Chapter 33 – O brother where art thou? – Day 107
Never thought I would get here. For those of you who have stuck around for the ride. Thank you so much!
The table was covered with vases of fresh flowers, crystal pitchers of excellent watered wine, fruits, cheeses and loaves of fresh bread. Servants shuffled around the room ensuring that everyone sitting at the table had anything they wished. Steaming plates of eggs and blood sausages joined with the overabundance of food already on the table. A pair of musicians – one a harpist and one a cellist – played softly in the corner. The entire room exuded affluence, cheerfulness, and light. Despite the welcoming nature of the environment everyone at the table looked grim. Lady Janneth slowly stood and leaned heavily on the table as she eyed everyone in turn. Her handsome face was lined with fatigue that provided ample evidence that she had not slept at all the night before. She cleared her throat softly and everyone at the table quickly quieted down and eyed the Grand Duke expectantly.
Good morrow to you all. I am pleased to see that you have managed to get some rest and freshen up. I hope you are indeed rested for I believe I have an outlet for all of your energy. It took me most of the night to track down the Bhaal child's location but I managed to do so. He has retreated to an abandoned temple dedicated to that same God in an ancient cavern that lies deep under the city."
"Then we will go there and strike him down in the heart of his foul lair!"
Lady Janneth managed a tight smile at the paladin's outburst but the cheer did not extend to her eyes.
"Squire Ajantis is it not? I am glad to see you have not suffered unduly for your ordeal in the Fist gaol. I am sure you will have adequate opportunity to dispense justice. Pray allow me to continue uninterrupted however for our time is short."
Ajantis had the good grace to blush and nodded his obedience to her command.
Lady Janneth took a sip of watered wine, brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear and continued. "I had thought the caverns lay forgotten and undisturbed by the living but apparently that assessment was in error. Sarevok and a small number of followers are apparently there. They have made no effort to move since they arrived last night. Something tells me that they are waiting for you Jeral. I am unsure why our almost Grand Duke has some affinity towards you but I will find out."
Jeral nodded and avoided making eye contact with the powerful mage as he focused on the food on the table in front of him. He had no desire to announce that he and Sarevok shared an unholy father to the audience around him.
"I can teleport the eight of you into the caverns. I can get you a few hundred yards away from the temple so you should be able to make your way from there without any problems."
"What can we expect to find in the caverns besides Sarevok and his companions?"
"And where are Endar and Lord Belt?"
"Both of your questions show wisdom. I shall answer them in turn. I suspect the caverns are home to the undead but beyond that I cannot say Lady Dynaheir. As for your question Maid Imoen, Endar and Lord Belt are leading a detachment of elite guardsmen, our senior clerics, and some old adventuring companions of theirs into the caverns. Apparently there is access to the caverns through a little known tunnel that originates in the thieves' guild. Endar is one of the few that knows the way through the traps. And before you ask young one know that their path will take hours and I cannot take the chance that Sarevok escapes our judgment. You must proceed without delay."
The eight drained their glasses and stood up as one. Nodding to one another they formed up behind the table making final adjustments to their weapons and armor. Ajantis was back in his ankheg plate with his enchanted shield, boots of speed and heavily enchanted long sword. Minsc looked like a metal tower as he stood stock still in his heavy suit of full plate, the massive Spiders Bane held in front of him. Alatosi stood at his side in her chain tunic as she oiled her katana. Dynaheir stood silently while Niklos and Imoen held hands as they waited for Lady Janneth to begin. Finally it was time and Lady Janneth began her complex incantations, her face locked in a frown of concentration. As she completed the spell she tapped the end of her staff gently on the table, and the room went black.
Jeral struggled to remain on his feet as the spell ended. He could not see anything for the cavern was pitch black, but he could tell that it was a new location from the smell. The air was foul and stale and reeked of death and decay. Dynaheir and Imoen muttered a few words and a half dozen mage lights winked into existence. Four blue lights clearly were from Dynaheir while two gaudy pink globes of light left no doubt as to their creator. Dynaheir positioned her lights in a perimeter around the group allowing them to see about fifty paces in each direction.
"Lady Dynaheir your mage lights will draw the undead to us like flies, you must put them out immediately."
"Correct Squire Ajantis but we need to see. Only good Yeslick can see in the dark."
"Tis true lass but if the undead be a concern they are near invisible to even the best dwarven eyes for they give off no heat. I too welcome the light."
A low moan echoed off in the distance. Dynaheir and Imoen locked eyes and Imoen's pink mage lights shot off towards the noise. The lights soon illuminated a large mass of zombies shambling towards the group, drawn to the lights and the scent of flesh. Jeral's quick count stopped at over two score of the slow moving undead creatures.
"Let's see if you long limbs can keep up with me." Yeslick grasped his war hammer and charged into the horde of creatures closely trailed by Minsc, Ajantis and Alatosi. Yeslick slammed into the lead zombie and pummeled him to the ground smashing the creature's skull with his war hammer. The warriors followed in trail cutting a swath through the slow moving creatures. Jeral watched in awe as the quartet defeated four times their number without sustaining any wounds of significance.
Once the mass of zombies were defeated the group reformed.
"So where are we supposed to go? This place must be crawling with zombies and worse. We need to find the way directly to the temple and now." Imoen struggled to keep the fear out of her voice as she spoke.
