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

78. Knight takes Queen

Disclaimer: I do not own 'Shadows of Amn', the 'Forgotten Realms' or any characters therein. Wizards of the Coast do, at my last check. Lucky them.
I do, however, own Fritha and certain other characters and plot points. Basically, if you don't recognise it from the game, it's probably mine.

– Blackcross & Taylor

Author's note: I was not supposed to publish this until Friday, but the sun is shining and it has made me so happy after so much rain, I could not wait. Thanks to my betas and those who have left feedback, and I am interested to see if anyone can guess correctly which song Fritha's little ditty is based upon. :-)

Knight takes Queen

Jaheira smiled, watching the group milling about her, laughing and talking, Cernd and Ahsdale in the centre of it all as they prepared for their departure. Late though they had been in getting to bed, everyone had risen to see the pair off, their group slowly gathering outside the inn in the pale grey dawn, helping to load the mule and make their last farewells.

Jaheira had already told the others of Jierdan's offer that morning as they had taken breakfast, waiting for Fritha to fetch the mule from the stables a few streets away, and though they had all expressed similar reservations, the promise of seven thousand gold pieces was enough to convince them and it was agreed unanimously. Fritha had been overjoyed at the verdict, sending a message over to the Mithrest to inform his Lordship of their acceptance, a neat map of the hills and a reply returned with the same boy expressing the Lord's satisfaction and giving them directions to the holding of man named Garren, who would be able to give them further instructions.

Jaheira cast her eyes up to the sky, trying to get a measure of the weather in which they would soon be travelling. Heavy clouds were hanging in the west and though it was cold, the sun was slowly rising in the east, the air fresh and pleasant enough to leave her itching to be away herself. Their journey to the Windspears would be long and arduous, and she hoped enough so to dissuade many a bounty hunter in favour of easier prey.

'Well, you've likely a fine day for it,' Jaheira greeted as Cernd left the small crowd to make his way over to her, Ahsdale sat quietly at his hip.

The druid smiled. 'We both have –I am glad that you have managed to secure this final quest; there is a sense of completeness to my departure now.'

'So then, Cernd, all set?' called a voice behind them, Fritha stepping from the inn where she had been collecting a freshly baked loaf for the druid's lunch. 'And hello there, curly-bonce!' she trilled as she reached them, giving Ahsdale's hair an affectionate ruffle, 'Ooo, not long now until you're off on your adventure.'

Jaheira watched as Fritha faltered, glancing briefly to her as though wary of some censure as she asked Cernd, 'Er, can I?'

'Certainly!' the man laughed, seeming happy to hand the child over to the girl after two days of unfounded distance, Fritha beaming as she chatted to the boy now on her hip.

'Come on, Ahsdale, come and meet a friend of mine.'

They watched as she took him over to meet the mule Anomen and Minsc were loading, Fritha crouching slightly and showing Ahsdale how to gently stroke the soft grey hair of his neck, Aerie stooping to fuss over the boy as well. Even Valygar looked mildly interested now it seemed Ahsdale was no longer constantly on the verge of tears, the ranger making some comment that sent Aerie a fierce red as Haer'Dalis looked suddenly uneasy and the rest of them laughed, the child oblivious to all as he watched the mule watch him.

At her side, Cernd sighed wistfully. 'I will miss this company. I never thought anything could make this city bearable, but you all did.'

Jaheira smiled. 'They have that way of growing on you. So which route will you be taking to Trademeet?'

'The southern road and then up through the Hancoed Pass. It is longer than the more direct route but less prone to flooding. And yourselves?'

Jaheira shrugged, seeing that almost tenday of travelling ahead of them.

'The Greater East-Western way for the first few days, then we will likely cut through the hills to make the rest of the way south. It is a wilderness out there, no roads or villages -I am quite looking forward to it,' she added with a laugh that he shared. 'Come, the caravan is due to leave soon. I doubt they will wait for you.'

A few last well-wishes as the others returned to the tavern and their own packing, only Jaheira, Fritha, Aerie and Anomen accompanying the druid to the gates, Fritha at their head and still bearing Ahsdale as they walked, the child making attempts to join in as she serenaded him and anyone else awake at that hour, with a rousing marching song.

'Some talk of Drizzt Do'urden, and some of Peracles. Of Wulfgar and Elminster, and such great names as these. But of all the world's brave heroes, there's none that leads the fight, with such a stout and valiant heart as the P,urple Dragon Knight! Now, Dragon Knights are fearless and-'

'Fritha, what are you singing to the boy?' Jaheira interrupted sharply before she could really get into the second verse, Fritha glancing back with a confused frown as though she thought it obvious.

'Cernd's from Cormyr; everyone must learn the songs of their homeland, mustn't they, Ahsdale?'

Cernd smiled slightly, nodding his mild acquiescence. 'Quite so, but you forget I am originally from Athkatla.'

'Oh, yes,' Fritha laughed, turning immediately to the knight walking next to him, 'Anomen, which songs did you learn as a child?'

Anomen looked, for a moment, caught out though he answered after a thoughtful pause, 'Well, there was The Midsummer Fair and I Saw a Ship-'

'Oh, I know that one!' Fritha exclaimed, beaming as she returned her attentions to the child.

'I saw a ship a-sailing, a-sailing on the sea. And, oh, but it was laden with pretty things for thee…'

The caravan was already outside the gates, making the last preparations for their departure. It was a small one, only a few covered wagons with a surrounding company of guards and smaller carts, Cernd already having arranged a place for Ahsdale with the caravan master's wife, safe and warm inside the one of the wagons, while he would lead the mule behind it on foot.

Their group had halted before the gates, Ahsdale returned to his father's care, the man clinching the child on his hip with one hand, the mule's halter secure in the other as they made their final goodbyes.

'So, this is it; as the ageing lion must leave his pride so must we also part.'

'Aye,' sighed Fritha, 'but though the swallows leave for the winter-'

'-they may yet return in the spring,' finished Aerie solemnly, before she snorted and the two girls were lost to laughter.

Cernd just shook his head, still smiling as Jaheira stepped forward.

'Well, it has been good travelling with you, Cernd; perhaps our paths will cross again one day.'

'Indeed…' he agreed, adding quietly, 'You will remember my offer, will you not? It still stands for when your current brood has managed to fly the nest.'

Jaheira dipped her face in a slow nod. 'I will bear it in mind. Safe journey, little one. You too,' she smiled, clapping the druid on the arm. He nodded once and then as an afterthought leaned in and kissed her cheek.

'My thanks, Jaheira, for all you have done.'

Cernd turned, passing under the great stone gateway to join the others as the cry for the off went up from the head wagon, Fritha still shouting after them.

'-and you must sing to him, Cernd, you must teach him all the songs of his homeland! And be good, Donkey!'

Cernd glanced back with a smile and held up a hand in one last farewell before he turned to lead the mule after the final wagon as the caravan slowly set off. Fritha sighed, a mix of satisfied and wistful as they turned from the gates.

'Well, I suppose we should get back to the inn and get ready to leave ourselves.'

