Chapter 40
When Dorean informed the party that he was going back to retrieve his and Khalid's belongings, Jaheira wordlessly stood up, placed a hand and pushed down on Khalid's shoulder until he sat down, then walked over to the dwarf. Imoen stood up as well.
"I'll be right back," she said to Xzar, who blinked up at her with wide eyes. "Just stay right here."
The wizard froze up immediately, not moving a muscle. Smiling, Imoen fell into place beside Dorean with Jaheira in tow, the half-elf not giving a word or glance to either Xzar or Eldoth. The bard, who was running a thumb and forefinger over his goatee, scowled at Imoen's back as she breezily strode past him.
The trio moved briskly down the tunnel and within a minute reached the spot where Dorean and Khalid had left their belongings.
Lacking her companions' low-light vision, Imoen had to squint to spot Montaron; the halfling was barely visible in the gloom. Kagain apparently either cared little for or disapproved of keeping the tunnels well-lit.
Jaheira did not spare a glance at Montaron, instead moving over to and picking up Khalid's sheathed sword, sword-belt and shield. Imoen picked up Khalid's pack, heaving as she hefted it in her arms, while Dorean collected his own pack and weapons. The dwarf then reached for the pack belonging to the elven woman from High Hedge when Jaheira raised an arm to stop him.
"Have you looked inside it?"
Dorean looked up at her and shook his head. He then noted her calm, neutral yet firm gaze, and handed her the pack without a word. Jaheira took it, and her eyes fell on the last item remaining on the ground; the Belt of Antipode.
"Do you want it?" Dorean asked quietly.
She frowned down at him, having looked at the belt for a total of two seconds before he spoke. The dwarf calmly met her eyes, awaiting her answer.
"You should hold onto it for now," she said at last. The dwarf held her gaze for a few more seconds before nodding and picking up the belt.
Imoen watched them, noting her roommate's solemn expression as he slung the belt around his shoulders like a bandolier.
He looked up at her. She remembered his behaviour earlier in High Hedge, just before they were attacked, and again refrained from giving him a hug or shoulder-pat.
Instead, as Dorean and Jaheira began to walk back up the tunnel, she turned to look at Montaron.
"You sure it's okay to leave him by himself?"
The dwarf and half-elf stopped and looked at her.
"He took a bad hit only hours ago," Imoen added. "He may still have a concussion."
A few seconds passed. Dorean reached up to gently grasp her arm, then stopped when Jaheira stepped forward and removed a small, rectangular-shaped bottle containing a semi-clear and pinkish fluid. Imoen blinked at it. "Will it make him better?"
"It will alleviate the pain and dizziness. He will still need rest afterward to fully recover," Jaheira replied.
In a moment so fleeting that Imoen nearly failed to notice it, Dorean's eyes narrowed, darting from the bottle to Jaheira's back.
If Jaheira noticed Imoen's momentary glance at the dwarf, she did not show it.
"I want to be clear," she said, not lowering her voice. "I do not offer this out of sympathy."
Montaron did not react in the slightest to her words.
A moment passed. Jaheira then blinked as Imoen hugged her, quickly letting go before she could resist or protest, then plucked the bottle from her hands. The half-elf pouted at the girl's back as she went over to Montaron.
Stopping next to his right side, Imoen looked down, frowned and picked up the half-empty bottle of moonshine.
"Dorean gave this to you, didn't he?"
Montaron blinked but said nothing, keeping his gaze fixed straight ahead. Imoen then turned her frown up the tunnel at her roommate who shrugged in response.
"I'm taking this," she declared, stowing the moonshine in Khalid's pack. "And you are taking this."
She thrust the medicine-bottle in front of Montaron's nose. Dorean and Jaheira stood in silence, awaiting the halfling's response.
Slowly, Montaron reached up with one hand and grasped the bottle. He held it up and turned it, examining its contents, before finally turning his head to face Imoen.
"You need to rest," she told him. "I'll take over."
A few seconds passed before he replied.
"No need, kid. I'll be fine." Montaron paused, and his usually-blank expression changed; for a brief moment, he was merely an old halfling. "Sorry about shoving ye."
Imoen blinked again, then smiled warmly. She bent down and pat his shoulder, then blinked as she spotted the folded-up parchment, quill pen and ink bottle on the ground to his left.
He saw the direction of her eyes and his face instantly became blank again, a wall slamming down on his emotions. He turned away from her, returning his gaze to the tunnel.
Imoen lingered a moment longer before trudging back to Dorean and Jaheira, both of whom were staring with narrowed eyes at the halfling's back. She glanced over her shoulder at Montaron before following them back up the tunnel.
Montaron did not move until their footsteps had faded away. He then unstopped the medicine bottle, held it to the side at arm's length, and emptied the contents onto the ground.
He then returned to his silent and lone vigil, ignoring the throbbing, biting pain reverberating from the back of his head throughout his skull.
..
Imoen was quiet as Dorean and Jaheira returned Khalid's weapons and pack before sitting down together to examine the pack belonging to the elven woman. She slowly sat next to Xzar again without looking at him, her gaze cast to the floor. The wizard, who had tensed up at her return, leaned forward very slightly and tilted his head to look at her face.
"Not very friendly, is he?" said Eldoth.
Imoen blinked and looked up at him. The bard was running his fingers along the strings of his lute without touching them. From the corner of her eye, Imoen noticed Khalid and Jaheira glaring at him.
"Montaron, I mean," Eldoth added, ignoring the two Harpers. "He has his good qualities, but enjoyable banter isn't one of them."
"You worked with him, right?" Imoen asked.
"Yes, I did," said Eldoth, looking pleased at the prospect of talking about himself. "A rather unexpected partnership on my part, I admit. And one of my more memorable ones."
"You had other partners?" Dorean asked, earning a disapproving frown from Jaheira which he too ignored.
"Had, have," Eldoth answered with a wave of his hand. "Most of them women." He flashed a smile at Imoen.
"Were they all Zhents as well?" Jaheira asked tersely.
