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

Before the storm

Jaheira gazed at the window next to her and the darkened street beyond, the deep indigo sky finally beginning to lighten to the east. She knew all seasons had their place and purpose in the greater balance, but for all that, she did not have the same affinity with winter as she did the others. The way the darkness seemed to creep in with each day as though the world was to be lost in eternal night made her long for the spring more than any amount of cold weather ever could.

'It is difficult to believe it is indeed the morning, is it not?' came a voice before her and she turned back to see Cernd, the man sat across the table from her as they shared an early breakfast in the common room of the Coronet. 'Look,' he smiled, turning his gaze to the window as hers had been, 'even the moon defies it.'

Jaheira followed his hand to the waning orb that still hung, bright and pale in the skies above them, the woman sending him a smile as she returned her attention back to the table and the basket of warm bread rolls the maid had just set upon it. Cernd had offered the previous day to be the one to deliver their ill-fated tome to Mekrath, since he was the only one of their company whom the mage would not recognise, and she had volunteered to attend with him. The map Haer'Dalis had stolen actually had the details of an alternative entrance into Mekrath's stronghold on the reverse, so at least they would not have to trudge through the sewers to meet him.

Jaheira reached out to take a roll from the basket before her, parting it easily with her thumb and spreading it with butter. If she was honest, there was really no reason for them to be leaving so early anyway, but this book felt like a curse and she wanted it out of their possession and this whole episode behind them as soon as possible, especially when their greatest trial was the one yet to be faced. Jaheira glanced up as footfalls on the stairs caught her attention, Anomen descending in to the tavern wearing his cloak and the same dull look he had retired with the previous evening. For a moment, it seemed he would head straight for the doors, but then he noticed them, politely approaching the table and the three exchanged a greeting.

'You are awake early, Anomen,' Jaheira continued, 'I would have thought anyone who could would sleep in until the noon.'

'I wished to attend matins at the temple,' he answered shortly, and though he gave no reasoning, it was plain from his expression he had much on his mind. Their deadline for meeting with the Vampire Guild was that night. Jaheira nodded, feeling suddenly drained herself.

'I see, well…'

She trailed off as the sound of another, more eager, guest, clattered down into the tavern as well. Fritha was already cloaked as the knight was, her bag slung across her back and small pile of books under one arm, the girl hurrying over to their table as she saw them and Jaheira could not help but notice that, in spite of everything, Anomen's face seemed to lighten slightly.

'Morning, you two all set to go?' Fritha greeted the druids, not waiting for an answer as she turned to the knight to exclaim, 'Goodness, you're up early, Anomen; are you going with them?'

'We could ask the same of you,' smiled Cernd and Jaheira frowned, suddenly wary of what the girl was up to now.

'You surely cannot be going to the theatre; I doubt Higgold will even be awake.'

But Fritha merely laughed off her suspicions. 'No, no, I need to take something over to the temple of Tyr.'

'I am going to attend matins, my lady,' said Anomen promptly, 'I will accompany you if you wish.'

'All right,' she agreed, the sound of the temple bells across the city suddenly cutting her off. 'Oh Hells; I'm already late. You two be careful,' she continued to them, 'you know how Mekrath can be; if you're not back here at noon, I'll come looking for you.' She turned instantly to Anomen. 'Right, shall we set off?'

'Fritha, you cannot go out without any breakfast,' Jaheira cut in quickly.

'Who says I am?'

Fritha grinned, brandishing a neatly buttered roll at her and skipping through the door just as Jaheira glanced down to find her own plate empty.

'That girl!'

Cernd just laughed.

xxx

It was cold outside, the pale yellow that was creeping up from the eastern horizon not enough to lift the night's chill from the air, the cloudless sky an arc of grey above them and Anomen could tell it would be a fine day once the sun was up. He and Fritha set off along the street in companionable silence and he watched the lamp-lighters as they passed them, the men working in pairs on either side of the street putting out the streetlamps in anticipation of the dawn. It would have been easier if the lamps had been magical rather than mere oil lamps, cities smaller than Athkatla employing magic thusly, though such would be impossible there, the Cowled Wizards breeding such fear of the thing only to strengthen their own position. They were a power unto themselves and the root of more than a few troubles in that city.

Cold though it was, the air was bracing too, a soothing balm for his hot tired eyes and Anomen found himself rousing as they walked, though Fritha was plainly not feeling the affects yet, the girl yawning into her sleeve and nearly dropping her books in the process.

'Here, my lady, let me carry those for you.'

'All right -but just for a moment,' Fritha added sternly, letting him take them from her while she tore the roll she had stolen from Jaheira's plate in two. 'There, swap,' she said with a smile, offering him a half, the man reluctantly relinquishing the books back to her in the trade, and they continued on their path, eating the warm fragrant bread as they walked in silence until Anomen's curiosity finally got the better of him.

'So, what is it you need to deliver to the temple, my lady? I could have taken it there for you had I known.'

But Fritha just smiled. 'Oh, no, Anomen, it is a chore I take pleasure in –well, as much as you can this early in the morning,' she laughed. 'When I was speaking to Dawnmaster Kreel yesterday, he mentioned he had heard from Minsc that one of our company had joined the Illmateran orphanage just north of Trademeet. He told me that a company of priests and temple guards from the churches of Illmater and Tyr are heading up there with supplies before the winter sets in, a few staying there over the colder months as to better protect them. They plan to set out this morning, so I spoke to Father Philyon at the temple of Illmater yesterday who is heading the mission and he agreed to take something for Nalia with him.'