Jeral raised an arm and pointed off into the distance. "Sarevok and the temple are that way."
"How could you possibly know that? We have seen nothing down here but this infernal darkness and the foul undead."
"Ajantis, trust me on this one. I feel it in my bones, we go that way." Jeral felt his inner being pulling him towards Sarevok. Something deep inside him was forcing the two of them together.
The group slowly worked their way through the caverns moving as quietly as possible. Jeral thought their efforts at stealth were wasted since they moved as a large group bathed by a half dozen mage lights. After stumbling along in the glare of the mage lights for some time a mass of black stone rose out of the very shadows; they had reached their destination.
All eight of them stopped as one and wordlessly started at the frightening scene that appeared before them. The Temple of Bhaal was a massive foreboding structure that chilled all who gazed upon it. Every aspect of its construction appeared to foment terror in observers. Every inch of the exterior temple walls was engraved with carvings that showed death. Men, dwarves, elves, virtually every humanoid race was depicted dying in the most horrific ways possible. Jeral's eyes were drawn to a particularly horrific image of a young child as she was burned alive. This was the true essence of Bhaal, a God who offered nothing more than suffering and death. Not for the first time Jeral struggled to understand how any could follow a Lord of Murder. Even worse, Jeral wondered what such tainted blood could make him do. Could he have any hope to rise above the tainted blood that flowed in his veins?
"Uh, Jeral, please tell me we do not have to go in there."
"Sarevok is in there. I have to go in sis. Stay here if you wish."
"Not a chance. Where you go I go, we are in this together."
"Fear not Maid Imoen, for I shall be honored to protect you."
"Sod off Ajantis. I can take care of myself. And if not Niklos can protect me."
Jeral shook his head as he watched Imoen nurse her grudge against Ajantis. Despite the colorful hair and the bright clothes Imoen definitely had developed an edge to her personality.
"Well while you lot are bickering what say I have a wee peek inside?" Without waiting for an answer Niklos disappeared from sight. The temple door slowly creaked open as his unseen form slipped inside. The group backed away from the door and kept a wary watch in all directions as they waited for the young thief to return. After waiting for an indeterminate period of time Niklos reappeared right in front of Jeral.
"Sarevok is inside all right. He is there with the former Captain Angelo, that old wizard from the coronation and a massive half ogre."
"That has to be Tazok, the leader of the bandit camp."
"I care not a whit for his name Helmite. He is a good sight taller than even Minsc and is clad in a massive suit of plate mail. He and Sarevok are two of the most dangerous looking fighters I have ever seen. They are just sitting inside waiting for us. That entire place scares the life out of me."
"Those of us who live in the light and on the side of righteousness have nothing to fear from such a place. We are twice their number and we have justice on our side. We will prevail, Helm shall guide us."
"I am sure Helm will be quite useful Ajantis but it would help if we could find a way to at least get them out of the temple. As a Bhaal child Sarevok draws strength from his proximity to his father. Fighting him inside that temple would make him almost invulnerable."
"How could you possibly know that Jeral? I have not heard of that mentioned in any of Alundo's prophecies."
"Trust me Dynaheir, I just do. My life in Candlekeep did expose me to many things and the monks studied the prophecies extensively." Jeral quietly looked at the massive structure for a few moments until he snapped his fingers and smiled at the group.
"I think I have a way to make them come out here and face us on ground of our choosing. Back up a few paces and make yourself ready for a fight." Jeral laid out his remaining 12 arrows of detonation on the ground and calmly picked one up and aimed it at the side of the massive temple.
"Jeral surely you do not intend to defile Bhaal's temple. That may well incur the wrath of the God himself."
Jeral looked back at Ajantis and released the arrow. Even without looking his arrow could not possibly miss the massive temple. As it hurtled towards its target Jeral smiled at the paladin.
"Sod him, he can be as angry at me as he may wish."
The arrow struck the side of the temple and exploded with an ear shattering roar. Jeral dropped to a knee and quickly fired a second, third and fourth arrow at the exact same place in the wall. The fourth arrow blew a small hole in the thick wall and Jeral quickly launched another quartet of arrows into the gap. They exploded inside the temple and small sections of the roof started to collapse into the temple. He knew that Sarevok would soon move out of the temple and then one of them would die.
Jeral felt a wave of spells wash over him as Dynaheir completed her haste spell and Yeslick blessed the party. The fighters spread out in a loose row with Imoen, Dynaheir and Niklos behind them. Jeral stood off to the side of the others and launched a ninth arrow of detonation up to the roof of the temple. It struck near the top of the massive structure and huge sections of the roof fell inwards on the temple.
Jeral turned to watch Alatosi and Minsc quaff yellow potions while Ajantis bowed in prayer. All were ready as they would be for the fight to come.
The massive temple doors exploded outwards in a gout of flame as they were flung a hundred paces across the cavern. Tazok lumbered out of the explosion; the massive half ogre was clad in a suit of full plate mail and held a wicked looking spiked club in his hands. As he cleared the temple he spotted the party. Wordlessly he turned and charged the group moving with magically enhanced speed. Yeslick and Minsc charged towards Tazok and the trio soon met with the clash of steel.