"Oh, not all of them," Eldoth replied smoothly. "Women of the Moonsea tend to be of a much…different temperament from yours, Jaheira. They are generally not very easy to speak to."
"You speak from experience?" said Ajantis. Eldoth smiled and nodded.
"No better teacher."
"Getting back to Montaron," said Imoen. "How well did you know him?"
For a fleeting moment, Eldoth appeared to narrow his eyes at her. He then shrugged his broad shoulders. "As well as the rest of you, I am afraid." He looked briefly at Xzar who was now leaning back against the tunnel wall and had turned his gaze towards the ceiling. "He never was one to speak much of himself." He paused in recollection, and one side of his lips lifted in a smirk. "I…could share one of our past exploits, if you wish."
Imoen looked around at the others for a moment before placing her hands on her knees and nodding earnestly. "Sure, Eldoth. Go ahead. But it better be a good one."
The bard smiled as he carefully set aside his lute. "I will do my best to make it so. If I may inquire, Imoen, have you ever been to Waterdeep?"
Ajantis perked up, looking from Eldoth to Imoen. The latter hesitated for a few seconds before answering.
"Yeah, but…I don't remember much of it. My dad brought me there when I was little. We didn't stay for very long." She paused. "I have read books on it, like Volo's."
Eldoth pursed his lips. "Volothamp's work is extensive, though that particular guidebook of his is rather lacking in information. Volume is no substitute for accuracy, Imoen. One would have to either be a native," he nodded at Ajantis. "Or to have lived in Waterdeep for years to truly appreciate and understand its splendour."
"You're from Waterdeep?" asked Dorean.
"Correct," replied Eldoth, sending the dwarf a pleased smile and gracefully ignoring Khalid and Jaheira, both of whom looked increasingly nettled at Dorean and Imoen conversing with him. "Though I am unfortunately not a native Waterdhavian."
"Where are you from?" Dorean probed further.
"The island kingdom of Ruathym," Eldoth answered with a smile and incline of his head.
"So you and Montaron were in Waterdeep?" said Imoen. Dorean frowned at her.
"Yes, we were, Imoen," said Eldoth, turning back to her with his smile not faltering in the slightest. "This tale I am about to share happened ten years ago."
Silence fell upon the party for a few seconds.
"The Time of Troubles," Ajantis said softly.
"Correct," Eldoth replied, turning to face the young squire. His smile was now gone. "You were in the city as well?"
Ajantis hesitated and then nodded. "Yes. I was."
"Would you like to share it with us?" Eldoth asked, his voice now much softer.
Ajantis' eyes moved from him to Imoen and Xzar, of whom the latter was still looking up at the tunnel ceiling. The young squire then looked at Dorean, Khalid, Jaheira and Garrick who had sat up with his shoulders lying on top of his pack. After a moment, Ajantis looked back to Eldoth and shook his head.
Eldoth nodded back, and a silent understanding seemed to pass between them.
"I've heard and read about what happened in Waterdeep back then," said Imoen. "Crown Prince Myrkul Bey al-Kursi was killed in the skies above the city."
There was a collective pause.
"Come again?" said Eldoth.
"That's his full name, isn't it?" Imoen asked innocently. "Well, it's supposed to be," she added to Xzar who had lowered his head and was now staring at her.
"Crown Prince?" said Jaheira, sounding scandalized.
"She likes princes," Dorean answered for Imoen. "Doesn't discriminate."
"Where was I?" said Eldoth, a smidgen of annoyance in his voice.
"You and Montaron in Waterdeep when the prince was killed," Imoen replied.
"When the god of the dead was slain," Eldoth said. Imoen stuck her tongue out at him. "His servants, unfortunately, did not perish with him. Contrary to what a book may tell you, they were not mainly composed of undead, but of devils. Such beings do not collapse upon the death of their master. And there were many of them, hundreds, even thousands, perhaps. Far too many for the city guard to face alone."
Eldoth paused to survey his audience. Everyone including the Dented Shield mercenaries within ear-shot were listening intently, with one exception; Xzar was still staring at Imoen.
"And you were in the thick of it," said Khalid. The bard, resisting the urge to frown at Xzar, nodded in response.
"And Montaron," said Imoen.
"He was in a team at the time," said Eldoth. "Being a long-time resident of the city, I was hired to be their guide. Sadly, I am unable to provide many details here, as I am not a true Zhent operative and thus not privy to the details of their mission." He smiled at Khalid and Jaheira, neither of whom smiled back. "What I can tell you," he added, turning back to Imoen and trying not to glance at Xzar who was still staring at her. "Is that whatever mission or objective they had in Waterdeep was likely abandoned in the wake of the chaos left by Myrkul and his servants. The team leader chose to leave the city, and upon realizing that he would have had me killed on the spot if I refuse, I pointed him in the direction of the quickest route I knew of that would lead them out of Waterdeep." He paused. "Montaron, however, elected to stay and fight. He refused to be swayed, even under threat, and after a very brief debate, his companions chose to respect his wish. They left him alone with me and headed in the directions I gave them."
Eldoth paused to once again survey his audience.
"What happened then?" asked one of the Dented Shield mercenaries who, Eldoth noticed, had moved closer and was now standing next to the supine Garrick.
"At his behest, I led him through the streets until he found an area he deemed, in his words, 'halfway decent'. We made our stand there." Eldoth closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again. "Montaron ordered me to remain in the rear while he drew the attention of anyone unfriendly that came our way. When I said that he would surely be killed if I did not fight beside him, he put a knife to my ribs and warned me that he will kill me if I disobeyed him, even during battle," Eldoth smirked. "He always preferred to work alone." He mimicked Xzar in leaning his head back against the tunnel wall, and closed his eyes.
"How bad was it?" asked Ajantis.
Eldoth opened his eyes. "The first hour was, but not nearly as much as the rest. They were disorganized at first, but then they came in waves from multiple directions; streets, doorways, windows and rooftops. I stayed back as Montaron instructed and supported him with my bow and magic. He used a sword, an axe, and more knives than I can recount." Eldoth paused. "By the time the fourth wave fell, the ground all around us was piled with the bodies of the devils. And there was more of Montaron's blood staining it than there was of theirs."
