The Zenith

by Blackcross-Taylor

After their capture by the mysterious Irenicus, Fritha and her companions find themselves in the lands of Amn with a friend to rescue and a debt to repay. Completed

77. Walking the boards

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. Nor do I own Symptoms of Love by Robert Graves.
I do, however, own Fritha and certain other characters and plot points. Basically, if you don't recognise it from the game, it's probably mine.

– Blackcross & Taylor

Author's note: Special thanks go to my new beta, WellspringCD, and her tireless efforts to weed out all the grammar and punctuation errors (of which there are many). Thanks, too, to Maje, Drew and arabellaesque and to everyone who left feedback in 2008 and Happy New Year.

Walking the boards

Jaheira could sense she was hovering and disliked herself for it, the woman fussing over them both as Aerie strove to nurse the struggling Ahsdale, the boy screaming and crying, his face screwed up and scarlet from the effort.

'Careful, Aerie, support his head.'

Aerie sighed tersely, battling to get a hand under it while she tried to stop him from twisting free and being dropped altogether.

'I- I'm trying, he keeps struggling. There now, Ahsdale, please, don't cry,' she beseeched, the child ignoring her, no break to his howls as he twisted and thrashed.

A blast of cold wind whistled down the chimney, rain hissing in the fireplace and the crying went up a notch. St Aldulphi's Day had gone well enough for some, though Jaheira would have been hard pressed to list them at that moment. Ahsdale had awoken properly just after they had left the Deril Estate, frightened and fretful when he found himself surrounded by strangers, his nurse nowhere in sight, and his distress only mounted over the course of the short journey back to the inn. They had gathered in Cernd's room as soon as they had alighted from the carriage, the room warm and welcoming in the light of the lamps though it did little to calm the child, she and Aerie taking turns to try and sooth him while Minsc stood helpless before the fireplace cupping a hand over Boo's ears; Valygar and the druid himself nowhere to be seen.

Jaheira glanced back at the sound of the door, Fritha crossing the threshold with Anomen at her heels, the pair looking rather windswept. Fritha was almost back to her usual self, her feet ridded of those torturous shoes, hair now taken down and jewellery removed, though the girl was still resplendent in the rich green gown, the skirts moving with an almost seductive sway as she padded into the room on stockinged feet, her voice raised as to be heard over the din.

'Gods, he's got a fine set of lungs on him, hasn't he? You can hear him all the way down the corridor –much to the other guests' displeasure,' she added with a laugh.

Jaheira sighed tersely, in no mood for her levity, especially since their long and somewhat stressful day suddenly had no end in sight and she was just glad Hendak was in charge; Lehtinan would probably have thrown them out for the disturbance by now.

'Really, Fritha, are you still prancing around in that dress?'

Fritha sent her an arch look. 'Yes, because I can't actually take it off without help.'

Behind her, Anomen flushed.

'Here, Aerie, let me,' Fritha continued briskly, stepping forward to deftly take the boy from the elf, 'Oh, there now, Ahsdale, what's all this fuss, hmm? Ah, yes, I know, I know,' she soothed, adjusting the struggling child until his small body was curled against her shoulder, face hidden in her neck, the girl rubbing his back and jogging him slightly until, after a good few moments, his cries eventually ebbed to a quiet sobbing. Aerie looked astounded.

'How, by goodness, did you manage that?'

'Children can sense unrest and they don't like it. Do they, my lamb?' Fritha confirmed, smoothing a gentle hand over the dark head of curls that was still resting on her shoulder, a fretful hiccup her only reply. 'I know, my poppet, I know. Now, let's have a few less people in here, shall we?' Fritha continued, her voice brusquer as she returned her attention to the room about her, 'And where is Cernd, shouldn't he be here enjoying this?'

xxx

Jaheira found him outside, Valygar silent at his side, the pair of them stood in the alley that ran alongside the inn and sheltering under the deep eves from the now sheeting rain.

'Here you are,' she sighed, Cernd glancing up at her voice and Jaheira wondered if she had ever seen anyone look more broken, his worn face as wan as the flaking plaster of the wall behind him.

'I- I just could not bear the crying, he- he just would not stop.'

'Yes,' soothed Jaheira, 'but he is calming now. Fritha is upstairs with him- she has a way with the young. And none of this was to be unexpected,' she continued, wondering just what the man had thought the child's initial reaction would have been, 'Ahsdale has gone through quite the upheaval this evening-'

'Yes, exactly!' Cernd burst out, suddenly wild, 'What have we done? I've torn a child from the only father he has ever known –what gave me the right? Deril may be a necromancer, but will I be any better a father?'

'Cernd, you have to calm down, this will help no one, least of all Ahsdale.'

'Help?' he repeated shrilly, 'But Ahsdale was never my first concern, was he? All my focus upon my own selfish wants.'

Jaheira glanced to Valygar, the ranger frowning as he stepped in to try a different tack.

'Cernd, Deril was evil-'

Cernd laughed feverishly. 'Yes, but so was your mother and she raised you so nicely.'

Valygar drew a long slow breath and continued tightly, 'When I was a child, my mother had yet to be corrupted. Who knows what she would have done were I still young enough to be in her care in those last few years. Deril murdered your wife; what more proof need you?'

But this mention of his estranged lady seemed to be the breaking point for Cernd, the man falling back against the wall to cry up to the eves, 'Oh, dear Galia, that I had never discovered any of this!'

Jaheira sent Valygar a stern look, the ranger throwing up his hands and stalking back inside to leave them alone.

'Now, listen, Cernd,' Jaheira continued gently, 'you are just worried. Fatherhood is a daunting prospect, but remember what you told me, about how you would have given anything to be with your child. How you felt a part of you had died when you had to accept you would never know him.'

But Cernd was shaking his head, his body trembling as he began to back away from her, a feral fear twisting his face. 'But to want something does not mean you should obtain it! I cannot -I can't do this! I have to go! I have to-'

In one swift movement, Jaheira had slammed him back against the wall in a shower of plaster.

'It is too late for such doubts, Cernd! You have your child returned and he needs you, so stop this nonsense and pull yourself together! Listen to me. Fritha did not demand the boy, she gave Deril a choice: be discovered as a necromancer and face what would have likely amounted to little more than the city's scorn with the tenuous evidence we had, or to hand over Ahsdale. And he chose. Deril chose to keep his studies and lose his son. What does that show you?'

The man said nothing, just hung his head, his body limp in her grasp and Jaheira sighed, relaxing her grip to place an arm about his shoulders and half wishing there was someone about to do the same for her.

'Cernd, if you give in now, you will regret it. Come on,' she pressed gently, ushering him forward, 'come upstairs and meet your son.'

xxx

Anomen shifted slightly, the wooden frame under him creaking with the movement. The room was empty save for he and Fritha, him sat on the bed and watching as she paced slowly back and forth across the room, Ahsdale still curled against her shoulder. She had had Anomen dim the lamps once everyone had gone, the room lit only by the low fire that was flickering in the hearth, the rhythmic creak of the floorboards and the drumming of the rain against the window a familial lullaby.

The child was completely quiet now and Anomen wondered if he was asleep. If he was, Fritha certainly looked ready to join him, her eyes half closed and lips barely moving, keeping up a soothing murmur at his ear as she walked him and Anomen watched the pair feeling somehow very contented.

'Do you ever think of having children, my lady?'

'Hmm?' she enquired distractedly before his question seemed to register, 'What, children? My goodness, no!' she exclaimed with a quiet laugh, 'Can you imagine me stomping about, all rounded and fat with child?'

She laughed lightly, smoothing a free hand over the curve of her imaginary bump. Actually, Anomen could, though he decided to keep that particular daydream to himself.

'And then to have it,' Fritha continued, still bemused as she turned to continue her pacing, 'well, what would I do? Bundle it up and carry it on my back while I'm off chasing dragons? I can't see that being ideal.'

'I did not mean now, of course, Fritha, but later perhaps, when your life has… calmed.'

She frowned at his persistence.

'When my life has calmed? Don't you mean if? No,' she dismissed nonchalantly, turning back to the boy in her arms and jogging him as he began to fret, something of the wistful creeping in as she continued, 'No, I don't think so… yes, ba ba ba,' she repeated as the child patted at her face with a clumsy hand, babbling drowsily. Fritha smiled, turning as the door behind her creaked open, Jaheira and Cernd appearing in the doorway, the man bearing that wrung-out look that came from feeling too much all at once.

'Hey now, Ahsdale, look who's here,' she trilled softly, giving the child a gentle jog to rouse him, 'It's your father, Cernd.'

Ahsdale lifted his head slightly, turning to regard the man through bleary eyes and the druid looked overcome, his words choked by emotion.

'I- thank you for this, Fritha, I- I can never repay-'

'Hush, Cernd,' she scolded softly, 'where is that mellow serenity you are famed for? Here, come sit next to me.'

Fritha sank on to the bed, patting the space at her side, Anomen moving along to make room for the druid as Cernd sat between them, Jaheira leaning against the footboard. And there they sat, Ahsdale between them as Fritha gradually passed him over, showing Cernd how to talk and sooth him when he fretted and at last the child was curled against the druid's body sleeping deeply.

'He is grown enough now that he can sleep in a bed with someone,' said Jaheira quietly, 'I think he should stay in here with you.'

Cernd nodded absently, smiling as Ahsdale muttered something in his sleep.

'I can stay in here too, if you like,' offered Fritha, finally tearing her eyes from the sleeping child. Cernd shook his head.

'No, I am sure it will be fine.'

Fritha swallowed and nodded once, rising from the bed in a whisper of silks. 'Well, I'm- I mean, we are just a room away if you need anything.'

Out in the corridor it was as though the dim peace of Cernd's room was another world away, Fritha looking tired and worn in the bright glare of the lamps.

'Ah, I'm fit to drop. Will you come and get me out of this dress now, please?'

Jaheira nodded, the pair turning towards Fritha's room.

'Night then, Anomen.'

'Goodnight, ladies.'

And he watched them until the door was shut.

xxx

Jaheira sat on the bed, Cernd at her side though her attention was fixed on the window just past him as she watched the fat wedge of sun gild the eastern rooftops, the woman closing her eyes in the dazzling light but making no further move to turn away as she felt its meagre warmth through the glass. Her visit to Cernd had been an early one, for there was much still to be discussed, but even so, Fritha was already there when she had arrived, Cernd explaining that the girl had been on her way back from the washroom when she had heard Ahsdale crying, the druid sounding more than relieved by this coincidence, Fritha and the boy now sat playing on the hearthrug.

The previous day had been quiet, a quick trip to the Promenade with Aerie for some much needed items for Ahsdale the only time Jaheira had left the inn. The rest of the group had kept close to the tavern as well, Fritha and, for the latter part of the afternoon, Aerie spending the day in the druid's room playing with Ahsdale, the young bard utterly delighted with their newest addition, while Cernd and Jaheira sat on the bed behind them discussing his future as a father. It seemed Cernd knew he could not stay in the city even if he wanted to -the risk that Deril may decide to take retribution was too great and that really left only one place for them to go.