Jeral watched as Captain Angelo and the elderly wizard strolled out of the crumbling temple. Angelo silently drew his bastard sword and strode towards the group. Clad in a suit of well made split mail he still cut a striking figure despite his banishment from the ranks of the Flaming Fist. Ajantis uttered a quick prayer to Helm, saluted the warrior and strode to meet him in one on one combat. Moving with enhanced speed due to his boots and Dynaheir's spell Ajantis closed with the mercenary in an instant.
The enemy mage muttered a few words and quickly was enveloped in a sphere of energy and then his skin and robes turned the color of stone. Jeral realized that this was a powerful wizard and wondered if Dynaheir was up to the challenge. Imoen and Niklos moved to stand next to Dynaheir ready to support her with blade and dart as needed.
Jeral stood to the rear surveying the scene and waiting for Sarevok to enter into view. Jeral nervously fidgeted with his bow and held one of his few remaining exploding arrows in his hand. Alatosi stood next to Jeral tapping her blades together and she watched the battle unfold.
"Let me guess. Endar told you to keep an eye on me."
"Actually he said I was to do whatever it took to keep you alive. I am willing to lay down my life for you."
"Well that is very flattering Alatosi, let us both hope that is not necessary."
Jeral shook his head and returned his view to the melee unfolding in front of him. Tazok was roaring and his massive club was a blur as he swung it back and forth. Yeslick and Minsc both were bellowing inhuman sounding war cries of their own as they worked smoothly together, one drawing Tazok's attention while the other pressed their attacks home. Jeral watched as Yeslick rolled forward under a strike from Tazok and landed a glancing blow on Tazok's knee. The blow did not slow the massive half ogre at all but Jeral realized that the duo was slowly gaining the upper hand over Tazok.
Jeral turned his head to the left and saw that Ajantis was struggling against Captain Angelo. The experienced mercenary fighter moved in a blur and Ajantis struggled to parry each blow with blade and shield. Angelo slashed at Ajantis and the paladin barely managed to lean backwards and evade the blow. Without pausing Angelo reversed the swing and his back slash cut deeply into the paladin's right arm. The enchanted bastard sword dug into the ankheg plate mail right below his shoulder. Ajantis cried out in pain and dropped his blade as a stream of blood issued from the wound.
Ajantis slid backwards and barely managed to bring his shield across his body to intercept the next blow. Jeral dropped the exploding arrow to the ground and quickly drew an arrow of ice. His snap shot at Angelo's head was true but the fighter jerked back his head at the last second as the arrow merely grazed his face leaving a trail of frost on his right cheekbone.
Angelo locked eyes with Jeral and sneered.
"The master says you belong to him fool! Else I would slice you in half. Instead I will kill this foolish young Helmite." Angelo struck out time and again at Ajantis and drove the paladin to a knee as he hammered on the squire's shield. The heavy blows started bending the shield despite the enchantments built into it.
"Alatosi, Ajantis needs your help."
"Endar said I must protect you. He said nothing about the Helmite. Besides the man is a prat of the highest order."
Jeral felt a rush of anger welling up inside. Who was this woman to disobey him? Jeral locked eyes with the weapons master and leaned forward until their foreheads touched.
"I…said…..aid…..the Helmite…..NOW!"
Jeral eyes flashed with a golden intensity as he bellowed the final word at the woman. Something in his voice caused her to take a step back and look at him very closely. Cocking her head to the side Alatosi appraised him carefully.
"You….there is something about you that is not right, something not natural. However, I will do what you say for now. Later we will continue this conversation. If we both survive." Without looking back Alatosi raced forward to stand over the fallen Helmite. Her dual blades flashed in the mage lights and matched Angelo strike for strike. Jeral instinctively knew that Alatosi was more than a match for Captain Angelo.
A ball of fire exploded off to Jeral's right and he turned to see Imoen and Niklos roll away to cover. Dynaheir was bathed in a blue light that seemed to protect her from the flames and heat. Dynaheir dropped to a knee and launched a brace of magic missiles at her opponent. They reached the other mage and dissolved into the yellow globe of energy that surrounded him. Jeral was distracted from watching the mage battle as the remainder of the temple finally collapsed in a massive cloud of dust and debris. Sarevok strode out of the billowing cloud of dust. Jeral inhaled deeply as the vision before him took him back to the clearing where it all began. Sarevok was clad in the same intricate set of black full plate mail from so many months ago. The holy symbol of Bhaal glowed brightly on Sarevok's chest and bathed the entire cavern in an unholy golden light.
Sarevok slowly surveyed the scene in front of him. He watched unconcerned as his allies fought desperately against superior numbers of enemies. He locked eyes with Jeral and his golden eyes flashed brightly. Jeral could not see Sarevok's face due to the massive visored helm but he knew the man was smirking at him. Jeral snapped off a pair of arrows of ice at the heavily armored man. Sarevok's blade flashed and the arrows dropped to the ground, each cleanly sliced in two.
"Arrows Jeral? Come face me like a real man. Let us settle this brother to brother."
Jeral nocked another arrow of ice and let it fly, then a second, and a third. He then quickly picked up one of his very last arrows of detonation and launched it squarely at Sarevok's chest. Sarevok held his blade in the guard position and smashed one arrow out of the air and then a second. Seeing the third arrow almost upon him Sarevok quickly dropped to his knees and the shaft skimmed harmlessly over his head.