He fell silent again and closed his eyes, and for a moment the tunnel was quiet save for the breathing of his companions. When he opened his eyes again, he saw that Xzar was now looking straight at him, his face blank and unsmiling.
"Did the City Guard not come to your aid?" asked Dorean.
"We were in the Dock Ward; the poorest one in the city. The guardsmen had other priorities."
Ajantis looked away, avoiding everyone's gaze.
"What happened then?" asked Dorean.
"A group of watchmen came to help us. They were hiding in a nearby house. When they saw the fourth wave of devils break and run, they became inspired by our efforts, Montaron's especially. We made barricades out of the corpses of the fiends. And even then, more of them kept coming." Eldoth paused. "Montaron refused all healing that was offered to him." He smiled. "If anything, it only drove the watchmen to fight harder."
Eldoth looked around again. Everyone was listening intently now, though Xzar's eyes were half-lidded and his lips pursed.
"Please, Eldoth. Continue," said Dorean. The bard nodded to him and leaned his head back against the wall again.
"The worst of it happened a few hours before dawn. There was a lull, and we had piled the corpses so high that the grisly barricades were up to our necks. I will never forget that smell. The first group of watchmen had turned the place into a rallying point; more of their own arrived, along with a few guardsmen. Commoners bearing weapons came as well; they too were inspired by our efforts. I still remember the words from one of them; 'This is our home.'" Eldoth paused, his face now grim. "We were attacked by a cambion; a handsome one, but cruel and sadistic. It tore apart our barricade and then waded into us. By that point, my hands and fingers were so blistered from using my bow and lute that I could scarcely even move them." Eldoth paused again. "Our resolve was broken, and we were about to turn and flee. But then Montaron fought and killed the cambion. He saved us all."
Silence lingered for a moment.
"How did he do it?" asked Khalid. Eldoth slowly turned his head and looked him full in the eyes.
"He drowned it. In a puddle of his own blood."
No one spoke. Eldoth slowly looked away from Khalid and leaned his head against the tunnel wall once more.
"He passed out immediately after, atop the devil's shoulders and covered head-to-toe in blood, most of it his own." He paused. "Tell me, Ajantis, do you know of Nindil Jalbuck?"
The squire blinked slowly and furrowed his brow. "Yes. A halfling who owns a grocer."
Eldoth nodded. "Correct, though he wasn't a grocer at the time. He was among the commoners who took refuge in the area Montaron had chosen to defend." He paused. "When Montaron collapsed, Nindil offered to have him brought to his home for treatment. Two of the surviving watchmen volunteered to carry him. They were all wounded themselves, yet insisted on saving him first." Eldoth paused again. "I followed them to Nindil's house, where I spent the next hour watching the man pour what had to have been two dozen vials' worth of potent healing potions and poison antidotes into Montaron. The two watchmen refused any treatment for themselves in case the potions ran out before Montaron could be saved; the man had lost so much blood he had gone pale. By the time Nindil declared that he had been stabilized, the smell of herbs in the house was so strong it was intoxicating."
Eldoth breathed deeply and leaned forward off the wall, resting his elbows on his knees.
"Over thirty people, watchmen, guardsmen and commoners, gathered around us in that street that night. Half of them died there as well." Eldoth breathed deep again. "Nindil told us that he was a thief and smuggler with ties to the black market, hence the crates of potions in his house. I learnt three weeks later that he had set up a grocer several days after that night, giving away provisions free of charge to those who were left destitute by the carnage. When I spoke to him then, he told me that he was leaving his past life behind, and that Montaron and I were responsible for his change of heart." Eldoth smiled. "We became friends, and have remained so to this day."
"How did Montaron react to that?" asked Dorean. "That Nindil was moved by your actions?"
"I don't know; he left the city on the afternoon after the battle. When he awoke, Nindil offered to let him stay in his home for as long as he wished. Montaron didn't say a word to him or the watchmen. He just got up and left. I followed him as far as the city gates." Eldoth leaned back again, meeting Imoen's eyes. "Khelben Arunsun is a hero in Waterdeep. He is credited for having aided the city guard in stopping the rampaging of Myrkul's devils in the city." Eldoth smiled. "There are no songs or books of what Montaron did that night. When I offered to write one for him, he threatened to kill me." His smile widened, stretching from ear to ear. "Like I said, it was quite an interesting partnership. And here I am, travelling with him again in the Sword Coast with you gentlemen and gentlewomen. Perhaps this time, he may allow me to write something about our adventure."
With a deep breath, Eldoth Kron rolled his shoulders and looked around at the party. Khalid and Jaheira were still not smiling, though their dual glares had dulled considerably.
"A fine tale," said Dorean, his voice and expression quiet. "Thank you for sharing it, Eldoth."
Eldoth bowed his head to the dwarf.
"He defied an order to abandon the city and stayed to defend it?" said Imoen, her gaze downcast.
"Not quite what you may expect from him, but yes," said Eldoth. "I at least had a reason to stay and fight; it was my home, after all. He did not."
"Hm," Imoen mused, her brow furrowed as she stroked her chin further. "Xzar?"
Xzar jumped and looked at her.
"Do you have a story about Montaron?"
Dorean's brow furrowed and he tilted his head. Khalid and Jaheira exchanged looks. Eldoth frowned at Imoen.
Xzar slowly straightened his posture from where he had shrank away from her. He blinked rapidly at Imoen's politely curious face and then looked away, his head bowed and chin tucked to his chest.
A moment passed in silence. Imoen deflated slightly, but smiled nonetheless.
"It's okay if you don't-"
"Thirteen sixty-five," Xzar said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Three years ago."
Eldoth stole a quick glance around and frowned in annoyance at Ajantis and Dorean leaning forward to listen to the deranged wizard while Garrick sat up cross-legged and leaned forward as well.
"Ieithymbul," said Xzar, his eyes glazing over. "A mining village in the Sword Mountains. Gnomes live there. Many gnomes."