Back at the Coronet, the common room was slowly filling as other patrons rose to face the day, most of their own group still back in their rooms packing though some had finished, much to Anomen's discomfort. The knight frowned, re-filling his cup even though the tea was only an inch from the rim, anything to distract him from the pair sat opposite him. Aerie and Haer'Dalis were the only others at the table and seemed to want to make the most of these last few moments of virtual solitude before they were once more forced to spend every moment with a group. They were sat close, their quiet talk punctuated by Aerie's giggling, the pair blind to all but each other and painful to watch.

'Right, how are we-' sang a voice behind him, Fritha appearing at the table, a pack at her back when she stopped, suddenly transfixed as she watched Aerie feed the tiefling a piece of apple and seal it with a light kiss. Fritha glanced to him looking utterly nauseated. 'I think I'll wait outside.'

Anomen nodded and grabbed his cloak. 'I will join you.'

In the street, the sky had darkened, heavy pillow-like clouds full of snow rolling in on the west wind. It felt as though the sky was lower than usual, just skimming the surrounding rooftops and Fritha had the strangest fancy that she could reach up and touch it.

'It could snow within the next few hours,' offered Anomen evenly.

Fritha sighed, wondering if this plan wasn't a fool's errand, whatever coin was promised.

'Well, we will be travelling today on the roads, so-'

She stopped as light laughter echoed above them, Fritha climbing the steps next to them to see Luss out playing on the flat rooftop next to the inn, the young girl knelt over a scattering of knuckle bones, a ball in hand as she prepared for her move, a small wooden tusked-pig solemnly watching the proceedings.

'Luss?' called Fritha, the girl glancing up and suddenly she was racing across to them, pig in hand and almost tripping over her own feet in boots that looked solid enough albeit a few sizes too large.

'Fritha! Fritha!' she lisped, closing upon them for Fritha to confirm her two front teeth were missing, the bard giving a theatrical gasp.

'Goodness, Luss, where have your teeth gone! Ah, don't tell me, you've been fighting, haven't you? Oh, Luss, and I thought you were such a nice girl!'

Luss giggled delightedly. 'No, silly, they were just baby teeth. I did as Mama told me, and put them under my pillow and the Tooth Mouse came and swapped them for a whole three coppers! I bought Henir, see,' she beamed, showing them the handsome wooden pig painted in browns and oranges, closer inspection revealing a long crack along its side.

'Ooo, he looks like he's been in the wars.'

Luss nodded, frowning as she explained, 'Yes, Flyk and I were arguing. She said I had hidden her hairbrush, but that was only because she had eaten my share of jam at supper last tenth day. And she said it was Nera, but I knew it hadn't been because she doesn't like blackberries and I still wouldn't tell Flyk where her brush was so she threw Henir off the roofs!'

The child had said this all very quickly, her tale ending to find her pink in breathless indignation.

'Oh dear, here let me see,' Fritha smiled, tutting as she took the toy from her unresisting hands to better examine it. 'Hmm, it's serious, I'll give you that. Luckily for you, my friend Anomen here is a cleric.'

The girl brightened instantly. 'Oh yes, I remember –can you help him, sir?'

Anomen drew back, looking rather perturbed as both girls turned to him.

'Well, ah-'

'Now, Anomen,' Fritha admonished, an impish smirk hiding behind the sober look, 'you must heal poor Henir, it is your solemn duty as a priest.'

'But, my lady-'

'Come now, put out your hand,' Fritha cut in, taking his hand to raise it palm up and place the small pig carefully within. 'There. Now be good, Henir –don't bite him,' she warned the creature, eliciting a giggle from Luss, Fritha taking the knight's other hand to place it gently over the top and cover the wooden pig from view. Luss watched, memorised, as Fritha lightly placed her hands about his and Anomen felt the toy within tremble with a sudden heat, Fritha stepping back to allow him to reveal the fine wooden pig, as whole as it had ever been.

'Oh, Henir,' cried Luss as he lowered his hand to offer it back to her, 'you're all mended! Thank you, sir.'

Anomen smiled gently. 'You are very welcome, young lady.'

'Fritha? Anomen?' came a voice she recognised as Jaheira's echoing up from the street behind them, Fritha glancing back at the sound.

'Oh, sounds like we have to go. You and Henir be careful now, Luss –and no more fighting with your sister.'

'She started it!' the girl shouted after them with a laugh.

'Your magic grows,' said Anomen as they crossed for the stairs, though his tone was free of the distrust she had heard from others on the matter. Fritha smiled.

'Yes, mending broken pigs today and, if Valygar is to be believed, tomorrow I'll be levelling cities and enslaving the hearts of men.'

Anomen laughed. 'I do not think you need any magic for that- oh, my apologies,' he faltered, suddenly uncomfortable, 'I did not mean-'

Fritha shook her head, embarrassed herself. 'No, I shouldn't have-'

'Fritha?'

The girl quickened her pace. 'Coming!'

The rest of the group were already gathered in the street, Aerie managing to tear her attention from Haer'Dalis long enough to send Fritha a pointed look as she descended the steps with Anomen though she was given no chance to comment.

'Ah, Fritha, there you are,' said Jaheira, 'we are ready to depart bar one final matter; did you speak to the ostler as agreed?'

Fritha nodded. 'Yes, and our next lucky beast of burden has been arranged and is awaiting us now: a Moonshea moor pony.' Anomen just caught of glimpse of Fritha's wicked grin as she turned to set off. 'I named him Toffee.'

Jaheira looked like she just wrestled herself away from biting, her voice wavering with strained interest as she inquired, 'Really?'

'Yes, though it was going to be Princess if he had been a girl.'

'How… nice.'

And it was to Fritha's teasing they made their way over to the stables to collect the stout grey pony she had bought, loading their tents and other supplies upon its strong back and it was another hour before they had left the city gates, taking the main road westwards from the city. Fritha glanced back before they disappeared into the forests for one last look at the city she would not likely see for a good month or more, the stone sprawl subfusc under dark clouds.

xxx

They were about an hour or so along the road now, their march not so fast as to prevent chatter, though brisk enough to leave them breathless with it, Fritha leading the pony at their rear and taking an unusual delight in the trip. The snow had not come in the end, the clouds rolling onwards into the east at a pace Fritha rather wished they could match, the morning suddenly dawning anew as the sky cleared, the air bright and crisp, alive with talk, birdsong and cheerful beat of hooves over the hard ground, the ice that had pooled in the frozen tracks of cartwheels' melting in the weak sunlight.

The pony next to her snorted, his breath misting and Fritha smiled, letting her eyes drift back to those before her. Aerie and Haer'Dalis were walking close to each other as they chatted with Minsc and Anomen, the ranger giving up his usual position at their head to Valygar and Jaheira.