Jeral could not believe how fast the man could move. Heavily armed and armored he still moved as quickly as any man Jeral had ever seen. Sarevok's effort to avoid the third arrow was not without cost however. As he dropped to his knees Jeral's fourth arrow struck a glancing blow on the right edge of Sarevok's great helm. The resulting blast threw everyone off their feet and Sarevok was hurled back into the dust and debris cloud from the collapsed temple. Jeral gripped his long bow tightly in his left hand as he raced forward into the debris cloud dodging around the others as they struggled to their feet and resumed their personal battles.
Choking on the dust Jeral looked around wildly for the downed warrior. Jeral forced himself to slow down and had to move cautiously to avoid tripping over the rubble strewn everywhere – all that remained of the ancient temple. Regardless of the outcome of the battle Jeral took a grim satisfaction in knowing he had destroyed the temple. Jeral heard a shuffling close by and froze in place. He held his bow at the ready with a fire arrow held in place ready to launch. The dust continued to settle and Jeral could only see a few yards in all directions as he continued to search for Sarevok. A dark shadow appeared to Jeral's right and quickly grew larger as it approached. Sarevok strode out of the dust. His great helm was horribly disfigured and showed clear signs of blast damage. The entire right side of his helm was dented in, all of the horns were ripped from the right side of the helmet and blood flowed from under the helm where it dug into Sarevok's face.
"Attacked with arrows of explosion purchased for my own personal guards. How very unpleasant."
Sarevok swung a massive overhead blow at Jeral. The bard stumbled on some loose stones and could not twist out of the way. Jeral snapped off a quick shot but his arrow glanced of Sarevok's chest plate and shattered without doing any damage. Jeral could only watch helplessly as the blade descended. At the last instant Jeral dropped to a knee and held his enchanted long bow over his head with both hands. Sarevok's blade cut deeply into the bow and the force of the blow drove Jeral to the ground. The heavy enchantments in the long bow managed to slow the strike enough to allow Jeral to dive out of the way. The bard scrabbled backwards to get away from Sarevok's blade as he tossed the remains of his long bow to the side.
Sarevok slammed his blade into the ground and the point bit deeply into the stone. Grasping his disfigured helmet with both hands he pulled outwards on the bent metal and slowly pulled it off his head. As Sarevok's face came into view Jeral recoiled in horror. His arrow had collapsed the right side of his face. The skull was collapsed inwards and a handful of teeth were missing. Sarevok's right ear was ripped off and hung from the helmet like an evil talisman. Sarevok's handsome visage was marred almost beyond recognition.
Sarevok tossed his mangled helmet to the side and gripped his face in his hands. Jeral watched transfixed as Sarevok's hands glowed red for an instant. As he pulled his hands away from his face Jeral stared open mouthed as Sarevok's face was once again the haughty, handsome visage he knew all too well. Jeral looked a second time at Sarevok and noted that his right ear was still missing. The wound was closed but the ear was still gone, a lingering flaw in an otherwise perfect face.
"You see brother; you are not the only one with gifts from our father. As the favored offspring I have gifts and powers that others only dream about. Despite your cowardly attack I am once again the vision of male perfection."
Jeral chuckled to himself and slowly made his way to his feet. As he dusted himself off he looked at Sarevok and shook his head. He pulled his quiver off his back and tossed it to the side and then slowly drew his pair of enchanted short swords.
"Before you start going on about perfection I would suggest you scratch your right ear."
Sarevok's hand flew to the side of his face and his hand clenched and unclenched as he felt around the side of his head looking for his ear.
Jeral lazily pointed to Sarevok's helm on the ground.
"I think it is over there. Maybe a good seamstress can sew it back on for you."
Sarevok spied the tattered remnants of his ear off to the side and let out a ground shaking howl of rage. Sarevok ripped his blade out of the ground and charged towards Jeral. The holy symbol at the center of Sarevok's chest glowed with a frightening intensity. Jeral could feel the eyes of death upon him, watching and waiting for him to enter the underworld.
Jeral strode towards Sarevok twirling his blades as he did so. Jeral's blood pounded in his head as he moved to close with the large warrior. Jeral's lip lifted into a sneer and he welcomed the chance to avenge his father. Sarevok charged into Jeral and swung his blade in a massive diagonal arc. Jeral nimbly hopped over the blade and struck out at Sarevok's right shoulder. His blades sparked off the shoulder plate of Sarevok's armor and left no mark upon his darkly enchanted plate mail. Sarevok swung a lightning quick backhand blow and Jeral threw himself backwards to avoid the strike. Jeral smiled with the realization that his speed was more than a match for Sarevok. He had never moved as quickly as he did so now. Visions of blood, Sarevok's blood, filled his mind and he imagined watching the killer of Gorion die.
Fueled by rage and a thirst for revenge Jeral lashed out with his blades and Sarevok swatted his strikes away. Jeral's speed ensured that he could keep Sarevok on the defensive but he could not penetrate Sarevok's guard to inflict any damage. Sarevok had regained his composure and mocked Jeral as he parried his attacks.
"First you attack with arrows and now you dare to face me with those puny blades. Those are not the weapons of a warrior. Those are the weapons of a child. A child who is ill prepared for the dangers of the world. A child who is too weak to protect those closest to them. A child who could only watch as Gorion died. Ever pathetic. Ever a fool."