"Ieithymbul…" said Imoen. "Oh! I've read about that one!" she exclaimed, her jade-green eyes lighting up. "Did you and Montaron see the Unseen Protector?"
Xzar blinked three times, still staring off at nothing. "The Unseen Protector."
"Yeah," Imoen replied, and Eldoth's frown deepened at her growing excitement. "No one from outside the village knows exactly what it is. Some say it's a guardian spirit, or a gnome archmage."
"A gold dragon," said Xzar. "They called him Palarandusk."
Imoen looked up at him, eyes wide and an awed smile blossoming on her face. Eldoth looked around again, resisting the urge to huff when he saw that even the half-elves and nearby mercenaries were listening with rapt attention.
"A dragon?" Imoen whispered, practically trembling with trepidation. "You saw a dragon?" Xzar said nothing, which only fuelled her excitement. "Did you talk to him?"
Xzar slowly leaned back against the tunnel wall. "Yes." He paused. "We ate each other first."
A long silence fell on the party.
"Oh," said Imoen. "How did that happen?"
Xzar blinked twice and looked at Imoen, his expression blank, then looked away.
"We were sent by…" his voice faltered, and his breathing grew heavier. "By…we were sent to…to find and…and…someone." He moved his right hand to his stomach. Dorean slowly stood up, his eyes fixed on Xzar as the latter began to rub his own belly.
"I didn't want to do it," the wizard continued. "I didn't want to…I…I didn't. I like gnomes." His fingers clenched, the nails digging into his robes as his left hand went to his cheek.
Dorean, as though he was trying not to rouse a sleeping person, slowly crept towards Imoen who was frozen in place and staring with wide-eyed, transfixed fascination at the agitated wizard. Khalid and Jaheira slowly rose to their feet as well. Ajantis, Garrick and the mercenaries did not move, seemingly also transfixed like Imoen. Eldoth, who was closest to her and Xzar, remained perfectly still aside from raising his eyebrow.
"Montaron," Xzar snarled, the fingers of his left hand clawing his cheek. His right eye twitched, and his robes tore as he clenched his right hand. "He didn't care. He didn't care. And not just one. The whole building. Because of him, I…I had, had to…"
He retched, leaned forward and vomited. Eldoth quickly pulled his feet back, his lips curling in disgust as the vomit struck the dirt and splashed his boots.
Dorean did not flinch at the sight. Instead, he slowly stepped forward until he was next to Xzar. The dwarf paused, his eyes meeting Imoen's as they watched the tall, thin wizard's head rock back and forth. The dwarf then reached out and placed a hand on Xzar's back. The wizard froze, then slowly, like a marionette's, his head pivoted to face him. Dorean calmly looked at the tear-streaked face, and gave Xzar's back a pat. He then placed his other hand on Xzar's shoulder, gently guiding him to lean back against the wall.
"What happened then?" he asked softly. Imoen frowned at Dorean, despite her own curiosity. He ignored her, maintaining eye contact with Xzar who, now that he was sitting down, was at eye-level with the dwarf. The wizard paused, staring at Dorean, and in that moment, he looked utterly miserable.
"I became noisy. The gnomes from outside heard. They were very angry. Palarandusk ate me. I ate him. He stopped eating me to stop me eating him. Montaron took a hostage. We left the village with eighteen souls less than when we left." Xzar paused, then slowly turned his head to face Eldoth. "Should we write a song about it?"
Eldoth's eyebrow remained raised. His expression did not alter one iota. He casually turned away, looking around at the rest of the party. His lips pursed at the sight of everyone staring at the crazed wizard, not noticing his own gaze. Ajantis had gone pale, the knuckles of his hands white as they gripped his knees.
Dorean patted Xzar's back again, and the latter lowered his head, his eyes cast to the vomit-stained ground.
"Is this why Montaron dislikes you?" the dwarf asked softly. Xzar paused, then lifted his head to meet Dorean's eyes.
"No," he replied. "He hates me because on the very first day we met, I deduced that he is m- "
A long, thin blade of steel appeared between them, the tip resting against Xzar's mouth.
Montaron stood in front of Imoen, his right arm outstretched and gripping the dagger. Everyone froze, their eyes finally tearing from Xzar to the halfling.
Xzar slowly turned, his movement causing the dagger to cut his cheek. Bright-green eyes locked onto coal-black, both faces blank and emotionless. Blood flowed from the sides of the blade, staining the front of Xzar's robes.
A hand reached out and grabbed Montaron's wrist, which did not budge an inch. Montaron's eyes slowly swivelled from Xzar to the hand, then travelled up the arm attached to it and stopped at Imoen's face. She glared coldly at him, still futilely attempting to push his wrist away from Xzar's face.
Montaron's eyes narrowed in a silent, deadly warning. Imoen's own glare did not waver, nor her efforts to move his hand.
Less than two paces away, Dorean's left hand slowly drifted towards his belt knife.
"Is it just me, Montaron," Eldoth drawled lazily. "Or have you caught yourself an elf?"
There was a long pause, during which everyone's eyes (save Montaron's) darted to the vambrace-wearing foot gripped in Montaron's left hand, then to the body attached to it.
"Drow," said Ajantis.
Everyone leapt to their feet, grabbing their weapons.
"Someone go get the captain!" one of the mercenaries shouted. The latter nodded and hurried to the front of the column, though not without a glance back at the halfling who still had his knife to Xzar's face.
"Montaron," said Dorean. The halfling did not move. "Montaron," Dorean repeated, louder this time. Still he received no response. Imoen too refused to budge, maintaining her grip on the assassin's wrist and refocusing her glare on his face.
Stretching his shoulders, Eldoth stood and picked up his lute. "As interesting as this is, I believe we have more pressing matters at hand," he said calmly. "Perhaps we could continue this discussion later."
Three seconds passed.
Montaron withdrew the dagger. He dropped the drow's foot and roughly brushed Imoen's hand from his wrist. Turning away, he stalked past Dorean, the rest of the party and Kagain's mercenaries, all of whom either stared or glanced at him as he passed.
