Some changes to the party composition coming up, so read on.
Chapter 14: Recriminations - Day 22
It was the middle of the night by the time the party reached Nashkel. The streets were deserted save for a half dozen sleepy soldiers of the town guard maintaining the watch.
"Well I guess we can get a good night's sleep and then meet the mayor in the morning. No reason to wake him up right now. He will be no less appreciative in the morning." The remainder of the party nodded and followed Ajantis down the street.
Jeral and the remainder of the party walked tiredly towards the Nashkel Inn. A lone figure sat in a chair propped up against the wall of the inn. Hearing the group approach the man rocked forward in his chair, stood up and started to approach the party. He twirled a hand axe in his right hand.
Shaking his head Jeral whispered to the remainder of the party, "When does it end? Everyone make ready, looks like yet another assassin." The party quickly prepared themselves for the advancing figure and likely combat.
"Does this happen with frequency Jeral?" Xan inquired morosely.
"Pretty much every other day lately, someone wants me dead."
"Jeral, to see another with a cloud of doom hovering over their head similar to mine is actually quite refreshing."
"Well so glad the threats to my life make you happy Xan. Can we get back to the assassin who wants to kill me?"
The man walking forward flipped his head back, tossing his hood from his face. Jeral gazed into the face of a grey haired man in early middle age with a jet black beard and long moustache that drooped down below his chin. Smiling evilly he revealed a mouth full of gold teeth as he spoke.
"I am death come for thee, Jeral of Candlekeep. Surrender and your passing will be quicker."
"What? Outnumbered eight to one and we should surrender to you? I think not."
"Why Nimbul has been tasked to deal with the likes of you is beyond me. Very well, this way is always more fun anyway."
With a snarl the assassin hurled a hand axe at Jeral. Jeral's reflexes were up to the task. Without thinking he twisted sideways and the axe missed his head by inches. Khalid was not so fortunate. Khalid was focused on notching an arrow to his long bow and the hand axe caught him full in the chest. The razor sharp axe sliced through the chest plate of Khalid's mail and buried itself deep in the half elf's chest. The long bow and arrow clattered to the ground as Khalid collapsed in a lifeless heap.
Nimbul paused to admire his handiwork.
"How wonderful, one axe, one death! Now it is seven against one. And I have more axes that you have allies!"
Jaheira screamed and dropped her quarter staff to care for her downed husband.
Ajantis, Minsc and Xan charged the assassin while Imoen and Jeral fired arrows. Smiling Nimbul easily dodged each and every arrow like they were no threat at all. Dynaheir added to the fight by casting magic missiles at the assassin. Her enchanted missiles struck the assassin but seemed to cause minimal damage.
As the fighters approached, Nimbul drew a short sword and started to engage Minsc and Ajantis. The assassin was clearly an experienced fighter as he danced between the two larger men jabbing out with his blade. He deftly managed to slide away from each and every attack with ease and found opportunities for quick counter attacks. Ajantis and Minsc were both bleeding from a number of small wounds as they fought the quicker, more experienced fighter. Jeral dropped his bow and moved forward, drawing his long sword as he went. As he approached he realized that Xan was nowhere to be seen. "I cannot believe that Xan ditched us after all we did for him." Shaking his head Jeral started to attack Nimbul.
Smiling Nimbul easily parried Jeral's overhead swing.
"Ahhhhhhh so my prey brings himself to the lion's jaws. How convenient, I think I shall kill you now. Unnnnnnnnnnnhhhhh."
Suddenly the smile dropped off the assassin's face and blood started to bubble and froth from his mouth. Looking down Jeral saw a gleaming blue sword point emerge from the center of Nimbul's stomach. Nimbul never saw the short sword enter his body. With a flick of the wrist Xan sliced open the assassin and watched him die at his feet in a pool of blood and intestines.
"Ahhh we are all doomed knave; but you will leave this world before I do." The elf smiled grimly and cleaned his blade on Nimbul's torn cloak.
Jeral quickly collected the assassin's things and then turned to look back at Khalid. Jaheira had removed the axe from his chest and was cradling her husband's head on her lap.