'Fritha and I went out after we left you yesterday evening,' said Jaheira, finally turning back from the window, 'the taverns at the city gates are well known by the caravan drivers. We found one going to Trademeet in couple of days who is willing to take you along.'

Cernd nodded once and deeply. 'I thank you. For both the trouble you have gone to for us and the pains you take still.'

His gaze seemed to drift involuntarily to the pair on the floor before them, Fritha sat while Ahsdale was stood unsteadily between her bent knees, the girl's hands over his as she showed him the actions to her song.

'Wind the bobbin up, wind the bobbin up. Pull, pull, clap, clap, clap!'

'Well,' sighed Jaheira, making to rise, 'we should leave you and Ahsdale to make yourselves ready. Fritha, come along-'

But the man hastened to interrupt her summons. 'No, no, I am glad of her company, she has such a way with him.'

'Sorry?' questioned Fritha, glancing up at her name, the boy still stood between her legs and now sucking on her knee. 'Oh, are we going? Come on, Ahsdale, let's get you dressed then.'

And Cernd turned to pull his boots on, seemingly content to leave Fritha dressing his son, Jaheira watching as the girl fished out some clean clothes from those few they had bought the previous day and letting Ahsdale choose which tunic he wanted to wear before hastily stripping him of the one he had slept in.

'Skin a bunny!' she trilled, the boy seemingly reluctant to put on his fresh one though Fritha ignored his mild fretting, briskly placing it over his head and pulling it down with a 'Boo!'

Ahsdale laughed, reaching out to press a tiny hand over her mouth, which Fritha kissed and promptly placed in its corresponding sleeve, the girl changing his trousers with a similar deftness and gently tidying his hair with her fingers.

'There, Ahsdale, we're ready to hit the town. Are you set to go as well, Cernd?' she asked, turning to the druid as she heaved herself up though his answer was forestalled, the boy at her feet whimpering as he held his arms up to her. 'And what's wrong with your legs, eh?' she laughed, stooping to lift the child on to her hip, Ahsdale shrieking delightedly and reaching up to try and catch an inviting curl.

'No,' warned Fritha sternly.

'No,' he mimicked, eyes sparkling as he pretended to make another grab for it and shrieking with laughter as Fritha gathered him up and swung him around.

'No, no, no!'

Jaheira glanced to the man next to her, Cernd watching the pair with a rather wistful smile, though he said nothing.

…

Jaheira stirred the porridge listlessly about her dish, no longer hungry. They were taking breakfast much later than usual and intentionally so, all waiting until the mid-morning when the common room would be quieter for Ahsdale. This was the first morning he had been brought down there, the child spending the previous day entirely within the confines of Cernd's room and he was getting quite a bit of interest from their own group as well as their usual servers, a group of maids cooing over him until Bernard sent them back their chores, the stout barkeep seemingly just as charmed as they, producing a toffee for the boy from somewhere on his person (which Jaheira promptly confiscated for fear of the child's teeth) and gently ruffling his hair before leaving their table in peace.

'So you have decided your course then?' came Valygar once the attention and the fuss of their food arriving had died down as well, everyone now settled and eating.

Cernd nodded, setting his cup carefully back on the table, his other hand clamped firmly about the boy sat upon his lap. 'Indeed. I will return to the Druid Grove just east of Trademeet.'

'Will they accept you back?' asked Aerie, 'They seemed rather… wary of you when we were there last.'

The druid sighed. 'I doubt they will welcome me with open arms but they will allow me to live there –no true druid would refuse another his right to live within the grove and I am on good terms with old Verthan at least.'

'But how will you return there?'

'We asked about the city gates yesterday evening -did we not, Fritha?' prompted Jaheira, the girl glancing up from where she had been distracted by the child, Fritha's own breakfast ignored in favour of slowly feeding Ahsdale his, the child wearing a look of deep concentration as he obediently took another piece of bread soaked in sweetened milk from her fingers.

'Yes, yum yum, good boy. Hmm? Oh yes, there is a small caravan leaving for Trademeet in a couple of days and they are happy for Cernd to journey with them -you can take Donkey with you as well, if you like,' she added in afterthought.

Cernd smiled. 'My thanks again for your trouble; I fear the way would have been impossible alone.'

'But far too dangerous with us along, yes?' laughed Minsc genially.

'Oh, what is it, my pet?' Fritha cooed as Ahsdale began to fret, Cernd helping the girl take the child from his lap and Jaheira dropped her attention back to her bowl as she felt herself frown. Fritha was growing too attached to the boy and Cernd gave his care up all too willingly. Jaheira felt for them both. Cernd needed to learn to handle Ahsdale alone, not only for the child's sake but his own as well, the man still wracked with doubts as to his aptness as a father. And as for Fritha…

Jaheira laid her spoon down, at last giving up on her breakfast. She knew where the girl's feelings likely stemmed from. It was a shame really, but that was the way of things sometimes. She would have to speak to her.

'I can hardly believe you will both be gone soon,' sighed Aerie, leaning over to gently hook a stray curl behind the child's ear, 'Will you need any more supplies for the journey?'

Cernd nodded. 'Most definitely. Ahsdale has little more that what he is wearing now and the journey back to Trademeet will be difficult enough even as part of a caravan.'

Fritha beamed, bouncing the child on her lap much to his delight. 'Ooo, I feel the Promenade is beckoning, don't you, Ahsdale?'

'Indeed,' said Jaheira shortly, gently taking child and dumping him unceremoniously back on to Cernd's lap. 'We can all go.'

But it turned out not all of them wanted to. Minsc was meeting with Hendak to discuss the fighting pits of his homeland, where wrestling and bloodless duels entertained the crowds, the ageing gladiator wondering if the same could be used to bring some extra coin into the Coronet now the fighting pit over at the Hatchet had been shut down. Similarly, Anomen had plans to visit the Order for news of his friends who were apparently away on campaign in the Cloudpeaks, while Valygar was returning to his estate to look for more evidence of Deril's misdeeds and this left only the three women and Cernd.

Outside in the street, Ahsdale was crying again, his droning grizzle audible even over the low roar of the people that bustled past as Cernd tried to quieten him. Fritha had crossed the road with Aerie to chat with the red-faced old laundress, Margred, who was stood on her step enjoying a moment in the cool air, though Fritha had glanced back as the child's cries caught her ear and she had almost reached the struggling pair when Jaheira placed herself before her path.

'What is it?'

'I am sure they are fine on their own,' said Jaheira pointedly.

Fritha frowned, her confusion plain as she tried to peer around her. 'But, I can-'

'Fritha,' Jaheira reminded sternly, 'he needs to learn to manage on his own.'

'Well, yes, but, I just-'

The druid swallowed, hating herself already.

'I am aware of your… predicament, Fritha.'

The girl stopped, her face suddenly blank, seemingly needing no more to confirm, 'Imoen told you.'

Jaheira made a movement somewhere between a nod and a shrug.

'I asked her after making my own observations; she merely confirmed what I already knew. We cannot know why Silvanus chooses to bless some and deny others, but-'

'No, you're right,' Fritha cut in with a briskness that stung, 'it does not matter as to the reason, it only matters that He has. He has made his decision and I was denied. But that does not mean I should ruin this opportunity for Cernd –only go over there and help him yourself, won't you?' she added dully, 'I can't stand to see the boy in such a state.'

Jaheira made no answer but it did not matter, Fritha already turned away and starting a slow path from the slums, leaving the others little choice but to follow.

Fritha sighed, forcing a smile in return to the one the elf sent her as Aerie caught up to walk at her side. She had been unable to see before Jaheira had pointed it out, how her help had just been preventing Cernd from bonding with the boy, but it all seemed so obvious now and her subsequent shame was hard to bear. She had known for a while now that such joys were not meant for her and she felt foolish for letting it affect her so. Everything seemed to be affecting her at the moment…

Anomen had come to visit her the previous morning and she had returned to him his sister's necklace. She did not know what reaction she had expected, but he had just nodded and accepted it with a bland smile, everything returned to normal between them, just like it had been –just like she had wanted. Fritha made a careless swipe at a loose stone with her foot and missed by a long way, feeling frustrated and unreasonably melancholy.

Behind her Ahsdale was still crying and she let her attention wander to the street about them, trying to block it out, her eyes falling on the stout scarlet-cloaked figure of one of the city criers who was stood on the corner just ahead of them, the man currently telling all who would listen that the opening night of the Sorcerer's Bane was but two short days away. The girl felt her stomach do an unpleasant flip. Criers had been shouting the news about the city for days now. Every time she heard them she got butterflies –and not the nice sort either, Fritha unable to shake the feeling that after a production so fraught with difficulties, something was bound to go wrong.

'It is not long now, is it?' Aerie confirmed with a nod to the man, finally breaking the silence between them.

'No, it's not,' muttered Fritha, not really wanting to talk about it. Thankfully, neither did Aerie.

'So, did you speak to Anomen this morning?' the elf continued nonchalantly, with all the subtly of your average berserker.

'You know I did,' said Fritha tartly, 'I don't think you took your eyes from us all through breakfast.'

Aerie blushed but continued undeterred, 'You know what I meant. Do you plan to tell Anomen-'

'No, I don't, Aerie,' Fritha cut in, no desire to discuss the night they had dressed for Deril's gathering and what she may or may not have disclosed in one of her more fraught moments, 'and I would be grateful if you didn't bring this up again.'

'But, Fritha, why-'

'Look, that's enough now,' Fritha snapped, 'You must stop trying make a relationship out of us –it isn't fair on Anomen or I.'

Aerie shook her head, the elf clearly in earnest. 'But, you-'

'No, that's it! When are you going to realise that getting Anomen and I together is not going to make you and Haer'Dalis any less apart!'

Aerie mouthed a moment in her indignation.

'You know I never-!' she paused to compose herself and when she spoke again her tone was cool, 'You can be very cruel sometimes, Fritha.'

'I can be cruel?' the girl repeated shrilly, 'And what about you? All this- this persistence does is remind me of what cannot be. Now Anomen has given up on this and I think it is time for you to as well.'

Aerie exhaled crossly but said no more, the uncomfortable silence of a truce falling between them that neither girl saw fit to break.

...

The relatively fine day had brought many to the Promenade –unfortunately. Their small group was stood at the western end of the arena, their shopping barely begun and already Jaheira wished she had never suggested the trip. Ahsdale's grizzling had yet to stop and she was not sure if it was just that her patience was getting shorter but he seemed to be getting louder, the boy attracting quite a bit of attention as he continued to scream and sob, the friendlier merchants laughing and pulling faces at him, while older women paused in their own shopping to coo over the boy or tut at his father's attempts to jog, rock, pat and plead; his efforts to sooth the child all in vain.

Cernd was stood a pace from her now, sheltering from the crowds against the arena wall, Aerie and Fritha over at a nearby stall, united even though the memory of their most recent quarrel was still keeping communication between them to a minimum, Fritha asking the merchant about any work he might know of, while Aerie idly examined his wares. Jaheira ignored the bustle and discord about her and tried to focus on maintaining her centre though she was having about as much success as Cernd.

'I cannot do this,' he sighed eventually, taking the still howling Ahsdale from his shoulder and making to hand him over to her. 'Jaheira, could you-?'