As Kagain appeared, stomping towards them and shouldering Montaron aside, Dorean silently nodded to Eldoth. The bard smiled and nodded back, ignoring Khalid and Jaheira's narrowed eyes.
Standing up, Imoen looked down at Xzar; the wizard had still not moved a muscle since Montaron had pressed the dagger to his face. His face remained blank and devoid of emotion, eyes fixed on the spot where Montaron had been standing.
She paused for a few seconds, then removed a cloth from her pack and gently placed it to his cheek. The wizard blinked and looked up at her. Without hesitating, she took his left hand in her own and moved it to the cloth. "Hold it there. It's not too deep, so it should stop soon." She let go of the cloth, smiling as he obeyed by keeping it against his cheek, then offered him her hand. He stared at it for a few seconds before placing his free hand on it and allowing himself to be pulled to his feet.
Dorean quietly stood aside as Imoen coaxed Xzar forward past him.
"I've never met a drow before," said Garrick, tying his bolt-quiver to his hip. "This is going to be so exciting."
Xzar, who was walking past him, turned a frowned, suspicious glare on the bard.
"There is something very wrong with you," he admonished.
Garrick blinked in puzzlement as Imoen laughed and gently pushed Xzar further along the tunnel and away from the dead drow.
Watching the girl steer Xzar to the rear of the party, Dorean then realized that Jaheira, rather than at them, was looking intently at him. He carefully averted his gaze, pretending to inspect the two wands tucked into his shirt.
..
If Kagain took notice of any of the interaction between Xzar and Imoen while he was giving orders to his men, he made no mention of it.
"…and watch for 'porters," he said to Lene. The half-orc nodded and strode up the tunnel towards the front of the column, her scimitar clattering against her armoured back. Kagain turned and looked up as Khalid approached him.
"A single drow scout means a group of at least ten, maybe fifteen," the Calishite said. "There's not much room here. They will try to herd us toward them. We need to find a side-passage."
The party watched as Kagain's eyes narrowed at Khalid and then Jaheira. "No. We don't," he replied, stomping past. "Just stay where ya are an' keep ya mouths shut."
"Kagain," Ajantis said tersely. "With all due- "
"That goes soddin' bloody double for you, paladin," Kagain growled. He shoved the squire aside as he marched up to the end of the column. The party watched as he stopped a few paces from the dead drow and crossed his arms, leaving his axe, flail, crossbow and shield at his hips and back.
"This is insane," Ajantis breathed. "We're about to be attacked by drow, and he – "
Dorean reached up and placed a hand on his forearm. "He's brought us this far, Ajantis. Let's do as he says." He paused. "But be ready nevertheless."
The squire looked at him with gritted teeth, eyes darting from Dorean to Kagain's back. He then began to pace back and forth along the tunnel as the rest of the party took up positions, Khalid and Jaheira at the front about three paces behind Kagain with their tower shields raised while Dorean, Imoen, Garrick, Eldoth and Xzar took up the rear. Montaron had not returned.
"Ajantis," Jaheira said tersely. Ajantis looked to her, hesitated, and breathed deeply before marching forward next to Khalid. The Calishite gave him a firm nod which he returned, and both men faced forward and raised their shields.
Jaheira turned her head, glancing over her shoulder at the rest of the party. "Keep them ready, but don't aim. I don't want anyone getting shot in the back."
"Understood," Dorean replied. For some reason, she glared at him for a second before returning her gaze forward.
Breathing heavily, Dorean looked around at his comrades, noting Garrick's excitement, Xzar who was staring with seemingly detached curiosity at the dead drow lying at Kagain's feet, Eldoth who was holding his lute rather than a weapon, and finally Imoen whose fingers shook slightly as she readied her bow. The dwarf placed a hand on her forearm, and she turned and gave him a nod and determined smile before facing forward.
Glancing back at the Dented Shields, most of whom were facing the other way with only a handful watching the same direction as the party, Dorean turned his gaze back to the tunnel beyond where Montaron had earlier been on watch.
Silence fell, thick with the trepidation of the party and mercenaries, the only sound being their breathing and the occasional clink of metal.
Ajantis breathed slow and hard, though his stance remained steady and he maintained his hold on his sword and shield; beads of sweat rolled down the back of his neck and into the collar of his breastplate. Kagain by contrast appeared to be the only person present who was completely relaxed; his arms remained crossed over his large chest, his winged helmet gleaming in the dim light.
Minutes went by.
The silence was broken by loud, deliberate foot-falls echoing down the tunnel.
Ajantis drew in a breath. Eldoth strummed a single, audible note on his lute, earning a sideways look from Garrick. Khalid and Jaheira both leaned sideways so that for a brief moment, their shoulders touched.
A lone woman of similar height to Imoen emerged from the darkness, long white hair tucked into the collar of her armour which, unlike the beautifully-designed blue-black plate-metal worn by her dead comrade, was a plain splint-mail shirt of similar design to Khalid's. A black-bladed hatchet was belted to her waist, and a large, two-handed mace nearly equal in length to her height was slung diagonally onto her back. Blood-red eyes gazed out from a round, plum face, surveying the scene before her without even once looking at the dead drow.
"Izzune," said Kagain, his voice calm and pleasant. "Ya a long way from Sshamath."
The drow woman bowed her head. "Captain Kagain," she said, polite and formal.
"Could ya remind me, Izzune, what are the terms of the agreement between the Dented Shields an' House Zauvirr?"
The drow named Izzune lifted her head and straightened, staring over Kagain's head and not making eye contact with him. "If you would be so kind as to allow- "
"Maybe it's my fault. Maybe I got the terms wrong, like my memory's playin' tricks on me or somethin'," Kagain interrupted, his voice maintaining its calm and pleasant tone. "Cos what I remember is that House Zauvirr promised not ta send any of its people through my territory without my express permission."
Izzune did not speak. She remained still, her eyes fixed on the point above Kagain's head.
"Yet here ya are, a member of House Zauvirr, in my territory, without that permission. Which is it, Izzune; did I get the terms of my agreement with ya house wrong, or are ya knowingly violatin' those terms?"
