm this grove. Good Cernd has told me all that has happened to Trademeet, including their current attitudes towards druids because of it…'

Verthan glanced again to Cernd and Jaheira thought she saw his eyes linger a moment on the bruise that was fading on his jaw. 'I fear the once amicable relations we shared with the town are now in tatters and might be beyond repair, though I am compelled to try. Please take this letter to the High Merchant; if this first offer of peace is not refused than perhaps there can be hope for a co-existence between our two clans once more.'

Fritha took the letter with a deferential nod of her head.

'Of course, sir. Lord Coprith seems a reasonable man, I am sure he would want the same.'

Verthan smiled. 'Very good then. Well, I shall not keep you. A good journey, friends. Cernd,' he nodded slightly to her, 'Jaheira.'

And Jaheira watched him disappear through the trees before turning back to the others, the girls stood beside her, still hand in hand. Fritha turned to Nalia, her manner sombre.

'This is a serious responsibility which rests upon us and our deportment should reflect the gravity of our task… let's have a polka! Fa-la, fa-la, fa la-la-la-la-la!'

And Nalia shrieked as she was suddenly swept up, Fritha galloping the length of the clearing to spin her round, their laughter ringing in the warm air.

xxx

Haer'Dalis sighed, the ground unpleasantly marshy beneath his feet as he walked with the others, the swamp around them a monotonous green-grey blur. It was a cold blustery day outside of the grove, though he was not feeling it like the others, Fritha and Nalia just before him in the formation, both girls so bundled up in cloaks and scarves and gloves they looked like little more than two shambling mounds of clothes. At least the weather was dry, though for how much longer he would not have liked to guess, dull grey clouds gathering overhead and the waters of the marshland seemed much risen since they had made their way to the grove. More than once they had been forced to turn back, their way impossible; once solid ground now an expanse of murky water.

A peal of warm laughter sounded at his back, hanging a moment in the damp air. The walk and the weather may have been one thing but the real trial of this journey was right behind him. Aerie and Cernd had been walking together at the back of the group almost since they'd left the grove, the pair chattering and laughing like friends of old. Haer'Dalis knew the druid liked his dove, not that he could blame him, for indeed, the choice showed good taste, but he would have much preferred it if Aerie had not been quite so content under the man's attentions, the girl no less than glowing. Haer'Dalis did not believe in jealously, but that did not mean he did not suffer from it.

Another laugh sang in his ears as the first few drops of rain pattered cold on his cheeks and Haer'Dalis sighed deeply, letting his attention shift to the girls before him. Fritha had noticed the change in weather too, the girl glancing briefly to the grey sky before her gaze fell on Nalia, worry clear on her face and Haer'Dalis caught her eye to send her a sympathetic smile. He knew well enough the pain of watching those you cared for suffer, his thoughts falling unexpectedly back to the young woman, Kaerid whom he had known as a youth in Sigil.

Growing up in the bustle of the Guildhall Ward, he had never been one of the street children. Indeed he had had a home, though he had not been much welcome there, his mother encouraging him to spend as much time as possible out of the house and it was by one of her attempts to keep him 'out of her hair' that he had met Kaerid.

There was a local cager who had been quite the lyrist in his day, though he had retired by then, content to give lessons to those aspiring to follow him in the art. Haer'Dalis's mother had enrolled him in classes without even enquiring whether he had any inclination for music or not, though Haer'Dalis had found he took to the instrument well and the classes provided rewards of another sort too.

Haer'Dalis smiled slightly to himself, and for a moment he was back in the dusty classroom watching his friend, her bright dark eyes shining as she played through some well-practised piece. He had never had many friends; he had found the boys of his own age, especially the one he was in a place to mix with, dull and loutish and the girls were little better. Kaerid was a few years older than him from a family in Clerk's Ward, and they were soon friends, the girl's warm if shy nature resting well with his own more sensitive albeit extrovert manner.

She had been much more skilled in music than he too, something their teacher had seen as well and he had mentioned more than once about her leaving his tutelage to attend a conservatory over in the Lady's Ward. But it was a struggle enough for her to come to classes; enrolment at a conservatory would have never been allowed. Her father had died a year or so before and her mother had been rather shaken by the matter, turning to the Dustmen for consolation and she was quite the factotum by then, always preaching about death and denial, claming that the only true path was one of oppressing ones needs and emotions. It was really only a matter of time before Kaerid rebelled, and in a most spectacular fashion, Haer'Dalis considered grimly. She fell in love.

He was called Equis. A charming roguish sort who spoke of love and showed it freely. A little too freely, in fact; the man pursuing his pleasures in the arms of women with seemingly little care as to who he hurt in the process and Haer'Dalis suspected now the only thing he was ever enamoured of was Love itself. But in the beginning Equis had pursued Kaerid with an earnest passion and the girl had been quite taken in. It was only when he had caught her that her affections were suddenly no longer enough, the man always complaining of her tying him down, and he would flirt and make free with other women as he had always done, sometimes disappearing for days on end.