Things had been hard for all of them this last tenday and though there would still no doubt be trials to come, Fritha finally felt as though there was an end in sight and one better than she would have before imagined. Minsc now had a high-ranking Wychlaran prepared to speak in his defence when he returned to his homelands, Aerie and Haer'Dalis had each other and Anomen…

Fritha watched the tall blue-cloaked figure before her laugh mildly, letting it strengthen her will. Anomen could return to the Order, go on campaigns with his brothers and begin the life he had spent so long working towards -and he would be happy. She felt herself nod firmly. Her decision was the best one for them both and she liked to think that one day Anomen would look back, when he was a little older with a proper lady of a wife and many glorious campaigns behind him and he would realise the same. Perhaps Nalia would have her lands returned to her by then, and Fritha imagined the pair meeting up to take tea together somewhere in the city, talking about the old times and the people they had once travelled with. She would be no more than a memory…

Fritha swallowed, raising her face to the icy blue sky and waiting for the tears to subside. It was the right decision and all for the best.

She was not sure where she noticed it first, as a noise in the air or a rhythm in her feet, only that suddenly the sound of a horse was pounding the road behind her. She swung back in time to see a bay mare crest the slight slope at a canter and Fritha was about to order everyone off the path, when the rider saw them and slowed the beast to a trot. He was young, about seventeen she guessed as he closed to them, dark hair windswept and tanned face flushed with the cold, his eyes quickly surveying their group before coming to rest on their resident knight.

'Sir Anomen Delryn?' he asked, breathless as he slipped deftly from the saddle, the reins still in his hands, his cloak billowing back to reveal the crest of the Order upon his scarlet tunic. Anomen looked a touch alarmed.

'It is I.'

'I am Squire Trewlin, sir, and I am sent by the Order with a message. There is no easy way to tell you this, but I regret to inform you your father has passed on.'

A surprised muttering of oaths and sympathies that hushed almost instantly. Anomen looked saddened by the news, but quietly so, his regrets perhaps more for what could have been than what was, Fritha the first to break the heavy silence, relinquishing the pony's halter to Aerie as she stepped to his side.

'Anomen, I am so sorry. We will return to the city at once.'

'No, there will be no need, my lady,' he assured her gently, turning to the lad to confirm, 'It was the drink, I suppose?'

Trewlin blinked. 'Ah, no, sir, he- he was murdered.'

'Murdered?'

'Yes, sir,' the squire continued quickly, 'in the early hours of this morning. The assassin was caught soon afterwards though injured in the capture. He only just awoke in the Helmites' infirmary and confessed all –he was hired by one Saerk Farrahd. The merchant has barricaded himself in his house and refuses to come out, though the city guards and a contingent from the Order have him surrounded, so it is only a matter of time.'

But Anomen barely seemed to be listening to him, the knight slowly shaking his head.

'Dead… the last of my family gone. First my sister and now my father dead by this man, this Saerk… My father was right all along; that merchant was the one who murdered Moira,' he turned to the girl still at his side, his eyes dark, 'and you convinced me otherwise.'

Fritha was so stunned, she could hardly find the breath for her, 'What?'

'Now, Anomen-' reasoned Jaheira, but Fritha had found her voice now and with it a burning desire to assure Anomen she was not to blame for this injustice.

'Anomen, I understand you're upset, but how can you say that? I did all I could to support you when your sister was taken; how can you hold me responsible?'

She had hoped the injured tone which she took no trouble to conceal would calm him somewhat, but it was as though he was a different person, his grief and guilt leaving him suddenly furious.

'I wanted to take Saerk's life when Moira was first killed, to take the justice both my father and my honour cried out for, and you told me to let him go!'

'I told you to look for evidence and there was none! We went to the Magistrate and she said herself there was nothing to be done within the law.'

'Er, perhaps you should both…' Aerie trailed off as neither looked to her, the pair focused solely on each other.

'The law,' Anomen scoffed unpleasantly, 'and when did you begin to care for such a thing?'

Fritha flushed, defiant in the sting of his words. 'I don't, but I seem to recall that Order of yours liking it well enough.'

'Anomen,' Jaheira attempted again, 'we understand you have just lost your father-'

'My father,' he spat savagely, 'Ha! I care not a whit for him, but for my sister, for sweet Moira -her murderer free all this time when I should have been the one to avenge her,' he whirled back to Fritha, 'and you stopped me with talk of laws you yourself hold only in contempt!'

'I did my best and advised you as the knight you aspired to be!'

Anomen just shook his head. 'And yet how little concern you have for my vocation now as you drag me about the city, an accomplice to your crimes!'

'You-' Fritha breathed, too hurt to think of a name to call him, 'I never dragged you anywhere and there is a difference between housebreaking and cold-blooded murder! And one you seem happy to ignore -you wanted to take revenge on a man when we had no proof he was even the killer!'

'No,' Anomen agreed, throwing his pack to the ground and swinging himself into the waiting saddle, the squire too stunned to protest, 'but we know well enough now and I will see him dead for it!'

'Anomen, dismount from there immediately!' ordered Jaheira, though Fritha was of a different mind.

'Go then!' she screamed up at him, 'Go and murder as many merchants as it will take to assuage you of the guilt that it was you who left your sister to her fate while you pursued dreams of a nice shiny knighthood!'

'And what would you know of it?' he roared back, 'I am not the one who is tainted by Murder's blood!'

A collective gasp, even Anomen looking stunned by the words that had just left his mouth and perhaps it would have shocked him into taking stock of the situation had the squire not used this moment of silence to finally find his voice.

'Ah, sir?'

'You will return to the Order on foot, squire,' Anomen barked, sharply wheeling the horse about.

'Yes, sir,' the lad saluted though the knight was already gone, the horse leaving them at a gallop, kicking up a hail of dirt in his wake.

'That bloody knight!' Fritha shrieked after him, her eyes falling on the bag he had dumped at her feet and suddenly she was taking her frustrations out on the worn leather pack, kicking it violently until she was too tired to continue. She dropped to a crouch, burying her head in her knees to catch her breath. A hand at her shoulder followed by a voice, quiet and kind.

'Fritha?'

'It's all right, Jaheira,' she sighed, making to stand again and finally take in the group of stunned faces behind her, 'I'm all right.'

'Do you think he will be okay?' ventured Aerie, the elf's eyes still fixed on the horizon Anomen had just disappeared over. 'I've never seen him so angry.'

'I have,' muttered Fritha, 'After he first learnt his sister had been killed and the Magistrate informed him there was not enough evidence for an arrest –I told him he should heed the law and look where it has got him.'

'This isn't your fault,' snapped Jaheira promptly.

'I know it's not!'

'So what do we do now?' asked Valygar, a voice of calm in the rising tempers.

'Boo says Anomen chose his own path, so let him be the one to walk it.'

'We can't just leave him, Minsc; he might do something foolish.'

'I think that is a certainty.'

'Haer'Dalis!'

Fritha glanced to the still silent squire at her side. 'I don't suppose you want to come to the Windspears with us, do you?'

He shook his head mutely. Fritha sighed again. 'Didn't think so.'

She picked up Anomen's pack and thrust it at the lad, all determination as she turned on her heel and started back in the direction of the city. 'Come on then.'

And as a group they made to follow her. Fritha stalked along, her jaw clenched. She would save Anomen from himself –and then she was going to kill him!

xxx

Anomen kept his eyes fixed resolutely ahead, the clattering hoof beats echoing in his ears, his knees bent and posting with the rhythm of the horse beneath him as it carried him through the blur of streets at a brisk trot. His mount had been tired after its journey out with the squire, unable to keep up that gallop for longer than a few minutes and he had let the horse slow to a modest canter for the rest of the way back to the city.