So that was where she had disappeared off to the afternoon before.

'Oh, that is most kind of him to agree,' said Anomen after a moment, feeling strange talking about the girl after so long, though Fritha did not seem to notice in her sudden eagerness.

'Wasn't it? I've written her a letter telling her what we've been up to and I'm sending her some hazelnuts, for she always liked those, and half of that cake of soap you bought for me, and some more embroidery silks, for I don't know how often she will be able to get to Trademeet nowadays, or even if she's an allowance for such things any more. Oh and this.' She drew a small blue bound volume from her bag with some difficultly, smiling gently as her eyes travelled the cover before she passed it to him. 'It was the one we were reading together when she first left. I've only just been able to bring myself to start reading it again. I finally finished it last night… now it's her turn.'

Anomen took it from her with little else to do bar open it and there on the flyleaf in a simple scrolling hand,

"Though many leagues may part us, take heart; the same moon still hangs above us both."

He recognised the line as being from Tasitus and Penelope, that ancient drama of the exiled solider and his constant love and Anomen swallowed, feeling uncomfortable as he handed it back to her, the girl pushing it carefully back into her bag, continuing brightly.

'The ending was quite good, if rather predictable. The assassin, Niryth, died, of course.' She paused, looking for a moment disappointed. 'All the people I like seem to die.'

'Characters, my lady, surely you mean characters.'

She glanced to him, seemingly bemused. 'Yes, of course, that was what I said, wasn't it?'

Anomen frowned, but said no more, pointing instead to the small stack of books under her arm that she had so insisted upon carrying.

'And what of those ones, my lady? Are you intending to send those to Nalia as well?

'These? No, she has already read these ones.'

'What do you intend for them then?'

Fritha shrugged indifferently. 'Oh, I'll probably just donate them to the temple of Oghma.'

He took the top one from the pile in her arms, reading the cover with raised eyebrows

'A Knight in Shining Amour?'

Fritha laughed. 'Knowledge is knowledge.'

Anomen sighed, placing it back on the pile. 'How can you read that rubbish?'

'Well, some of them, like this one I'm sending to Nalia, are quite good. The others, well, they're good for a laugh at least, and if they're that bad I just skip pages.' She laughed and Anomen smiled, drawing them back to their conversation from earlier.

'You have been reading much lately by the sound of things, though I am surprised you could read anything last night, my lady. I must admit to being exhausted and you had had no rest the night before either.'

Fritha shrugged.

'No, I suppose not. But I have been finding it harder to sleep of late; the silence of my bed leaves too much room to think.'

'You have been thinking on tonight's meeting,' he confirmed and she nodded, unusually open for once as she answered.

'Yes, I was. My heart and mind are at odds once more and everyone else is so ready with their own opinions -which is only right, of course,' she added quickly, glancing to him with a suddenly thoughtful look, 'Though, I fear I am generalising; you have hardly said a word about our impending meeting. I must admit, I am surprised.'

'Surprised?'

'Why, yes, I was sure you would have shouted yourself hoarse at me by now, in fact…' She trailed off, her eyes gaining a distant look as she considered it, 'You did not raise your voice yesterday either.' She turned back to him. 'Your temper has been much better lately, Anomen.'

'Well, yes,' he admitted gruffly, feeling for some reason embarrassed she had noticed, 'Cernd showed me a method of restraining it. I recall to mind a moment when my temper controlled me, disgraced me; a moment I should wish never to be repeated.'

He glanced to Fritha, the girl looking a touch uncomfortable by his confession.

'Oh well, that's good, that you can control it now. But-' she frowned slightly, pressing her lips together as though unsure of whether to continue or not, 'but don't dwell too much on past mistakes, Anomen; it would not do to quench your passions in shame. After all, there's nothing wrong with having a temper, just so long as you're not losing it all the time.' She laughed, hefting the books in her arms as she glanced back to their path, the pair having reached the edge of the temple district by now, the huge church to Helm but a few paces away.

'Well, here we are, oh, and the bell for matins -say a prayer for me, won't you?'

He swallowed dryly. 'Always.'

Fritha stared up at him, the glimmer of another frown just lingering behind her eyes, when she smiled and it was gone.

'I'll see you back at the inn, Anomen.'

Fritha continued along the path, still feeling his eyes on her back and not wanting to turn around to confirm it. A heavy sense of guilt was pressing on her as she considered Anomen's last few days and the meeting that had been hanging over them all. The others had made it so much easier with their opposition; the girl using their sullen looks and heavy silences to spur her on her path. But Anomen had said nothing, just sadly borne the weight of his decision alone.

Fritha sighed. As a knight and a priest, he had more than likely made up his mind as soon as that first meeting, perhaps even that first night when they and his friends had met with Parisa. If Fritha allied with the vampires then he would have no choice but to leave and that was that. But, as harsh as that was, he had clearly also considered that there was no point in harping on about it or trying to use his decision to influence her own choice and she appreciated that, at least. Fritha shook these thoughts away; it would all be over soon enough now.