He had always seemed content to return to her though and for her part, Kaerid had always been there for him, so willing to believe his lies about how he truly loved her and it would all be different. Haer'Dalis sighed to himself. It had torn his heart to see her so used and he had lost count of the times she came into classes, her eyes still red from tears she'd cried the night before.

He had tried to reason with her, to show her Equis would never change his ways, but she was adamant that he loved her 'in his own way'. He remembered once, the pair of them alone in the empty classroom, the light outside the grimy windows fading as the day drew to a close, the girl sat with him in the half light as they lingered over packing away their instruments and he still recalled the bleak frankness of her words.

'I know you think me a fool, Haer'Dalis, but he is the only one who has ever shown me such affection and- and I would rather have a little of it than none at all...'

But for all her talk, it took its toll, the girl caught between the man and her mother, her spirit slowly being worn away by the careless heat of one and the icy devotion of the other. Then Haer'Dalis's own mother died and he could no longer attend the classes, though that had been the least of his worries at the time for a young boy barely into his teens suddenly without a home or income. He had found himself a place at the theatre eventually, but Kaerid had not been so fortunate.

He had heard much later that she had just gone out one night, never to come back. No body had ever been found. Perhaps she had run away. Perhaps she was just another of the poor unfortunates who'd found themselves lying in the gutter all for the meagre contents of their purse, or maybe she had even taken her own life…

It was all past now though and dwelling on it did nothing, he reminded himself forcibly.

It had not been long after he had been introduced to the local Doomguard faction, his eyes finally opened to the unravelling chaos of the world and he had soon learnt to embrace such destruction as the way of things. But for all that he had vowed then never to be like Equis; never would he lie in matters of the heart and never would he promise things he could not ensure.

Haer'Dalis shook himself from his reverie, feeling unsettled and uncharacteristically melancholy. Anomen had dropped back to ask Nalia something and the bard used the opportunity to send Fritha another smile, the girl slowing her pace to walk next to him.

'The weather is only getting better I see. Ah, it is days like this I long to be under the cloudless skies of Sigil.'

'There's no rain in Sigil?' she confirmed with a mild surprise, 'It must get a bit boring, with the weather the same every day … Though I can see it would be an advantage now and then,' she conceded, smiling grimly as a blast of bitter wind howled about them, the girl almost disappearing as she tried to retreat further into her pale violet scarf.

'You are cold, my raven?'

'Yes, especially my legs; skirts might be made for dancing, but they are not made for travelling –and besides, we don't all have jealously to keep us warm,' she added with an impish smile that made it hard for him to contain his own grin.

'I am sure I do not know of what you are speaking, my raven. It is a shame you are not finding your new clothes to your liking though, for I must say, I rather favour you in robes,' he teased, tugging one of her belts for good measure. Fritha went very pink and told him to 'bugger off'.

Haer'Dalis laughed. He could tell he'd overstepped the bounds of friendship and rather wished Aerie had seen him do so as another shared laugh rang out behind him. He inclined his head slightly, hoping to get a glance at the pair without being seen to be looking, the movement most definitely noticed by someone.

'If you're so bothered, go and join them,' laughed Fritha.

'I tried,' he admitted with a disgruntled sigh, turning back to her, 'They are talking of nature and it bores me. Besides I do not care. Aerie can speak to whomever she wishes; I will not cage the dove.'

'Well, good, for you've no reason to; you know well enough how Aerie feels about you.'

'Really?' he questioned dully, feeling tired and despondent with the day, 'I do not know her as well as I had once thought. She did not like the gift I bought her for her birthday.'

'The works of Erudis? She actually told you she didn't like them?' Fritha pressed, the girl pulling up her hood as the rain grew heavier. Haer'Dalis sighed, following her example merely for something to do.

'She did not have to. I noticed the way she received the gift; she is not so good an actress yet to fool this bard.'

Fritha sighed as well. 'Oh, I'm sorry; I was so sure she would. But Aerie is not so shallow as to care about that sort of thing,' she continued more brightly, 'In her heart she will have liked whatever you got her simply because it came from you.'

'It is not so much that as, as worries that we are not as attuned to each other as we might be, though suppose you are right.' He shook himself, heaving another sigh. 'Ah, things will be what they will. All things fall to entropy in the end, as indeed they should; why should the pairings of us fragile birds be any different?'

Fritha laughed, giving his back a hearty slap. 'That's the spirit!'

'Hold everyone,' came a voice up ahead, Fritha peering through the sheets of rain to see Jaheira turning back to them, Minsc looking grim at her side, the path behind the pair sloping away to an expanse of grey water, the surface looking almost alive with movement as the rain pelted in to it. 'We cannot go this way; we will have to double back.'

Fritha felt her stomach tighten at the dark mood that suddenly seemed to descend around her. Behind her, Aerie sighed deeply, Anomen muttering an oath under his breath while the girl at his side looked distraught.