"The second one, Captain," Izzune answered. "I am knowingly violating the terms of the agreement between your company and my house."
"…I see," said Kagain. "Thank you for clearin' that up, Izzune. Now, ya were askin' me somethin'?"
"I was asking you to allow me to explain my actions."
The corners of Kagain's beard lifted in a smile. "A reasonable request. Go right ahead."
"My team and I are on a mission given to us by the high priestess of Lolth herself, and of which I am afraid I must decline any inquiry into its details. We entered your territory without first obtaining your permission due to urgency; had we delayed, we would have failed our task, and would have naught but dishonour, shame and death awaiting us upon returning to Sshamath." She bowed her head. "You have our most sincere apologies, Captain. We have no wish to strain or sever any ties with you, and we hope that this mishap would be seen as nothing more than a mere hiccup in a long and fruitful relationship between your company and our house." She lifted her head and for the first time looked Kagain in the eyes. "Please accept this as an apology on behalf of House Zauvirr."
As the party tensed at her reaching for her belt, Izzune slowly untied a large black pouch and tossed it across the tunnel.
Kagain smoothly caught it with one hand, untied it, and removed a perfectly round, jet-black stone the size of a chicken egg.
His eyes moved to Izzune who remained still and ramrod-straight, and he turned the stone over in his hands for several seconds before dropping it back into the pouch.
"I accept this apology, and I grant ya team permission to travel through my territory. May you succeed in ya task, and bring glory and honour to ya house."
Izzune bowed again, this time much lower. "House Zauvirr is grateful to you, Captain Kagain. Lolth bless you and bring wealth and prestige to your company."
Kagain nodded to her. Without another word or a glance at her dead comrade, Izzune turned around and strode back the way she came, her white hair fading into the shadows.
Kagain chuckled, bouncing the pouch in his hand. He turned around to face the party. Rather than frown or glower, his beard only lifted further upon seeing Khalid and Jaheira's contemptuous faces.
"I have heard much of the beauty of the drow, but not of their manners," said Garrick. He then winced when Jaheira's glare turned to him.
"They're nice ta me, music-boy, 'cos I got 'em over a soddin' barrel," Kagain said smugly, giving the pouch one last bounce before tying it to his own belt.
He took a step forward and stopped when Ajantis moved to bar his way. The dwarf's eyes narrowed as he noted the naked sword in the young man's right hand, then lifted his gaze to the tall squire's face, which was no longer pale and instead steadily reddening.
"You consort with drow," said Ajantis, speaking the words in a whisper loud enough to reach the ears of everyone present.
Kagain did not miss a beat. He cricked his neck to the side, eliciting a loud crack, and returned Ajantis' furious glare. "Yeah, I do. Ya gonna stand there blockin' my way or do somethin' about it?"
Ajantis' mailed hands made a grinding sound as he tightened his grip on his sword.
"Ajantis," said Dorean, glancing back at the Dented Shield mercenaries behind them and speaking as clearly and steadily as he could. "If you don't stand down now, you're going to get us all killed."
"Don't take me for a butcher, nugget," Kagain retorted, keeping his eyes on Ajantis. "I'll only kill him."
The paladin's face reddened even further. He lifted his sword a few inches higher and stepped forward. Kagain remained unmoving, still smiling up at him.
Dorean, Imoen, Eldoth and Garrick all hurried forward, each placed a hand on a plate mail-clad bicep or forearm, and pushed Ajantis firmly to one side against the wall. Ajantis struggled, though without much vigour, his eyes still locked on the dwarven mercenary.
"Nice ta know ya aren't all complete morons," Kagain said idly. "Not like this one here." He leered at Ajantis, then stomped past without a glance at Khalid or Jaheira. "Ya oughta have a talk with him, get his head straightened out. We move in two hours." He strode past Xzar, though without shoving him aside like he had done to Dorean and Ajantis earlier.
Slowly, the Candlekeep roommates and two bards released Ajantis, allowing him to ease off the wall. The paladin breathed heavily, still clutching his sword and shield and glaring up the tunnel at Kagain's receding back and at the unfriendly leers of his mercenaries.
Jaheira stepped forward, and Ajantis' eyes met hers. She coolly returned his gaze for a moment. "You need to rest," she told him. "Khalid and I will take watch."
The two half-elves moved and sat down ten paces away, within sight of the party. Dorean, Imoen, Eldoth and Garrick all sat down as well.
Ajantis remained standing. He returned his gaze to where Kagain had disappeared up the tunnel.
Montaron had returned, and was staring directly at him.
The young paladin recalled Xzar's story, and his eyes narrowed to slits. Montaron met his gaze, his own eyes half-lidded in detached indifference.
After a moment, Ajantis slowly lowered himself to the ground, the blade of his sword sinking upright into the dirt between his knees. He ignored Dorean and Imoen's offer of food and drink, glaring at the opposite wall and tightly gripping the hilt of his sword.
Montaron watched him for a few more seconds before moving his gaze to Xzar; the wizard had sat down in between Dorean and Imoen, his eyes darting to the provisions that Ajantis refused.
"Quite a character, isn't he?" said Garrick. Montaron looked at him, his expression blank. "Right, not my business, sorry," the bard hastily added, looking away. Eldoth smiled and leaned back against the wall.
"You really haven't changed at all, Montaron."
Montaron slowly turned his head towards him. Eldoth's smile faded as he met the halfling's eyes.
"Don't ever talk about me again," the assassin said softly.
Seconds passed. Eldoth then smiled and raised his hands.
Montaron held his gaze for a few seconds, then turned away and walked back up the tunnel towards the front of the column.
Eldoth lowered his hands, glancing after his former partner, and for a fleeting moment, his eyes narrowed slightly and glinted in the tunnel's dim light.
..
Ajantis was still awake an hour later, staring at the blade of his sword while his hands gripped the hilt. Occasionally, he would mutter under his breath, as though he were reciting a prayer.
Dorean watched him quietly, unable to hear his words. He then looked around, taking care to move only his eyes.