Anomen felt the hatred pulse through his heart with every hoof beat, the duration of the ride giving time for his fury to calm into a cold anger. Saerk, that murderer! He and his father's petty quarrel had robbed him of a much loved sister and Anomen hated that Lord Cor had been right in his accusations, because if he had been right about that, then perhaps there was a slim possibility he had been right about other things as well. His father had spent his youth telling him he was not good enough to become a paladin, that the Order would never accept him as a knight and then when they had the song had changed: he was not worthy to be counted in their ranks and one day the Order would realise what his father had known all along and Anomen would be dismissed in shame.

And the worst thing was, a part of Anomen had always worried he was right. Those four long years as squire labouring under the shadow of such doubt that even now when he was knighted he could not quite shake the feeling. However desperately he tried to quell it, his temper was as vile as his father's had been, something the man had been all too pleased to point out to him whenever they had fought, Lord Cor crowing about how it was inevitable that one day it would get the better of him and Anomen would shame both the Order and himself, and sometimes the knight just wished it would happen so he did not have the worry of it hanging over him any longer.

It already felt as if it was unavoidable when he could say such things to one he had professed to care for so ardently. His anger at finding his father had been killed by the same man who had murdered dear Moira only months before had left him reeling with an agonising guilt which had screamed for an outlet. And there was Fritha at his sleeve, so mild and kind. It had been so hard those last few days, ignoring the love and passions and worries he felt for the girl and in that moment when they had fought, he had just wanted to break it, destroy whatever was between them so wholly that there was no room even for hope anymore. Well, it was surely done now; his mind recalling for him an image of her face, not stunned as the others had been but twisted with an anger that had matched his own. There was no way she would be reconsidering her decision. His family was dead, his love lost and the blame for it all could be placed upon one man.

Anomen rounded that last corner, the house he sought about halfway along the wide street. It was hardly the estate his family owned but it was a large house all the same and looked grand even there, on that street of fine buildings, the house set back from the street and surrounded by tall iron railings, a flight of polished marble steps leading up to the front door. Many members of the Watch were stood outside, some just talking while others kept back the crowds of people that were already gathering and Anomen recognised a few squires from the Order in their number, a young lad he knew as Squire Veren busy directing things from the other side of the street. Anomen gave his mount a jolt with his heels and quickened its pace. Now he would face Saerk and he would bring him justice or death.

The crowds had parted hastily before him and Anomen clattered to a halt in the men's midst to swing himself from the saddle, an unnamed squire stepping in to take the reins as Veren rushed to his side.

'Sir Anomen, you've arrived!' he cried, clearly glancing about for Trewlin but he was given no chance to question the squire's absence.

'Indeed,' said Anomen, his gaze fixed on the house before him, 'what of Saerk?

'He is still barricaded in his home, sir, though we have both this entrance and the back of the building covered.'

'He has hostages?' questioned Anomen, surprised they had yet to storm in and merely force his arrest.

'Well, no sir, but the Order wanted to minimise the potential for civil disturbance; we have had orders to await the arrival of Sir Gethan before-'

'There have been new orders,' interrupted Anomen, 'Send for a battering ram. A contingent will remain at the back of the house to block any escape while we enter by the main doors and secure the house room by room. Any man that resists will be met with force.'

'Yes, sir!'

…

Fritha marched along, not bothering to check how the others were keeping up as she strode through the streets. It had taken less time to return to the city than they had in leaving it, but it had still been an hour and the march had given her time to calm down, if only because being furious required energy and she just didn't have enough spare at the pace she was driving them. So after a lot of raging, a bit of crying and longer than both of those activities spent sulking, Fritha finally came to the conclusion that Anomen had been upset about his father and sister, and possibly some other things which were her fault and although she was not pleased by his reaction, she at least understood it.

Fritha side stepped past a man who had suddenly stopped look in a shop window, just managing to keep her pace and having to stop herself from breaking into a jog. She wanted to be there. She wanted the inevitable confrontation with Anomen to be over with, the girl unable to stop going over it in her mind: what she would say, how she would respond to his many possible answers. She expected of him what she felt herself: a little anger, a little embarrassment and a lot of contrition. She never should have made that comment about his sister, even if it was true –in fact, especially if it was true, Fritha feeling her guilt anew as she recalled the spite of using their closeness to really drive the blade home.

Fritha watched the end of the street come closer with every step, a small swell of panic fluttering through her heart. She hated feeling like this. Gods, she hoped Anomen would be ready to talk as soon as they arrived, that he had not done anything rash. Another surge of fierce panic, though she quelled it. Even if the ride had not given him enough of an opportunity to calm down there would be others of the Order there who would not just let him stride in there and murder the man.

No, everything would be fine, Fritha reasoned firmly as she rounded that final corner. She stopped.

The street was in an uproar, crowds of onlookers gathered about the front of a tall handsome house, the city watch keeping them back and shouting orders to one another, Anomen himself nowhere to be seen. Fritha glanced back, those behind her looking just as stunned, Squire Trewlin just stood gaping, the pony's halter slack in his hand as he stared down the street.

'Where are the other squires?' he questioned aloud.

'He can't have…' breathed Aerie, looking fearful. Fritha was gone in an instant.

'Fritha!'

But Jaheira's cry was duly ignored, Fritha fighting her way through the crowds her heart beating wildly; he wouldn't have, he just wouldn't have. The guards let her through on sight, Jaheira but a step behind her and the pair reached the house just as Squire Veren appeared at the doorway and the boy running down the steps looking frantic.

'My Lady Fritha? Oh, thanks be! He is inside. Everything was going well, we were moving through the house securing the rooms one by one –most of the house guards just surrendered when they saw us. But when we reached upstairs, Saerk was there in the main hall. Sir Anomen confronted him with his crime and the bastard just laughed! Anomen went mad, I have never seen him so angry -he is threatening to kill him!'

'Oh Gods!' Fritha cried, frantically tearing past him and up the steps, the dim hallway and wide staircase but a blur as she raced up to the first floor, the stairs leading straight to the tall mahogany doors, both thrown wide on that deathly silent hall.

Everyone within was frozen, guards, squires and servants alike stood at the edges of that huge room, no more animated than the finely upholstered benches and low tables set about them. A young girl in a fine yellow gown was quietly comforting the older woman sat next her who was choking on her own dry sobs, presumably Saerk's wife and daughter. And all were transfixed by the pair before them. Veren had been right, Fritha had never seen Anomen looking so furious, the old merchant on his knees and only just, a large gauntleted fist clasped about the neck of his robes so tightly he was having trouble breathing, his face already bearing a grazed cheek and bloody lip while Anomen loomed over him, his mace drawn and trembling in his rage.

The others were gathering at her back, a stillness over them all as they watched the scene before them, Anomen shaking as he demanded, 'Your quarrel was with my father, why bring Moira into it? Answer me!'

'I wanted him to suffer,' Saerk spat hoarsely, 'She was his only comfort so I took it.' The merchant's face twisted with a sadistic smile. 'I heard she begged for mercy as they choked the life out of her.'