'Again?' Nalia cried, a shrill desperation to her voice, 'That is the fourth time now. We have made no advance for the last two hours!'

'And you have another suggestion?' demanded Jaheira and Fritha could see she was just as frustrated as the rest of them. 'We shall stop a moment here to plan again our route,' the druid continued firmly, Cernd joining them as Jaheira removed her pack to fetch out the map. Nalia shook her head, turning on her heel to march away into the forest, Fritha moving to follow, the others' discussion drifting after her.

'We could head back to this point then take a route northeast through the forests.'

'Indeed, the ground is higher, but it is definitely the long way around.'

'Perhaps, but we are getting nowhere trying to find a direct route through the swamp...'

Nalia did not go far though and Fritha came upon her after only a moment, the girl halted in a small clearing a little way from the path, her hood thrown back, dark red hair hanging tangled and lank.

'Nalia?'

The girl turned slowly to face her and though she was not crying, Fritha felt her heart wrench at the grey misery she saw on her face.

'Oh Nalia, dearest, I'm sorry. I know you're cold and tired; we all are. But it will be all right. Jaheira will find a path through. We'll be back in Trademeet by tomorrow and all this will just be a memory. And… and we've still got each other, see...'

She smiled gently, entwining their fingers and making to lead her in another waltz, Nalia snatching her hand back angrily.

'No, Fritha! When will you realise you cannot just make everything better with a laugh and a dance?'

'Because sometimes, that's all I have!'

'I'm sorry, I…' Nalia faltered, her breath coming all at once in a choked sob, the rain running in rivulets down her cheeks, and there was an awful swooping sensation in Fritha's stomach as she imagined the tears it could be hiding. 'I know it is not your fault, but it just seems endless. We will be returned to Trademeet soon, yes, but what of our journey back to Athkatla? And then what? I know we must go where the work takes us, but a whole winter of this?' Nalia dipped her face, just shaking her head as words finally failed her.

'Hush now, its all right…' Fritha soothed, pulling her into an embrace, the wool of her cloak damp against her cheek, 'I know it all seems insurmountable now, like you could never be happy in this life, but your still getting used to it. And once the winter proper sets in we will probably be forced to keep any searches for work close to the city anyway; the weather will be too bad to travel far.'

'I- I suppose so,' Nalia tremoured, her voice hollow and Fritha tensed as two arms gently pushed her back, Nalia holding her at arms length and smiling weakly though it did not reach her eyes. 'I think I just need to be alone for a moment.'

'No, wait, I…' Fritha cried, before she realised there was nothing she could say. Nalia gave her a pained look, opening her mouth as though to speak again, when the girl just shook her head, letting her fingers trace the line of her cheek before turning to move off through the trees once more.

Fritha watched her leave, the sensations threatening to overwhelm her as, for a moment, she suddenly felt aware of everything around her; the sharp tingle of her cold wet cheeks, the unpleasant slickness of her toes in damp stockings, the dull thudding of her heart. A droplet of rain dripped from the nest of curl at her crown to land on her neck, and she felt it slide all the way down her spine to pool in the small of her back.

'My lady?' came a deep voice behind her. Fritha ignored him, just staring at the place where she had disappeared. 'Fritha, Jaheira was wonder- Fritha, what- what is wrong?'

'Nalia, she is…' Fritha swallowed past the hot lump in her throat, 'unhappy.'

She glanced back to see Anomen, the man frowning from beneath his hood as he shook the rain from his fringe.

'Well, yes, as are we all. This weather is damnable. But the others will find a route through soon enough and we will be back within the town before long.'

'Yes, I understand all that, it's just…' She turned away from him, her voice suddenly hoarse. 'I just can't bear to see her cold.'

Fritha drew a shaky breath, dipping her head as she felt the tears begin to well and moving a hand up to cover her face as she let her breathing deepen, waiting for the feeling to subside before she dared turn back to face him, Anomen still stood behind her and looking extremely uncomfortable.

'I'll come and see Jaheira now.'

xxx

A good fire was crackling in the hearth, throwing warm yellow light over the small kitchen where they were all crowded, everyone sat upon the floor on cloaks and blankets while clothes from that day and the girls' previous laundry hung drying above them. Anomen served himself some more tea, the cup almost too hot to bear as he lifted it for that first scalding sip.

They had headed north and then eastwards through the forests as planned before circling back round to leave the woods behind the old mage house. The journey had taken hours, the dusk well upon them by the time they'd arrived, and though the rain had eased off by then, all were soaked through and tired and it was soon decided that with the druids no longer posing a threat, it was worth the risk to stay in the house.

Thankfully, Minsc had had the foresight to throw the bodies of the rakshasa into the swamp before they had left the last time and the ranger impressed everyone again by suggesting they use the old furniture in the adjoining room as firewood, though this fine idea, too, was one he attributed to Boo.