The temple to Tyr was just ahead of her, and she paused, setting the pile of books she was carrying on a nearby wall and fussing in her bag, putting the letter and book and the other treats she had bought for her friend into a small linen bag she had bought for the task and binding up the whole thing with string before continuing on her way. People were already gathering outside the temple, some on horseback, while others stood about talking or readying their own steeds, two men slowly backing a draft-horse between the shafts of a large covered wagon. Fritha had always been a bit nervous of horses and she approached cautiously, easily spotting a tall helmed figure on the edge of the group who seemed familiar, the priest already astride a stout dappled mare and watching the surrounding commotion with a commanding look.

'Ah, Father Philyon?' Fritha ventured and she realised too late her mistake, the man turning to reveal someone much younger than she had been expecting, his tanned face dominated by a rather strong nose, though he was not unhandsome for it, the scales of Tyr etched upon his ornate breastplate.

'Oh, no, my lady, he would be there,' the man offered, turning in his saddle to point behind him and Fritha peered past his horse to where the older priest she recognised was knelt before the temple and comforting a crying child who was no doubt on his way to a new home.

'Oh, ah, I see.'

The Tyran seemed to understand her reluctance to interrupt, the man smiling down at her kindly. 'Is there anyway I can be of assistance, my lady?'

'Well, my friend, Nalia is a lay sister at the orphanage, I was hoping to have something delivered to her with your company. Father Philyon said he did not mind…'

The priest smiled, reaching down for the package and she passed it up to him

'It would be an honour to be so entrusted; I will ensure she gets it, my lady.'

'And who might I thank for this service?'

His smile broadened. 'My name is Lundav, my lady; Lundav di Sifiso'

Fritha nodded once.

'I will remember you in my prayers, sir.'

xxx

It was noon, the sunlight that poured through the grimy windows making even the common room of the Coronet pleasant and welcoming as the group took tea and made plans for what was left of the day. Jaheira and Cernd had just arrived back from their delivery to Mekrath, the table they arrived to already full of noise and laughter, Fritha having roused Minsc, Haer'Dalis and Aerie when she'd arrived back from her errands and Anomen was the only one of their party still absent, his prayers clearly taking longer than anyone had anticipated.

'So, was Mekrath pleased with his book?' asked Fritha and Jaheira nodded, swallowing a mouthful of tea to answer.

'Pleased enough to pay us for the task; here, five hundred gold. Add that to the payment we received from the Lathandites, and this jaunt was almost worth the trouble it caused. And you were correct, Fritha, the book was a diary; that of Mekrath's great-great-great uncle or some such nonsense. Mekrath felt such secrets should be kept within the family, namely by him.'

'Didn't he enquire about Korgan and the others?' asked Aerie. Jaheira smiled, raising an eyebrow at the druid next to her.

'That he did, but Cernd here managed to convince him that they were no more than his servants. You should have heard the pair of them by the end of the meeting: both bemoaning how hard it is to get decent staff like friends of old and Mekrath was inviting him back to take tea with him before the month's end!'

'Well, you're getting quite good at this acting malarkey, aren't you?' Fritha laughed delightedly, 'We'll have to see about getting you a part at the theatre.'

Cernd smiled. 'I thank you for the offer, but I fear I will have to decline; I must serve a greater mistress than your fickle Muse.'

'Now, that is no way to talk of Higgold,' quipped Haer'Dalis, Cernd turning to Fritha to ask, 'So what are our plans for the rest of our day?'

Fritha shrugged, topping up her cup as she considered it.

'Well, this Valygar is still resisting being found and Higgold seems to have everything under control at the theatre for once, so I was thinking that perhaps we could spend the rest of the day in the park.'

'The park?' came Aerie and she was not the only one who looked confused though at least one of their group seemed quite taken with the suggestion.

'Oh, yes, Fritha,' boomed Minsc happily, 'it has been too long since Boo has been able to play in the grass.'

'The park?' came Jaheira in an echo of the elf and Fritha nodded.

'Yes, I hear there is a nice one over the river in the north-west of the city; we can even buy some bread and such from the Bridge vendors on the way and eat there. The weather is certainly fine enough and you never know just who you are going to run into.'

Jaheira leaned slowly back in her seat to send a glance to the druid next to her, Cernd looking as though he was suddenly wrestling with some strong emotion, though the tiefling did not seem to notice this exchange, laughing as he exclaimed, 'Really, my raven, if you are hoping this Valygar berk is just going to be there enjoying the sunshine, then you truly are at a loss.'

'I think this park sounds like a very good idea,' cut in Jaheira firmly, 'Cernd?'

The man nodded once and gravely. 'Yes, I agree.'

Haer'Dalis glanced between them with a frown and perhaps he would have questioned them had not the door banged open at that moment and Anomen, at last, arrived, the tiefling turning his attention immediately to him.

'You were a while at the temple, my hound -did you have a lot to confess?' he added slyly and Aerie giggled. Anomen ignored him, taking his seat and nodding his thanks to the elf as she poured him some tea.

'I was speaking with High Watcher Oisig. Amongst other things, he informed me that the famed Waterhavian artist, Sir Sarles, is in the city at present. He is currently a guest of the Jysstevs, a noble family who hold grounds opposite,' he swallowed, his discomfort evident, 'the Delryn estate.'

'Sir Sarles?' came Aerie, looking awe-struck, 'Goodness, he is a legend. He painted the choir screen in the church to Waukeen in Keczulla.'