Garrick had nodded off again, once more with his head on his pack and his weapons propped up against the wall. Eldoth was also asleep, sitting up against the wall with his legs stretched out in front of him.
Xzar and Imoen, both of them to Dorean's immediate right, were also sleeping with their backs against the wall. Imoen's head was lolled sideways, her cheek resting against Xzar's shoulder; she had fallen asleep minutes after he had, the exertions of their journey to High Hedge and through the Upperdark having finally caught up to her.
Dorean's gaze lingered on his roommate, and he considered moving her so that the unstable wizard would not awaken to find her leaning on him.
He was frightened of being touched by her before. Yet now he accepted her hand.
Keeping his own head still and moving only his eyes, he dwarf contemplated Xzar's face. There was now a fresh scar across the man's cheek from Montaron's dagger; the blade must have been razor-sharp. The skin around it was caked with dried blood. The cloth Imoen had given Xzar was now carefully folded and tucked into the wizard's belt.
Never seen him asleep before.
Out of habit, Dorean's eyes scanned the robed wizard. No visible weapons or spell-book, but I know he uses throwing knives. Just robes. Not a shred of armour anywhere on him. Yet he often behaves more like an assassin than a wizard.
He remembered the very first time he saw Xzar, the man's hand gripping Imoen by her throat. His eyes moved almost of their own accord, noting his neck, heart, thighs and wrists.
Right next to me. I could…
A long moment passed before Dorean finally tore his eyes from the slumbering wizard. He stood up, careful not to make any noise, and walked past Xzar and Imoen towards Khalid and Jaheira.
The half-elves were both sitting side-by-side, cross-legged and sharing a water-skin. They looked up as Dorean approached, and Khalid scooted to the side to allow him to sit between them. Jaheira's eyes lingered briefly on the Belt of Antipode still slung about Dorean's shoulder.
"Can't sleep?" Khalid asked. Dorean nodded. "It happens s-sometimes. T-too much on the mind."
"You wish to share something with us," said Jaheira. Khalid frowned at her.
"I wanted to speak with you," Dorean replied. "About what transpired between Khalid and Montaron earlier."
"He told me. You convinced him to try to make peace with the Zhent."
"…yeah," Dorean said feebly. Jaheira regarded him for a moment.
"I do not begrudge you for your effort. You aim to prevent conflict from within the party."
"I should have known better," Dorean replied with a sigh.
"It isn't y-your fault," said Khalid. "We b-both know who is to blame."
"Are they really that dangerous?"
"They are," Jaheira said shortly. She and Dorean looked at each other for a moment before the latter lowered his head.
"Whatever their allegiances or their natures, they have not done anything to us," he said softly. "Not yet, at least."
"Do you feel indebted to them?" asked Jaheira. "You do not strike me as one who is easily manipulated."
"My feelings don't matter," Dorean replied, restraining himself from adding an edge to his voice. "I am indebted to them. They have already protected me and Imoen several times over. Just...like you have."
"We didn't s-send you up to scout out a hill alone," Khalid said quietly.
"No," Dorean said softly. "You didn't." He paused. "I don't want to be forced to choose." Jaheira stared coldly down at him. Dorean kept his head down, not meeting her eyes. She looked up at Khalid, who had placed his hand on the little dwarf's shoulder, then lowered her gaze back to Dorean.
"The terms of your agreement with them," she said slowly. "You are to accompany them to Nashkel and aid them in their mission."
Dorean hesitated, then nodded. Jaheira and Khalid looked at her again. None of them spoke for a moment.
"So be it," said Jaheira. "After which, you and Imoen will be free of any debt or obligation to them. If they insist otherwise, Khalid and I will step in."
"And if they try anything," said Khalid, and he glanced back to where Xzar and Imoen were sleeping side-by-side. "Before, during or after Nashkel…we will kill them."
"I will not hope that they won't betray us," said Jaheira. "Since you insist on fulfilling your agreement with them, we will have to be on guard. When they strike, and they will, we must be ready." She paused. "We will not make peace with the Zhents."
Dorean paused, then closed his eyes and sighed again. "I understand. I just…we have enough problems already."
"We appreciate your effort, though not your wisdom," said Jaheira, her voice now softening. "For your sake and Imoen's, we will try to keep things...civil, at least. Unless of course, they provoke us first."
"Thank you. I am in your-"
"No," she answered firmly. "Gorion was our friend, and you are his child. There will be no debts between us." She met the dwarf's eyes for a long moment before looking over her shoulder. "If preventing party conflict is what you want, you have more than us and the Zhents to concern yourself with."
Dorean followed her gaze, grimacing at Ajantis.
"You are the reason that he pledged his service," said Jaheira. "He may listen to you more than he would to us."
They looked at each other again. Dorean then nodded and stood up. He patted Khalid on the shoulder, then strode back up the tunnel towards the Helmite.
..
Ajantis did not look up from his sword as Dorean approached. The dwarf sat down next to him without a word.
A full minute went by in silence. Ajantis glanced at Dorean; the thin little dwarf was sitting cross-legged, his gaze directed at the opposite wall. The young squire blinked and then looked away. Another minute passed.
"I am aware of my actions," Ajantis heard his own voice speak, low and quiet. "You and the others were right to restrain me. Had you not done it, I would have put us all at risk."
He waited for Dorean's reply. When none came, Ajantis finally turned his head to openly look at him. The dwarf had not diverted his gaze from the wall. The squire's lips tightened and he looked back to his sword. Lord Firecam used to do the same. He remained silent for a moment, bitterness and guilt brewing in his gut.
"I have encountered drow before," he said after another minute. "They come to the surface on occasion to rape, pillage and enslave. Anything they choose not to take, they destroy or defile." He paused, and for a moment, his shoulders sank. "I am not blind. I know that humans – Amnians and Waterdhavians included – commit the same atrocities. But…"
"You don't need to explain or justify yourself to me, Ajantis," Dorean said softly. "Your beliefs are your own." He paused. "Kagain said that he has the drow over a barrel. As far as I know, there are hardly any drow raids in the Sword Coast." He looked up, meeting Ajantis' eyes. "He backed down when you told him to release Imoen, and I don't think that was because you said you would take action if he refused." Dorean paused, and his voice became small and quiet. "He could have given me up to save himself. The payment promised for protecting me can't be worth incurring the wrath of the Flaming Fist."