Anomen settled his cup in his lap and glanced about the cramped room. Nalia was sat on the other side of the hearth, reading by the firelight, Minsc behind her, his broad shoulders up against the backdoor as he methodically sharpened his sword. Haer'Dalis and Aerie were tucked away in the alcove by the chimneybreast where the woodpile must have once rested, the two engaged in a quiet discourse which seemed to comprise mostly of tender looks and long kisses. Jaheira and Cernd were in conversation as well, though far less intimately, the pair on the other side of the room before the front door. Cernd had been the only real voice against sleeping in the house, basing his objections on worries of what traps and fell magics the rakshasa could have left within, though Anomen wondered whether he would not have just preferred to spend one last night within nature while he had the chance, tomorrow likely finding them all back within the town. Either way though, Fritha would hear none of it, the girl blithely telling him, when he pressed his point, that he was quite welcome to sleep outside if he wanted and she wished him well in the venture.

Anomen frowned, letting his gaze fall on the girl settled next to him. Fritha had been in an irritable mood all afternoon. He had no doubts that it was something to do with her talk with Nalia, and he half wished that it had been caused by another quarrel with him, for at least then he could just apologise and she would cheer up.

The girl was deep in her studies now, open bottle of ink before her and stylus in hand as she hunched over her journal working on the ode she had written in the back. It did not seem to be going well though, her work punctuated by much sighing and scribbling out, the girl occasionally glancing up to send Aerie and Haer'Dalis cross looks.

Anomen took another sip of tea, smoothing his wetted lips together before leaning over to venture, 'How go your studies, my lady?'

The girl straightened with a sighed, tiredly scrubbing a hand across her face.

'Fine, fine, I'm just working through a rather complicated grammar form using the past tense and the- Gods, could you two just give over! You sound like a blocked drain!'

Aerie and Haer'Dalis instantly broke apart from what looked to have been a rather passionate clinch, the tiefling laughing heartily, though Aerie looked less than amused, the elf pink as she shot Fritha a look.

'You need not pick on us just because you are in a foul mood; you've been snapping at everyone all evening.'

'And how would you know? You haven't come up for air since dinner.'

'Fritha!' scolded Jaheira, Aerie mouthing a moment until-

'Just- Just because no one wants to kiss you!'

'Aerie!' shouted Jaheira though both girls ignored her, Fritha suddenly flushed as well.

'Perhaps not! But at least if they did, I'd have the consideration not to subject everyone else to my- my obstreperous osculation!'

A stiff silence, and then-

'Obstreperous osculation?' repeated Aerie, her own incredulous amusement prompting Fritha's and the tension suddenly faded as the pair began to laugh.

'Well, it was the first thing that came to mind!'

'That was the first thing?'

Fritha was really giggling now, still flushed and looking a very pretty mix of amused and embarrassed; Anomen couldn't see why anyone wouldn't want to kiss her.

'Oh, leave me be!' she laughed; sighing as she finally calmed and began to pack up her work. 'I'm sorry, Aerie.'

'Yes, as am I,' the elf agreed with a lingering smile. Fritha scrubbed a hand across her face, making to stand.

'Ah, it's too stuffy in here; I'm going out for some fresh air.'

'You cannot go alone,' chorus Jaheira and Anomen at once. Fritha frowned as she reached for her cloak.

'Oh, don't start on with that again.'

'She will not be alone,' announced a deep voice, Minsc rising from his place at the hearth, 'We shall come as well; Boo will hear no less, young Fritha.'

Anomen watched her, waiting for the sharp refusal, when something about her expression softened and she smiled slightly.

'Yes, okay; thank you, Minsc.'

The ranger beamed, people quickly shifting out the way of his large feet as he moved to join her at the door, Fritha throwing wide and together they were lost to the darkness.

xxx

Fritha drew in a deep breath of cool sharp air, the sensation quite refreshing even as it scored her throat. Though the day was another cold one, it was dry and bright, a clear arc of faded blue sky above them as they'd walked the last few miles through swamp and forest back to Trademeet. An end was in sight now and everyone seemed in better spirits for it, the journey full of amiable talk, even as the day wore on and the pale yellow sun began to sink in the west.

Fritha smiled as Minsc glanced back from where he was leading with Jaheira and Cernd, the ranger returning her smile before turning his attention back to their path. He had been keeping an eye on her all day, but she knew it was only out of care for her and she did not mind, her thoughts drifting back to their previous evening.

They had left the house, the heavy darkness outside absolute once they had stepped only a few paces from the light of the windows and she had shown him how she could cast a werelight now, the man full of friendly praise as they'd moved over to the other side of the bridge where they had sat on the crumbling wall, the surrounding swamp silvery in the moonlight. It was peaceful just sat there, neither of them speaking, and Fritha had even let herself have a little cry, which Minsc very kindly pretended not to notice, before they had walked back to find all bar Cernd asleep, the man volunteering for the first watch.

But back in the present, the trees about them were thinning, the warm yellow stone of the town walls just visible between the trunks and they finally stepped into the clearing, the tents of the caravan merchants still huddled against the walls though there seemed fewer of them now than when they had left the town. The group did not head for the town gates though, instead skirting the tree line and, up ahead, Fritha could see a familiar violet-striped pavilion still nestled against the forest's edge.