Fritha nodded looking equally impressed. 'Yes, his frescos boarder the entire banqueting hall of the Ducal Palace up in the Gate. What is he doing here?'

'Not a lot, apparently,' muttered Anomen dully. 'He has been in Athkatla for a tenday or more now and plans to winter here. Ever since the news was made known, he has been assailed with commissions from nobles and temples alike, including the church of Helm, though so far he has refused them all.'

The knight paused to take a sip of tea, turning slightly to Fritha. 'The High Watcher drew me aside after my prayers, he- he is aware of your position as patron of the theatre, my lady, and though no request was made outright, Oisig was hinting that perhaps if a fellow artist was to put forward their case… I know it will not pay anything,' Anomen added quickly, 'and I do not think even the High Watcher expects anything to come of it, but…'

Fritha smiled kindly. 'Well, it can't hurt to ask, can it?' She stood and, for a moment, Anomen expected her to beckon for him to do the same, when she turned instead to the tiefling, 'Come on, Haer'Dalis, they tell me you can be charming when you want to be.'

'I try, my raven, I try.'

And Anomen watched the pair leave, laughing as they teased each other. At his side, Aerie drew in a deep measured breath.

'Right, are we going to the park then?'

xxx

Fritha gazed up at the pale blue sky, billowing clouds rushing overhead with a speed that looked almost unnatural, the sun bright even if there was still a coolness to the air as she and Haer'Dalis made their way through the wide tree-lined streets of the north of the city. With everything she knew would that come later, Fritha was rather glad this distraction had presented itself and she let her mind wander, imagining their imminent meeting with the famous artist, the man wise and insightful as they discussed his latest works over tea and she sincerely hoped she could convince Sarles to take the commission for the Helmites and repay Anomen some of the consideration he had shown her of late, however oddly it had been borne.

Fritha smiled slightly, gesturing at the street to their left as she led them in the direction of Anomen's old estate, Haer'Dalis asking as they turned to cross the large square, 'So who is this Sarles berk, anyway?'

'You've never heard of him? Oh, no, I don't suppose you would have, would you?' she exclaimed, laughing at her own thoughtlessness and explaining, 'Well, he's quite famous, especially for his frescos, though I believe he favours sculpture as his medium at the moment; he gained more popularity after the death of Prism.'

'Prism?'

Fritha nodded earnestly. 'Yes, now he really was famous. He painted the ceiling at the temple to Lathander in Beregost and he has made several famous sculptures, the last one of Ellesime, one of the Elven Queens, who was said to favour his works. I suppose you could say it was that one that ended him really.'

'Ended him?' Haer'Dalis repeated, frowning, 'The piece was not well received?'

'Oh no, but he did not survive long after it was finished.'

'He is dead? How is that ill-fated occurrence linked to this statue?'

Fritha paused a moment, wondering how to explain it.

'Well, he… he stole some rather precious emeralds to use for the eyes of his piece and then went gallivanting off into the foothills of the Cloudpeak Mountains to carve his work onto an actual cliff face. To be honest, I think he'd gone a bit peculiar, perhaps something to do with all the lead in the paint.'

She glanced up to find Haer'Dalis watching her, still frowning as he asked, 'You seem to know much of this; are you a fan of his?

'Not exactly; it's just, well, we were there. We were in the mountains hunting winter wolves so we could raise much needed funds from their pelts. In the meantime, the bounty hunter Greywolf had been dispatched to retrieve the stolen emeralds and kill the thief and we all sort of ran into each other. We tried to stop Greywolf, but a fight broke out and Greywolf was killed along with Prism. We buried him under his final work, the poor man.' Fritha sighed, a shadow falling over them as clouds raced across the sun. 'It was all quite sad really. Very needless. Ah, we're here.'

They had passed the gate to the Delryn estate a few paces back, the girl halting at the next, the large ornate gateway set on the opposite side of the street, the guards letting them pass after a few questions and they were soon walking along the wide gravel path that ran along the edge of the house. Fritha let her eyes run over the neat grey building, a rarity among the houses of that district in that it was not surrounded by sprawling gardens, though from the size of the property, Fritha guess it likely incorporated a few within its structure. She presented herself to the servant who opened the door as patron of the Bridge District Theatre, the girl clearly not the first visitor the artist had received and the servant led them along a few corridors into the heart without another question, bidding them wait at a curtained doorway as he went ahead to announce them.

'Oh, not more fans come begging for an audience,' someone sighed quite audibly beyond the weight of dark green brocade, as though another would be the death of him. Haer'Dalis shot her a dark look in the gloom of the hallway and Fritha had a sudden suspicion that her plans of tea and talk might have been a touch premature. The voice of the servant, quiet and conciliatory.

'No, my lord, they are actually here from the theatre in Bridge District; it is their Lady Patron.'

Another dramatic sigh. 'Oh, very well, send them in.'

The servant appeared before them again and the pair were shown past the curtain into a small well-furnished room of marble and dark wood that overlooked a neat garth of azalea bushes and Kara-Turan maples, the air rich with the smell of earth and foliage. Sarles was at the room's centre reclining on a long upholstered bench, the man quite short and of a ruddy complexion, with much less hair and quite a bit more stomach than Fritha had imagined. She dipped a slight bow, Haer'Dalis joining her in the gesture, but only barely.

