Chapter 16

Beregost almost made for a perfect image of the quintessential bustling trading town, were it not for one particular detail.

"That was not there the last time I was here," said Andout.

"When was that, exactly?" asked Jaheira, her head slowly moving from left to right as she surveyed the wooden palisade around the town. Andout sent a look of uncertainty her way before replying.

"About three months ago."

The party stood on the hill in silence for a moment, looking down onto the town. Dorean narrowed his eyes at the armed men stationed along the palisade's perimeter.

Not even close to being finished, and there aren't nearly enough of them to cover all the openings. I should be able to get in unnoticed. He then let out an audible sigh, glancing at Jaheira and Montaron. Unfortunately...

"I have to be getting to the temple with all haste," said Andout. He paused and looked down at the person half-leaning against his shoulder. "You should come with me, Jase."

The boy looked up at the messenger with drooped eyelids, seemingly only half-hearing him. He looked around listlessly at the others, his gaze lingering on Imoen, before looking back at Andout and slowly nodding.

"Would you like us to come with you?" said Dorean, inclining his head at Jase. Andout hesitated, then opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Jaheira.

"We have pressing business of our own. Unless you require assistance with him..."

"N-no, no, I can manage," replied Andout quickly, shooting nervous looks at Montaron and Dorean. The dwarf did not turn away, carefully maintaining his expression.

He recognized me.

Giving what he clearly hoped was a reassuring smile to Jase, Andout then turned to Khalid and Jaheira.

"Thank you," he said. "All of you," he added, looking at Imoen and Dorea while avoiding Xzar and Montaron's eyes. Dorean's eyebrows rose when Khalid stepped forward and pressed an entire coin pouch into the messenger's hand.

Dumbfounded, Andout looked from the pouch to Khalid, his mouth opening and then closing as words failed him. The half-elf simply smiled at them both and stepped back. Noticing Dorean, Imoen, Xzar and Montaron staring at him, he quickly lowered his head almost in embarrassment.

He just made a friend, thought Dorean, lowering his own head to hide his expression. Perhaps that is what he wanted.

He sneaked a glance at Jaheira; the woman had folded her arms and was shaking her head at her husband, though with his low-light vision, Dorean easily spotted the small smile on her face.

Strange, he thought, remembering her ousting Xzar and Montaron that afternoon as Zentarim SOG operatives. Feels like the first real smile I've seen from her.

Imoen walked up to Jase and deposited an entire handful of berries into his hands. As Jaheira frowned and checked her pack, the pink girl gave Jase a warm smile and suddenly hugged him.

"Don't be a stranger, okay?"

"...okay," said Jase, now sounding more numb than tired.

They watched Andout and Jase out of sight, the latter returning Imoen's wave. Andout briefly glanced in Dorean's direction before disappearing with Jase over the crest of the hill.

He definitely recognized me, thought the dwarf bitterly. But there's nothing I can do about it. His gray eyes narrowed. At least for now.

"Monty?" said Imoen, looking in the other direction from where Andout and Jase had left. Khalid and Jaheira, surprised that they have not heard his footsteps, immediately turned to watch the halfling walking west, parallel to the northern palisade.

"Where are you going?" Imoen called. When no answer came, she looked at Xzar.

"Oh, don't mind him," said the wizard. "He's just going to meet his handler. Monty! Tell her I said hello!"

Montaron did not stop, though he briefly slowed down before resuming his departure.

"You are not joining him?" said Jaheira, keeping her eyes on Montaron's retreating back. Xzar gave an exaggerated roll of his eyes.

"I said his handler, not ours. Honestly, Madam Harpy," he placed his hands on his hips. "Make up your mind, would you please? Do you want us both to leave, or don't you?"

Jaheira stared at him in silence for a moment.

"That was impressive work, Dorean."

The dwarf blinked before slowly looking up at her.

"What you did with the ogre," Jaheira added, still keeping her gaze on Xzar.

"...thank you," Dorean said cautiously.

Jaheira then slowly turned away and began walking straight towards the town. Khalid hesitated, watching her, then turned to Dorean and Imoen and gestured with his head for them to follow. As they walked past him to follow Jaheira, the Calishite momentarily looked at Xzar, his expression blank, before turning to follow them.

..

"Stay close behind me," said Jaheira without looking around.

Resisting the temptation to pull his hood further over his face, Dorean quickened his pace to move up behind her. Glancing behind him, he suppressed a groan upon seeing that Xzar was still with them. With his unnaturally-shiny green eyes, long, wild hair and just his overall demeanour, the wizard was the very definition of 'suspicious'.