It seemed Khan had not wanted to waste the fine weather either. A large blue awning had been put up just before the pavilion, while underneath stood a tall spindly table that looked too fragile to even stand under its own weight, let alone the tall ornate teapot it held, two long benches draped in exotic furs either side of it, Khan currently reclined upon one of them though he sat up as they approached.

'Ah, and the little manali has returned,' he beamed, setting down his cup next to the pot and rubbing his hands together, 'Do you bring news of our naughty rakshasa?'

'We bring a bit more than news,' laughed Fritha taking the rough hessian bag that Minsc was proffering her and passing it to the djinn, 'There you are: Ihtafeer's head and a paw each from her brothers. All I can say is thank goodness for the cold since we've had to cart them about for nigh on three days.'

Khan's broad face twisted in incredulous delight.

'You bring us the head yourselves? Astounding, even for mortals! Ah, this is very good indeed,' he continued, peering into the bag with a lot more delight than Fritha could have shown a rotting head, 'But I must ask: how did you find them?'

'They were living in an abandoned house in the swamp,' offered Haer'Dalis with an even shrug, 'disguised as woodsmen and very cleverly so.'

Fritha nodded. 'I can't speak for anyone else, but I was more than taken in; all homeliness and hospitality, they almost poisoned us!'

Khan laughed warmly.

'Well, did you just think they would attack you on sight? They would not stay hidden for long if that was the case. Oh, no, rakshasa are clever little creatures, Ihtafeer more than most. But not so clever as you, eh, little manali. See Ihtafeer; see the clever little mortal who brought you to us.'

He pulled the severed head from the bag by one tawny black-tipped ear as he spoke, and Fritha could not resist giving it a little wave, Khan roaring with laughter.

'Come, bring seats for our guests! You must take tea with us before we depart!'

And Khan would hear no refusals on the subject, though they were not made particularly vehemently. Fritha was more than happy to prolong their visit and they stayed for over an hour, sat on the benches and chairs the servants had brought beneath the deep blue canopy, the underside of which was embroidered with tiny gold stars. Khan had more cups brought out as well, beautiful little things of dark red glass with intricate silver handles, the djinn serving them sweet apple tea from a pot that never seemed to run dry as his musicians played for them in the mouth of the pavilion. Those who knew the words were encouraged to sing along, Khan leading by example, and Fritha, Nalia and surprisingly enough Aerie joined him, the elf confessing she had been taught a few of the more popular songs by one of the Calimshite performers back in the circus.

The shadows were lengthening now, Jaheira first to voice the fact that they still had a meeting with Lord Coprith before their task was done and everyone reluctantly finished their cups and made their goodbyes.

Fritha halted with the others a few paces from the djinn's camp, letting her gaze travel over the heavy jewelled hilt in her hand. Khan had pressed upon them a fine scimitar before they'd left as a reward for delivering Ihtafeer's head, the blade much too large for anyone smaller than Minsc to use and it was agreed they would sell it when they had the chance. Fritha pulled her attention back to the camp before her, watching as Khan oversaw the last of the awning being carried into the tent behind him, before he held up a hand in one final farewell, there was a flash of light and both he and the tent were gone.

'Well, that was all rather pleasant,' Nalia sighed blithely as the group turned as one and started back to the town. Fritha nodded, smiling as she glanced back to where the pavilion had been as though she hoped to see them there still.

'Indeed! I'm definitely visiting Calimshan when I've the chance: those people know how to have fun.'

Nalia laughed, Jaheira quickening her pace to a more purposeful stride and giving Fritha's shoulder an encouraging pat as she passed.

'Come along, manali, the day is not yet over.'

'What is this manali they keep calling you?' questioned Haer'Dalis to no one in particular.

'It means rakshasa bait,' laughed Fritha.

'It means bird,' sighed Anomen.

'Yes, it does…' confirmed Aerie slowly, a contemplative frown furrowing her smooth brow, 'if you know Alzhedo, Anomen, why didn't you join in with the singing?'

Anomen drew himself up a touch, his more rigid posture not quite distracting from the sudden flush to his cheeks.

'I understand the language, it does not mean I know any songs in it.'

'No, but they were easy enough to pick up,' pressed Nalia, 'even Haer'Dalis was joining in.'

Fritha grinned. 'Yes, but to be fair, you'd have to gag the sparrow to stop him singing along, unknown language or not.'

'My raven!'

And their banter took them all the way to the Town Hall, the streets around them buzzing with whispered rumours that the druids' siege was no more, a hopeful anticipation hanging in the air. The mayor greeted them most warmly, his good mood only increasing when he received the news that both the druids and the djinn had been dealt with.