The vision of Gorion's death passed through Jeral's mind unbidden and unwelcome. A wave of emotion overcame Jeral as he realized how much he loved and missed his foster father. Jeral forced back a sob as he realized he would never see Gorion again or hear his voice.
Sarevok's next blow brought Jeral out of his reverie as he only just managed to direct it away with his blades. The force of the blow jarred the bard's shoulders painfully. Sarevok was even stronger than Minsc and seemed to be gaining strength as they fought. Jeral ducked under the next blow and slashed out at Sarevok's left leg with both blades. The blades stuck home but could not penetrate Sarevok's armor. Sarevok slammed his shoulder into Jeral and knocked the bard off his feet. Sarevok glared down at the bard and his eyes flashed with thoughts of victory. "You will die today puny one, alone and forgotten."
"He is not the one about to die today; nice ear by the way."
Jeral turned to watch as Imoen hurled a pair of blades at Sarevok. Her clothes were torn away in places but she looked no worse for her contest with the enemy mage. The first blade found a joint in his armor and dug in under his left armpit while the second glanced off the man's plate mail.
"Get up Jeral. We are not done until this one is dead."
Imoen pulled a second pair of blades out from her sleeves and readied them to throw.
"You and Alatosi can keep him busy while I look for an opening."
Alatosi strode past the downed bard and placed herself directly in front of Sarevok. Her long chain mail tunic was slashed in a number of places and she was bleeding from shallow wounds on her left leg and both arms. Despite the wounds she moved as one uninjured. She held up both blades in front of her face in a salute as she prepared to face the large warrior.
Jeral chanced a quick view back over his shoulder to take a look at the status of everyone else. Ajantis was flat on his back and lay there unmoving. Yeslick knelt over the paladin and Jeral watched as Yeslick called upon his divine gifts to heal the victim. Niklos and Minsc sat back to back both bleeding from numerous wounds. They were clearly alive but they were incapable of movement let alone combat. Dynaheir lay across her protector's lap and was not moving. Jeral could not determine if she was dead, injured or just exhausted from her duel with the enemy mage. Tazok, Angelo and the mage all lay on the ground and Jeral smiled when he realized that his friends had managed to defeat their enemies. Sarevok stood alone.
Jeral slowly stood up and moved to stand next to Alatosi. The pair faced off against Sarevok. Jeral smiled grimly as he stared at the large warrior.
"Your friends are dead, your plans are foiled, and your temple is destroyed. You stand alone and outnumbered."
"Fool. Those men who lay there were not my friends. They were tools I used to achieve my own ends; their deaths mean nothing to me. Friends are for the week. I stand alone but what stands against me? A whelp with a child's blades, a pink haired imbecile and this ungainly looking wench. Hardly a challenge for one with my gifts. As for my plans, so long as I live I am our father's chosen son, the tool for his resurrection and my ascension into the ranks of the divine."
"Well you will be seeing him very soon."
Jeral stabbed out with his right hand blade as Alatosi lashed out with her katana. Sarevok accepted the katana blow on his shoulder plate as he parried Jeral's stab with his own blade. Sarevok leapt forward and punched Jeral in the mouth with the pommel of his sword and Jeral staggered back and struggled to clear his vision. Sensing Jeral was temporarily out of the fight Sarevok pivoted sharply and savagely attacked Alatosi.
His blade swung time and time again and the weapons master met each and every strike with a parry of her own. She even managed to launch a few weak counterattacks to keep Sarevok off balance. Jeral blinked his eyes a few times and could see clearly once again. Blood streamed down his face and he knew he had a broken nose and possibly a broken jaw. He adjusted the grip on his blades and trotted forward to again confront Gorion's killer. Sarevok was wholly focused on Alatosi and barely registered at Jeral's return to the fight.
Jeral noted with a start that Sarevok was smiling as he battled Alatosi.
Jeral hurled himself at Sarevok and his blades glanced harmlessly of the big man's armor.
"Ahhhh look who is back. How is your jaw pretty one?"
"Better than your ear!"
The retort about his disfigured face startled Sarevok and he lost focus for an instant. That was enough for Alatosi to dart under his guard and stab with her left handed blade at a joint in his armor. Her short sword parted the chain mail protecting his left hip and bit deeply. He howled in pain and lowered his blade quickly to defend against her strike. The massive blade bit deeply into her left shoulder and her arm dropped to her side useless as her short sword clattered to the ground. She gasped in pain and slid backwards as she struggled to remain focused on her opponent despite the massive injury. She held her katana out in front of her but the blade trembled from the exertion.
Jeral stepped forward to place himself between Alatosi and Sarevok. The large warrior contemptuously swatted him away with the flat of his blade. The blow shattered a few ribs and drove the metal rings of his mail deep into his side and he was again flung to the ground.
"Insect. You die last. You will watch all of your friends die and learn that compassion is a fatal weakness."