'Good morning, my lord. I am Fritha of the Bridge District Theatre and this is my companion, Haer'Dalis, most recently of the Sigil Troupe.'

'Yes, yes, good morning,' Sarles sighed impatiently, waving away their greeting and sitting so as to see them better, 'Goodness, you are not quite as I was expecting; you look more like the head of a barracks than a theatre.'

'My sword?' Fritha confirmed, glancing to Haer'Dalis with the slightest of smiles, 'The sages say it is better to be safe than sorry. My lord, I am here to personally invite you to the opening night of our latest production, the Sorcerer's Bane; shall I have some tickets sent to your lodgings?'

Sarles sighed and nodded, laying back down and helping himself to a grape from the large bowl of fruit on the table next to him.

'Hmm, yes, do -though I will have to check my diary and see if I am still available nearer the time.'

Fritha dipped her head in acquiescence. 'Of course, I understand. Who knows what masterpiece you will be working on by then.'

'Hmph, nothing I would hope,' the artist muttered sourly, 'I am here on holiday as everyone seems all too willing to ignore.'

'Well, yes,' Fritha agreed, all hopes of convincing him to take the Helmites' commission quickly fading from sight, 'but who can say when inspiration will strike? Surely, if someone was to offer you the opportunity to work for a patron of such power and influence-'

'Oh, I knew it,' Sarles interrupted with a theatrical sigh, 'you are another emissary from one of those blasted temples, aren't you?'

Fritha frowned slightly, but could not refute it. 'Why would you assume-'

'Because the nobles that come begging at least have the sense to bring gifts!'

Fritha would have very much liked to have reminded him that she had in fact brought a gift, but Haer'Dalis looked as though he would have liked to say that and possibly a lot more, and Fritha continued hastily. 'My lord, I am sent by the church of-'

'Oh, don't bother telling me which one, I hardly care,' Sarles cut in with a snort, smiling slightly as though amused he could get away with such rudeness. Fritha mouthed a moment, rather taken aback, though Haer'Dalis was not so afflicted

'You will not even hear the offer?' he demanded, Sarles clearly missing the tiefling's tone as he laughed airily.

'What on Toril can they expect to offer to induce me to such a task? I have enough coin accumulated now for several lifetimes and am famed and celebrated as an artist the land over.'

Fritha had thought, and perhaps naively, that the mere opportunity to create something, especially something that would be placed on such prominent display, would be enough; most other artists seemed to view the fame and riches as just a pleasant side-effect of their work. Sarles sighed again and deeply, sending her an indulgent look.

'Well, since I cannot seem to escape you and your brethren, I will take your commission-'

Fritha felt her heart swell. 'Oh, thank-!'

'If' he cut in firmly, 'you can provide the requirement of my medium.' He paused for effect. 'Two hundred pounds of pure illithium.'

Fritha blinked a moment, wondering if she'd heard correctly. 'Sor- Sorry?'

Illithium was one of the rarest metals she knew of, to get even a quarter of what he had asked for would have been a feat. He was just toying with them…

Sarles smiled at her, shaking his head as he helped himself to another grape and Fritha felt her jaw clench, hot bile beginning to rise in her stomach. She closed her eyes, trying to focus on the sound of her heartbeat as Sarles's condescending tones rang through her head.

'You people really do not understand, do you? I am an artist. The medium I choose is a reflection of my soul. Why should I just employ simple wood or stone as all the others? I am sure if your patron is as great and influential as you say, it will not be a problem…'

xxx

Anomen lent back against the tree with a sigh, letting his attention drift from the twisting boughs overhead to the brightly coloured crowds about him. Many people had clearly decided to follow their example, tempted by the fine day amid the cold and rains to come, and the park was quite busy. He had felt more peaceful since his prayers that morning, his worship reaffirming his life as a servant of Helm and he knew that whatever the Order thought of his actions from here on out, as long as he could still stand without shame before his god then he would be able to bear whatever else the Fates had in store.

Jaheira and Cernd seemed less relaxed though, the pair keeping a watchful eye on the crowds about them. He had gathered from what he had over heard of their conversations since leaving the slums, that Cernd's son had been adopted by a household not far from there, Fritha's suggestion they spend the afternoon in the park suddenly making much more sense. She put more thought into their well-being than Anomen had before realised and it warmed him.

Minsc and Aerie were sat opposite him and entertaining themselves, the ranger showing her how to tie various knots using their rope and a stick he'd found, occasionally passing it over to her to try with varying degrees of success. He watched them for a moment, the elf finally glancing up to catch his eye and send him a smile, Aerie murmuring something to Minsc as she rose and moved to settle next to him.

'It is nice here, isn't it?' she sighed, leaning back against the trunk as he had. 'Different from the forests and such outside the city, but still… You spoke to Fritha this morning, didn't you?' she confirmed with a glance to him, her eyes suddenly darkened, 'Does she still plan to make the deadline the vampires have placed upon us?'

'I believe so, my lady. Have you come to a decision as to what you will do should we ally with them?'

Aerie shook her head. 'No… Are you still worried?'

Anomen drew a deep breath and shook his head as well. 'No. I have made my decision and my prayers this morning have set it in my heart; my duty is to Fritha and I am ready now for whatever the Fates will bring.'

Aerie sighed, a hand moving to her throat to play absently with the gold racoon-faced pendent that hung above her robes.

'I wish I had your resolve.'

