Chapter 23
Despite being more spacious than the entire temple of Oghma in Candlekeep, the vestibule of the Song of the Morning was almost bare compared to it. Hardly any religious symbols were to be seen, and even furniture was completely absent.
A small number of oil paintings provided its sole decoration. Sitting on the floor next to a wall, Dorean's eyes moved slowly from one end of the hall to the other, pretending to study them.
Eleven. All temple guards, except one. His gaze lingered on a tall figure standing at the far wall, its plate armour standing out in contrast to the guards' chain-mail.
Encircled and watching us. Flaming Fist gone, but likely still nearby in the main temple area. And a lot more guards outside.
A hand reached out from Dorean's right, gently feeling the wound from Karlat's throwing axe on his yet-again-bandaged forehead. The dwarf ignored it.
Took our weapons, but didn't bother to search us. Carelessness or confidence? Either way, fighting's not an option, even with my remaining weapons.
Fingers brushed his beard aside, gingerly touching his neck and throat. Dorean ignored it as well, though he gave an irritable grunt.
Not a lot of escape routes. Might have to cause a commotion. If I can get to the stables or the sheep-fields, maybe I can-
Fingers pinched his large nose.
"Will you stop it!?" He shouted, smacking the hand away.
"I was just che-"
"You've checked enough, thank you," He paused for a half-second, then added, "Jaheira fixed me up. Now stop bothering me."
Imoen glared at him, rubbing her hand. "Well, maybe you should sit with her then."
"I will if you touch me again," Dorean replied, rounding angrily on her.
"Why do you have to be so-"
"Shut up, both'a yas!" Kagain ordered, glowering down at them.
The two roommates averted their eyes from him and each other, sulking in silence. With a loud huff of his nostrils, the mercenary turned away and resumed his pacing, ignoring the annoyed looks from the two broom-toting dawn priests and the wary ones from the guards. He shot a hostile glance at Xzar as he stalked past. The wizard ignored him, his attention focused on scribbling in a worn and tattered journal.
Sitting on the floor several paces away, Jaheira watched Dorean and Imoen as well. Feeling Khalid's eyes on her, she turned to see him wearing a lopsided smile.
"What?"
Khalid leaned against the wall, tilted his head back and continued to smile at her. Jaheira straightened indignantly, staring at him in exasperated denial. Khalid's smile only widened, and with a huff not dissimilar to Kagain's, Jaheira turned her head and leaned away from him with a petulant frown.
After a few seconds, Khalid moved his hand under Jaheira's, turning it palm-up. Despite her expression not changing, Dorean noticed her fingers reluctantly squeeze his back. The dwarf raised an eyebrow when one of the female temple guards who was eyeing Khalid appeared annoyed at the sight.
Seems like they're close. Won't be easy to set them apart or turn them on each other.
His thoughts were interrupted by the clank of metal. Looking up, Dorean managed to stop himself from flinching or reaching for his boot-knife. He kept his hands on his lap, watching impassively as the plate-mail-wearing stranger walked up to and kneeled down in front of him.
"Forgive me. I could not help overhearing. Are you in need of healing?"
Dorean hesitated. "You're a healer?"
The stranger smiled. "No, but I have some experience. And I won't charge a fee." He removed his helmet and tucked it under his arm. Locks of dark hair fell to his shoulders, accentuating his young, handsome features.
Dorean saw Imoen straighten from the corner of his eye and immediately felt a rush of distrust for the man.
"That wound looks fresh and deep," the stranger said, looking down at the dwarf's bandaged forehead. "I could see to it if you wish."
"...thank you kindly, but no," Dorean answered, suddenly reminded of the last time a man offered to see to one of his head-wounds. "I am gra-"
He stopped in mid-speak. The young stranger blinked, then turned his head to the left.
Xzar was kneeling down in front of him, staring openly at his face.
Kagain stopped pacing. The two half-elves leaned forward slightly.
After a moment's hesitation, the young man gave what he evidently hoped was a polite smile.
"Greetings."
Xzar did not answer.
"My name is Ajantis. May I ask your name?"
Still no answer.
"...Do you require help?"
A moment passed. Xzar then reached out with both hands and placed them on Ajantis' cheeks.
Everyone stared. Ajantis became still and unmoving, eyes opening and closing like shutters as fingers pressed softly into his cheeks, then slowly moved to his jaw.
"Urm...Xzar?" said Imoen, slowly poking her head in between their faces. "What are you doing?"