Jeral struggled to his feet as he watched Sarevok close with the weapons master. Her face was pale and gaunt from the pain and massive blood loss. Jeral could smell the blood from where he was and wondered how she could possibly still be on her feet. Sarevok struck once and then again. Each time Alatosi parried his strike but the exertion cost her dearly. Finally the inevitable happened. Alatosi swung wildly with her blade aiming for Sarevok's head. Sarevok reached out with a gauntleted left hand and grabbed her wrist in a vice like grasp. In her weakened state she was helpless to break free of his grasp. He squeezed and Jeral could hear the bones shattering in her wrist. Alatosi screamed in pain as the katana fell from her grasp. Sarevok pulled her in close and from Jeral's perspective it looked as if two lovers were caught in an embrace. With a last surge of energy Alatosi lashed out and head butted Sarevok in the nose. His nose shattered and he bellowed in rage. He released her wrist and stepped back to quickly compose himself.
Sarevok grasped his war blade in a two handed grip and stabbed outwards. His strike easily sliced through her chain tunic and Jeral watched in horror as the blade exited in the center of her lower back trailing a stream of muscle, blood and bone. Alatosi gasped in pain and her head rolled back to the sky. Sarevok quickly withdrew his blade and the weapons master dropped to the ground in a heap. Sarevok eyed her dispassionately and then turned to face Jeral.
"That one, she did show great courage and some skill with a blade. I have not faced the likes of her in some time. But no matter. Once again someone faces me and falls before me. Get up Jeral and let us finish this. But know that I will butcher all of your companions once you fall."
Jeral struggled to his feet and stood on unsteady legs. Fatigue, pain and despair all served to sap him of his energy. All of the magical enhancements he carried into battle were long gone and whatever gifts he conjured from within had also departed. Jeral stood very much alone and feared that Gorion's killer might yet prevail. Jeral stared at the massive armored warrior facing him and wracked his brain for a strategy that showed any chance of success.
A flash of pink behind Sarevok quickly drove a jolt of energy through Jeral as it provided him what he so desperately needed – hope. Jeral reversed his grip and grasped both blades in an overhand grip so the blades pointed downwards.
Wordlessly he charged Sarevok and when he neared the warrior he leapt in the air and aimed his blades to stab downwards on each side of his neck. Sarevok stabbed upwards with his blade and Jeral desperately twisted sideways to avoid impaling himself on the blade. Despite his gyrations the blade sliced deeply into his left side. Jeral continue twisting and his right hand blade buried itself deeply into Sarevok's shoulder, missing his neck by inches. Jeral fell to the ground and placed his hands over the massive wound on his left side. He struggled to call forth his healing powers but nothing happened as his blood continued to pour through his fingers.
Sarevok loomed over Jeral and he plucked the sword out of his left shoulder and tossed it to the ground. He was bleeding profusely and no longer looked as confident and cocky as he had moments earlier.
"That was…unexpected Jeral. I did not think you could manage to get inside my guard. However know that you have failed. You could not protect Gorion, you cannot protect your friends and you will not stand next to our father. If you had been more reasonable I would have allowed you to serve me as one of my generals. But that cannot happen now. Such a disappointment. No matter it is time for you to…..uggggggggggrrrrrrrkkkkkk."
Sarevok's last threat died in his throat as Imoen leapt onto his back. Her fighting knives drove deeply into both sides of his neck. Before he could react she gritted her teeth and viciously drove her left hand forward while she pulled her right hand backwards. The front of Sarevok's throat exploded outwards as a geyser of blood drenched Jeral while the second blade created an equally massive wound on the back of his neck. Imoen's attack nearly decapitated the large warrior and left her showered in his blood. Massive wounds on each side of his neck showed the tremendous damage she had done. No one could survive such a devastating injury.
Sarevok spit up blood as he dropped to his knees. Imoen walked around to face the warrior and drove both blades into the top of his skull. Wordlessly he fell backwards folding in on himself as he collapsed to the ground. Imoen watched impassively as the blood pooled around Sarevok in an ever widening circle. When the blood lapped at the toes of her boots she slid them backwards and turned to face Jeral. Jeral looked up into Imoen's blood drenched face. Her wide eyes and cherubic smile served as a disturbing contrast to the horrific gore that covered her face, arms and torso.
"You are sooooooooo lucky I was around to save your skin. Man, did he kick your arse or what? Lucky you did not face him in the tournament of the Watchers back in the spring."
Imoen rifled through her pockets and handed Jeral a blue potion vial.
"This is my last one, it won't fix all of your wounds but it should keep you alive until Yeslick can heal you."
Jeral pushed it away.
"Alatosi needs this more than I do. Give it to her."
Imoen's smile vanished from her face as she stared at Jeral.
"Alatosi is gone Jeral, Sarevok killed her. There is nothing any of us can do for her."
Nodding Jeral unstoppered the vial and gulped down the contents. Warmth drifted through his body and the pain lessened slightly. The flow of blood from his side continued but at a greatly reduced flow. Jeral realized that he would probably survive to see another day. As he started to relax he lay back down on the cold hard ground and allowed himself to slowly drift off into a blessed unconsciousness. Gorion was avenged, Sarevok lay dead, and that was enough for now.
A soft but insistent voice was calling his name. Was it angels calling him to the afterlife? Jeral did not think he was near death but maybe he was incorrect, maybe he was dying. The angels were really persistent however, and sort of mean sounding. And now the angels were kicking him and hard.
"Jeral. Jeral. Jeral. JERAL WAKE UP NOW!"
Jeral sat up with a start and cried out in pain as he grasped his side.
"What is going on?"