Anomen smiled wryly, remembering the simple adage of a young woman and the frustrations he had once felt with both it and her.

'A wise person once told me we must all follow our hearts; the decisions we come to may be right or wrong, but at least you will always be true to yourself.'

'Ah, you are returned,' called Jaheira and he glanced up to see Fritha and Haer'Dalis approaching, the pair smiling though he thought Fritha's held a melancholy air and Anomen realised they may not have met with success. 'So, how went your meeting?' continued the druid, though Fritha let her gaze fall instead to him.

'It is arranged, Anomen. Sarles will consult with the temple about the materials he will need and his fees within the tenday.'

Anomen blinked, hardly able to believe it. 'He agreed to work for Helm? But he refused all others.'

Fritha merely shrugged, dropping to sit next to Jaheira though Haer'Dalis remained on his feet, the man beaming down at her like some doting father.

'Ah, our raven managed to convince that Sarles berk. Oh, that you could have seen her, my birds; she was magnificent! She called him a self-absorbed amateur for a start.'

'You called him what?' exclaimed Jaheira.

Fritha laughed weakly, looking rather embarrassed and pulling her knees up to her chest as though to unconsciously shield herself from their stares.

'Well, he really riled me, the silly Prima Dona; sat there stuffing his face and going on about art as though he was the only one with any sensibility of it.'

'Oh, that you could have been there with us, my birds,' Haer'Dalis continued gleefully, 'She was as mild as a partridge until Sarles mentioned the requirement of his medium: two hundred pounds of pure illithium.'

Anomen frowned. 'But that is an impossible task. I'll warrant there isn't that much in the whole of Athkatla.'

'Exactly, my hound, it seemed Sarles did not want his leave disturbing and it was then Fritha rose, the fires of Gehenna blazing in her eyes, and spoke in a tongue of raw anger-'

Fritha was still giggling, but she had even sunk lower where she sat and hidden her face in her folded arms, her forehead a stunning shade of pink as the bard continued.

'Who are you to send me on such an errand! I who shed my life's blood to allow the great Prism to finish his final work, who watched as the light left his eyes, who buried him with my own hands! To call you an artist is an insult to any man or woman will a spark of creation in their souls. You decadent slattern! Art is nothing to you but silks and sweetmeats! You whore you talent to the highest patron, not caring what they ask for! But Prism understood art and so do I. It is weeks without rest, all thoughts upon your work. It is passion and isolation and obsession. It is suffering! The temple of Helm would be ashamed to house your soulless efforts!'

Jaheira turned to the girl, clearly astonished. 'By Silvanus, you said all that?'

'Haer'Dalis's version is rather more lyrical, but pretty much.'

'Is that when he changed his mind?' asked Aerie, Haer'Dalis sending her a grim smile.

'We do not know. Sarles was in quite a temper when we left, but then, so was Fritha…'

'We went to the docks to watch the boats for an hour or so,' said Fritha quietly, 'give me chance to calm down before we returned to tell the temple that Sarles wouldn't be working for them, now or perhaps ever.'

Haer'Dalis nodded, still grinning. 'But when we arrived, we were greeted with great enthusiasm. Apparently, a letter had arrived from Sarles during our absence agreeing to accept the commission -and all due to our wonderful raven here!' He laughed, clasping her shoulders. Fritha shrugged him off, her smile rueful.

'We were lucky; it could have so easily gone the other way. I should have kept my temper.'

Haer'Dalis merely shrugged, turning his attentions to the linen bag next to Minsc. 'Well, all's well that ends well. What did you bring from the market?'

Aerie moved to help him and together they laid down a blanket at the foot of some nearby trees, somewhere more sheltered from the cool breeze, before setting out the breads and fruits and meats they had brought for their lunch, Minsc collecting their cups ready to share out the carafe of ale they had snuck from the Coronet.

Anomen glanced back to the two women opposite, Fritha murmuring something to Jaheira, the druid nodding and patting her knee as she rose to join Cernd at a copse of trees nearby, the druid watching a small group of children play with a melancholy look and Anomen took his chance.

Fritha smiled as he shifted into the place at her side, her voice quite and resigned. 'Go ahead with your rebuke, Anomen; for once, I will more than likely agree with you.'

The knight shook his head. 'I am not here to reproach, I just wished to thank you.'

'For getting Sarles to work for the temple?'

'For trying to; the result, either way, would not have changed the trouble you went to.' Anomen sighed, the glow of their success rather marred by the melancholy it had brought her. 'I am sorry he upset you, I can understand how his demands would have irked.'

Fritha shook her head, an arm lolling from her knees to pluck absently at the grass next to her.

'It is no excuse; I could have ruined everything. I don't know what got me so angry. Just when he made to send us on that fool's errand for the illithium…' She sighed deeply, watching as the breeze took the torn grass from her parted fingers. 'I've spent all this time trying to raise coin for Imoen and yet we are barely halfway. And on top of that, there is this nonsense with the Cowled Wizards and their hidden fugitive. Finally, it seemed I was to be given a solid path to Imoen and it is hopeless! I knew he would not be easy to find, for if that were the case, the wizards would have just retrieved him themselves, but it has been days and we still know nothing!' Fritha fixed him with a fierce look, as though she needed to make him understand her desperation, before she turned away once more, the girl scrubbing a hand across her face. 'Ah, I'm sorry, I should not complain, it does nothing useful,' she glanced back to him, smiling faintly, 'and besides, it only makes me feel worse.'