'No,' Jaheira refused firmly, taking a step back to emphasis her point, 'you need to learn to manage on your own.'

'But, Fritha-'

'Has it right. You are panicking, becoming agitated; children do not like it. We have already established that he is not hungry or in need of changing,' she continued practically, trying to recall what little she had gleaned of child care from her admittedly limited experience, 'so just take a deep breath, find your balance and let him draw on your peace.'

Cernd sighed again, though tersely this time, easing Ahsdale back to his shoulder to continue his appeasement. Ahsdale continued his crying.

And things did not grow any better over that day or the next. After their return from the Promenade, yesterday had passed in a listless, fruitless search for work and that one was to be continued that day as well, it seemed. Fritha had already been over to the Council Buildings with Aerie that morning to confirm there were no suitable bounties for them to pursue –that was unless the group wanted to collect on she and Jaheira, the girl had quipped grimly, and Anomen had returned from his morning prayers with much the same news from the Temple District. It was almost noon now, the majority of their group gathered in the common room just passing the time until they would take their midday meal together -something which would have been much more peaceful had it not been for Ahsdale's continuing distress. The boy had been fretting since he had been brought down there, but a good half hour ago someone had dropped a bottle behind the bar and the ensuing shatter of ceramics had been enough to fright him into proper tears, Cernd sat with the boy on his knee wearily going through the motions of trying to sooth him.

Bernard had said nothing so far, though Jaheira wondered how long that would last; he had other guests to consider, after all. As for her own companions, Anomen was reading, the only other man at the table, Valygar and Minsc muttering an excuse as soon as Ahsdale began his cries, the pair seemingly brothers in trying to escape from the child. Aerie and Fritha were supposed to be studying their magic, but this had been promptly abandoned under the circumstances, Aerie now practising her embroidery while Fritha worked on her odes.

Jaheira watched as the girl sighed and scribbled out something with such impatience her stylus tore the parchment. Fritha had been distant with everyone since the day before, giving both Ahsdale and Cernd a wide berth to the point where she did not even look at the pair. Jaheira understood how it must have stung to have them there, a constant reminder of what she could not have, and with the theatre's opening night now only a day away, Fritha had another reason to feel anxious. As though Jaheira had given voice to this thought, at her side, Anomen spoke up over the cries.

'So are you visiting the theatre today, my lady?'

'Sorry?' Fritha murmured, glancing up only to blot ink on the word she had just written.

'The theatre,' repeated Anomen gently, 'the opening night is tomorrow, is it not?'

'Oh, yes. Yes, it is. I don't know if I'll visit though, I-' Her answer was lost to a terse sigh as a group of mercs trooped noisily into the inn and Ahsdale's crying increased in ferocity. Anomen looked concerned.

'My lady?'

'I'm sorry,' Fritha snapped shrilly, stacking up her books to sweep them into her waiting bag, 'I just can't stand it here a moment longer.'

'Fritha, where are you going?' cried Aerie as she stood.

'Theatre.'

Anomen was on his feet in an instant. 'Wait, someone should-' The slam of the door cut him off.

'Leave her, Anomen,' Jaheira counselled wearily, 'she just needs to be alone at the moment.'

'But what of the bounty?'

'Fine, go after her, then!'

The knight took only a moment to vent his own frustrations as he slammed his chair under the table and he was gone too, Ahsdale's howls peaking to fill the air.

'I should take him outside,' muttered Cernd, hefting the crying child to his hip and heading for the door. Jaheira sighed, sharing a tired look with the bewildered Aerie, the elf the only one left as Jaheira rose as well to follow him.

Cernd was stood a few paces from the door, hunched slightly against the tavern wall and murmuring as he rocked the child back and forth. He was a handsome boy, though it was hard to see it then, Ahsdale red-faced and teary, mucus running down from his nose to crust on his chin, the new woollen tunic he was wearing twisted about his small frame as he squirmed half-heartedly.

'Oh, Ahsdale,' Cernd sighed, 'I am sorry, I am sorry for all of this.'

'Cernd?' she ventured quietly, the man whirling back at her voice.

'Oh, Jaheira, I cannot do this, I was a fool to think I could. Such bonds of kin come from time, not blood.'

'Yes, Cernd, time,' she agreed gently, 'so keep your patience and hope alive a little longer before you would abandon them. I understand you are still finding it difficult, but such bonds can be made and it is getting better. You managed to quieten him yesterday-'

'No, I did not,' Cernd cut in dully. 'He wept until Aerie came to visit him in the evening and once she left he cried until he was too tired to continue. He does not want me as father.'

'And what would you have us do?' cried Jaheira, despairing for them both, 'Return him to Deril's care? Or give him to one of the city orphanages? Is that what you want?'

'Of course not! But it is not so simple, I am not just a man…' Cernd stopped, and swallowed dryly, 'If… if I lost control and hurt him-'

But Jaheira would not hear it.

'You do not truly believe that, Cernd, or you never would have allowed us to fetch the child back in the first place.'

'I-'

'No,' she cut in firmly, no patience for excuses borne of dark imaginings. 'You are stronger than that. You would not have done anything to put the boy in danger and you will not harm him now. I know it is difficult; Ahsdale does not know you yet, nor you he, but this will change over time and the bond between you will form, but you must start to believe it, Cernd, or how can he?' The woman shook her head. 'Forget what I said about peace and balance, and just hold the child to you and love him, Cernd, just let the feeling of it fill you. It does not matter if he cries or if it quiets him, only that he knows you care and that you will still be here for him -that is what is important.'

Cernd stared back at her, tired and broken, before he at last took the boy from his hip and held him aloft to regard him a moment, pale grey eyes taking in every feature as he thrashed and cried, when the druid gently gathered him back to his shoulder, leaning back against the inn behind him and closing his eyes as he began to slowly rub the small shuddering back. And there they stood in the cold quiet street for long enough that Jaheira's fingers were almost numb. But Cernd seemed not to notice time's passage, his worn face bearing a strangely contented smile as he cradled the boy to him and, at long last, Ahsdale's crying ceased.

xxx

Fritha walked, letting her mind drift as her feet trod the familiar cobbles of the bridge, the solid sandstone building of the Five Flagons coming ever closer. She had spent much of the day the same, just wandering the city despite the danger, first going to visit Donkey, who seemed much happier in the stables than he ever had out travelling in the wilds. From there she had taken a turn about the temples and then the Promenade, watching all the people with trades and gods going about their wonderfully ordinary lives, before spending the rest of the afternoon in Oghma's shrine, dreaming the time away and scribing for merely the pleasure of it. But her day was over now, the moment when she would have to return to reality almost upon her and she thought a trip to the playhouse would be as good a trial as any to ease her into the thing.

Fritha stopped, her feet seeming to register it before she did as she finally closed upon the tavern and her eyes took in the man who was sat upon a collection of old crates that had been discarded against the bridge wall just before it, his gaze watching the world around him with a rather wistful look. It was Anomen.

He glanced up as she approached, raising a hand in greeting that she returned vaguely as she asked, 'Anomen, what are you doing here?'

'Waiting to walk with you back to the Coronet; you should not be travelling the city alone.'

'Oh, er…' she faltered, glancing to the theatre she was supposed to be inside. Anomen smiled kindly.

'I am not here to scrutinise your actions, Fritha; I am not your keeper.'

Fritha made no answer to this, merely dipped her face as she took a seat next to him to ask, 'Have you been waiting long?'

His mild shrug indicated he probably had been, though he said only, 'Do you need to go inside and speak with them?'

'No, not really,' she sighed and for a few moments neither of them spoke, Fritha watching a pair of merchants further along the bridge talking and laughing as they packed up their stalls for the day.

'It does not seem a day ago when we were all in the Promenade buying supplies for that first journey out of the city. So much has changed since then, so many of our company have come and gone and yet it never ends… To think, after tomorrow Cernd will be gone too –though at least the circumstances are something to be celebrated.'

Anomen nodded. 'Yes, it is heartening how everything finally worked out for he and his son. It is conclusions such as these that help to remind me that no hope is in vain.'

Fritha smiled absently to herself.

'It struck me as I walked today how little they have but each other, and yet how little they need. Still, that didn't stop me getting Ahsdale something from the Promenade though,' she confessed, pulling a soft toy rabbit of white felt from her bag with a laugh and looking over it fondly. 'All children should have at least one plaything, especially if they are to be raised alone.'

'As you were,' said Anomen quietly and Fritha nodded.

'Imoen did not arrive till I was seven. Until then I had only adults and a very overactive imagination for company …' She smiled wistfully. 'Duck and Lion: my only companions in a keep full of sages. Both small enough to fit within my hand, Lion was a small stuffed lion of yellow and brown felt, all bobbled and worn, while Duck was painted wood, a tawny mix of browns and tans, every feather brought out in the fine brushstrokes and one of her wings already chipped when she was given to me. They were very different and would quarrel sometimes –I had to play the peacemaker even then. Lion was so strong and brave, he was never frightened -even of Ulraunt. Always roaring about going on adventures and wanting to rush in before thinking, but he was kind and tender-hearted too. Duck was cleverer and much quieter, proposing caution and reflection. She could have a spiteful streak too sometimes, though it was rarely directed at me.' Fritha drew a deep breath, suddenly tearful and out of sorts, shaking her head at herself as she exclaimed, 'Oh, you must think me so strange, Anomen, I don't know what made me remember all this now.'

'No, no, my lady,' he assured her gently, 'all children play such games, they just usually have someone else with whom to play them.'

Fritha nodded, though she did not look very reassured. She had been rather fraught of late, more than likely a combination of the opening night of her play drawing closer and the ever-present threat of the Harpers hanging over them. Anomen wished there was something he could do to alleviate either of her troubles and he had to keep reminding himself that she did not want his concern.

'Imoen had a toy octopus,' Fritha continued quietly, 'all wooden segments held together with string that Winthrope brought back for her from one of his visits to Beregost. I remember it was bright orange and she named it –she named it Mr Jaffa!' she cried, struggling to get the words out for laughter, glancing to him as it finally faded to ask, 'What about you?'

Anomen smiled faintly. 'I had a stuffed toy dragon who arrived to me with the name of Clifford. He was given to me by my uncle when he came to visit us just after Moira was newly born. We would go on adventures together –before dragons were something to be vanquished rather than befriended. After that, all my toys seemed to be wooden swords and armour and then I was at the seminary and there was no more time for games. So, what became of Duck and Lion?'

Fritha shrugged, though she seemed a little more cheerful.

'Oh, I imagine they are still sat side-by-side upon my desk in my old room –they were when I last returned to Candlekeep. To be honest with you, I didn't really play with them anymore after Imoen arrived; I had no need to. Come on,' she sighed, rising stiffly, 'we should be getting back.'

'Do you not wish to go and make one last check?' Anomen asked, gesturing to the theatre before them. Fritha shook her head and he could see her wry smile as she turned to start back to the slums.