He turned to look back at the two guards leaning against both sides of the palisade opening.

Unkempt, unshaven, bad postures, no armour. He blinked. And sticks with daggers tied to the end.

The guards did not see them until they came close enough to be illuminated by the light of the lanterns hanging from poles above the palisade. They both then quickly moved to block their way.

"Pardon me," said the skinnier and shorter of the two guards. His companion sharply nudged him. "I mean, halt!" he called, hurriedly thrusting his arm out. "In the name of the Beregost militia!" He paused. "Did I get that right?"

Shoving him aside, the other guard stepped forward, fixing the party with an unfriendly sneer. Dorean raised his head very slightly to scan the man's features and was immediately reminded of Hull.

Bloodshot eyes, week-old stubble, beer belly. His eyes went to the other guard and he blinked upon seeing the long, thin face and physique. Hull and Fuller are the archetypical amateur pair-a-guards, it seems.

Not-Hull stepped forward, idly scratching his chin-stubble. "Wha've we got here, eh? Who are yez an'...wha' is yer purpose fer comin' into our town?" he said slowly, as though rehearsing the words from memory.

"We are here on business from Baldur's Gate," replied Jaheira, her tone crisp and formal.

"What kinda business?"

"The kind that is none of your concern, townsman," replied Jaheira smoothly, raising her chin.

"Humph," he replied, the scepticism clear in his voice. "From the city, eh? Ain't you an elf or somethin'?"

"Or something," answered Jaheira, her tone and expression completely neutral.

"No' jus' an elf, but a foreign elf," the guard went on, as though he had not heard her. "An' ye were here on business, eh? Nah, nah, nah," He shook his head slowly, leering at her and exposing his yellowed teeth. "Yez seem like a bandit ta me. A bandit spy, I reckon? Or mayhaps an as-sass...as-sass..."

"Assassin?" said Imoen. Khalid looked at her, and Dorean barely managed to stop himself from elbowing his roommate in the thigh. Jaheira did not move, facing straight ahead.

"Tha's right," said Not-Hull, looking pleased with himself.

"They don't look like assassins to me," said the other guard, looking at Imoen who absent-mindedly gave him a smile and a small wave. Dorean glanced sideways at her in exasperation.

"I says they looks ta be as-sass...a-ssass...killin'-fer-gold-folks," Not-Hull retorted. Dorean's eyes went to the half-full water-skin at his hip. The man's words were slurring now; he had clearly been drinking. "They looks like killers ta me, carryin' all them weapons. I reckon we should search 'em, see what they might be hidin'."

"If that is what you believe us to be, then go ahead and conduct your search," said Jaheira, her voice now sharp enough to cut glass. "Or better yet, arrest us."

The militia guards leaned backwards, exchanging looks of surprise. Not-Hull looked back at Jaheira, narrowed his blood-shot eyes, attempted to stand up straight and puff out his chest, which only made his beer-belly more prominent, and opened his mouth to speak when Jaheira interrupted him.

"My husband and I are known to your governor, Kelddath Ormlyr. What do you think he would do if he learns that two of his associates were arrested and detained without due cause?" said Jaheira, her voice becoming dangerously sweet.

The guards blinked repeatedly and looked at each other again. Not-Hull, either out of anger or determination, rounded on Dorean and Imoen.

"What about them, eh? They friends of the gov'nor too? Or involved in secret business from the city as well?"

Imoen looked down at Dorean and tensed upon seeing his left hand slowly drifting towards the folds of his shirt.

"They are my children," said Jaheira.

Dorean and Imoen blinked and stared at her. Fortunately, the guards did as well, missing their reactions.

"Now, are you going to let us through, arrest us, or stand here gawking at us until the sun comes up?" Jaheira added, planting her quarterstaff on the ground and leaning on it.

Not-Fuller opened his mouth, closed it, then looked at Not-Hull and shook his head. His lower jaw trembling, Not-Hull gave Khalid and Jaheira a dirty look before grudgingly stepping aside.

"I'll be askin' the gov'nor 'bout ye," he said threateningly.

"You do that," said Jaheira. She strode past the guard without another glance at him. Dorean hurried after her, staying close behind the half-elf.

"E-enjoy your stay in Beregost," said the other guard, bowing to the Harpers and then scrunching up his nose as Dorean passed by him.

Dorean waited until they were almost out of sight before speaking to Jaheira. "Thank you."

"Yeah, thanks, Mom," said Imoen from beside Khalid. Jaheira did not reply, though Dorean noticed a brief linger in her step before she shook her head and continued to lead them away from the wall. Imoen then looked behind her.