His words had the predictable effect, Anomen enraged as he raised the mace above his head. 'You!'

Fritha heard the word leave her throat before she even realised it.

'Anomen.'

All heads whipped to the sound to find her there before the doorway, Anomen staring back at her as though she had risen from the dead.

'Fritha?'

'Yes,' she nodded, slowly moving into the room as she added with a nervous laugh, 'you did not think you could quit our argument so easily, did you?' She gestured to the man he held, 'Anomen, please, I know you are angry, but you have to let him go.'

The knight looked stricken. 'He murdered my sister! It is just!'

'Yes, I know,' Fritha agreed, still edging forward, her heavy-soled boots clicking slightly on the grey marble tiles, 'and he should be punished for it, but not like this. Please.'

Anomen shook his head, his shoulders slumping defeatedly. 'You do not understand, Fritha, the anger I feel sometimes, so strong as to consume me… I have ruined everything…'

Fritha pressed her lips together, the tears welling as her desperation rose. 'Anomen, please, there is nothing you have done yet you cannot come back from.'

At their knees, Saerk managed a contemptuous snort. 'Listen to you mewl, pathetic boy! I should have killed your whore here, then how you would have wept.'

'Silence!' Anomen roared, shaking the man so violently he fell sideways, his daughter crying out as Saerk fought to regain his balance before he was strangled by the neck of his robes.

'Anomen, please,' Fritha begged, almost next to him now, 'don't do this. This is what Saerk wants; he knows he will hang and he would see you ruined too.'

Anomen whirled back to her, her own desperation echoed in his wide wild eyes.

'So I will be ruined. So? What does it matter? Why should you even care? You do not love me!'

Fritha felt her heart twist, heavy with the confession that had been pressing on her for a while now.

'No…' She admitted quietly, raising her head to look up at him as openly as she had ever faced anyone, 'but I should like the chance to try.'

The room about them seemed to hold their breath as she took that last step forward and reached out a hand to gently tug at his sleeve. A loud smash of shattering ceramics as his mace hit the tiled floor, Saerk freed to collapse in a gasping heap next to it. Anomen was shaking his head slowly, unfocused and drawn as though he had just awoken from some nightmare.

'I- please excuse me a moment.'

He walked from her, disappearing through the archway behind them, the guards moving in to seize Saerk as Jaheira rushed over to gather Fritha to her, the girl nodding through the many questions on her well-being, feeling suddenly exhausted as she gently pushed the druid back and made to follow the knight.

The archway had led onto a small dayroom, the room itself appointed with a balcony that faced southwards, Anomen stood at the railings looking out over the city, bright and bustling under a cold highsun, oblivious to his misery and he wondered if it would even care if it knew.

'Anomen.'

He turned to face her, Fritha looking as worn and tired as he felt. She managed a smile for him, though she did not look any happier for it, the girl moving to his side to gaze out over the city as he had been.

'I acted outside of my superiors' commands,' Anomen continued eventually, the cool distance of the subject all he could manage just then. 'The Order will wish to speak to me of this. And there will be Saerk's initial trial and my father's affairs to be put in order.' He glanced to her, wondering if he assumed too much as he asked, 'I may need to remain in the city for a few days.'

Fritha merely nodded, eyes still watching the streets below. 'That is fine, take as much time as you need, I understand there is much to prepare for your father's funeral as well. When will you hold it?'

'Tomorrow,' Anomen answered promptly. 'I will arrange everything with temple this afternoon; my father can be cremated privately as Moira was. He had no friends and I have no desire to arrange a gathering so a few more compassionate merchants can pretend he had.'

Fritha turned a pained look upon him. 'Anomen-'

'I have hated the man for years and now he is dead,' he cut in bluntly, 'I see no reason why he should have any further influence upon my life.'

The girl said nothing, just sighed tiredly, returning her attention to the city before them, the silence between them compelling him to speak again and finally discover what had been thrown into doubt the instant as he had looked up and found her in that room before him.

'Fritha, what I said before, when we fought-'

She shook her head. 'We both said things… just forget it.'

'I am sorry,' he pressed.

She sighed again, leaning forward to rest her elbows upon the railings and cup her chin in her hands. 'Yes, me too.'

'No, I am, truly,' he continued, wishing he could somehow convey to her the depth of his regrets, 'What I said -I have never thought that –and I was so sure you would hate me and- and then you were here…' He swallowed dryly. 'You came.'

Fritha smiled faintly and shook her head as though there was a joke somewhere he was missing.

'Of course I did. Don't doubt it next time, eh?' She patted his arm gently and turned to go. 'Just come back through when you're ready.'

And Anomen turned to watch her leave, little more than a shadow as she passed through the gloom of the dayroom and disappeared back through the archway beyond.

xxx

Fritha closed her eyes as the clouds above her parted to reveal a weak afternoon sun, a light breeze stirring her hair and the long grass at her feet both, the coldness muted by the high walls as she sat in the sheltered garden of Anomen's old home waiting for him to finish directing the servants and lock-up. He had decided that the house was not needed now his father was gone, the old place to be shut up until a time when it would once more be the seat of the Delryn household; Anomen's first responsibility as the young lord: finding new positions about the city for the few servants who had still remained there to serve his father.

Fritha kept her eyes shut, seeing the place about her in her mind, the girl sat on a wall that bordered a raised bed full of azalea bushes, ivy and a flowerless honeysuckle climbing the trellis against the wall behind her. The other three walls were bare of flowers, being parts of the house, the covered walkway that ran along the lower floor opposite her providing the basis of the balcony above, both floors able to open out onto the small garth.

She sighed and opened her eyes again, letting them drift over the soothing green of the garden about her, overgrown from a summer of neglect and a touch melancholy now the winter was upon them. The gnarled leafless boughs of an old lemon tree curved above her, reaching thin branches up to the icy blue sky. The snows that had been threatening on that first day of their departure had remained absent, but Fritha knew it could not last. With every day that passed the winter only deepened.

That morning had dawned the first of Nightal, the first day of the last month, and the second would see their group setting out from the city once more, heading for the Windspears and whatever trials there they had yet to face. But before then, they at least had one final day of simpler pleasures to enjoy. The first of Nightal had another name there on the Sword Coast: the Feast of the Moon, the traditional Day of the Dead, when people would feast and drink, holding street revels and telling stories of the gods and their own favoured ancestors. A merry day for most; a more melancholy one for some others of their company. Jaheira had left the inn early that morning, she, Valygar and Minsc leaving the city with plans to walk out into the surrounding forests and make their prayers and think on those lost. Fritha's were yet to be made though she would go soon, an hour of her time tithed in scribing awaiting her at the temple of Oghma.

Those last few days in the city seemed to have passed both slow and quick by turns. Anomen had had much to do in the aftermath of his father's death, the others bearing the delay with voiceless understanding and Fritha felt some of them rather enjoyed the break, Aerie and Haer'Dalis often found curled together in the snug of the Coronet, dreaming the days away. Fritha had kept out of their way –she knew her presence, though not the cause of their separation, had hardly helped matters and she was just glad enough to have Haer'Dalis back and Aerie happy to leave the couple alone, the girl spending most of her time, when not out with Anomen, in Jaheira's room, the pair often sitting in companionable silence as Jaheira read and she played her new lute with out of practise fingers.