Xzar gave her a disapproving look.
"Working, young lady," he admonished. "Kindly refrain from interrupting."
Imoen blinked, then slowly moved her head back. Giving her a smile and nod, Xzar then resumed touching Ajantis' head.
As his fingers pressed down on the top of his cranium, Ajantis glanced sideways at Dorean and Imoen. The former answered him with a blank look while Imoen shrugged.
After a moment, Xzar leaned back, nodding to himself.
"I like this one," he said, placing his hands on Ajantis' shoulders. "I am keeping it."
Silence reigned for a good five seconds.
"...thank you...sir," said Ajantis. "I am most...urm...but I am already in service to another."
"No matter. You are with me now."
Ajantis blinked rapidly, his eyes darting to the rest of the party and the temple guards. "But, I-"
"Oh, very well. Take me to him, then," Xzar commanded.
Ajantis stared blankly.
"Go on," Xzar said insistently, making a shooing motion with one of his hands.
Slowly rising to his feet, Ajantis turned towards the main entrance of the temple.
After a round of blank looks at each other, the others stood up as well. The guards made no attempt to stop them, silently letting them pass and following in their wake with expressions of utter bafflement.
Straightening his peddler's clothing, Xzar walked a step behind Ajantis, his chin in the air and his face emanating cool, dignified aloofness.
..
The first thing Dorean saw upon entering the main sanctuary of the temple was the colossal statue of Lathander. The second was the large crowd gathered around it, many of whom were seated on the floor awaiting the attention of the staff and priests.
Ajantis led them and their guards along the side and down a wide corridor lined with several doors, the largest of which stood at the very end.
The two sentinels flanking the door stepped forward at their approach, and Ajantis stopped several paces away from them, bringing the entire group to an abrupt halt. After a long moment in which all of the escort failed to answer the expectant looks from their comrades other than to stand dumbly alongside their charges, the sentinels looked at each other before turning to Ajantis.
"State your business."
Ajantis blinked, opened his mouth, closed it, then turned to Xzar. The wizard gave him a half-lidded, somewhat-patronizing look before stepping up beside him.
"We are here to see the Most Radiant, of course."
"He is in a meeting."
"That's fine. We'll just interrupt them."
The two guards looked at each other again, then back at Xzar.
"That's not-"
What happened next was so quick that no one had time to react; Xzar stepped forward, the two guards doubled over sneezing violently, and the wizard breezed past them, pulled the door open and walked in to the surprise of the three people beyond.
"Hello," he said cheerily.
"What is the meaning of this!?" one of them shouted. "Who are-"
The door swung closed, cutting off his words. For a moment, everyone stared at it, except for the two sentries who were still sneezing uncontrollably and clutching their hands to their faces.
"Well get after him!" Kagain yelled. Ajantis gave a jerk, then hurriedly opened the door and entered with the dwarf at his heels.
"Ivarstarr!?" shouted the same person from before. "Is what this man is saying-"
The door closed again. A half-second passed before Jaheira turned to the leader of their guard escort.
"Get in and stop him, now," she ordered tersely. "I will see to them." She immediately moved to the two sneezing sentries.
The leader looked bewilderedly at her for a moment before regaining his composure and turning to the two men at the rear. "You two, stay here with her. The rest of you, inside."
The door opened yet again and the rest of the party save Jaheira was ushered in.
Struggling to keep his head straight, Dorean instantly scanned the room and its occupants the moment he stepped through the threshold.
Desk, chairs, shelves, papers. An office.
His eyes snapped to each of the three people he saw earlier in turn, starting with the one currently shouting at Ajantis. Everything slowed to a crawl as he committed every visible detail to memory.
Male, mid-to-late thirties. Eye-glasses. Dark hair already going grey, combed flat. Goatee. Thin, average height. Fine clothing. Unarmed.
Female, mid-twenties. Copper hair, close cropped. Flaming Fist armour and symbol. Armed with mace, dagger and shield.
Male, sixties at least, maybe older. Long grey hair and beard, neatly kept and trimmed. Beautiful robes, yet of simple design. Morning sunrise in the middle. Unarmed but potions at belt, possibly lethal.
The world snapped back to normal in time for him to see Ajantis raise his hands imploringly and attempt to speak to the bespectacled man over the struggle taking place next to him.
"Lord Witton, I-"
"Is this what men of your Order truly are!? You abandon those you serve when the risks run high!?"