'Ah, my friends, we owe you a debt we can never repay. That you have re-established peace with the druids is wonderful, but that you managed to convince those blasted djinn to leave as well! I, along with the rest of the town, noted the sudden cease in animal attacks a day or so ago, though I could give no official word to the townsfolk until I had firm evidence. I cannot say how happy I am to hear it from your own persons, all safely back within our walls.'

Coprith graciously accepted Verthan's letter, saying he would dispatch a messenger with his own cordial reply within the next few days, and arrangements were quickly made for them to meet with High Merchant again on the morrow to receive their payment in a more formal atmosphere, though they politely refused his offers to take tea with him then (Fritha sincerely believed she would burst if she drank any more).

'Well, if you would please excuse me, I should meet with the guildmasters; I would like to officially announce this wonderful news in the main square as soon as possible.' Coprith smiled and dipped a bow, 'A good afternoon to you all.'

But despite the fact the mayor had yet to make his announcement, by the time they left, news was already travelling Trademeet and seemingly moving more quickly than they, Vyatri gladly welcoming them back to his inn as heroes, the innkeep insistent that now he'd the space they should take the suite of eight rooms on the top floor; all without charge, of course.

'Ah, did you hear that?' cried Aerie with obvious delight as the landlord returned his attention to the patrons at the bar, the men sat there all subtly straining to get a better look at them. 'A whole floor to ourselves; how nice!'

Fritha gave her a grin that Anomen was sure would have had more than one of the monks back in Candlekeep questioning their vows.

'Well, I know what I'm going to do now. Straight to bed for me!'

Warm laughter rippled across the group, Jaheira's stern tones ringing over it as the women started their ascent, their voices drifting down the stairwell as he followed.

'Fritha, you cannot go straight to bed!'

'No, you're right; I shall have a bath first!'

'Fritha, you cannot go to bed, it is the middle of the afternoon!'

'So? Aerie agrees with me, don't you?'

'Well, ah, that is-'

xxx

Anomen locked his door and set off down the hallway towards the stairs, the sky beyond the window behind him already the deep indigo of twilight. He, too, had retired to his room, though he had not slept, instead using the afternoon to go through some of his old guides and training journals, this gentle reminder of how much he had learnt since joining the Order making him feel slightly better about his approaching judgement. He had been alone with his own thoughts long enough now though, the distant chime of the bells over at the temple of Waukeen striking six as he left his room, some company just as welcome as a meal as he headed for the common room.

'Ah, Anomen, you're here,' announced a familiar authoritative voice and he glanced up to see Jaheira ascending the stairs before him, a large pot of saffron rice in her hands, Fritha and Nalia on her heels carrying bowls and a dish of braised vegetables respectively.

'I wouldn't go down there if I were you,' laughed Fritha, as she passed him, nodding her head to the stairs behind her, 'we're all going to eat in Jaheira's room.'

'I'll go and knock for Minsc and Cernd,' offered Nalia brightly. Jaheira nodded.

'What? Why, my lady?' Anomen questioned, more than puzzled, and Fritha smiled.

'We've just left Aerie and Haer'Dalis at the table,' she pulled a face, 'They're kissing again.'

'And providing enough of a show to put us off our food,' added Jaheira bluntly, Fritha nodding in wholehearted agreement.

'And it's not as though you can even look away! Have you heard them? It sounds like someone with no teeth trying to eating semolina.'

'Fritha, must you?' exclaimed Anomen, rather nauseated and the girl laughed as Jaheira continued dryly.

'You make it sound so appealing; I suppose you'll never succumb to such things.'

Fritha grinned. 'No, not till a hot Uktar. So, anyway, downstairs is packed and since it wouldn't be fair to take up two tables when we've only need of one, we decided it would be best for us to eat up here and let them enjoy a romantic evening alone for once. Come on, Anomen,' she ordered genially, 'it wouldn't do for you to interrupt our resident lovebirds, now would it?'

Anomen smiled and dipped his head in acquiescence, following the women along the corridor to the druid's room, their gathering soon doubled as Nalia appeared with Minsc and Cernd. And so the meal began, the group sat about talking amiably, everyone passing around dishes and sharing out the leftover sherry from Aerie's birthday. The window had been opened despite the chill to the air, the sounds of music and merriment drifting up from the streets below, no doubt a result of Lord Coprith's earlier announcement, Fritha stood just before it, a dish casually balanced in one hand as she ate her rice, absently moving through the steps of a reel as she did so.

A knock at the door halted her mid-step though.

'That's probably Aerie and Haer'Dalis, bored without us already,' she laughed, the girl setting her dish on the window sill and neatly picking her way across the room to answer it. 'Oh, good evening, sir.'

She let the door swing wide in her surprise and Anomen stared up at a wayworn young man, sandy-haired and freckled, his face a stranger to him though the symbol of a crossed heart on the scarlet tunic he wore was more than familiar: the crest of the Radiant Heart. The man dipped a polite bow.

'Good evening, m'lady, I was looking for Anomen Delryn; the landlord said his group had taken the rooms on this floor.'

Fritha nodded, stepping back slightly. 'Ah, yes… er, Anomen?'