'No, no. The way Higgold's been throughout production, I imagine Meck will arrive to inform me if one of the stagehands gets a splinter.'

xxx

It was morning. Not so early for it to be unusual for him to be awake, though not so late as to shame him into rising and Anomen lay under the warm blankets watching the clear sky though the chink in the curtains, the pale cloudless blue of another cold dry day. He lay still, keeping his breathing shallow so as to better hear as he listened to sounds of the inn waking up around him: guests clattering down the stairs to the common room; the laughter of the maids under his window as they took a break from the heat of the kitchens; someone knocking on a door in the hallway outside. And knocking… and knocking…

Anomen felt his stomach sinking. It sounded quite close by, likely the door of the room just opposite his. Fritha's room.

Anomen threw the blankets back, hurriedly pulling a tunic over his head as he strode blindly to the door, opening it even as he struggled to straighten his tunic to see Meck stood before the door opposite, hammering upon the wood and making racket enough to awaken the recently deceased. The boy whirled back as Anomen appeared though, a frown furrowing his brow as he exclaimed, 'Ere, you're that knight o' hers, aren't you? Where-?'

But the boy had no time to finish is demand, the door at the end of the long corridor opening to reveal Aerie and Fritha, the girls half-dressed, bags in hand as they left the washroom, Fritha whistling a merry tune though it stopped abruptly as she saw Meck, the girl looking instantly horrified.

'He could just be coming to- to tell you everything is ready,' reasoned Aerie hastily. Fritha sent her a furious look.

'This early? Oh, Meck, no! There can't be, not today, please!''

'Oh, m'lady,' Meck cried, ignoring her pleas and jogging lightly over to the pair, ''iggold is frantic and the rest o' the cast aren't much better. Zeran's fallen sick: 'e's pale and shivering and catting all o'er the place.'

Fritha scrubbed a hand across her face, the fingers of the other already clawed in her frustration. 'Brilliant! Just brilliant! And when did this happen?'

''E started feeling funny over dinner yesterday afternoon, m'lady.'

'Yesterday?' she repeated shrilly, 'And why didn't someone come and tell me then?'

'Well, 'iggold 'oped 'e'd get better, didn't 'e?' the boy reasoned, leaning in to add in an undertone, 'plus I think 'e were a bit afraid to since last time with the script and that.'

Fritha almost screamed. 'Besheba's Horns! Well, where's his bloody understudy then?'

Meck had the good sense to at least look sheepish. 'Well, you see, in the beginning Davith were learning Zeran's part too, just in case like, but 'e 'as enough trouble with 'is own lines, so 'iggold just sort o' let 'im off.'

Fritha looked positively wild.

'Gahhh! I knew this would happen, I bloody knew it! Wait here!' she commanded, stalking past him to storm into her room and slam the door, presumable going to change, the boy she had left seemingly unfazed by this outburst, turning to Anomen to add candidly, 'Wait 'ere, she says -ha! There weren't no way I were going back to that play'ouse without 'er, -'iggold's doing 'is nut!'

...

Aerie had, quite wisely, gone and quickly roused the others, and everyone had decide to accompany Fritha in the end, which was likely for the best -Anomen felt it might take all of them to restrain her once she met Higgold, though her anger was much reduced from what it had been when Meck first arrived. Anomen glanced to her, Fritha walking next to him as they followed the boy through the cold streets, the girl moaning piteously to herself.

'Right outside, we were right outside!'

'Come now, my lady,' he reasoned gently, 'even if you had known, what could you have done?'

'But we were just here yesterday- this is so mean,' she whined, looking as close to tears as he had ever seen her without the girl making attempts to hide it.

'Well, perhaps it is not as bad as we believe –Higgold is not exactly known for his level head.'

Fritha didn't look too hopeful but his words did seem to have some effect at least, the girl drawing a deep breath and squaring her shoulders as they at last came to the Five Flagons.

'No, you're right, there's no point wailing about it now. Whatever the problem, I'll just have to work something out –thanks Meck,' she added as he skipped lightly up the front steps and held the door open for her, the boy already halfway across the room, making a dash for the stairs.

'I'll go tell 'iggold you're 'ere.'

'It's all right, I'll-'

But the words died on her lips as she suddenly saw him. Bent over his drink at the table in the far corner: a familiar head of dusky blue hair.

'Haer'Dalis?' gasped Aerie and for a moment both girls wore the same expression of injured disbelief. The tiefling did not look surprised to see them, rising slowly to stand, shifting from foot to foot and looking uncharacteristically uncomfortable as they drifted over to him.

'Hello,' he greeted, his eyes darting about them and he seemed to relax slightly as he found them all there, his gaze lingering on Aerie for a long moment before the elf turned away.

Fritha was smiling faintly; it looked sad. 'Hello, Haer'Dalis.'

'Hello, indeed, my raven. It is good to see you -it is good to see you all. And I notice some newcomers too,' Haer'Dalis continued with a stalwart cheer, starting as he spied the child in Cernd's arms, 'By the Lady, you are starting him young!'

'This is Ahsdale, Cernd's son,' explained Aerie quietly, gently taking the small hand the child had batted at her so as not to have to face the tiefling. Haer'Dalis made the slightest hint at a bow.

'Well, it is fine to make your acquaintance, young man -and who is the dark hawk among your company who watches us all so carefully?'

'This is Valygar,' Jaheira introduced shortly, 'Valygar, this is Haer'Dalis.'

Haer'Dalis raised a dusky eyebrow. 'Valygar? The Wizards' prize? My, my, Raven, you have been busy.'

The tall ranger nodded once in greeting, no change to his stern expression as he confirmed, 'I take it this man was once a member of your company.'

Fritha's tone was as impassive as her face. 'Yes. Yes, he was.'

'Oh, my Lady Patron!'

Anomen watched as Fritha drew a deep breath, slowly turning to face the director, Higgold hurrying over to them from the stairs, his arms flailing affectedly as he cried, 'it's a disaster! A disaster!'

Fritha sent him a cool look and her tone was no warmer.

'Yes, Meck told me Zeran is sick, though I don't quite know what you expect me to do about it –it's not as if I can just pull an understudy from my… bag,' she finished slowly, her jaw clenched, and Anomen had the feeling she had just wrestled herself away from something a lot more robust.

Higgold looked genuinely surprised though. 'Do about it? Why you can stand in for him, my lady.'

'Stand in?' Fritha repeated incredulously, 'You have to be joking, Higgold! In case you haven't noticed, and this really is the least of my objections to this plan, I am a girl.'

But Higgold waved this fact away with a dismissive sweep of his hand.

'With the right make-up and clothes you will pass. It is the performance that matters after all.'

'Yes,' agreed Fritha sharply, 'a performance that cannot be delivered by me. Think about it, Higgold, I've never been in a play before in my life -I can't act!'

Higgold attempted a light titter; the man was a lot braver than Anomen had ever suspected.

'How can you say that, my lady? You just admitted yourself you've never tried. Lady Patron,' he reasoned more gravely when he could see his little quip was about an inch away from getting him punched, 'Athkatlan audiences are notoriously unforgiving. To postpone the opening night would be disastrous for our reputation -we would be ruined! We would have to send notice to all the nobles we invited informing them of the cancellation for a start-'

'And I suppose it would be better to have them come and see some half-wit who is the wrong gender and doesn't know half her lines prancing about the stage, would it? Perhaps this will teach you, Higgold, that next time make sure there's a BLOODY UNDERSTUDY! …Surely, Zeran can't be that bad,' she added much more calmly, 'Perhaps Jaheira or Cernd could have a look at him.'

Higgold frowned. 'I have had a physician from the Illmaterans examine him already, my lady, and it is no use. She said we must just wait for the malady to pass and until then Zeran, cannot go a few paces from his bed –or his bucket.' The director glanced back pointedly to check Samuel was not at the bar as he added, 'We think it is food poisoning. Zeran was the only one who had the mussels yesterday -he has become quite obsessed with his weight of late.'

Fritha rolled her eyes, looking furious all over again.

'Oh, for the love of -wait a moment,' she cried, interrupting her own tirade to whirl on the tiefling next to her, 'you can do it! Haer'Dalis, tell him you'll do it!'

But the bard took a step back, looking regretful.

'Ah, I would like nothing more than to oblige you, my raven, but I never knew the play so well to begin with and there is the small matter of the re-write performed in my absence. Very good, I hear, but you see this sparrow's problem.'

Fritha snorted her frustrations, whirling back to the director. 'Fine then, you'll do it, Higgold! Yes, that seems fair since this is your fault after all.'

The director looked stricken, his face ashen as he stuttered, 'Me? B-But I cannot, my lady, I n-never could. I was with a troupe in Keczulla for years before I came here and never once did I manage to make it before an audience –it's my nerves, my lady, I always got such terrible stage fright as to render me dumb.'

Fritha looked utterly unmoved. 'Well, you have exactly twelve hours to get over it, Higgold, because I am not getting on that stage.'

'Please, my lady,' Higgold cried, looking almost close to tears, 'you've attended the rehearsals, you re-wrote half the script, you know the cues and scenes as well as anyone else we could find at such short notice. Please, not only my standing, but our troupe and this entire theatre's rests upon your shoulders. If we cancel the opening night we may never recover, either our reputation or the money that went on the production. This is our livelihood, we-'

Fritha's groan cut him off.

'All right, Higgold. All right, I'll do it. Go and gather the troupe on the stage, I'll come down and tell them I'm taking over the lead.'

Higgold really was crying now, eyes bright with tears of relief as he wrung her hand. 'Oh thank you, my lady, I am sure your performance will be more than adequate. I will help you practise your lines myself, I-'

But whatever else he would do was lost as he had turned to hurry back downstairs. It hardly mattered; Fritha was not listening anyway, her face buried in her hands as she groaned.

'Oh, Gods…'

xxx

Haer'Dalis leaned back in the chair, the wooden slats pressing uncomfortably into his shoulder blades. He had left plenty of times; sometimes planned, sometimes on a whim and a few times fleeing hastily across the planes. But he had never actually come back before. He glanced up to the two men sat opposite, one talking, the other just watching him coolly. Returns: they were certainly an acquired taste.

Still, he could not complain. He had known it would be like this, had always known, which was why this was the first instance he had actually bothered to return. Haer'Dalis sighed deeply. How much easier to heed the lessons learnt, write it all off and start anew, and that more than anything was why he had not. He took the harder path now and let the world fall to ruin as it may.

He had thought once that any who could name themselves as his friends would be more understanding when his capricious nature turned on a coin and compelled him to a change of scenery. But he had learnt long ago that such was usually only the case if said friends were fickle sorts as well who likely didn't much care if you left anyway and for those who were your friends, truly your friends, it just meant they were more hurt when you did. And he had been surprised at how sharply it had stung him as he had stood there, those whom he had once laughed and spoken with all just staring coldly back at him, their mumbled words of welcome as false as Higgold's tears.

Truth be told, he had missed them, all of them. He had missed being part of their group, tormenting Anomen and the two druids, watching Minsc chattering madly to that rodent, laughing with Fritha, and the quieter moments with Aerie. He had missed all of it. It was strange how selective a thing memory was. How he could only now seem to recall all the pleasant times; the arguments, and he had to admit there had been a few, all seeming to fade to leave only the smiles and the shared glances.