Ajantis looked down at Dorean with half-lidded eyes. "Are you asking me to overlook his evil actions in favour of his good ones?"
"No. I'm only sharing what I know of him from what I have seen with my own eyes."
Ajantis' eyes narrowed to slits. A moment passed, and he closed them, breathed deep and looked away. His gaze fell on the spot where Montaron had disappeared up the tunnel.
"What do you think of Eldoth and Xzar's stories?" Dorean asked quietly. Ajantis blinked, and several long seconds passed before he answered.
"I think," he said slowly. "That Montaron and I should be kept far apart."
There was a pause.
"Agreed," said Dorean.
The two of them sat in silence. Ajantis glanced down at Dorean; the dwarf had lowered his head and appeared to be contemplating something. The squire was about to gently inquire as to what troubled him when Dorean spoke.
"I need to come clean with you, Ajantis. You have risked your life, your honour and your reputation by allying with me. It is only fair that I be honest with you."
Ajantis tensed. He then breathed deep, pulled his sword out of the dirt and laid it against the wall next to him. "Very well. What is it?"
"The arrest warrant," the dwarf replied. "The charges against me are not entirely untrue." He lifted his head, meeting the paladin's eyes. "I am guilty of thievery."
Ajantis was silent for a long moment, his face unmoving. "I see," he said at last, his voice soft. "What of the other charges?"
Dorean shook his head. "I don't know what happened to Gunnhallur Silvershield. And I am not a murderer."
Three seconds passed. Ajantis' chest deflated as he released a breath he realized he had been holding. He looked down at Dorean's solemn face, and then patted his shoulder. "I have met thieves in my travels. You seem to be one of the better ones."
Dorean's beard rose in a small smile. Ajantis felt the corners of his own lips lift as well. He removed his hand from the little dwarf's shoulder. "A paladin does not break their word. As long as you remain falsely accused, you have my sword, Dorean."
The dwarf held his gaze for a few seconds before bowing his head. "If I may, Ajantis, would you extend your pledge to Imoen as well?"
Ajantis looked at the pink-clad girl slumbering against Xzar's shoulder and then back to Dorean. "I will."
"Thank you. I promise I will repay your kindness."
They smiled at each other, and Ajantis realized that he now felt better; the brewing anger in his stomach had resided.
A thought suddenly occurred to him, and he glanced back at Imoen. "Dorean?"
"Yes?"
"The vest that Imoen is wearing; is it Shadow Armor?"
"Taerom from the smithy in Beregost said it is."
Ajantis looked at him. "It is his most expensive item. Or was." His brow furrowed. "Did you…?"
Dorean's eyes widened, and he lifted and waved his gloved hands. "No, I bought it." He paused. "I...had to commit several burglaries to afford it."
Ajantis frowned at him. Dorean leaned away.
After a moment, the paladin's face broke out in a smile.
"You…you were jesting!" the dwarf accused, glaring as Ajantis let out a laugh which he quickly stifled when Imoen and Xzar both stirred in their sleep.
Ten paces away, Khalid glanced over his shoulder and smiled. "I think t-they are getting along."
Jaheira glanced at Ajantis and Dorean as well, and said nothing. Without looking, she reached out for Khalid's hand for the twentieth time since he was stabbed in the neck. The couple quietly returned to watching the tunnel, their interlocked hands resting between them.
..
"So it was they who attacked you," Thalantyr said slowly, lowering his head and wringing his hands around his staff. "You were the one acting in self-defence."
Kivan grunted, picking up another potion bottle from the table. Thalantyr regarded the wild elf for a moment before stealing yet another glance at Tiax. The gnome was standing a short distance away, eyes glued to the hovering crystal.
"You still haven't told me how you ended up with him."
"He saved my life, and he hunts Tazok," Kivan answered.
They both looked at Tiax. The mad gnome had rambled non-stop since setting foot in High Hedge, commenting on everything from the ceilings to the long corridors and numerous shelved books. Upon entering the shop, however, he had fallen silent and proceeded to do little save stare at the crystal and give the occasional quiet chuckle.
"Are you sure about this?" Thalantyr asked. "I have worked with gnomes before. They can be very unpredictable."
Kivan did not answer. He turned back to the table and selected another potion. Thalantyr huffed, but chose not to push the matter.
"I'm going to look for Melicamp."
Thalantyr froze, staring at the wild elf. "I've got my own people looking- "
"I know."
The magus fell silent, watching as Kivan pulled another two potions from the rack, stuffed them into his pack, then turned and held out a coin pouch to him.
A moment passed, and Thalantyr shook his head. "Keep it," he said, his voice and expression flat.
Kivan blinked, then returned the pouch to his belt without a word or gesture. He turned and strode towards Tiax. "We go south," he said, his voice echoing throughout the chamber.
Tiax turned to him, an odd little smile plastered on his face. "To seek the boy, yes?"
Kivan halted, staring at the gnome. His smile widening, Tiax leaned sideways to look around Kivan, grinning at Thalantyr. "Thou hast pleased Cyric, Conjurer."
Slowly, Kivan turned his head, one eye glancing over his shoulder at the magus. Thalantyr had gone ramrod still, his eyes wide and fixed on Tiax.
"Servant!" Tiax suddenly shouted, and Kivan nearly jumped. "Come! Let us away to find the one called Melicamp! Let it never be said that Cyric does not reward those who serve him!"
The gnome marched towards the shop's only doorway. He stopped a few paces from it, turned to glance back at the crystal, and gave a final, loud snicker before leaving.
Kivan did not look at Thalantyr. Keeping his gaze fixed straight ahead, he moved towards the exit.
"Kivan."
The wild elf ignored the magus, and did not slow his stride. Thalantyr said nothing further, remaining in place long after he had left.