The druid had been quiet since Cernd had left, Jaheira at first attributing it to the man's offer, which she had divulged to a very surprised Fritha on their first evening. But after a while, Fritha had realised there was something else troubling the woman too, hours of reading yielding hardly a turned page and Jaheira had eventually confessed she had yet to hear anything back from Dermin or any of the other Harpers for that matter. Fritha had not asked any more questions after that. She had forgiven Jaheira on that very day they had battled Galvarey but the woman's betrayal, however unintentional, hung between them still.

At least her days with Anomen had left Fritha too tired to worry much, the pair about the city attending meetings with lawyers and clerks of every nature. There was, as he had predicted, a hearing at the Order between he, Sir Ryan and Prelate Wessalen, Fritha perched nervously on a bench in the corridor outside the latter's office, the relief leaving her knees weak as Anomen had finally reappeared in the doorway, solemn and flushed as he had saluted his two superiors. And then there had been the start of Saerk's trial and the arrangements for the funeral and the reading of his father's will. Lord Cor had left everything to Anomen in the end, though whether intentionally or that he just had never sobered up enough to write him out of it, neither of them knew.

The clerk had been very helpful though, already taking it upon himself to settle the man's debts beforehand and cheerfully informing the knight that even now the many creditors had been paid, there was still actually quite a bit of the estate left, the clerk rattling off a list of assets which included the house there in the city, as well as a vineyard somewhere to the north and some lands to the east which were being rented out to local farmers. The older man had smiled there, explaining he understood that Anomen himself likely had little interest in settling down to run an estate, but if managed properly there was still enough left to bring in an income and he would compile him a list of reliable stewards who he could recommend for the position in his absence. Anomen had said nothing to this, merely nodded and thanked him, though he had clearly decided that at the moment he would let his inheritance lie fallow for a time.

Fritha sighed again to herself, growing cold just sat. She had helped Anomen where she could those last few days, though most of the time all she could do was attend with him and she was not even sure anymore whether her presence was desired or not. She and Anomen had not spoken again of what had been said during their very unpleasant argument or, indeed, at Saerk's house. At first, every moment which found them alone together she had feared him bringing it up. And then time went on, and she had begun to anticipate it, and this last day she had been fighting against mentioning it herself.

But she did not and neither did he and Fritha wondered if perhaps he did not want to forget the whole thing. After all, it had hardly been one of the shining moments of Anomen's life and she felt again the sting of his words as she recalled their fight, her mind unable to help but dwell upon it in the long silences. Oh, not the comment Anomen had clearly regretted. After all, there was no getting away from the fact she was a Bhaalspawn and she knew Anomen did not, nor ever had considered her tainted; it had just been her own spite prompting his.

No, it had been his other accusation that had really hurt, Fritha not liking to think that she had been dragging him about the city, risking his knighthood and anger from his god all for fear of her safety. And perhaps he had finally had chance to consider the same and agreed that they weren't best match. Fritha could have almost laughed, happy and sad in equal measure. Ah well, at least this way it took it all the responsibility from her rapidly weakening resolve.

She glanced up with a smile as Anomen appeared from the long dining room that ran the length of the garden, clearly visible between the thin wooden columns of the walkway, the room's ornate shuttered doors all closed but one.

'They are just finishing covering the remaining furniture,' he explained as he crossed the garth to sit next to her, 'they should not be much longer.'

Fritha nodded. 'How is Sylvia?'

Anomen sighed. 'Still weeping. I can understand her sorrow; she has been here serving our family since before I was born. But she knows that the house needs to be closed up if no one is staying here. She has a position arranged along with Francis over at the Wythburn Estate –they are good people, they will take care of her.'

'And will you be sorry to see the place shut up?' Fritha asked quietly. Anomen gave a half-hearted shrug.

'I do not know. This house stopped feeling like my home long before I left, but perhaps in time it could be so again. But it would be a waste of coin to keep the place open when no one lives here -especially when I have quarters at the Order and the inn both and we barely spend ten days together in the city.'

'And now the Feast of the Moon is already upon us…' Fritha sighed, absently glancing again to the sky, 'this year seems to have gone so quickly.'

'Yes, I can hardly believe we will be leaving again for the Windspears tomorrow -it feels like an age ago that we first left the city gates together.'

Fritha nodded. Anomen had not apologised for delaying their travels, the man perhaps finally realising that their relationship had come past such a point.

'Yes, it has been a strange few days, hasn't it?'

'Indeed,' he murmured, the man gazing blankly at the garden about them and for a moment they were silent before he turned to her again, his eyes avoiding her own. 'Do you recall the day that began it all? How we spoke with the child, Luss, and had our quarrel… I truly thought it all over and then you suddenly appeared in Saerk's house.'

Fritha's stomach twisted unpleasantly. The subject had been so long in the anticipating and now the moment had come Fritha was no longer sure she wanted to talk of it, the girl laughing nervously as she admitted, 'I'd be a bit hard pressed to forget that part.'

Anomen nodded, his lips twitching in brief of acknowledgement of her humour though the frown was already creeping in as he continued. 'I was so angry, so ready to throw everything away and then you were there… And even then I clung to my anger; do you remember what I said, how you could not care for my fate because you did not love me?'

Fritha felt a nervous tremor run through her navel, her mouth suddenly dry though he continued without giving her a chance to answer either way.

'I thought long ago that if I could not have you as my love, I would rather have nothing, but I was wrong.' He glanced up, finally able to face her, it seemed, 'I would have you as my friend again, Fritha, we can pretend none of this happened, just forget about it all.'

Fritha smiled gently. 'Anomen, I was always your friend.'

'Yes, but it was different after… afterwards. I miss it. I should not have pursued you as I did.' He sighed, looking suddenly old, 'I made you miserable.'

'No!' she refuted instantly, before admitting with a sheepish laugh, 'Well, yes, but it was nice too -and awkward and terrifying, but I would not change what happened. And…' She swallowed dryly, 'And we don't have to forget… if you don't want to.'

Anomen did not look at her, but the hoarseness of his voice gave away his emotion. 'What you said to me, Fritha, when I- when you- I understand if it was to calm me, if you did not mean it.'

Fritha dipped her face, the voices in her head screaming at her so she could barely hear her own reply.

'I spoke no lie that day.'

Silence. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath and Fritha could not even risk a glance to the man next to her, though perhaps words were not necessary, the girl looking down as her hand, which had been resting lightly on the wall beneath her, was slowly covered with one of his own. Fritha closed her eyes and dipped her head even further, burrowing it into the collar of her cloak as she felt the heat surge though her face, feeling very awkward and discomfited -and perhaps the tiniest glimmer of pleasure too.

'Well, I think that's us about done, my lord,' came a gruff voice before them, Anomen jumping to his feet, Fritha finally able to look up at him and found his face was at least nowhere near as pink as hers likely was, though he still looked a touch embarrassed, the knight clearing his throat uncomfortably to give the last few instructions to Francis and the other servants. Fritha covered her face with her hand, laughing quietly at herself, the voice behind her eyes sighing deeply.