Even the bitterness of his leaving seemed like a dream. Their argument, his walk about the night-swathed city, feet carrying on some unconscious path until he had looked up and there it was: the harbour, a few ships docked and bobbing on the rising tide and the sea stretching endlessly off to the horizon, dark as the void. Just the place to lose oneself. It had been the third ship he had asked that had a place for him, and he had returned to the inn, given a brief farewell to Aerie and he had already been sailing north come the pale cold dawn.

The Gate had lived up to Fritha's descriptions of the place in that it was large and bland and much like any other city, and he soon found himself regular work playing in a few taverns across the sprawling grey metropolis. He had made friends too, people in other troupes and a few of the servers, but it had not been the same and it was still that golden hair and gentle smile that had haunted him as he'd lain awake at night listening to the bells mark the hours across the city. He had told himself he would start thinking about getting back to Sigil soon, that he just wanted to see more of the Prime first, though he'd known it was not the truth. And it was when he was presented with an offer to join a troupe travelling further north to Neverwinter that he finally made his decision. He was going to try again; he was going back.

Haer'Dalis let his focus rest again on the two men before him. Fritha had left only a moment after Higgold had, Aerie making her excuses and disappearing after her. The others had stayed longer -well, long enough to let the atmosphere really become gelid, before Anomen and the two druids disappeared to make an examination of Zeran and see if they couldn't bring about a miraculous recovery. Minsc and the newcomer, Valygar, remained behind though, to take a table and enlighten him as to the events of the past fortnight. It made for a rather grim account, though Minsc told the tale with a gravitas that would have been worthy of any northern skald.

'But the Harpers tricked good Jaheira, luring her into bringing Fritha before them to accuse her of, ah,' a glance to Valygar and Haer'Dalis got the impression he was getting the abridged version of this story, 'false crimes. But good Jaheira saw their evil and sided against them. And so the betrayer Galvarey met his end. We left this city the next day in our search for the murderer, Valygar, but our passage was to be greatly troubled. The Harpers placed a dragon's hoard upon young Fritha and Jaheira and many sought their deaths on our journey to Umar. And there, another disappointment: the murderer, Valygar was found innocent man. We had been used! Great was my anger, but Boo was melancholy for young Fritha's hopes of the captive Imoen's release were found false. But we went on; taking the good Valygar into our company, we returned to this city and defeated his ancestor, Lavok, a mage of great evil whose secrets the Cowled ones coveted. But then-'

'Bravo, Minsc,' Haer'Dalis interrupted as politely as he could, unable to bear anymore tales of their struggles and setbacks, 'You have done much since I quit your company.'

'We have survived much since you departed,' Minsc corrected with a deep frown, 'many struggles there have been and not all without our group. Little Aerie and young Fritha came to much grief in your leaving, blaming each other with angry words. It was not good to see such friends fight so,' the ranger sent him a very stern look, 'and I would not see it again.'

Haer'Dalis held his gaze. 'I did not return to cause trouble, Minsc, on that you have my word. I merely desired to wish the raven well in her theatrical endeavour.'

Minsc nodded once and gravely, a smile suddenly lighting his face as the tiefling felt a presence behind his chair.

'Little Aerie, you are returned -you were lending aid to our sick actor, yes?'

'Well, I was certainly trying to sooth one of them,' she sighed, Haer'Dalis hearing her quip to ask, 'Ah, and how does the Lady Patron?'

Aerie shrugged, sinking into an empty chair.

'Wishing she had never taken up that title, I suspect. You know Fritha. She spent the first few moments raging, the next few bemoaning her fate and then promptly dismissed Higgold and I to get ready; I left her in her office learning her lines. Perhaps you could help her practise, Haer'Dalis, I'm sure she would appreciate it.'

Haer'Dalis nodded, trying to keep his manner even in the rising swell of emotions within him. 'Indeed, I will go now. Will you walk with me?'

He watched the girl hesitate, but in the end she rose too, the pair making a slow pace to the stairs. Aerie seemed somehow older; the troubles Minsc had spoken of had taken their toll on them all, though she smiled all the same when she glanced up to find him watching her, the elf laying a graceful hand upon the banisters as they began their descent. Haer'Dalis swallowed, the moment was approaching, the moment where the course of his life would be irrevocably decided and it all came down to her.

'You are aware, Aerie,' he began quietly, the girl pausing on the steps to turn and gaze up at him, 'that the opening night here was not the only reason I returned. I had hoped to learn whether this time apart has not changed your feelings towards us. I plan to leave for Sigil within the next few days… I would like you to come with me.'

She sighed and smiled gently, looking sad and old in a way that reminded him of Fritha.

'Oh, Haer'Dalis, you know I cannot leave the others, not when they may still need me.'

Haer'Dalis had been expecting this though, his passions rising with his desperation as he screwed up his courage and dared to play his final card.

'Then but say the word and I will bear all their scorn and return to this company –I want no promise from you, just a sign that perhaps…'

But Aerie was shaking her head.

'I can't. I'm sorry. The decision whether you stay or go should be your own –you must just do what you believe is best for yourself…. But how have you been?' she added brightly, turning to continue her decent, 'You look well.'

And so that was it. All the love and passion and tenderness they had once shared faded away to leave only awkward glances and the bland conversation of strangers, and Haer'Dalis had a heartrending glimpse of his long-revered oblivion.

xxx

Anomen walked up the wooden steps and onto the stage where hands were already busy setting up the backdrops and aligning the lights. The knight ignored them though to slip into the darkness of the wings, heading for the backstage and hurriedly stepping back as another pushed past the curtain before him.

'Ah, and the knight arrives,' Haer'Dalis greeted genially, 'you go to rescue our nascent star?'

'Don't call her that,' Anomen snapped sullenly, in no mood to speak with the tiefling. Haer'Dalis drew back, frowning.

'I meant no offence, my hound.'

'And yet you cause it with your mere leave our group without even a word of farewell and now you just stroll back as though nothing has happened.'

Haer'Dalis sent him a sneering smile. 'Why, I never realised you cared.'

Anomen felt his temper surge, resisting the urge to grasp the man about the collar and shake him.

'Do not jest with me! Have you any idea what has occurred since you left? She needed you here and you deserted her. You knew it then and you know it now.'

Haer'Dalis flushed, seeming to need no clarification as to whom he was referring, his eyes narrowed to poisonous slits.

'I would have thought you happy to fill the breach, knightling, or did you find you could not?' he spat, drawing a sharp breath as though this was but the first taste of his vitriol when he slowly exhaled, shaking his head ruefully. 'Ah, I am sorry, Anomen, that was unkind of me; I always did use my spite as a shield. And you are correct, I abandoned her and I am sorry for it. I am… glad though, that she had someone here who cared enough to stay. Aerie mentioned you finally admitted your regard for our dear raven; how are you and she?'

Anomen swallowed, not expecting the contrition or the question and unprepared for both.

'I tried, I- she does not regard me in that way.'

Haer'Dalis smiled sadly and clapped him soundly on the arm. 'My commiserations. We are comrades in this, knight, for I spoke to Aerie earlier; she will not leave your path for mine and that means we are truly ended as well.'

'I am sorry,' said Anomen eventually and he meant it too; no one deserved to feel like this.

Haer'Dalis grinned wryly. 'Ah, take courage, lover! Could you endure such grief at any hand but hers? Go,' he continued, slapping his arm again, 'Go and speak with Fritha -perhaps you can cheer her where I failed. I fear she was too occupied with her lines to speak much with me.' A sardonic twist of his mouth and the bard was gone.

The dressing room was buzzing with people, all practising scenes and fighting over make-up, but none of them were the one he sought and he continued on, the stillness of her office seeming sterile when compared to the energy that had permeated the rest of the theatre. And there she was, the script open on the dresser before her though she was not reading, the girl sat in one of the two worn armchairs, her head pillowed upon the sheaf of papers as though she hoped to absorb the contents straight into her memory.

'Fritha?'

She took a deep breath and slowly raised her head to look in the mirror before her, her reflection sending him a weary smile.

'Hello Anomen.'

'My lady.'

The girl sighed deeply, straightening to lean back in her chair and gesture to the one opposite her as she flicked the script closed with an apathetic sweep of her fingers. Anomen sank gingerly into the seat, wishing he had better news to offer her.

'I am afraid it was as Higgold said, Zeran must just wait for the malady to pass.' The girl made no reply, just nodded as though she had expected as much and Anomen ventured to ask, 'How goes it?'

'Terrible,' she answered flatly, 'Still at least we'll save on make-up: I already look like I'm a hundred. Oh Anomen, what am I doing?' she cried into her hands, 'I can't act, not like this, not in front of all those people, pretending to be some lovesick idiot. And the play is going to fail before it's even run for one tenday and we are going to be a laughing stock and all the actors will be out of work and my theatre will be ruined!' She scrubbed her hands up over her face looking as worn and frayed as the grand chair she was sat in. 'Do you know why I even agreed to put on this play to begin with? So there would still be something raising coin for Imoen's rescue if I died. This place was supposed to spare me worry, not cause it.'

Anomen sighed, hating to think of her dying, hating even more the idea that she had a life that meant she took such precautions for the eventuality. He glanced to the mirror next to them, both of them drained of colour and verve by the wan table lamp.

'I am sorry, Fritha, I wish I could do more. Whenever there is some problem or trouble you always seem to be able to say something that makes those around you feel better, that inspires them to fight on, that their struggles will prevail. I had hoped to come and do the same for you, but I fear it is not a talent I share.'

Fritha glanced to him, suddenly bolt upright in her chair, a fierce look to her face as she struck him soundly on his shoulders with both hands.

'Anomen, that's it!'

And suddenly she was on her feet, marching past him to the door and throwing it wide to roar, 'Davith!'

A moment later and the lad was before them, whey-faced and nervous, one hand trying to surreptitiously smooth down his coffee-coloured hair as though he expected a scolding. Fritha smiled as she gestured for him to enter.

'Please give us a moment, Anomen.'

'You- you need me for something, my lady?' Davith faltered as she closed the door behind him.

'Fritha, if you will or patron, if you must,' she corrected, offering him the chair Anomen had not long vacated as she sank back into her own, 'But not my lady –Hell, Davith, is getting what you want. And yes, I need you; Higgold's all tied up and I need someone to help me practise my lines.'

'Oh –oh, of course, my la- my patron.'

'Ah, nice save, and who says you've a poor memory.'

Davith flushed, avoiding her eye as he moved to take up her script, the boy starting as a small white hand was slammed down upon it. Fritha smiled sweetly. 'Let's try a little from memory, shall we? Act one, scene three: Oh, poor Karenina, take your pleading-'

'Er, yearning, my patron,' Davith interrupted reluctantly. Fritha gave an airy laugh.

'Oh yes, of course, take your yearning eyes from me and let my trembling heart be still. I-'

'Ah, it's stilled.'

'What? Is it? Oh, and let my trembling heart be stilled. I had no need of it before this day; why torture me with reflections on a damned love?'

She watched the orb in his pale throat bob, the lad's voice wavering. 'Er, I had no need of it ere this hour; why torment me with reflections of a doomed love?'