"No, no! That is not what-"
"Soddin' crazy demented madman!" Kagain hollered, reaching up and taking hold of Xzar's clothes.
"Unhand me, you little dog!" Xzar cried, batting at the dwarf's head. "Guards! Remove this thing from my person!"
"Cut off ya head an' stick it up ya-"
"I am s-s-so s-sorry about t-t-this!" Khalid stammered, grabbing Xzar from behind by his shoulders.
"Guards!" Xzar cried, struggling as the half-elf and dwarf dragged him back towards the door. "Help me! I want that man's skull!"
"-don't know who he is, he just - what!?" Ajantis' hair spun in a wide arc as he turned to look at Xzar.
"Do your jobs and restrain these people!" The Flaming Fist woman bellowed at the temple guards, all of whom appeared to have been stupefied by Xzar's words.
"His skull! It's perfect! I must have it!" Squirming against his captors, Xzar reached with both hands towards Ajantis.
Luckily for Dorean, he happened to be watching the Lathanderite priest. The instant that the latter raised his hand, the dwarf grabbed Imoen around the waist and dived to the floor.
Blinding light suddenly burst out from the priest's hand, enveloping the room. Everyone turned away and covered their eyes, with the exception of Xzar, Khalid and Kagain who all tumbled to the floor in a heap, taking a few guards with them.
When the light receded, Dorean removed his face from Imoen's back.
Everyone who hadn't fallen to the floor was now on their knees blinking or rubbing their eyes, the sole exception among them being the priest.
"Forgive me," he said, lowering his hand. "Rest assured, the effect is only temporary. Your vision will return fully within minutes. And if not, there will be healing provided. Free of charge, of course." He slowly turned his head from right to left, noting the silent faces all directed at him. "Now, I believe the gentleman here," he indicated Xzar. "Has something to say?"
Xzar paused, then leaped nimbly to his feet, putting a knee on Kagain's stomach in the process.
"Indeed! I want this young man," he pointed a finger at Ajantis. "To come with me. He said that he already is in service to another, and so I had him lead me here to make the arrangements with his master." He turned to the bespectacled man, placing his hands on his hips and puffing out his chest. "That would be you, I take it?" he added haughtily.
The man stared slack-jawed at him for a moment before composing himself and lifting his chin and a sharp glare to the wizard. "You are correct, sir," he replied, stretching out the last word derisively. "I am Lord Bartholomew of House Witton, diplomat to the city of Athkatla. And you are...?"
Xzar sniffed and lifted his chin as well. "Me? I am no lord and am certainly of no house. But I have a name. It is Xzar. With an X. And I am a peddler, wizard, alchemist, craftsman, spy, assassin, shoemaker and florist. I have been summoned by the mayor of Nashkel to investigate the iron thefts and shortages in the region." He lifted his chin even higher, nose now pointing to the ceiling. "And this young man and his skull will be aiding me in my most noble quest!"
He pointed a dramatic finger at Ajantis. Everyone stared.
"What did you say you were?" Batholomew asked.
Xzar lowered his chin with an annoyed frown. "Were you not listening? Fine, from the top; I am a peddler, wizard, alche-"
"After that."
Xzar gave a frustrated growl. "From the bottom, then. Florist, shoemaker, assa-"
"Assassin!" Bartholomew cried. "You're here for me! That's what this is!" His head and eyes darted wildly as he backed up against the desk. "You're here to kill me!"
"Calm yourself, Lord Witton," said the priest.
"You heard him, Ormlyr! He said-"
"I know what I he said, Lord Witton," he answered, his tone gentle yet firm. "Regardless, you need to remain calm."
"Remain calm?" Batholomew answered, his fists clenching and his voice turning hysterical again. "You expect me to be calm!? My bodyguards are all dead, I'm hunted by assassins, I have been stuck here for weeks now because you refuse to grant me an escort to the city! Remain calm!? What kind of governor are you!?"
Kelddath did not so much as stir; his reasonable, assuring expression and demeanour remained unchanged. Yet Bartholomew clammed up instantly, leaning back slightly from the man.
No one spoke or even moved. Tearing his gaze from Kelddath, Dorean noted the apprehensive expressions on Kagain, the Flaming Fist officer and the temple guards.
"Guardsmen," Kelddath said softly.
The temple guards blinked, but quickly straightened in response. "Yes, sir?" said their leader.
"Lord Witton informed me earlier that he had the misfortune to miss breakfast. Would you kindly escort him to the dining hall?"