Oh, bloody Hells.

xxx

They parted ways just outside the gate. Prayers for those family members who had passed made up an important part of the Moon Feast's celebrations, Fritha leaving him to make her own, though she did not say where she would be giving worship –he suspected it was not Mask's shrine. Anomen himself headed over to the temple to Helm to burn the usual incense for his mother, and now his sister and father as well, the man knelt before the altar with a few other latecomers, their muttered prayers rising up to the eaves with those fragile tendrils of scented smoke.

And from there, it was only a short distance to the Order's compound and he walked the way slowly. Such a strange afternoon it had been: shutting up his old house, dismissing servants he had known all his life, his new role as lord of an estate unfamiliar enough to leave him feeling restless and out of sorts -and grinning like an idiot apparently, he considered wryly as he caught a glimpse his reflection in the dull grey canal beneath him.

Fritha had been quiet those last few days. He had wanted to speak to her about Saerk's house since it had happened, but he had felt ashamed, too. Fritha had returned to him even after what he had done and said, and Anomen felt he had no right to hope for more, their days together filled with tasks and appointments that only served to remind him of his shame and on those only two occasions he had found his courage in the evenings, Fritha had not been in her room, though he could hear the telling strains of a lute drifting from under Jaheira's door.

But, at last, that afternoon the subject had been broached. He had expected her to smile and tell him what she always had: she was his friend but any more between them was not possible and that it was all for the best. And he had been so ready to accept it too, believing he had lost her friendship forever making him realise just how much it meant to him and then…

Anomen felt himself stop on the path and for an instant he was back there in his garden, her hand cold beneath his, what she had said, how she had laughed and gone so red, and he just wanted to remember the moment over and over and never lose that sense of utter breathless joy, the feeling so large he felt as though he would burst.

And then their parting at the gates, the girl just wishing him well and that she would see him back at the inn, not shy or embarrassed, just so- so natural, just as had once been and it was wonderful. Anomen sighed and set out once more, feeling the smile fade on his face. He knew her plans would not, could not have changed. That she would retrieve Imoen and then likely have to leave Amn, but who could say what the future held; the Harpers could not hunt her forever and perhaps she could return and…

Anomen forced the hope away; it would likely lead only to disappointment. If he could just have this, just cling to it for as long as he could, he would be happy.

Two squires he did not know were on guard at the gates, looking cold and bored though they straightened as they saw him, raising their hands in salute as he passed under the gate arch and made to cross the empty courtyard beyond. It had been difficult the last time he had returned to the Order, his fate uncertain as he had entered the Prelate's office, the greying old paladin sat behind his desk while Anomen's direct superior, Sir Ryan, stood at the man's side, dark eyes surveying him austerely.

The meeting had been brief though, Anomen asked to explain his actions and motivations before the two men sternly reminded him of his oaths and duties as a knight; the killing of men, however guilty, was still murder, though they understood his circumstances and were glad he had turned from this path in the end. Fritha had been mentioned, but only her timely intervention, the men merely stating that they would have preferred the decision not to kill Saerk had been more from his principles than his heart.

Anomen had just nodded at this, though he wondered himself where the decision had actually come from. Had it even been anything she had said in the end? And Anomen felt he had half known the instant Fritha arrived that he would not kill the merchant, not because she had come or the soft tearful way she had pleaded, but merely because he could not have borne to become a murderer with her there watching him.

'Sir Anomen!' called a deep friendly voice, Anomen turning to see Harn striding from the knight's quarters, 'If you are here for another meeting with the Prelate, I am afraid he has returned home now. In fact, the Order is very quiet today indeed,' he added as he closed to him and they exchanged salutes, 'most who can have returned to their homes to spend the day with their families.'

'Ah, no, Sir Harn, not the Prelate, I was actually looking for Squire Trewlin,' Anomen admitted. Busy as he had been, Anomen had yet to see the squire since that first day and he wished to thank the lad for his discretion concerning the argument he witnessed; Anomen felt that Sir Ryan and the Prelate would have been decidedly less impressed with Fritha's influence on his actions if they had known it stretched to housebreaking and blackmail.

'Well, I believe the squire has returned home as well,' said Harn after a pause to consider it, 'though I understand his family resides only over in the north of the city. If the matter is urgent-'

'No, no,' Anomen cut in, 'it is not pressing.'

Harn nodded and smiled good-naturedly 'Very well then. I know I have not seen you in a while, but please know I was sorry to hear of your father's passing. It was quite the bit of trouble, so I heard; it was fortunate your good lady arrived when she did, aye?'

'Sir, Fritha is not my, well…' Anomen trailed off, suddenly wondering whether she wasn't now, though Harn was hardly listening anyway.

'The few squires who were there painted quite the picture and the dormitories here have been buzzing with the tale these last few nights now: how you marched through that merchant's house to take justice for your slain family, so insensible in your rage and grief that none could halt you, and just when it seems all is to be lost, your young lady arrives and calms you with but a word and a kiss.'

'Sorry?'

'Yes,' sighed Harn, sounding rather wistful, 'A man driven by a murderous thirst for vengeance only to be stayed by love's hand -and they accuse you Helmites of being cold, eh?' he laughed.

'Is that what people are saying?' exclaimed Anomen, sincerely hoping Fritha would be inclined to see the funny side.

'Well, yes,' agreed Harn with a slight frown, 'though this is surely not the first time you have heard it said. But pay them no mind, a man's passions are not defined by the god he kneels to.'

'No, I mean-' Anomen cut himself off with a sigh, 'no matter, sir.'

Harn nodded once, seeming to consider something as he regarded the younger knight. 'You know, we are having something of a celebration here tonight. Nothing particularly official or formal, but those who are too far from their homes to make a return, or whose only home is here in the Order, are gathering in the refectory. You and your company are most welcome to attend if you wish it. The more the merrier as they say.'

Anomen smiled and bowed sincerely. 'My thanks, Sir Harn, I will tell them.'

xxx

Jaheira tilted her face up to the sky, the bitter air sharp against her suddenly exposed throat. They had returned an hour or so ago, the journey out of the city an enjoyable break, and it had been nice to walk the nearby forests, not tracking bandits or hiding from their enemies, but merely for the pleasure of being there beneath the trees. They had split up briefly at around highsun, Jaheira moving off to find a secluded place and make her prayers for Khalid, the woman shedding a few tears too, though not as many as she would have thought and she had felt refreshed as she had rejoined the two men and their small group had finally headed back to the city.

They were back at the Coronet now, though not inside, Jaheira returning to her room only long enough to deposit her bag before moving outside with Minsc to sit upon the high walkway that ran alongside the flat roofs next door, the woman not yet ready to feel the confines of the inn. The people of the slums were busy preparing for the night's coming festivities, local children hanging the traditional streamers of coloured paper and ribbon outside their front doors to ward off the evil spirits, while their parents prepared the heavy spiced wine that would be keeping the cold at bay later in the evening.