Davith glanced to her, perhaps expecting to find her cross or frustrated, though Fritha could tell her smile was unnerving him more than any tantrum ever could; he had spent the last couple of months with Iltheia after all. The lad swallowed again to tremor hoarsely, 'You- you're doing well, my-'

'You learnt this part, didn't you, Davith?' she cut in, her smile wide and voice light, 'The part of Velden. You learnt the whole thing…'

'Well- well, yes, because Higgold told me too, but then he said-'

'So we do have an understudy,' Fritha trilled delightedly. Davith look suddenly horrified.

'But-but you've re-written it since then!'

Fritha waved this minor detail away with an unconcerned hand.

'Oh, they were just aesthetic changes: a line here, a couplet there. Lines!' She snorted contemptuously. 'Anyone can learn them -as I will later prove. But, you, Davith, you learnt the part of Velden, didn't you? You read his lines, you imagined his life, you pretended you were wearing his skin.'

Davith was shaking his head, wretched in his disbelief.

'Please, my lady, I am hopeless, everyone says so.'

'They are wrong,' she countered firmly. 'You will be Velden and I'll take the part of the apprentice in your place -no offence, but you never had the most lines.'

The lad gave a miserable moan low in his throat.

'Davith,' Fritha sighed gently, feeling a stab of pity for him, 'look at it this way, you cannot be any worse than I will be. You can forget lines, you can miss cues, even you can trip and knock over a backdrop if you like, I really don't mind. I just want you to go out there and try, because I know even at your worst you will still be better than I ever could be and we both owe it to the people who come to see this play tonight and the rest of the troupe and, gods help me, even Higgold. So we're going to do this, you and I together.' She reached up to firmly take his shoulders, 'Now, you are Velden, the ache of the days stretching endlessly before you, unable to let another close for fear of seeing them suffer a long and painful fate. Yes?'

The lad looked up to finally meet her gaze, the painful fate that was stretching off before him reflected in his light hazel eyes, though something else was slowly creeping in as well. He drew a deep determined breath and nodded once.

xxx

Jaheira knocked lightly on the wood of the door, not waiting for an answer as she pushed it open on the small plain room, the gloom of the twilight beyond the window held at bay by the light of a few lamps. The bed and chair had been abandoned in favour of the hearth rug, Cernd sat, a pen of legs about his son as he played with Ahsdale, the man making a white felt rabbit dance along his knee much to the boy's delight and Jaheira considered he had never looked more like a father. She smiled.

'Here you both are; Valygar mentioned you had retreated upstairs.'

Cernd glanced up to her, his worn face bearing the invigorated glow of spring as he smiled.

'Yes, Ahsdale was getting fretful as downstairs became more crowded –and I was not feeling much better, so Samuel kindly let us take one of his empty rooms. Is everyone still gathered in the tavern?'

Jaheira nodded, crossing to kneel next to the pair. 'Yes, though not for much longer I should imagine; the play is to begin soon. Higgold has a bench arranged for us at the back of the auditorium. He seems to think we are all desperate to watch our leader take the stage.'

'I am surprised,' the man confessed with a slight frown, absently ruffling Ahsdale's hair as the boy pulled at his bootlaces. 'I would have thought Fritha would have asked us not to attend, lest it make her nervous.'

'I think it is the other hundred or so patrons she is truly worried about,' quipped Jaheira dryly. Cernd smiled though he still looked concerned as he confessed, 'I saw her briefly up in the tavern earlier, though we barely had time to exchange a greeting before she was being called back downstairs. She just gave me this for Ahsdale,' the druid continued, letting the boy take the toy rabbit from him, 'and then she was gone. How is she now?'

Jaheira smiled as Ahsdale thrust his prize at her with the cry of 'Rabbit!'

'Tired and fiercely hopeful. She and the boy, Davith, are still in her office going through one final run through of their lines. And how are you? You went over to visit the caravan master earlier, did you not?'

Cernd nodded. 'Yes, he seems a fair man -he said his wife is already looking forward to having a child to fuss over on the trip. He plans to set out for Trademeet at dawn tomorrow.'

'And from there you will head to the grove,' Jaheira sighed, almost envious as she recalled the tranquil harmony of the place. 'Will you be safe to make the way through the marshes alone?'

'I will send a message in to the grove asking for an escort –I have friends enough there still that I am sure at least one will oblige me.' He sent her a measured look in the lamplight. 'It is a shame you cannot join us, though I believe the ability to rear young is within us all, I still feel as a new fawn, trying to find its feet.'

Jaheira smiled and soundly clapped his arm. 'You will be fine, Cernd.'

'Yes,' he agreed, still watching her with that even gaze, 'but I believe the raising of a child is a task best suited to a pair. I understand you still have duties here, but they will not keep you forever and I would like you to consider continuing your role as guardian to another ward.'

Cernd let his attention drop back to Ahsdale with a fond smile, Jaheira watching them with undisguised disbelief, his offer so unexpected she could not even begin at answering him, her mind suddenly swimming with opportunities she had almost given up as passed.

'Cernd I- I do not know what to say.'

'I need no answer,' he said mildly, 'I would just have you know that you are welcome if you should wish it.'

Jaheira nodded once and slowly. 'I will consider it.'

Outside, the deep plangent peal of the city bells marked the seventh hour.

'And so the bell tolls,' murmured Cernd gravely. Jaheira passed the rabbit back to Ahsdale with a pointed 'Thank you' and stood stiffly.

'The play is due to begin, are you coming down to watch it?'

Cernd smiled wryly. 'I have borne witness to many of Fritha's performances; I must admit to being intrigued to see how she will fare upon an actual stage. Come along, Ahsdale,' he continued, standing to heave the boy up and settle him on his hip, 'I feel we are about to watch something of a miracle.'

Jaheira laughed, opening the door for the pair and following them out.

xxx

Fritha stood in the wings watching Davith, effulgent under the lime-powder lights as he projected into the audience, even his murmured soliloquy swelling to fill the packed auditorium, the lad's voice seeming impossibly loud in that silent room. This was it. Any moment now, his lines would finish and she would have to walk upon that stage in front of all those people. Her stomach twisted so painfully she thought she was going to be sick.

What was she thinking? She couldn't do this!

But you will…

Davith had put aside his fears for her and the rest of the troupe, and now she would too.

Silence was ringing in her ears; the boy had stopped speaking.

Right, let's go. You call, master. You call, master.

The lights were so bright she could not see the audience.

'You call, master?'

…

The applause was still ringing in her ears as she finally left the stage after their third curtain-call, the cast exiting by the wings to gather backstage before the dressing rooms, their small group immediately joined by the stagehands, everyone clamouring about one another laughing and radiant, Fritha throwing herself onto Davith's back to violently ruffle his hair, the boy laughing nervously as though he still could not believe what he had managed.

'Amazing!' cried Higgold, bustling in from the auditorium, 'Absolutely amazing! Milil himself couldn't have produced better! And Davith, well…' The impossible happened as the director was rendered speechless.

'Higgold,' came Alhana, the old woman pushing her greying head past the curtain he had just stalked through, 'a Lord Vedis is in the auditorium asking to come backstage.'

The director looked elated. 'Ah, I shall be right there!'

He turned to hurry off, the man nearly barrelled sideways by the elf, Aerie at the head of the small group that had just piled backstage. 'Oh Fritha, that was wonderful!'

Jaheira rolled her eyes. 'And how could you tell? She cried the whole way through.'

Aerie laughed along with the rest of them, even Haer'Dalis managing a smile as he sent Fritha a deferential nod.

'Well done, my raven, you rose to the challenge as ever.'

'Of course! But is Anomen not with you? Ah, name a devil!' Fritha added with a laugh as the man himself pushed aside the curtain, holding it back for the two that followed and Fritha felt her smile widening as she recognised the dark-haired siblings.

'They did not wish to come backstage,' Anomen explained as he reached her, dropping his voice to add, 'there were worries they would be in the way.'

And they both knew from whom those worries would have stemmed, Fritha stepping forward to warmly greet the pair behind him. 'Not at all! Elsenda, I'm so pleased you could come.'

The young girl's tentative smile was all at once full, like the sun emerging from the clouds.

'Fritha, thank you so much for sending us tickets; I did not know you were to be performing in the play as well.'

Fritha snorted. 'Neither did I. Ah, and Diesveld, how are you, sir?'

'Oh, please, less of the 'sir', it makes me feel like my father,' he chuckled affably and already Fritha could see Jenna and Wynn looking over with an appraising eye. A quietly commanding voice cut off any chances for matchmaking though.

'…I would see the patron here as well.'

And the curtain was pulled back once more to reveal a short elderly man, thinning grey hair combed over his bald head, his fine clothes simple in their decoration and cut.

'Of course, my lord, this way please,' fussed Higgold, trying to usher the man forward without seeming too bold. 'Everyone, please gather round. As you will all know,' continued the director, the emphasis he put on the word indicating that those that didn't had better make a convincing attempt at pretending they did, 'this is Lord Vedis, the informal leader, if you will, of a very influential group of lords who have made it their noble goal to keep Athkatla in her place amongst those cities at the pinnacle of cultural and artistic advancement and expression along the Sword Coast and he wishes, amongst other things, to share with you all his opinions of tonight's performance.'

Fritha felt those around her shifting nervously and her own heart begin to quicken. Higgold stepped back with a deferential bob, Vedis nodding once as he took the floor, his small eyes sharp and keen.

'Well, I thought it rather good for opening night. These things usually tend to be a touch fraught, especially when the playhouse and troupe are debuting as well. The sets were well presented and the reworking of the script definitely gave it a lift. And overall, the performances were good -well, except for that young man playing Velden. A truly moving performance; I expect we shall see good things from him in future.'

Davith was scarlet, almost disappearing under another uprising of people trying to ruffle his hair and pat his back. Higgold smiled ingratiatingly, his eyes calculating above the gesture as he turned to her.

'And I believe my Lord Vedis wish to speak with you regarding some, ah, investment opportunities, my patron.'

Oh, subtly done, Higgold. Fritha smiled evenly.

'Indeed, my lord, please allow Higgold to escort you to my office and I will join you forthwith. Mayen, please fetch them some wine while they wait.'

Higgold nodded, already ushering his illustrious companion away, Fritha turning back to those left with a grin

'Right, you lot. Worst is over with; all your hard work has paid off so now it is time to get upstairs and enjoy it -and tell Samuel the theatre will foot the bill.'

The cheer that went up was worth all the good reviews in Athkatla, the troupe all laughing and calling to each other as they headed for the dressing room to change clothes and remove make up. Fritha sent a tired smile to the few of her own friends still left.

'Well, no peace unto the wicked. You go and enjoy yourselves, I'll be up when we're done here.'

A round of nods, the small group just stood before her in a rather solemn silence, Jaheira giving the feeling a voice as she stepped forward to embrace the girl firmly.

'Well done, Fritha.'