The guardsman leader gave a quick bow. Bartholomew did not resist. With one final anxious look at Xzar, he turned and left the room. Ajantis hesitated before following him, glancing over his shoulder at the party. Xzar gave him a friendly wave.
The door swung shut once more, leaving the party alone with the Flaming Fist officer and Kelddath. The latter slowly sat down, resting his elbows on the chair.
"Please do not begrudge him. Lord Witton has been through a lot lately." He steepled his fingers. "Kelddath Ormlyr. People here tend to call me the governor of this region, but I mostly just work as a priest here in the temple. How are you, Kagain?"
Glancing over at the other dwarf, Dorean noticed the twitch in his eye before he answered.
"Doing fine, thanks."
"I am glad to hear that. Especially after I received a report from Jessa here," he inclined his head at the Flaming Fist mercenary. "Of a fight in the Red Sheaf today. Thirteen dead and eight wounded. All men and women of your company." He paused for a moment, staring at the dwarf over his fingers. "I despatched healers to the inn immediately. Rest assured, my friend, they will do everything in their power to help your people."
In the two seconds before he replied, Dorean saw the muscle twitch in Kagain's cheek.
"Thank ya, Kelddath. Ya have my gratitude." Kagain inclined his head stiffly.
"No need for that, my friend," Kelddath replied. "You have earned it many times over." He gave a warm smile. Kagain lifted his head and smiled back; his blue eyes remained cold and distant. Dorean and Imoen exchanged furtive looks.
After a moment, Kelddath stood up and walked around his desk. "So are these folks accompanying you now? Upstanding characters, I hope."
"They're friends of mine," Kagain said, his tone clipped. Kelddath's eyebrows lifted as he looked around the party, then back at him.
"Friends of yours."
There was a three-second pause. "Yeah."
Another three-second pause. Kagain then slowly turned, walked over to Khalid, and raised his arm.
"This is Khalid," he said shortly.
"Good to meet you, Khalid," Kelddath said warmly. Dorean watched as they shook hands, recalling Kagain getting all of their names (sans Xzar and Montaron whom he already knew) while they were travelling from the Dented Shield headquarters to the archery range.
Wish I gave him a fake name. Not that it would matter, since he knows it from the notices.
"Might I hazard a guess that you are a soldier by profession?"
Dorean frowned; Khalid was once again not displaying his usual nervous, awkward demeanour. The half-elf blinked once, then gave a curt, polite nod.
Kagain seemed to have noticed it too, but gave no comment. "Imoen," he said shortly, gesturing to her.
"Heya," Imoen replied. "You know, I once wrote a-"
Dorean quietly stepped on her foot.
"...actually, my mistake, it was to someone else."
"Very nice to meet you, Imoen," said Kelddath, bowing to her. "May I ask what brought you here to Beregost?"
Years of lying and acting to fool potential marks in Candlekeep ensured that Imoen did not miss a beat. "Job-hunting, mainly. I worked taverns, mostly, but I heard there's more pay in providing security."
Kelddath gave a short laugh. "Perhaps you would consider a position here in the temple? We receive plenty of customers daily and could always use the help."
"I'll think about it," Imoen replied with a bright smile. Kelddath nodded and smiled back. Dorean braced himself as the priest turned towards him.
"Dorean," said Kagain, his tone still monotonous and his expression blank.
The eyes. Watch the eyes.
Dorean looked up at Kelddath's face while keeping the Flaming Fist officer in his peripheral vision. In the instant that the governor appeared to hesitate, the dwarf's left index finger twitched, falling casually to his side and closer to the dagger hidden in his boot.
"Always an honour and pleasure to meet another of the Stout Folk," said Kelddath, bowing his head.
"Nay, I wouldn't save much honour fer the likes'a me, yer worship," replied Dorean, putting on a much-practiced dwarven accent. "Rat-catcher's all I am." Eyes.
Kelddath's eye-lids lowered, but only for a split-second. He then straightened, his warm, gentle smile back in place.
"You need not be so humble, sir. It is a respectable occupation, regardless of what others may say."
"Well, it's nice'a ye ta say so, gov'nor."
"Please, call me Kelddath."
Dorean answered with a smile, then remembered his beard and bowed instead.
"An' this," said Kagain, putting a slight emphasis on the last word. "This is Xzar."
"Ah, yes," said Kelddath. "The man of many talents. I apologize again for Lord Witton's behaviour, good sir."