"Khalid, my love. Come back to me." Tears streamed down her face. Jeral knelt down beside her. "Jaheira how is he?"
"How is he? How can you ask that you fool? An axe buried itself in his chest. He is dead!"
"Milady, can the priests not do anything?"
"I know not the abilities of a priest in this silly little border town Paladin. I suggest you wake the priest right now and find out."
The group stood in a silent observance of their fallen comrade. After a few minutes a priest came running out in his night clothes trailed by Ajantis. After quickly looking over the body he commanded Minsc to pick up Khalid. Minsc gently picked up Khalid and followed the priest into the Temple. Jaheira trailed after the large ranger.
Minsc returned outside. "The priest says he and his acolytes will do what they can. We should come back in the late morning. Jaheira will stay with her husband."
The party entered into the inn. They rented two additional rooms and retired for the night. The pride experienced from clearing the mines was replaced by a deep sense of loss and sorrow.
Imoen and Jeral retired to their room where they both silently prepared for bed until Imoen broke the silence.
"Jeral, is there anything they can do for Khalid?"
"I don't know. I have heard stories that powerful priests can raise anyone no matter what happened to them. I do not know if such a man is the priest here in Nashkel."
"Jeral, I don't think I can do this. I thought it would be exciting to travel with you but there is so much death, so much ugliness. So much blood. I just want to go home."
With the mention of the word blood a chill ran through Jeral's spine. Shaking it off Jeral returned to the conversation.
"Imoen, I understand your concerns. In many ways I share them. But you really have little choice. You can not go home. It is not safe there; even if you had a tome to gain entry. Dangerous people are after me and they would hurt you to get to me."
"So what can I do? I cannot live like this Jeral. I am not strong like you."
"You are stronger than you know. Imoen, once I find out who is after me I will make this right and will get you home. In the mean time I will try and find a safe place for you to stay."
"Promise?"
"Yes I promise." Now let's get some sleep, it is late. Imoen curled up in bed and Jeral held her until she fell asleep. His sleep was much longer coming.
You need power to survive. Without power and powerful friends you will die. Continue to follow the path that lies ahead of you. You shall be blessed with a limited power to heal. Use it wisely. Follow the blood, listen to your blood, and heed its call.
Jeral slept fitfully as the voice in his head continued to fill his mind with notions of power and blood.
Jeral woke to the sun streaming in the open window. Imoen was nowhere to be found. Judging by the sun it was late in the morning. Jeral called for a bath and spent his time preparing himself for the day ahead. Leaving his armor and equipment behind Jeral strapped on his sword belt and strode downstairs. Imoen and Dynaheir were seated at a table in the common room deep in conversation. Jeral settled into a seat besides his sister.
Imoen looked up with a smile. Evidently her perpetual good cheer had returned.
"Morning bro. Dynaheir is just telling me stories of life as a witch. Magic sounds like fun."
"Well Gorion was a great wizard so magic should be something you are familiar with. So where is everyone else?" Dynaheir responded.
"The depressing elf left early this morning to report back to his kind. He thanks you for his release. Minsc is sparring with some of the local soldiers and Ajantis went to meet the mayor."
"Any word on Khalid?"
"No. The doors to the temple are locked up tight and there is no answer."
With that Jeral settled down for a hearty late breakfast while Imoen and Dynaheir resumed their conversation. As Jeral finished his lunch Ajantis returned to the inn. The young paladin was beaming from ear to ear.
"Greetings all. I bear tiding from the Mayor. Berrun Ghastkill called us heroes and thanked us for saving the mines. He also gave us 900 gold. I tried to refuse the money but he insisted. I also returned the emeralds to Oublek and collected a 300 gold reward for those as well. We do great things this day. Helm smiles upon us."
"Well I guess it is nice to be appreciated Ajantis. Although those emeralds were worth a fortune and I would have preferred to sell them."
"Jeral, they were not ours to sell, I will hear no more on the matter. I spoke to an acolyte from the temple. He said that the priest will see us at sunset tomorrow evening."