Fritha just gave a faint laugh and turned to head back to her office.

xxx

Fritha glanced about her, making one last check that everything was in order, her office dim in the light of the single lamp until she put out that as well and darkness swallowed the room. The meeting had taken a while, especially since nothing had been decided, Lord Vedis merely making enquiries into whether to theatre would be available for other touring troupes that were perhaps visiting the city, though hardly any toured over the winter months and they would not be able to start anything until their own run of the Sorcerer's Bane was completed. But it had seemed to take forever for the two men to get to the point, chattering on about other troupes they had seen and what they thought and Fritha could not be bothered to change back into her usual clothes once she had finally got rid of the pair, the girl still wearing the tatty dark green robes of Velden's apprentice, her clothes and sword just stuffed haphazardly into her bag.

Fritha paused a moment in the darkness, listening to the faint rumble of the tavern upstairs, still packed with patrons who had come to the play and Fritha imagined Samuel would be kept busy until the early hours. She smiled faintly to herself and turned to leave, the light from the auditorium enough for her to see by as she moved from the backstage and there he was, stood on the stage looking out over the silent hall, a long leather case already slung over his shoulder. He whirled back at the sound of her footsteps.

'You came then,' said Fritha, trying and failing to keep the injured tone from her voice.

Haer'Dalis smiled, looking sad and much older than she had remembered him being.

'I would not have missed this for all the planes.' He sighed deeply as she failed to return his smile, shaking his head. 'Fritha, my raven, I am sorry I left before without saying anything. Aerie was driving me to distraction with her indecision. I gave her everything in the end and she still was not satisfied. She did not know what she wanted and I was too upset to stay and find out.'

Fritha stared at him, willing it not to hurt. He could have stayed for her sake, but it would have been hard for him and Fritha wouldn't have wanted to put him through that.

'But she has made her decision now; do you regret leaving?'

Haer'Dalis nodded and turned away from her, his eyes drifting over the backdrops, the colours bright and unreal this close.

'Aye, but not for that. A decision made means everyone can move on. But I shall miss you, my raven…' he glanced back to her, smiling slightly, 'I shall always regret that we were not in love.'

Fritha nodded. She knew exactly what he meant; they were perfect for each other in every other respect.

'Where will you go now?' she asked quietly.

'Back to Sigil, and then,' Haer'Dalis shrugged, 'wherever the Fates take me.'

Fritha smiled, his answer no more than what she had expected, the girl pushing her hand into the bag at her hip to close about the uneven surface of the planar gem, brought to the top in anticipation of this very meeting.

'Haer'Dalis, I've something-'

'My raven, I have some-'

They laughed lightly, each interrupting the other, Haer'Dalis beckoning for her to continue.

'Here,' she smiled as she made to hand him the stone, 'that should ease your travels. I doubt I shall ever put it to any real use -I can't summon anything for a start.'

But the tiefling took a step back, holding up his hands in refusal. 'No, no, keep it, my raven, I like the idea we could meet again one day on some far-flung plane.'

They shared a smiled, a silence falling between them before Haer'Dalis clapped his hands together, all at once bright again.

'And now for mine,' he grinned, slipping the long case from his shoulder and laying it upon the stay to withdraw a fine long-necked lute, the dim light catching on the inlay of pearl and rosewood along the frets as he handed it to her. 'You have been silent too long, my raven.'

Fritha looked up at him, this man whom she had thought she would never see again, the parting no easier this time for her chance to make her farewell and she could feel the lump rising in her throat, Haer'Dalis heartbroken at her distress.

'Oh, my dear raven,' he sighed, Fritha swallowing her tears to throw her arms about his neck, the lute still in hand as she embraced him fiercely and he returned it, pressing his lips to her temple as she buried her face in his neck. At last, they parted, laying their foreheads together, her free hand still clutching his sleeve. It could not be said later who kissed whom, it was a mutual thing, both leaning forward to meet briefly at the lips before parting with a smile as good friends should.

'Come, my raven,' he announced, 'let us get back to those mad actors.'

Fritha laughed wetly, quickly dabbing her eyes before taking the arm he proffered and allowing him to lead her from the stage.

Samuel had prepared them a room upstairs where they could celebrate together without being accosted by the theatregoers that filled the tavern proper, the room crammed with people of their own group and the troupe both, all sat around a large table as they laughed and drank. Elsenda and Diesveld had joined them for the first hour before taking their leave, the young woman quite transformed as she had sat talking blithely with the actresses, her brother elated by the change and taking the opportunity to tell Anomen the latest news from the Cloudpeaks. All was apparently going well and there were hopes the legions would be returned to the city by the Midwinter.

It was late. The temple bells had struck midnight a while ago; the last time they would be sounded now before they would hail the dawn again tomorrow morning –or indeed that morning, Anomen corrected himself. Not that the hour had depleted their numbers particularly, Meck still sat at the table wide awake as he drank the sweet cherry cordial Samuel had sent up especially for him and even the ailing Zeran and managed to show his face earlier on in the evening. He had been pale and drawn, but had raised a laugh from them all the same, claiming that it all could have been much worse: news that Davith of all people had performed his part so admirably had nearly killed him in his weakened state. The lad had flushed, grinning widely as he teased the older man about taking as much time as he needed to recover, Zeran assuring the boy that his moment in the spotlight had been for 'one night only', the man wishing them all a sincere congratulations before he took himself back to bed with hopes of a full recovery by the next evening.

In fact, Cernd was the only other who had left early, he and Jaheira taking the nodding Ahsdale back to the Coronet, though the woman returned an hour later to rejoin the celebrations. She was sat opposite Anomen now, Fritha on one side while Aerie was on the other, the three laughing as Fritha did a humorous imitation of her earlier histrionics when Meck had greeted her in the hallway that morning. Anomen smiled; she looked the happiest she had been in a long while, surrounded by those bright and lively people, all laughing and chattering, every other word a quip, and she was not the only one who looked pleased. Higgold's grin was the widest in that sea of smiles and Anomen wondered if the wine he had been imbibing liberally since they arrived hadn't something to do with it, the man nearly sloshing half a cup over Marcus next to him as he cried theatrically, 'Oh, my patron, my troupe, what an opening night! I warrant we will have a full house for the entire season. This theatre will be Athkatla's rising star -have you any preference for the next play, my lady?'

'Listen to him,' cried Jenna, 'we've a whole season of this one to complete yet!'

Fritha laughed along with the others. 'I leave the decision of the next play entirely up to you, Higgold -as long as it's more cheerful that this one,' she added quickly.

'Oh, I've the very thing, lady patron, the very thing,' cried Higgold excitedly. 'A wonderful tale of love and loss set in furthest Wa.'

'Loss, eh? No one dies, do they?' Fritha questioned, eyeing him suspiciously over the rim of her cup.

'No, m'lady, though quite a few come close,' Meck offered freely.

Fritha raised her glass and her voice over the surrounding laughter. 'Perfect, you've my whole-hearted support!'

Anomen smiled as Wynn began to gesture enthusiastically behind the girl's chair, Higgold clearing his throat to continue nonchalantly, 'And will our Lady Patron be joining us in this fresh endeavour? I believe there are some very fine singing roles…'

Fritha swallowed a mouthful of wine to answer genially, 'Most definitely not!'

'How cruel you are!' Higgold whined petulantly, 'To avail me with a new talent only to withdraw it so smartly.'

'You've quite enough talent all about you,' Fritha countered, smiling as she leaned back in her chair to gesture expansively to the table and wagging a finger at him in warning, 'You neglect them, Higgold; I see a mutinous fire in Iltheia's eyes already.'

Higgold hurriedly turned to fuss over the elf at his side, Iltheia giggling lightly even as she batted him away.

'So you've no plans of make a career of this then, my raven?' reiterated Haer'Dalis, once again hailing a chorus of cajoles and compliments. Fritha shook her head, holding her hands up almost as though to protect herself.

'No, no, I think I'd best stick to killing dragons and other less terrifying pursuits.'

'And on the subject of those pursuits,' cut in Jaheira neatly, 'we really should be getting back to the inn.'

The chorus of groans from the troupe was almost deafening.

'But we've so much still to celebrate!'

'Come now, my patron, just another round.'

'No, no,' Fritha agreed firmly, making to rise, 'Jaheira is right; we should be getting back. Higgold, a word please.'

xxx

Fritha walked down the stairs, her bag in her hand, its usual position slung at her back now taken by her new lute. Something that had got quite a bit of attention when she had first arrived with it, the questions of who it was from eventually giving way to requests to play, though she had refused to discuss either and the conversation had soon moved on to more interesting topics. Their briefing over, Higgold was already back with the troupe, the group continuing their celebrations and Fritha had left them with the warning that she would not be returning as understudy tomorrow because someone had a hangover.

The tavern was quieter now although not quite empty, her own group scattered across the tables: Anomen, Valygar and Minsc at one talking to the cheerfully clearing up Samuel, while Jaheira and Aerie were sat at another, Haer'Dalis stood by the elf's chair. Fritha knew he had lodgings in an inn down by the harbour, the man leaving with the morning tide on a boat bound for Waterdeep and a plane-travelling mage he knew of old who had apparently settled in the city. Fritha watched as the tiefling leaned in for a quiet goodbye, Aerie smiling brightly and turning to proffering him a cheek to kiss before he straightened once more to notice Fritha on the stairs, Haer'Dalis raising a hand to her though he did not approach; they had made their farewells earlier. And with that, he turned and left the tavern.

Fritha shook her head, trudging loosely down the last few stairs to wander over to their table, Aerie keeping her attention firmly on the faded embroidery at her cuffs.

'So you're just going to let him leave then.'

The elf sighed, finally glancing up to her with a determined look. 'I know what you're going to say, but I just can't-'

'What happened to you wishing you had not driven him away?' Fritha interrupted sharply.

'I know,' Aerie cried, frustrated, as though she did not want to be reminded of it, 'but I've done so much, I've come so far since he left. I finally feel as though I am beginning to live my life again rather than drifting through it. I just couldn't bear to dredge all that up again, the arguing and the uncertainty.' She sighed again, lowering her eyes resignedly. 'The past is over; we just have to move on with our lives.'

Fritha just resisted giving her a sound clout about the back of the head. 'Gods, you sound just like him! Except now he isn't like that anymore.'

'How do you-?'

'Because he came back, Aerie! I can't believe you are just letting him go after everything. You been given a chance to put everything right, but you're too afraid to take it. What happened to you facing up to life and becoming your own person?'

'I am, I-'

'No, you're not. You were, and you've come far. But now you're just using your beliefs as an excuse, another thing to hide behind because you're too much of a coward to risk getting hurt for the thing you really want.'

'I'm not,' Aerie cried, flushed and flustered, 'I just-'

'Rubbish!' Fritha snapped, 'Do you love him?'

'It is not so simple as that-'

'No, Aerie, it is that simple.'

'But-'

'Aerie, do you love him?'

The elf beneath her faltered, her whole body seeming to tremble as she suddenly burst out, 'Yes, oh Gods, yes! I love him, I love him!'

'Well, don't just sit there, you twit!' Fritha shouted, throwing an arm at the door, 'Go and tell him!'

And Aerie was suddenly on her feet, the whole room looking up as she flung the tavern door wide and fled out into the night.

...

The bridge was empty, the air sharp and cold, stinging her throat as she tore along the silent street, her skirts held up in both hands as she closed upon the lone figure slowly making his way towards the docks.