Xzar folded his arms indignantly across his chest. "Humph. I shall forgive him, just as soon as he hands over his servant to me."
"Squire Ivarstarr? The matter of his position is out of my hands, I am afraid. You will have to speak with them yourself."
"I will," Xzar replied, with a crooked smile that immediately caused Dorean to wonder if Witton would live to see the next day.
Clasping his hands behind his back, Kelddath moved in front of the desk and turned to face the party.
"Now, you may be wandering why I summoned you all here. I am afraid it's about the incident at the Red Sheaf. The people here value their peace and safety, and they look to me to provide it for them; I am supposed to be running things, after all. Unfortunately, the law here in Beregost states that, as its governor, I must allow the Flaming Fist to detain all of you until they have concluded their investigation."
Silence filled the office. Feeling Imoen's hand grasp and squeeze his own, Dorean noted Kagain' and Khalid's faces; the former blank and unreadable, the latter calm and collected.
"However," Kelddath went on, spreading his arms and smiling once again. "I am also a priest of Lathander, bound to serve his teachings and lead by example. And one such teaching is to provide clemency wherever possible, would you agree, Jessa?"
The Flaming Fist mercenary shrugged. "I wouldn't know, Kelddath. I don't worship him."
Kelddath chuckled. "So I would like to offer all of you...a resolution, if you will. To mediate this matter." He paused. "The townsfolk are concerned about many matters, not least of which are the caravans that pass through here. You may have heard of one that was recently lost to bandits. It was under the protection of men of the Dented Shield company, all of whom gave their lives defending it."
Kagain had grown so still and silent that he now resembled little more than a statue.
"Despite this tragedy, my friend Kagain has not deferred from his duty; he is preparing to escort another caravan, this time to Baldur's Gate. I presume he has told you of it? Possibly," he said without waiting for an answer. "It is why you were all in the Red Sheaf earlier this morning, am I correct?"
Kagain nodded mechanically.
He keeps tabs on the man, Dorean thought. What makes Kagain so useful that the Zhentarim would risk getting the governor's attention for? He paused. Unless Kelddath's connected to them too.
"Then let me extend my gratitude to you for aiding us. And my apology for what I ask of you next. Lord Witton has gained a, shall we say, opinion of you. An ill-conceived one, of course. But you could convince him otherwise. He requires an escort to the city. I humbly ask that you provide it."
Walking slowly around his desk again, Kelddath settled back into his chair. "Of course, you have every right to refuse."
Bullshit. Dorean kept his face straight. It's either this or we go to prison. Probably will, anyway.
"We'll need more men," Kagain said gruffly.
"And you shall have them. I take it you are accepting my proposal?"
"...yes," Kagain replied. "We accept."
"Excellent," said Kelddath. He stood up, the smile that Dorean was now rapidly growing to detest returning to his face. "I will inform Lord Witton of the new arrangement and have him meet you at your headquarters in, hmm...a few hours?"
"Alright," said Kagain. Khalid and Imoen were looking at him now; the mercenary's near-mechanical demeanour was unsettling. Dorean, however, was watching Jessa; she was now glancing at Kagain, her otherwise calm expression barely concealing the contempt in her eyes.
Kagain really isn't a popular man here.
"Good, good. I won't keep you any longer, Kagain. Except...I believe there is another friend of yours outside?"
"...yeah. There is."
"Well, I should at least introduce myself. It would be disrespectful otherwise." He nodded to the temple guards nearest the door. When they opened it, Jaheira immediately walked past them into the office.
"They will be fine, provided they get some rest." She did not so much as glance at Xzar, keeping her eyes on the governor-priest. "You wish to speak to me?" Without waiting for an answer, she looked at Jessa. "Let the others go. Set a watch on us if you must."
Taken aback, Jessa leaned away from the Tethyrian. She looked at Kelddath, who answered her with a nod while keeping his eyes on Jaheira. With a deep breath, the Flaming Fist mercenary then turned to the rest of the party and gestured to the door.
None of the guards appeared to want to get too close to Xzar. The wizard ignored them, placing a hand on Imoen's shoulder. The pink-clad girl blinked, but otherwise did not protest, allowing herself to be steered to the door. His hand still grasped in hers, Dorean was practically yanked along.
Khalid exchanged a solemn nod with Jaheira, then turned to follow the others. He moved a few steps behind Xzar, watching the back of the wizard's head like a hawk.