"Well I guess we have no choice but to wait another day.
The party spent the remainder of the day and the next in town restocking supplies and awaiting word on Khalid and Jaheira.
As the sun set a small child entered the inn and walked straight up to Jeral. "Excuse me milord. I was told to deliver this note to you." Smiling at the child Jeral tossed him a gold coin. The child yelped with excitement and bolted out of the inn with his treasure.
Jeral.
Khalid is dead and I blame you. I know that you did not directly kill my love, but I feel that he died by your hand never the less. Khalid is a good man and deserves a better fate than this. I am working with those who Harp to find a way to bring Khalid back to life. I know in my heart that this is not his time to die. Gorion was a dear friend of mine and Khalid's and we both owe him our lives many times over. No matter what happens remember his teachings. Your life, and the choices you make, will echo throughout the realm.
I am sure our paths will cross again. I cannot say how I will react when next we meet.
The priest here at the temple has a few items for you.
Jaheira
Shaking his head Jeral wordlessly passed the scroll to Imoen. She hastily read it and then passed it to Dynaheir. Once everyone had read the scroll Jeral spoke.
"Well it looks like we have lost Jaheira and Khalid. The path ahead will be dangerous. Others will die. I have to continue but no one else here does."
"Jeral, you know I would never let you face this alone. Gorion was my father too."
Jeral nodded his understanding and swore that he would never let any harm befall Imoen.
"Jeral, if I want to be a force of riotousness in the realm and prove myself to the Order then I must face a great evil. And from what I have seen you have been drawn into a great evil."
"I am happy that my family misfortune will bring you the possibility of glory Paladin."
"Mince and I, and Boo as well, are freely and willingly in your service Jeral. Mince and I too both have things to prove to ourselves to we are with you no matter the danger."
Smiling at the witch and her protector Jeral nodded his thanks. He then excused himself from the table and retired for the evening.
Day 25
The next day the now smaller party entered the temple. The priest was clearly expecting them.
"Ahhhhhhh, welcome intrepid adventurers and saviors of our town. You must be Jeral and the others. Jaheira told me to expect you. I have a few items for you here that I was told you could put to good use."
Jeral could not wait so he interrupted the priest. "Pardon the interruption good priest, where did Jaheira go?"
The priest furrowed his brow and paused before responding, "I assumed it was all in the note. Jaheira left with her husband on a cart. She is headed south to meet with some Harpers who may be able to raise him from the dead."
"So Khalid may yet live?" squealed Imoen.
"Child, the Gods do what they wish. If his heart is pure and the magic is strong he may yet live. Although one who passed through to the other side will often pay dearly for coming back. Sometime the price is just too high for one to pay. Dark tidings. I will speak no more of this, please wait here." Shaking his head the priest shuffled towards the back of the temple.
The Nashkel priest returned a moment later with the set of Ankheg plate and the enchanted gauntlets of dexterity. After much prodding Ajantis accepted both items and replaced his battered, but highly polished splint mail with the new armor. While in the temple the party also purchased ten healing potions, spending a large portion of their reward money in the process. Each person took two to ensure everyone had some healing available since the party now lacked a healer.
After departing the temple the remaining five adventurers sat down at the Nashkel Inn to determine what was next. Jeral placed a large pile of items on the table.
"In gratitude for what we did for the town he priest helped me identify all the enchanted items we have accumulated. As I suspected, these boots provide significant protection against missile attacks. Since Ajantis is usually in the lead I would think he can put them to best use. We also have two enchanted short swords, they are not nearly as powerful as a moon blade but they are still excellent weapons."
"Minsc does not want tiny swords, Minsc would not know how to use such toys."
"Good point, ok I guess Imoen can take one and I will take the second. I have trained with short swords so I will keep it until we have more enchanted long swords."
"We also have a ring for a cleric or druid, since none of us can use it I suggest we hold onto it until we need it. I suggest we rest up today and tomorrow morning we can head to Beregost to search for this Tranzig fellow." The group broke up to attend to their personal needs and passed a sleepy night in Nashkel.