'Fritha?' came a voice and the pair turned to see Aerie knelt by the blanket, the others already sat about it and looking over to them, 'Fritha, do you want an orange or an apple?'

'An apple, please,' she trilled, shifting closer to the blanket and beckoning for him to do the same, 'I like oranges, but I only make a mess when I peel them. What about you, Anomen?'

He made his choice: an orange, which he peeled very carefully and then offered to share with her, though Fritha would only take one segment, claiming with a laugh that it was not fair on him when he had done all the work, the girl seeming to cheer over the course of their picnic though Anomen was very aware now that such things were not always to be trusted.

And so the afternoon passed. It was much later in the day now and growing darker, the park about them emptying though there was still enough light to read by, Fritha and Jaheira so engaged, the others watching the lesson that was in progress. Haer'Dalis, the tranquillity of the afternoon clearly not sitting well with him, had offered to show Anomen a few techniques should he ever lose his mace and be force to fight with his newly acquired sword, Fritha lending the man her own blade to practise with. Though perhaps it had been foolish to have assumed too much altruism on Haer'Dalis's part, the tiefling using the opportunity to tease as well as teach, applying his size and skill to land flamboyant hits to the knight's flanks and back, seemingly unable to help showing off before a captive audience. Anomen was bearing all with good grace though and had even managed to a land a few good hits of his own in the last hour.

'Hold, hold, my hound, you must change your grip when you thrust; place your finger above the guard to steady it.'

'Like this?'

'More like this.'

They practised the move in unison a few times, the pair lunging earnestly some imaginary opponent.

'By Silvanus, they'll be taking their shirts off next,' muttered Jaheira. Aerie snorted into the sleeve she was darning.

'Ready?' came Haer'Dalis as the two men reassumed their positions opposite each other, 'On guard!'

The duel began with the ringing clash of metal on metal, the two sparring a moment before Haer'Dalis managed to feint a blow to the knight's legs and danced past his guard to strike him resoundingly on the opposite flank.

The group laughed, even Anomen managing a smile, albeit a weary one as he moved back to ready himself for the next bout, Haer'Dalis still busy enjoying the crowd's adulations as he bowed and waved. Fritha smiled as well, her attention still intent upon her book as she called out to him.

'Now, now, Haer'Dalis, don't make me come up there and thrash you.'

The bard turned to her, seemingly delighted with this interruption.

'Thrash me? Ha! You know for sure you will win, my raven?'

'Of course, I will: I intend to cheat.'

Haer'Dalis laughed warmly. 'Then it would be a victory well deserved. Come, my raven, we should have a duel; entertain the good citizens of Athkatla…' he glanced slyly to the man at his side, 'and perhaps a wager to make things interesting? I know, the loser must give the winner a kiss.'

Anomen flushed, Aerie suddenly looking a whole lot less amused as well but Fritha merely laughed and turned another page.

'If we're going to bet, at least make it something I'd want to win. Besides-'

She glanced up to deliver what would have no doubt been a verbal coup de grâce when something behind him caught her eye. An open carriage had stopped nearby on the western edge of the park, a man of late years stepping from it with an agility that belied his age, something familiar about the neat grey hair and stern lined face and Fritha realised it was the same man they had seen leaving the Deril estate a few days ago. He was reaching back into the carriage, taking a small dark-haired boy from his nurse as the woman herself descended, the child handed back to her as soon as her feet were on the cobbles, their voices drifting over to the them on the still air.

'Do not take him far,' the man directed, 'you know I've to be back at the house for the sundown.'

The nurse nodded respectfully. 'No, my lord, we won't be long will we, my poppet?' she cooed to her ward, jogging the child slightly in her arms before setting him gently down next to her, the boy clinging to her skirts as he found his feet.

Cernd was transfixed.

'Is that… is that him?'

The druid was almost to his feet when Jaheira grabbed his collar and wrenched him back down to the grass, Fritha already up and quickly unbuckling her empty scabbard.

'Come on, Aerie.'

The pair linked arms and were off, casually strolling through the park, just two friends taking a walk before dinner, the girls following the nearby path in opposite direction, through the small grove of trees they had settled in and around the ornamental pond to meet the woman all by chance on the far side of the park.

'Good afternoon, madam,' Fritha nodded politely, suddenly stopping as she noticed the young boy stood unsteadily at her side, 'Oh, what a dear child!'

'Is he not, my lady?' the nurse clucked, glowing with pride as she picked up her charge to settle him on her hip. 'Come now, my poppet, come and say hello to the nice young ladies.'

The boy gurgled at them and shyly turned to hide his face in the woman's neck. Fritha smiled, not having to put much acting into her delight as he watched them curiously from under an untidy mop of dark curls.

'Such a handsome boy,' came Aerie quietly, her ingenuous manner well disguising the cunning of her words, 'I'm sure he will grow into a fine man -he has your eyes, I think.'

'Ooo, aren't you a dear?' the nurse chuckled, 'He is not mine, my lady, I am but his nurse. His father is a gentleman -see he is stood there by the carriage,' she continued, turning to point behind her to the edge of the park where the man himself stood, frowning as he spoke to the driver. 'Such a kind master,' the woman sighed, turning back to them with a smile, 'and he thinks the world of this little one. Doesn't he, my pet?'