Imoen just pointed towards Sarevok's corpse. She had made an effort to wipe some of the blood and gore off her face and now the red contrasted sharply with the pale white of her face. Imoen was as scared as he had ever seen her.
Jeral started as he stared at Sarevok's near headless corpse. The body and the blood around it glowed with an intense yellow light that matched the glow from Sarevok's eyes when he was angry.
Imoen held her fighting knives at the ready as she stared at the glowing corpse. The light surrounding Sarevok's body started pulsing as if it was moving in time with Jeral's own heartbeat. The siblings watched as the body started to dissolve into the very ground as if Sarevok's entire being was returning to the underworld. After a few moments nothing remained of Sarevok but his battered suit of armor, a dented helm, and massive war blade. Ever last scrap of flesh, every last drop of blood, it was all gone.
"Jeral, what just happened?"
"I think Bhaal just reclaimed what belonged to him."
"That's impossible. Bhaal is dead."
"Impossible or not Imoen, your eyes saw what they saw same as mine. Every last scrap of the man has disappeared. Even the blood on you, all of it, is gone."
Imoen quickly looked at her hands and her tunic and realized that she showed no evidence of having nearly cut a man's head off. She was cleaner than when she entered the caverns.
"Ok. I saw it but I do not believe it. How will we prove that we killed him if there is no body?"
"Imoen, receiving payment from the Grand Dukes is the least of my concerns. We are weak and few in numbers and in a dark cavern surrounded by who knows how many undead. I just hope we can survive until Lord Belt and his forces arrive."
Day 109
Jeral sat up in bed as Lord Belt and Lady Janneth entered the room. Jeral realized that he was naked underneath the covers and he quickly pulled the blankets up to his chin.
Lord Belt and Lady Janneth both chuckled at the bard's modesty. Lord Belt tossed a heavy coin purse onto the bed and clapped him heavily on the shoulder.
"Glad to see you up and around lad. We feared you might not survive your wounds. Our healers had a time patching up your ribs and your face. But yet now I look upon you and there is not a mark anywhere. You do not look like a man who has fought to stay alive for the past season."
"Yes I must say your constitution is remarkable. The strongest dwarf would not recover as rapidly as you. Very curious."
Jeral ignored Lady Janneth's comments and nodded politely to Lord Belt.
"I thank you for your concern and the gold. Both are very much appreciated. Are the others recovering well?
"Ajantis and Dynaheir are still in bed recovering from their wounds and exhaustion but they will be fine. Yeslick continues to tend to their needs. Minsc and Niklos are up and about and they went shopping with Imoen. She wanted to buy some new clothes for the celebration in your honor."
"When is the celebration?"
"That will be in the evening three days hence. Lady Janneth and I will recognize you and your companions for their contributions towards the safety of the city. Hopefully they will have scrubbed all the blood off the floor in the coronation room by then."
Jeral choose not to dwell on that cheerful thought. "When will they bury Alatosi Lord Belt?"
"I do not know lad. Endar took her body with him when we returned to the city."
Day 112
"Lords and ladies I present the saviors of Baldur's Gate!" As Lady Janneth spoke those words the coronation room erupted in applause. Jeral raised his glass and drank deeply as watched his companions revel in the adulation. Imoen skipped up to Jeral and grabbed him by the arm.
"So we have really come up in the world. Started as heroes of Nashkel and now saviors of Baldur's Gate. Not too shabby."
"Well we have definitely come a long way in a short time that much is true."
"Don't be a downer Jeral. Sarevok is dead, Gorion is avenged and we are heroes. Even better we are rich heroes. The Dukes are allowing us to live in the Seven Suns estate for as long as we wish for free!"
"Well I hope they clean the place first."
"Of course. The place looks great. They have filled the larders and staffed the place with servants. Everyone else has already moved their equipment over there. Well everyone but Ajantis. He rides for Athkatla tomorrow morning to deliver his report to his Order. But let's face it that is no loss to us. We will have more fun without him. We are just waiting on you."
Day 119
Jeral's head was pounding as he staggered outside into the early morning sun. Yeslick was outside placing the last of his belongings into a small wagon. There were provisions on the wagon to last for months. Jeral walked up and patted Yeslick on the shoulder.
The dwarf turned and beamed at the disheveled looking bard.
"Good morning laddie. I am surprised you are standing after all the ale you drank last night. You must be part dwarf. Even Minsc is still unable to get out of bed. How is Imoen?"
"I looked in on her and Niklos this morning. They were both passed out in bed with a pool of vomit to keep them company."
"Ahhhhhhh it is not a party unless a dwarf can drive a human or two to vomit. Good times."
"Are you sure you have to leave?"
"It is time. There is nothing for me here but the reminder of my failures. As the last of my clan I intend to return to the mountains and search for the original home of my ancestors."
"Know that you have a friend for life Master dwarf. If I can ever be of service you need only ask."
Jeral embraced the dwarf in a hug and lifted him off the ground. Jeral watched the dwarf mount up his wagon and slowly make his way out of sight. Once Yeslick was out of sight Jeral staggered back inside and passed out in bed vowing never to attempt to match drinks with a dwarf again.