Dorean glanced over his shoulder at Jaheira, then slowly turned away to avoid the gaze of the Flaming Fist mercenary close behind him.
Kagain marched stiffly from the office, his chain-mail clinking and steel boots echoing loudly off the stone floor.
..
As soon as the door closed, Kelddath's entire demeanour deflated. He sank back into the chair, shoulders and neck slumping as he leaned to one side and rubbed his forehead. A long, weary sigh escaped his beard.
"You don't look well," Jaheira said flatly.
"No. Not since all this started." With another sigh, Kelddath dropped his hands onto the armrests of his chair. "What are you doing here, Jaheira?"
"Journeying to Nashkel at a summons request from Ghastkill," Jaheira replied, folding her arms across her chest. "He wants help in uncovering the source of the iron shortage."
Kelddath rested his nose on the knuckles of his hand. "That man, the one who barged in here. Tell me he is just an eccentric."
"He is Zhentarim Special Operations."
"Oh," said Kelddath, his hand dropping to his thigh. "That is just what I need."
"And he has a partner. A halfling, likely an assassin."
"Wonderful," Kelddath replied, his tone implying the exact opposite.
"They know the dwarf. Kagain. You may want to look into that."
"You think the Zhentarim really are behind this?"
"It is what we are here to find out."
Kelddath sighed and rubbed his forehead again, looking increasingly more like a tired old man than a charming leader. "I've got too much on my plate right now to go digging into Kagain's secret contacts, Jaheira." He paused. "What are you two doing with him anyway?"
"The Zhents brought us to him. They want to hire him to act as a guide in the mines at Nashkel."
Kelddath nodded. "Makes sense, I'll admit. Kagain's a thug, but a useful one. And he does believe in keeping one's word. Makes it easier to control him."
"'Control' him?"
"You know how it works, Jaheira. Besides, he's a saint compared to most of the other lowlives here."
Jaheira paused, then nodded quietly.
"I don't know what I can tell you that you wouldn't already be aware of," said Kelddath. "The rumour about the Grand Dukes accusing Amn of the bandit raids? I don't know if it's true. But these are more than just raids, they are full-scale slaughters."
"I saw the palisade."
"Standard procedure in state of emergency; fortify the town in preparation for a possible siege. Of course, it's pointless when the bandits are only attacking the caravans coming to and from the place."
"I doubt they are mere bandits. More likely hired mercenaries."
"I don't know what or who they are, Jaheira. All I know is what Jessa told me; they are near-impossible to track or pin down. The Flaming Fist have not been able to find their hideout. Not with everything else that they've had to deal with." He sighed again. "The caravan massacre yesterday, it's causing panic. People are boarding up their houses. And on top of that, I've got merchants hounding me about the next caravan being delayed, and Witton being a pain in the arse about getting an escort." He dropped his face into his hands and heaved yet another sigh, louder and more drawn-out than all the rest. "I should never have taken this job."
Jaheira gave him a moment before speaking. "You want us to escort him to the city."
"Yes," Kelddath replied, looking up at her. "And the caravan. I'm guessing Kagain wants you to escort the caravan at least, right?"
Jaheira stared at him stonily. Kelddath's face slackened, and he straightened in his seat.
"I will owe you a favour," he said solemnly.
After a long moment, Jaheira quietly nodded and Kelddath sank back in the chair with relief.
"Thank you, Jaheira. And give Khalid my thanks as well."
There was another quiet pause. "You need to get some rest," said Jaheira. "You look as though you have not slept in days."
"I haven't." Kelddath slowly ran his hands through his side-burns and beard. "Too much to do."
Jaheira nodded, and with that, she turned and left without another word.
It was a few minutes later, leaning forward in his chair, that the exhausted priest realized he had forgotten to ask her about the dwarf and girl, and that she had knowingly kept quiet about it.
..
"Again."
"I already told you-"
"Tell me again. All of it."
His auburn beard now stained blood-red, Karlat lifted his head from his bare chest, looking up with his one remaining eye at Montaron's face.
"Why?!"
"So I know ye ain't lyin'."
The dwarven assassin glared furiously at him for a moment before he dropped his head to his chest again.
"Ye don't, yer ear's next," said Montaron, his voice matching his bored face.
Karlat's body began to quake, and he slowly rocked back and forth on the chair. His sobs echoed off the stone walls of the passage. The halfling watched and waited in complete silence save the dripping of blood onto the floor from the spoon in his hand.