She jogged the boy in her arms again, the child giggling, reaching up to tug at the frill on her mobcap.

'And what have you two found?' came a mellow voice behind them, both girls turning to see Cernd stood there, the serenity of his face a mask that could not hide the intensity to his eyes. The nurse looked rather surprised, gaze raking over his worn clothes and beaded hair with a mildly scandalised look.

'Oh, is this, ah, gentleman, a friend of yours?'

'Yes, indeed, madam,' Fritha answered politely, turning to him to ask artlessly, 'Do we have to be going yet?'

Cernd sent her a fatherly smile and shook his head.

'No, no, I merely came to see what had so caught your attention.' His gaze shifted to the boy in her arms, the smile lingering as he continued, 'Ah, and now it is clear to me. Are you not both a little young to be getting broody -though I can see why it may be more tempting a prospect when one comes upon so well-behaved a child.' Cernd paused, watching the boy with a tender look, for a moment seeming as though he wanted nothing more than to take him in his arms, though he resisted, merely reaching out to gently brush the mess of curls back from his forehead. 'Might I inquire as to his name, madam?'

The nurse beamed. 'Why, of course, sir. He's named Ahsdale for his late mother's father and a better behaved babby a nurse could not have asked for. Why, hardly a year old and I do not hear a peep out of him once he is put to bed. I-'

A presence behind cut her off, the woman half turning as the frowning visage of Deril appeared at her shoulder, Ahsdale instantly beginning to fret, arms outstretched towards the man.

'Edith, what is the delay here?' he demanded impatiently, gaze shifting to them to finally notice Cernd, Deril's eyes not leaving him as he commanded sharply, 'Edith, take Ahsdale back to the carriage now. I shall return in a moment.'

The nurse frowned, sending them a bewildered look as she readjusted the struggling child in her arms and quickly bundled him away, Deril turning to Cernd with a cold look.

'You were Galia's husband, I recognise you from the promenade and that pottery you both ran before you saw fit to desert her.'

'I did not-!' Cernd exclaimed, but the man cut dead his indignation.

'I do not care to hear your excuses, why are you here bothering my servants?'

Cernd frowned, calm once more though there was a definite edge to his tone. 'That child, he is my son.'

'No, he is my son,' Deril corrected firmly, 'as per the laws of this city. You forfeited your rights to him when you left his mother.'

Cernd's breathing had quickened, his desperation mounting.

'I did not know she was with child! Please, if we could arrange something -I can return to the pottery here, I could meet with him-'

Deril halted his pleas with a determined shake of his head. 'No, I do not think that will be possible.'

'He is of my blood!' cried Cernd, but the man remained unmoved, merely gazing back at him with a cool impassible eyes.

'Yes, but he is of my House. The law of this city saw to place him in my care after the death of his mother and that is the end of it. It would be too confusing for him to grow up knowing two men as father. No, my decision in this is made,' Deril affirmed with a curt nod, 'I would ask that you do not try to meet either of us again. Good day.'

And with that, he turned on his heel and walked swiftly back to his carriage, Cernd stood unmoving and silent as he stared after him. Fritha glanced to Aerie, seeing her own awkward uncertainty in the elf's face, neither of them sure what to do though the decision was not left to them in the end, Cernd turning of his own accord and together the three trudged back to the others, Jaheira and Cernd disappearing soon after and Fritha was not long with them either. She had an appointment over at the Council Building to see Tolgerias and report on their progress in the search for Valygar, or lack there of, the girl returning an hour later more than a little disheartened. Apparently, Tolgaris's promises of Imoen's return were becoming more fervent, and it was as the sun was finally setting that Jaheira and Cernd returned as well, both druids pale and taciturn, Cernd's worn face grey with misery.

Anomen sighed inwardly; such a day of successes and disappointments and yet the worst was still to face. He glanced to Fritha, the girl sat on her cloak, hunched over as she played with her boot laces and looking cold and shivery now the dusk was drawing in, though whether from the coolness to the air or something else he could not tell.

'Well,' she sighed eventually, her voice sounding loud in the silence they had been sat in, her gaze upon the sky as she heaved herself up from the grass, 'it's almost time and I shouldn't keep Bodhi waiting. I'll see you lot- Anomen?' she questioned as he stood as well.

'I would not have you attend at all, but if you are going, then you will not go alone.'

Fritha blinked, clearly stunned, but it could not hide the faint smile that was twitching at her lips. 'Oh, right. Well, I suppose we'll-'

'Ah, not so fast, my raven,' sang Haer'Dalis, springing up on her other side, 'you cannot be rid of this sparrow so easily.'

Fritha openly laughed that time. 'Did I ever doubt it?'

Jaheira shook her head, heaving herself to her feet as well, Cernd and Minsc not a moment behind her.

'Well, I can only hope you understand what you are doing.'

'Boo is sure she is; young Fritha has never led us wrong before.'

Fritha was smiling, warm and yet rueful, as she let her gaze travel those stood about her, the group complete bar one. Aerie sighed audibly from the grass beneath them and finally stood.

'Just because I'm coming doesn't mean I agree with this.'

Fritha nodded once. 'Duly noted. Well,' she continued, fastening her cloak about her shoulders and still looking rather amazed, 'I just hope they've got enough chairs.'