Day 180
Jeral stood and raised a glass as he toasted the happy couple. They held the wedding in the Burning Bandit and it was a colorful affair. Imoen positively glowed in a shimmering white and silver dress tailored by Madame Clarisse. Niklos looked handsome and thrilled to be marrying Imoen as he stood next to her. Some of the finest nobility in the city had turned out to attend the event of the season and they mingled with most of the leading members of the thieves' guild. All had agreed to a truce for the evening. The Flaming Fist and the guild both agreed to suspend operations for the night. Jeral spied Lord Belt and Endar Sai chatting quietly in a corner and he approached the pair.
Lord Belt smiled and lifted a large mug of ale in greeting. "Ahhhhh good Jeral. So nice to see you on this fine evening. The last day of summer is always an auspicious time to hold a wedding. It omens well for the happy couple's future."
Jeral smiled tiredly as he nodded in reply.
"They look very happy together. I am glad that Imoen has some happiness and a future after all of this darkness and despair."
"That is behind all of you Jeral. The city is safe. Sarevok and his followers are dead. The threat of war is removed. All is as it should be."
Jeral did not want to mention that the dreams had returned to him within a week of Sarevok's death. Dark dreams that foretold of blood and death on a massive scale. Dreams that told Jeral he must win or die. Their return had also come with the return of his dark gifts. Suddenly he could heal his wounds again, and he had gained other powers as well.
"May I speak to Endar privately for a moment please?"
Lord Belt nodded and strode off to refill his mug. Jeral sat down and stared at Endar. After a few moments Endar looked uncomfortable.
"Jeral I know you are angry with me but you did not know Alatosi as I did. I honored her wishes. Her body was burned in a pyre on the beach and her ashes were scattered to the winds. She is with her Gods and her people. She lived well and from what I was told she died very well."
"She saved my life and I never got to thank her or even say goodbye. My last words to her were not kind."
"Do not worry about that. She valued actions over words and your actions were always true. I am sure she knew how much you valued her and appreciated all her actions. She was very fond of you and all of your companions as well. She did say that if you continued to train you could be an exceptional swordsman."
"I have trained almost every day since I recovered from my injuries. Lord Belt provides me sparring partners daily."
"I know, he provides me regular updates on your progress. Keep training, for I fear your life will not be a quiet one."
Endar drained his glass and then flashed a smile.
"I bet I know something you do not. Alatosi really liked your ranger friend Minsc. She even bedded him a few times."
Jeral blushed at the intimate gossip and looked at Endar in surprise. "With Minsc? Really?"
"She had a thing for warriors and she and Minsc hit it off."
Jeral smiled at the thought. "Who knew Minsc even understood such things?"
"I suspect Minsc understands a lot more than people think."
Day 270
"Tell me again why we are traveling in the dead of winter?" Imoen was clad in a long coat of wolf pelts. She had sewn on patches of brightly colored fabrics in spots on the long coat since she was unwilling to ever dress plainly. The swirling wind blew the light dusting of snow into their faces and made if feel even colder than it was.
"It is time to leave. I want to return to Candlekeep." What Jeral did not add was that lady Janneth had encouraged him to leave the city as soon as possible. Two days prior she had called him to the castle and announced that he was one of the Bhaal children mentioned in the prophecies. As such he was no longer welcome in her city. When Jeral announced to the others he was leaving he was surprised that Minsc, Dynaheir, Niklos and Imoen all agreed to join him. Minsc and Dynaheir had plans to return home so Candlekeep was the first stop on their way. Imoen and Niklos planned to travel the realm so they would winter in Candlekeep with Jeral and then start their travels together.
Jeral and the others mounted up on their horses and rode towards the gate. Two dozen mercenary guards rode with them and teams of oxen pulled four large covered wagons with sufficient supplies and tentage to see them comfortably through the worst of weather.
Day 275
The storm raged on unabated. They would not travel today. Minsc said that the storm was unlike anything he had ever seen. Said that the storm did not seem natural. Despite the storm everyone seemed content to lay under their pile of furs and sleep. The wine at dinner was exceptionally fine and very strong. Jeral slept fitfully and dreamt that they were under attack. Their attackers moved with inhuman speed and glided across the snow on a bitterly cold moonless night. Jeral could smell blood and realized that he never smelled anything in his dreams.
Jeral sat up in bed with a start and reached for the blades nestled under the furs. With a start he realized they were gone.
"Tsk tsk tsk. One must be more careful on the road pretty one."
Jeral looked up to see a beautiful young woman standing in front of him. Squinting in the darkness Jeral could barely see that she was dressed all in white, her black hair framed a delicate pale face. With a start Jeral realized that she was holding his short swords in her hands and was twirling them incredibly fast. Moving faster than Jeral thought possible she started forward and pushed him down into the furs. She tossed his blades aside and wrapped her delicate hands around his neck and started to squeeze. Despite her delicate features her hands gripped his neck in an unbreakable vice. Jeral focused all his strength but dulled as he was from the wine he could not break free from her cold iron grip. Jeral's heart started beating faster as he struggled for air. The pain welling up in his chest was only matched by that in his head. Jeral 's last thought was of a voice inside of him taunting him as a weakling.
'You must embrace your gifts should you wish to survive and protect those closest to you.'
The darkness overcame Jeral and he yielded to his attacker.
END
Well that is it for Disappointment. I hope you liked it. Stay tuned for the next volume as I take on Baldur's Gate II. I will probably spend some time cleaning this story up while I also work on the new one. Thanks to all who made it to the end.