'Haer'Dalis!' she cried breathlessly, the man turning in time to see her skid to a halt before him, 'Haer'Dalis, I…'

'Aerie?'

'Just let me speak,' she interrupted sharply, frightened if she did not get the words out then, she never would. 'I've been thinking about you and I –well, mostly you since you left and how you are a Doomguard and how you told me once that everything is ending, the whole multiverse is ending to be reborn, only better than before and I came to thinking- I- I thought perhaps it is, but in smaller ways. Perhaps things are ending all the time and are being reborn better and- and what I am trying to say is, I know we ended and so perhaps, perhaps we shouldn't give up just yet…'

Haer'Dalis was just staring at her, his dark eyes black in the streetlamps and Aerie felt so tense she worried she would burst.

'Haer'Dalis, say something, please!'

'Aerie, this has never happened before, but I simply do not know what to say.'

'Just kiss her, you idiot!' Fritha's voice bawled from the doorway behind them. Haer'Dalis grinned. And then she was in his arms and his mouth was on hers and Aerie could barely kiss him for smiling, the cheers and laughter from the tavern behind them echoing along the street.

Fritha punched the air with a triumphant 'Yes!', the girl shrieking as Minsc lifted her up to place her on his broad shoulders. 'Onward!' she roared, throwing an arm out before them, 'To the Coronet!'

And the pair set off, Fritha still sat upon the ranger's shoulders as they left the others to follow them, their voices raised in glorious paean.

'See, the conquering hero comes! Sound the trumpets, beat the drums.'

Fritha was well known for her singing, but Anomen was rather surprised to findMinsc had quite a fine voice as well. Behind him, Aerie and Haer'Dalis were laughing merrily, an arm about each other as they walked, though it seemed not all were appreciating the performance.

'Will you two be quiet!' the druid shouted after them, 'You'll have woken half the city before the third stanza!'

Fritha turned back to them with a joyous laugh. 'Come on, Jaheira, join in!'

The woman rolled her eyes, though they barely remained in their sockets as the man walking next to her drew in a breath, Valygar's smooth baritone joining their song.

'Sports prepare, the laurel bring, songs of triumph to her sing.'

Fritha looked overjoyed, her approval coming out in a confusion of Rashemi and Chondathan in her delight. 'Ket! Ket! Wonderful, Valygar! Sports prepare, the laurel bring, songs of triumph to him sing!'

Their song lasted for the whole bridge and halfway through the slums, a stagger of drunks outside the Red Griffin joining them for an enthusiastic, albeit cacophonous finale before the silence of the hour returned once more. Their company were more closely grouped now Jaheira did not seem to feel she needed to pretend she did not know half of them, Fritha and Minsc still leading the way, though Anomen had caught up to them. He looked up to the Rashemi's charge, Fritha still wearing the dark green robes of her character, her hair loose, every curl bouncing with the ambling pace of the ranger. She glanced down at him and beamed and Anomen felt his stomach lurch. It was no good; even like this, half-drunk and being carried around the streets of Athkatla singing like an idiot, she was still utterly enchanting.

'Ah Minsc,' Fritha sighed, returning her gaze to their course, 'it must be great being tall.'

'So it is, young Fritha, though Boo tells me there are advantages to being small too.'

Fritha shrugged. 'Well, he's wiser than I am. I'd love to be this tall. Just imagine, ten feet tall with hellfire dancing in my eyes!'

Minsc's bark of laughter echoed along the street.

'Boo says he thinks you would find it harder to convince others that you are not the unholy vessel of Bhaal's evil.'

'Yes, but I bet they would be less inclined to have a problem with it.'

They both laughed at that, Anomen joining them in a smile though he could not tempt any more; the idea of her being hunted was too laden with grief to be amusing. Even their laughter had faded by now and Anomen watched her, Fritha just sat calmly, staring into the middle distance while her hand played absently with the lock of hair that hung a good few inches shorter than the rest.

'My lady?'

'Fritha…' she reminded warningly, giving him a stern look that made Anomen want to laugh, 'If I were ten feet tall you'd remember my name.'

He wanted to say that he would never forget her name. That she was more precious to him than knighthood and glory and- and air, and every other thing he seemed to feel he needed before she had come along; an embodiment of every rare and wonderful thing in the world. But Minsc was there and Fritha had never really taken to that sort of thing anyway. Anomen sighed to himself and smiled.

'You are as likely right.'

Fritha laughed delightedly and ruffled his hair in a surprisingly affectionate gesture, ducking just in time to miss the lintel as Minsc at last reached the Copper Coronet. Even the Coronet was quiet at that time of the night, only a handful of patrons scattered across the room. Minsc had paused by an empty table just inside the door for Fritha to climb down onto and she was now only a head higher than him.

'Ah, like all good things, so fleeting,' she sighed, taking the ranger's hand and jumping down to the floor.

'Oh, have you finally decided to cease your folly?' came Jaheira's disapproving tones behind them, 'I had hoped the lintel would knock some sense into you.'

'Take care in your wishes, Jaheira,' warned Valygar as he entered as well, 'it could just make her worse.'

'Well said, that man!' Fritha trilled brightly.

'I see they are as appreciative of your verve as ever, my raven,' Haer'Dalis laughed, Aerie shrieking as she was swept up into his arms, 'Allow me, sweet Aerie.'

The elf was still giggling and telling him to put her down as he carried her over to the stairs, Fritha laughing merrily as she watched the pair.

'I bet he's fit to drop by the time he's carried her up to the second floor –be careful not to step on him where he's collapsed in the corridor,' she called after Minsc, the man laughing as he set off up the stairs after them, Valygar bidding them all a sober 'goodnight' before following him.

Jaheira exhaled deeply, looking exhausted herself and throwing an arm about the girl's shoulders as she leaned upon her. 'I am getting too old for all this.'

'Nonsense!' cried Fritha, 'What, we've only travelled to the Nine Hells, killed a centuries old necromancer, crushed a slums-wide slaving ring, re-united Cernd with his child and saved the opening night of my theatre in the last tenday. Piece of cake! -Oh, I wish I hadn't said that, I really fancy cake now.'

The woman laughed and gently cuffed the back of her head. 'Fritha! Come on, let us to bed; we will have to be up to see Cernd off in but a few hours.'

And their final three at last left the doorway, crossing the tavern for the stairs though they had not gone halfway before a smooth commanding voice halted them.

'A good evening to you, ladies -and gentleman.'

Anomen turned as they did to see a tall dark-haired gentleman stepping down from his stool at the bar and the knight was suddenly struck by how he had not managed to notice him before. Considering he would have still looked grand in the Mithrest, he could not have been more incongruous, his fur-lined cloak thrown back from his shoulders to reveal a richly embroidered doublet, heavy woollen trousers tucked loosely into his boots, though he smiled graciously as closed the gap between them. 'I beg your pardon, but did I hear correctly? Are you the young Lady Fritha?'

'That is so, my lord,' Fritha answered politely, seemingly unconcerned that she was still wearing the threadbare green robes from the theatre and Anomen could not help but smile at Jaheira's frown when, as naturally as any lady in her finery, Fritha scooped them up and bobbed a curtsy. 'How might I assist you?'

The man himself smiled slightly too and returned the obeisance with sincerity. 'Then we are well met. My name is Jierdan; I am lord to lands east of here. I have heard of your group's experiences in matters of a martial nature and I have need to avail myself of them –perhaps I might discuss it with you ladies over tea?'

Fritha nodded, Jaheira already moving to take a table with the man as the girl glanced back to the knight with a smile.

'It's late as it is, Anomen, you may as well go up to bed. Jaheira and I can attend to this.'

He nodded, continuing to the stairs but he did not ascend as the others had, instead taking a seat upon them to watch unnoticed as Fritha served the tea Hendak had just sent over, her movements delicate and precise, the girl holding her sleeves out of the way as she poured the cups and handed them out and the conference began. They spoke for a few moments, the man explaining things, Jaheira supplying information where needed and Fritha sat, taking it all in. Finally, she spoke and, with a glance to Jaheira, a handshake closed the deal and Lord Jierdan left the inn, obviously returning to better lodgings.

The door was barely closed when the shriek split the air, Fritha flinging her arms about the woman's neck no less than beaming and, though Jaheira looked more serious, even she could not suppress a smile. A few moments more of excited chatter before the pair finally rose too, Jaheira heading straight for the stairs and starting as she noticed him sat there.

'Anomen, what are you-?'

Jaheira glanced back to the girl behind her, who was now ordering something at the bar, before returning her gaze to him with a pitying look. She said nothing more though, merely sighed and shook her head as she continued past him. Anomen sighed himself, rising stiffly from his seat to make the few paces over to the bar.

'A nightcap, my lady?' he inquired, the girl starting only to smile widely as she whirled to see it was him.

'Now, was that a question, Anomen, or an offer?' she laughed, a hand still at her chest as she added, 'Goodness, you startled me, I thought you had gone to bed.'

But before Anomen could reply, the server had returned to place a large jug on the counter in front of them.

'Yer water, m'lady.'

'Thank you,' she nodded, beginning to gather up the heavy skirts of her robes in one hand. 'I thought it might be an idea,' she continued to him with a laugh and Anomen wondered absently just how much wine she'd had. Robes in hand, she turned back for the jug when he plucked it from the bar and held it above her reach.

'Allow me.'

Fritha snorted. 'My hero.'

Though, for all her scorn, she seemed happy enough; both hands free to hold her skirts out of the way as they finally made their way upstairs.

'You seemed very pleased before, my lady, was Jierdan's offer a sound one?'

'Oh, you saw that, did you?' the girl confirmed, continuing nonchalantly, 'Well, nothing has been finalised. We are to send notice to his lodgings tomorrow if we accept –it will need to be discussed by everyone, because it's a long way and with the winter upon us-'

'Fritha,' he prompted and the girl laughed sheepishly.

'Sorry. Lord Jierdan holds lands in the Windspear Hills and he wants us to go there and rout the bandits who have been causing problems in the area.'

'The Windspears?' Anomen exclaimed, 'That would be another few days travel east of Umar and hunting brigands in this weather…' he trailed off, not wanting to voice his reservations though she seemed to understand, Fritha nodding as she smiled grimly.

'I know, which is why he has offered us seven thousand gold for the task.'

'Seven thousand! Why, with that you would have enough to pay Gaelen…'

'Yes,' agreed Fritha looking suddenly solemn, 'but Jaheira is right, I mustn't get my hopes up. Not everyone may want to go and if not enough of us agree, we will have to refuse the offer. It will be dangerous work in treacherous conditions and I decided long ago I could not sacrifice another's life for Imoen's.'

'Well, you will have my support,' Anomen assured her gravely.

'I thought you might say that.'

Anomen felt a smile quirk his lips.

'Well, the Order do rather frown upon leaving a damsel in distress.'

Fritha laughed wryly. 'Oho, you had better be referring to Imoen.'

They had reached her door by now and he handed back to her the jug, the girl receiving with a deep curtsey and a wide smile, before disappearing into her room in a swish of green.

'Goodnight, Anomen.'

'Goodnight, Fritha.'