"Hey, where's-"

They turned a corner and Jaheira nearly walked into Xzar, who was standing just around it with his hands clasped behind his back. She went very still, her back ramrod straight and the hand not clutching her quarterstaff clenching into a fist. Then, after a long, drawn out breath, she silently strode past him.

Khalid, who seemed to have decided that the best course of action for now is to simply ignore the madman, placed himself behind Dorean and Imoen, practically herding them past the wizard.

As Xzar fell into his usual position at the rear of the group, Dorean kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, hoping that nobody could hear his thundering heartbeat.

He was with us only a minute ago. How did he get in front of us?

"D'you really know Kelddath?" asked Imoen, moving up next to Jaheira.

"Yes. Khalid and I have aided him on a few occasions. Do not be concerned, child."

"Oh, I ain't worried," said Imoen lightly. "Just wondering what he's like. I wrote a letter to him once."

Jaheira stared at her for a moment before walking ahead. Noticing that Khalid was looking at her as well, Imoen shrugged good-naturedly and fell back beside Dorean, then looked down to see him staring up at her. "What?"

He continued to stare at her.

"What?"

He maintained the stare. Imoen pouted, then let out an exasperated snort.

"Fine. But he still owes me."

Rolling his eyes at her, Dorean then fell back beside Khalid.

"I didn't know that Beregost has a militia. Don't the temple guards police the town?"

"They u-usually do," replied the half-elf. "S-something has ch-changed here."

There were not many people about despite the night still being relatively young. Reactions upon noticing them were mixed; people either hurried past without making eye contact, or stared at them with open curiosity or suspicion.

A small girl began to follow them, reaching out to touch Xzar's cloak, when her mother hurried her away, shooting nervous looks at Xzar who stopped and watched them out of sight.

Thankfully, they encountered no patrolling guardsmen, and soon Jaheira stopped at the front gate leading to a large three-story building.

"Ah, Feldepost's!" said Imoen, reading the wooden-block letters on a signboard at the top of the gate. "Cheese and cucumber buns!" Her bright expression slightly dimmed. "Would be nicer if we went to the Juggler instead, though."

"You need food and rest, child, not merriment," said Jaheira. Imoen matched the half-elf's frown with one of her own, planting her hands on her hips. The half-elf stared back at her for a moment before giving a loud exhale of disapproval. "But if you still wish it in the morning, however-" She stopped speaking as a woman reeking heavily of perfume sauntered up to Khalid.

"Good evening, m'lord. Would you be-"

She froze upon seeing Jaheira's expression, and her eyes darted around the party. Spotting Xzar in the back, she turned away from the half-elves, but her attempted smile died halfway once she got a better look at him.

"Xzar, we need to do something about that squirrel," said Imoen.

"Hmm?" said Xzar, looking from the courtesan hurrying away from them to the carcass hanging from his belt. He blinked when Imoen walked up to him, took the squirrel, and then went over to Dorean and opened his pack.

"I didn't say I'd agree to this," muttered the dwarf, though he did not attempt to stop her.

"Oh, pipe down, you smell terrible anyway."

His beard bristling, Dorean stood still as Imoen shoved the dead squirrel into his pack, grumbling under his breath. Jaheira watched them for a moment before exchanging a look with Khalid.

"Unlike the other inns in this town, the usual clientele for this one is the elderly and people wishing for a quiet evening. You should be safe here."

Dorean looked up at her. "You're not coming in with us?"

"I have business to attend to," Jaheira replied curtly. "I will return when I can." She then handed a large coin pouch to Khalid, briefly touched his elbow, and then marched off.

Dorean's expression grew cold upon seeing the elbow-touch. Was that a signal?

"A bit wound-up, isn't she?" said Imoen, watching Jaheira's receding back. Khalid winced and shook his head at her. "Ooh, right," she replied, lowering her voice. "Elven hearing. Sorry."

Dorean looked up at Khalid, noting the man's briefly forlorn expression before he then turned to Dorean and Imoen and nodded politely to them.

"Just act casual," Xzar said serenely. "Try not to look nervous."

"I am calm, Xzar," replied Dorean, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice.

"Oh, not you. I was talking to him," the wizard replied, gesturing with his head at the half-elf. Khalid simply stared quietly at Xzar before turning around to approach the inn's front door.

Dorean hesitated, glancing back in the direction where Jaheira had left. The memory of her confronting him at the Friendly Arm came to his mind, and a chill ran down his short spine.