The messenger's eyes fell upon him, and he paused a moment as though waiting for Anomen to rise and escort him somewhere more private. But Anomen had been with this group long enough now to consider them friends and he needed no secrets from them. He nodded slightly for the man to continue.

'Squire Anomen, I am bade to inform you that the date of your test has been set. You are to be judged along with other squires of your Order before your god and your peers at the autumn ceremonies. It is to be held at high sun on the twentieth day of this month; will you be returned to the city in time for this or should I ask the Prelate to expect you at the winter ceremony?'

Anomen glanced to Fritha and she nodded firmly. He turned stoically back to the messenger.

'I shall attend.'

The man smiled. 'Good. I shall tell the Prelate to await you then. Gods be with you.'

'And with you also.'

'Wait!' cried a voice, almost shrill in her desperation to halt the messenger and Anomen turned back to see Nalia knelt up, her arm outstretched, the girl slowly flushing pink as she realised all eyes were upon her, though she swallowed and continued stalwartly. 'Ah, your pardon, sir, but you have just come from the city, yes? I wonder if you have any news on the burglary at the Roenall estate.'

The man blinked a moment, clearly thrown by the question though he answered all the same.

'Why, yes, m'lady, I doubt there is anyone in Athkatla who does not know the news. On that very day Isea Roenall's estate was broken into, certain documents found their way into Magistrate Ianulin's hands, and they were evidence as damning as anything could have been. Proof, it is claimed, of the young lord's involvement in smuggling and slavery!'

So they had believed the evidence then. Isea had failed to wriggled out of it as they had worried he might. Fritha watched as Nalia sank back down to sit on the floor, her face alight with a hope so fragile that any wrong word could dash it, the tension it was no doubt stirring in her making her look almost tearful as he continued earnestly.

'Roenall claimed they were forgeries, denying the documents were anything to do with the burglary and sticking to previous claims that thieves escaped with nothing. But he was undone and by one of his very own, for one of his old housekeepers witnessed the robbery and had already told everyone she knew of the details and how the perpetrators had even said they had found what they wanted in his study before they had made their escape.'

And in spite of everything, of what this all could undoubtedly mean for her, Fritha nearly laughed out loud at the thought that that silly old woman had had a hand in Isea's downfall.

'He has, of course,' continued the messenger, 'been dismissed as captain of city guard and placed under house arrest until the trial. I do not believe a date has been set for it yet, but from the rumours travelling the city, Magistrate Ianulin seems very keen on making an example of him as proof that justice will prevail for all in Amn; I suspect it could reach the courts as soon as Nightal, barely a month hence!'

Silence followed his words, Fritha knowing she should say something, stood at the door with him as she was, though she could not quite think past the turmoil of her mind and at last Jaheira drew a breath.

'Well, we thank you for this news. Will you stay and take tea with us, ah…'

'Squire Dextis, m'lady and I fear I have other duties to attend to within the town and must press on. My thanks though and a good evening to you all.'

He bowed and left, Fritha shutting the door before turning slowly back to the room and returning to her place at the window, her rice now quite cold though it did not matter; she had rather lost her appetite. Their previous talk was slowly returning, the murmur of quiet conversations rippling about her feet, Jaheira explaining to the rather confused Cernd what it had all been about. Fritha did not listen to any of it though, instead staring out of the open window. The view from up there was quite beautiful, the town all lain out before her, warm and somehow mysterious in the glow of the street lamps while the surrounding forests were just dark silhouettes under the deep blue sky. The revelry in the main square was spilling out into neighbouring streets and she could hear the songs and the laughter of the tavern patrons far below her.

And she was suddenly struck by the same feeling she had had as she'd stared up at the amber speckled leaves just after Helenya's rescue, that sense that all the world's joys were fleeting fragile things never made to last and all that could be done was to enjoy them until they inevitably passed. Fritha turned back to the room, a bright smile plastered on her face.

'Here, let's go and have a walk about the town shall we?'

xxx

Aerie sighed slightly, trying to catch her breath as she finally stepped from the stairwell onto the fourth floor landing. Nice as it was having a whole floor to themselves, the climb was certainly a detraction. She smiled as she felt Haer'Dalis step up behind her, an arm snaking about her waist as he pulled her closer, the breathless quality to their kiss quite pleasant.

Aerie knew that her and Haer'Dalis's behaviour could be a little improper for company sometimes, but it was so difficult when they were so rarely able spend any time alone together; the life they led meaning they travelled, ate and even slept all as a group. She had enjoyed having dinner without the others for once; it was lovely having Haer'Dalis all to herself, just talking and enjoying his company, and it was something she was not quite willing to give up on just yet…

'What do you think the others are up to?' he asked as they parted and she had the sneaking suspicion he wouldn't have minded finding out first hand. She shrugged mildly.

'I don't know, perhaps still in Jaheira's room, I know Cernd was wary of going about the town; apparently the attitudes to druids, even ones who helped to save Trademeet, are still rather hostile and Fritha wouldn't have gone if they'd had to leave someone behind.'