Jaheira looked down as the door beneath them opened, Valygar stalking out and glancing up at their greetings.

'So, here you both are,' the man continued as he moved to join them, taking a seat on the steps next to Jaheira. 'Bernard said he saw you leave.'

'As have you –you are heading over to your estate?'

'The Promenade,' he corrected, 'I have a few items still to purchase before we leave tomorrow. Where are the others?'

'Haer'Dalis and Aerie mentioned something about going over to the circus this afternoon, and I imagine Fritha and Anomen are still finalising matters at his estate.'

Valygar snorted, the faintest smile twitching his lips. 'Fritha and Anomen; I have been hearing those two names paired up often lately.'

'Yes,' rumbled Minsc, 'and Boo is not happy about it either.'

'Why?' cried Jaheira, trying not to laugh, 'It is clear to anyone that he loves her.'

'That he might, but he has much growing to do yet; he lashes out with words like fists and hurts her.' Minsc folded his arms looking rather sulky as he added, 'And he is not courting her as he should! There have been no contests, no trials to earn her favour.'

'I think perhaps putting up with Fritha this last tenday has been trial enough,' said Jaheira wryly. Valygar sent her a contemplative look.

'You sound pleased.'

'I am. She truly likes him, loathed though she is to admit it.'

'Her path will not be an easy one; perhaps she is better off keeping such admissions to herself.'

Jaheira shrugged mildly. 'Perhaps. But Anomen knows the risks as well as she. I was stubborn once, claimed my life had no room for such simple joys, and it did nothing for me. I was my happiest when I was with Khalid, and though I grieve his loss now, I do not regret our union.'

'As the Rashemi say: a life without tears is a life half lived,' Minsc agreed wisely. Jaheira nodded.

'And you, Corthala?'

The ranger sighed. 'There are many things I regret, but meeting Suna is not one of them.'

A contemplative silence fell over the three, though it did not last for long.

'What strange birds to find perched side by side,' called a familiar voice, Jaheira glancing down to see Haer'Dalis and Aerie strolling along the street beneath them. 'Ptarmigan, hawk and northern owl, I wonder what song they will give us.'

'A dirge would be most appropriate considering the day,' muttered Valygar dryly.

'Truly?' Haer'Dalis questioned with a glance to the girl at his side, 'Aerie led me to understand this was a day of celebration.'

Valygar said nothing, though perhaps being the last in the line of a family of cursed ancestors there was very little about the day he could celebrate. Jaheira, though, took the more traditional view.

'And Aerie is right, we celebrate our ancestors and the ones who came before us; a night best spent with families if one is to hand –you will be returning to the circus later, Aerie?'

The elf nodded, smiling as she linked arms with the man at her side.

'Yes, there will be a party too but it won't even begin until much later. We were helping them to decorate the stage; the circus are putting on a show tonight, just a few of the funnier legends about Faerûn's many gods. They are even performing one of Baervar and Chiktikka Fastpaws and Quayle has the honour of playing my Lord, Baervar!' she laughed delightedly. 'But where are Fritha and Anomen? I would have though they would be back here by now.'

'They are still off about the city somewhere- though presumably together,' Jaheira offered, her tone eliciting amusement from most of them, though Aerie merely gave a frustrated sigh.

'Just as they have been every day. I was so sure after what Fritha said in Saerk's house they would finally come together, but if anything they have just gone right back to their beginnings.'

'Tut tut, Aerie,' scolded the bard, 'you should not gossip about such things… when you can get them straight from the bird's beak!' he added with a laugh, his sharp eyes catching sight of their young leader at the end of the street. 'Ho, my raven!'

Fritha waved as she saw them, clearly heading for their group though her progress along the street was slowed by the fact she was dancing rather than walking, and attracting more than a few strange looks from the people she passed, finally reaching them to slide up to Haer'Dalis and let him twirl her under his arm with a flourish.

'Hello there,' she trilled brightly, all pink cheeks and sparkling eyes, 'what are we all talking about?'

'Why, love, my raven,' confessed Haer'Dalis to a background of snickering. Fritha smiled artlessly.

'Oh, well, 'tis the season for it, I suppose. The Day of the Dead; all that romance of Death and his minions up and dancing about.' She sighed wistfully. 'I wonder what Kaatje is doing now…'

'Kaatje?'

'Yes,' Fritha nodded solemnly, 'this story-telling and feasting is all well and good, but many people forget another tradition of this day: the Nightal Fyrhten!'

Jaheira groaned. 'Oh, by Silvanus, trust you to revel in such foolishness.'

'The Nightal Fyrhten?' repeated Aerie, looking as though she was not sure she had heard her correctly.

'Yes, children,' explained Jaheira, putting an insulting emphasis on the word, 'make efforts to scare as many people as they can on this day.'

Fritha nodded enthusiastically. 'Yes, and on what better a day than the Day of the Dead? A good scare quickens the heart, warms the blood and lets you know you're alive. Imoen and I nobly dedicated ourselves to keeping the tradition for the residents of Candlekeep –and each other! Imoen was much better at sneaking about than me, but the true art to scaring lies in patience. I remember once I spent all night curled up in her linen chest so I could jump out on her when she went to get fresh clothes that first Nightal morning. Oh, it was brilliant!' Fritha cried, her voice wavering as she fought to speak through her growing amusement. 'We laughed about it afterwards, but at the time I scared her so badly she actually cried! Gods, that was so funny. Her stood there trying to scold me through her tears and me insensible to both as I laughed and laughed.'

And it seemed she was about to enjoy a repeat of the thing, Fritha hunched over and shaking as she was finally lost to laughter.

Jaheira just shook her head, unable to help a smile even as she raised a hand and called out a greeting to the last of their company, Anomen appearing at the end of the street.

'Hello Anomen,' said Aerie as he finally reached them, those about her echoing the elf.

'Good afternoon.' Anomen glanced briefly to the girl next to him who was still sobbing into her hands. Jaheira sighed.

'Do not ask, Anomen. So was everything at your estate finalised?'

'Yes, thank you, my lady. My house is now closed up and my servants settled elsewhere. I returned to the Order afterwards and Sir Harn informed me there is to be a gathering tonight- we are welcome to attend.'

'Well, well, Aerie,' teased Haer'Dalis, 'your company is in much demand this evening.'

Anomen turned to the elf. 'You have a previous engagement, my lady?'

'Yes, at the circus, but not until much later on –I can't speak for anyone else, but I would still like to come to the Order's gathering.'

Haer'Dalis grinned. 'Well, where Aerie goes, I will follow.'

'Good,' nodded Anomen, looking up to those sat on the walkway above, 'And the rest of you?'

A glance between them, before Jaheira answered for them all with a nod and a smile.

'I think you can count on our attendance.'

Anomen smiled as well, turning to enter the inn. 'Well, that is settled then.'

'Wait,' cried Aerie, a touch embarrassed as all eyes turned to her though she swallowed her awkwardness to continue, 'you- you haven't asked Fritha.'

The collective gaze shifted instantly, an anticipation of knowing smiles, but the girl in question just laughed.

'Of course not; he already knows I will come.'

And Anomen held the door open for her as Fritha entered the inn.