Is she going after Montaron?

He breathed deeply, in and out, before turning away to join the others.

As Khalid opened the door, Dorean moved close beside Imoen and reached for her hand before stopping himself.

I need to tell her if she is. Before all hell breaks loose.

Feeling Xzar's eyes on him, he waited for Imoen to go in before moving past the man and through the door.

..

When the noise level inside dropped in volume and numerous faces turned to look at them, Dorean cursed Jaheira under his breath.

I wonder if she did this on purpose.

"'Ere now, get out! I don't like yer type in here!" someone yelled from across the room.

"Heh, you tell 'em, Marl," replied an equally loud though slightly less belligerent voice.

So much for an old and peaceful clientele, thought Dorean, observing the two hecklers from the corner of his eye.

"W-well...c-c-come along, then," said Khalid. Swallowing and keeping his head down, the half-elf led them along the wall to a bar next to a doorway which, from the smells emanating from it, Dorean deduced led to the kitchens. "G-g-good evening," said Khalid to the portly middle-aged man behind it, giving a nervous half-nod. "Am I s-speaking to the owner?"

"That will be my wife, sir. I jus' tend the bar, mostly." He cast a furtive glance around at the still-staring faces of his clientele, and his face scrunched up as he caught a whiff of the odour emanating from the dwarf. "I am sorry to say this, but we're all full up. Have been for the last three weeks."

Dorean quietly grinded his teeth. Not this again.

"I could offer you folks some drinks, but-"

Khalid placed a handful of coins on the bar. The bartender hesitated, looking from them to Khalid.

"Look, I am very sorry, but we really don't have any-"

Khalid put down more coins. The bartender's mouth opened and then shut as a third handful was added to the pile. He looked at the half-elf, who simply stood there quietly, looking back at him. After a moment, he quickly scooped the coins into his apron pocket and furtively slid a key across the bar.

"I hope you enjoy your stay here in Feldepost's, sir." He glanced down at Dorean, then leaned in close to Khalid and cupped his hand to his mouth. "And if you don't me mind saying so, your friend could really use a bath."

Apparently, the bartender's hearing had waned with his age, for the entire group and at least a few nearby tables heard him perfectly. Dorean frowned, then closed his eyes and lowered his head.

At least he didn't recognize me as a wanted man. He opened his eyes. Hopefully.

He blinked as Imoen took his hand and practically dragged him towards the stairs.

"C'mon, little brother. Let's get ya cleaned up."

Unable to hide his smile, Khalid followed the duo as Dorean struggled to keep up with the eager pink-clad girl.

Xzar blinked quietly, watching Dorean and Imoen, before slowly moving to follow them.

He slowed upon placing his foot on the first step, taking his time in climbing up the stairs.

Moving only his eyes, he glanced out of the corner of them to his left.

Seated at the far end of the common room was a slight and slender woman with dusky brown skin, wearing a modest albeit finely-made dress. Her head was turned to the side, her long, silky hair masking her face as she conversed with another woman seated next to her.

Xzar's eyes narrowed as he climbed the stairs and disappeared from view of the common room, and they focused on Khalid's back as he followed the trio down the hallway.

..

The moment Khalid unlocked the door, Imoen entered the room, pulling along with her a dwarf who then finally managed to detach her hand from his. The pink-clad girl hopped into the bathroom, then hopped back out and placed her hands on her hips.

"Right then, little brother. It's time for your bath." She went behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders. Instead of protesting as both Khalid and Xzar expected, Dorean quietly allowed himself to be steered towards the bathroom.

"I'll try to be quick, but bathing this one takes time," Imoen said apologetically yet cheerfully to Khalid and Xzar over her shoulder. "You two can head downstairs and start dinner ahead of us if ya want."

Entering the bathroom with the dwarf, she then pushed the door shut with her foot.

Khalid and Xzar stood still for a moment, looking at the door, before their heads turned to face each other. Then, without taking his eyes off the wizard, Khalid sat down on one of the several beds in the room, directly facing the man. He placed his hands on his knees and continued to stare back at Xzar, his expression blank.

"Going to wait for them?" asked Xzar.

Khalid did not reply.

"Not heading downstairs first?"

Again the half-elf did not speak.

A smirk slowly eased its way onto Xzar's face, and he folded his arms, looking from Khalid to the bathroom door.

"Rather friendly with you today, wasn't he?" His eyes lowered to half-lids, and the smirk became a full-on smile as he looked back to Khalid. "Did you notice it too?"

When no answer came, the wizard raised an eyebrow and then, still smiling, turned to fully face Khalid.