'Indeed,' the bard confirmed with a careful nonchalance, 'Well, we need not seek their company just yet, we will have enough of it over the coming days, I am sure.'

Aerie smiled slightly. She knew Haer'Dalis was jealous of the attention the druid showed her, though it was hardly necessary; her heart was fixed most wholly upon the bard. And yet for all that, she could not deny it was pleasant talking to someone like Cernd, the man so open and forthcoming. He had even admitted to her the circumstances under which he was first forced from the grove, and it was nice to be confided in, talking to someone who did not answer so many of her questions about his past with the rather morbid phrase, "Let the dead bury their dead".

'In fact,' Haer'Dalis continued enthusiastically, 'we have yet to look over any of the plays that I gifted you. We could retire to your room, my dove, read over a few scenes together? You cannot let your studies be neglected just because your life is all trials and adventure.'

Aerie felt her smile freeze on her face.

'Yes, all right.'

xxx

'H-Hold, I-I will be heard!' Aerie stammered for what felt like the hundredth time. It had all been going well enough; the pair acting out a few scenes together from her new set of plays and Aerie had been rather enjoying herself. That was until they had reached a more, what Haer'Dalis had called 'emotionally-charged' passage, the bard telling her to emote and project and not neglect her posture, and now she was so busy thinking on everything else she could barely get the words out.

'Ah, come along Aerie,' Haer'Dalis laughed genially, 'you can do better than that.'

'Hold, I-I will be heard!'

'Squeak, squeak, little mouse; really, my dove, I've seen modrons give readings more passion.'

'There!' she shrieked, finally loosing her temper, the volume leaving her hand before she could stop herself. 'Is that enough passion for you?'

'Aerie, that sodding hurt!' Haer'Dalis shouted, his usual air of unruffled poise somewhat lost as the man vigorously rubbed his forehead where the slim book had bounced off it. Aerie started back at him, horrified, when she felt it bubbling up inside her, beginning first in a smile, then a snicker and soon she was hiding her face in her sleeve as she giggled uncontrollably.

'Oh I'm sorry, Haer'Dalis. I'm sorry; it's not funny. But you have taken reluctance for timidity for too long. I- I long ago gave up any aspirations I had for the theatre and not through any worries that I was not good enough, it is simply not for me. I understand you mean to help me, to bring me out of myself, but I am no longer the timid young woman who travelled with the circus and I do not need it.'

'I can certainly see that!' he agreed vehemently though she was relieved to see he was smiling. 'Ah, I suppose I should have seen it for myself,' he continued with a sigh, moving to sit on the edge of her bed and patting the space next to him. 'The way you received the plays gifted you, with such a wooden smile. But why this deception?'

Aerie sighed as well, tentatively taking the place at his side.

'Well, in the beginning, you got on so well with… some of the others,' she finished after a pause and they both knew who she meant, 'and I just wanted to show you that I, too, could share such things with you. I do still like working on plays with you, but there is much less pressure and I can enjoy it much more when I'm not worrying about how I'm standing and projecting and, well, acting…' She glanced to him, her stomach tight, 'Are you angry I deceived you?'

He smiled gently, making a noise somewhere between a tut and a laugh as he threw an arm about her shoulders.

'No, no, sweet Aerie, but you must know, you won me on your own good merits alone and I like you no less for this revelation,' he tenderly hooked a stray curl behind her ear, his manner much graver than she was used to, 'Never doubt that, my love.

'Well,' he continued more brightly, clapping his hands together, 'what shall we do with our evening? I fear any more readings may be impossible even if you wanted too,' he grinned, glancing pointedly to the book which now laid open and discarded on the floor, 'Erudis is easily offended. We could take a turn about the market though; it still sounds quite merry even for the hour.'

Aerie just smiled, a strange mix of feelings welling within her. Though she was more than happy to find the bard's affections still true after her admission, she felt a little disappointed too, as though she had been counting on an argument that hadn't emerged. She quelled the feeling almost instantly.

'That- That would be lovely.'

Just a moment to collect her cloak and they were out in the hallway, their companions crowded further along the corridor as well, all fussing with bags and cloaks.

'Ah, we were just coming to call for you,' greeted Fritha brightly as she moved to join them, a pale Nalia at her arm, 'We're going out to the market square; do you want to join us?'

Haer'Dalis beamed. 'What chance, my raven, we were heading there ourselves. Well, the more the merrier, as they say.'

He went to proffer an arm to Aerie but Fritha was too quick, the girl stepping in to link arms with the elf, Aerie giggling brightly at Haer'Dalis's disgruntled expression.

'Too slow, sparrow,' Fritha laughed, 'remember: it's the early bird who catches the worm.'

'Do you mind?' cut in Aerie, slapping her arm playfully, 'Worm, indeed!'

But Fritha just laughed warmly, catching up Nalia's arm with her free hand as well, and together the three led the way.