"He brought his weapons in there."

Khalid remained silent. He continued to watch Xzar, his expression carefully blank and one hand resting idly on the pommel of his sword.

..

Imoen sat up straight in the tub and reached out with both arms. "I'm right here, little brother."

"Okay. Just...give me time."

Dorean stood in front of the tub, fully clothed aside from his gloves and boots. Trying not to stare at the water, he closed his eyes and, after a few long, deep breaths, climbed up onto the tub's edge. Then, still keeping his eyes shut, he lowered himself into the water with his back to her, and his breathing became louder and more erratic as he sank into it up to his neck.

Imoen shuffled up behind him and placed her arms around his midsection. She gently rubbed his chest, feeling the dwarf's rapid heartbeat gradually slow down until he was merely breathing heavily through his nose.

After a moment, she removed his hair pins, causing his hair bun to unravel, and placed them carefully on the side of the tub. Then, ignoring the bucket on the floor next to it, she cupped her hands, using them to scoop and pour water onto his head. The dwarf's eyes remained closed, and despite the initial convulsing having worn off, his body continued to shake.

For a few minutes, there was silence in the bathroom aside from Imoen wetting and then soaping Dorean's hair.

"Was it true? What Montaron said?" she asked softly.

His eyes opened very slightly, carefully avoiding the water and focusing on the opposite wall. Dorean then quietly told her of the scouting mission earlier that day. He left out delaying his return down the hill to speak to the dying Greger.

Imoen was quiet for a moment, her hands resting on his shoulders.

"And Montaron made you go up there alone." She paused, and Dorean winced as her fingers dug slightly into his skin. "Why did you agree to that?"

The dwarf closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "Imoen...I don't think you're taking our situation as seriously as you should be. The people we're travelling with, I mean."

She stopped lathering his hair, leaning to the side to look at his face.

"In fact," Dorean went on, his eyes narrowing at the wall. "For all we know, it may already be happening."

Her eyes widened. "You think Jaheira's..."

"She tracked me down, didn't she?"

Imoen was quiet for a long moment. Then she slowly began to rinse his hair. "What d'you think we should do about it?"

"I don't know. Just...stay close, alright? As often as you can. I don't want either of us to be caught in the middle when it happens."

Imoen stared sadly down at the top of Dorean's head, then abruptly brought her lips to it and hugged him from behind. He blinked, his expression unchanging, staring up at the opposite wall.

"Little brother?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for the arrows."

"...you're welcome."

It was only when he was out of the tub and changing out of his soaked clothes that he realized he had stopped shaking mid-way through the bath.

..

Heaving a loud sigh, Firebead Elvenhair placed the book down on the bed next to him, then rolled onto his side to stare into the flame of the lit candle on the bedside table. He looked briefly at the tankard next to it which, only a short while ago, had been filled to the brim with warm milk. Despite all his best efforts, sleep had refused to come to him. The old mage sighed again and closed his eyes.

They snapped open as the sound of an audible creak from the living room downstairs reached his ears.

He immediately got out of bed, grabbed and put on his green-gold robes from the hook on the wall, then looked up at his bedroom door, his expression now grim. After casting a few protection spells along with Infravision over himself as quietly as he could, he crept to the door and turned the knob, opening it without a sound.

Slowly, taking one step every three seconds, Firebead moved down the stairs into his living room. His eyes immediately focused on the open window in the far wall, and he stopped at the foot of the stairs, standing tall with his hands loose at his sides.

"If you are a thief, there is naught here to steal but old books," he said out loud. "However," he added, his voice becoming low and quiet. "If you are here to do an old man harm, I shall not make it easy for you."

The next few minutes passed in total silence. Then, with one last sweep of his eyes over the empty living room, Firebead raised his hand towards the window. It swung closed, the lock sliding back into place.

He went back upstairs at half the pace from before and stepped through his open bedroom door.

He blinked as he entered the dark room, and in the two seconds it took him to realize that he had not put out the candle, something reached around from behind the door and grabbed him by his wrist.

His head snapped in its direction, and his eyes widened as a wad of cloth was forced into his mouth. Before he could even blink in response, he felt a sharp, hard blow to his shin, and his leg immediately gave way. As his back thudded against the floor, he felt the intruder swiftly take hold of his hands and bind them together.

A cold sweat broke out on his forehead as the realization fell on him; he was now utterly helpless.

He heard the intruder move, and his eyes widened as its face loomed into view.

"Hello, Firebead," said Jaheira. "You and me are going to have a talk."