Chapter 14: Shadows and Revelations

A short distance away from the bustling gambling tents, an array of merchant stalls displayed a variety of enticing goods. While her companions, leisurely perused the offerings, Charmane, true to her nature, adeptly relieved both festival-goers and merchants of their burdensome valuables. As she skilfully manoeuvred through the growing crowd, her attention was momentarily diverted by an oddly dressed man resembling a noble. Intrigued by the potential contents of his wallet, she trailed him discreetly.

However, her pursuit was abruptly interrupted by a commotion emanating from a nearby tent. Curiosity piqued, Charmane maintained her stealth and peered inside, witnessing a heated argument between two mages, their voices echoing with grievances and vendettas. Aware of the potential dangers, she swiftly retreated from the tent, determined to gather her party for support. Amidst the growing crowd, her view was obscured, making it impossible to spot Imoen or Xan. Edwin's flamboyant red robes, however, stood out conspicuously among the sea of people.

Edwin was inspecting some spell reagents when a sudden hand clasped his wrist and forcefully pulled him backward. "Who dares-" he began, when recognition washed over him. "Wha-" he started to utter.

"No time to explain." Charmane said urgently, cutting him off.

As the two strode into the tent a nasal voice rang out. "You there, stay back!" A man, wearing green robes, warned. "If any of you come any closer, I'll kill her. I'm serious. Don't make me do it. All I have to do is say the last word of my spell, and she'll die."

"What's this all about? Who are you?" Charmane demanded.

The man sneered, his gaze fixed on the woman before him. "I am the great Zordral, and she is a witch," he proclaimed, his voice dripping with venom. "She'll use her magics to poison the children of this town. She'll butcher the livestock and she'll seduce the young men, make them her puppets. She must be killed!"

Charmane looked skeptical, "Why don't we discuss this like rational beings?" she suggested. "Just calm down, take a deep breath, and I'm sure we can come to some sane solution."

Zordral's face twisted in anger, his grip tightening on his staff. "Discuss! There is nothing to discuss," he declared vehemently. "This witch will die! Now leave me, or I'll smite you as well."

Charmane could not help but roll her eyes in exasperation, "What is it with these self-absorbed mages and their absurd witch hunts all of a sudden? At least Edwin has the power to back up his colossal ego. But you, Zordal, look to be nothing but a pitiful, inbred hedge wizard, desperately clutching onto your laughable delusions of grandeur."

Zordral's face contorted with fury. "Are you mocking me?!" he seethed, his voice a mix of rage and wounded pride. "No one mocks the great Zordral. You will pay for your insolence!"

Without hesitation, Charmane dropped into the shadows. With a deadly grace, she lunged forward, her blade aimed at Zordal's back. But in a blur of movement, the mage activated an illusion, causing her sword to slice through empty air. "Mages, goddammit!" she hissed through clenched teeth

But before she could regain her composure, a chilling sensation washed over her, sending a shiver down her spine. In that instant, an overwhelming surge of fear seized her very soul, urging her to flee for her life. Her instincts took over and with her heart pounding in her chest, Charmane bolted.

"Oh, great, now she flees." Edwin's disgruntled voice cut through the tension as he unleashed a barrage of magic missiles. "At least the monkey knows to acknowledge my brilliance," he muttered under his breath, a faint grin playing on his lips.

Zordral, fuelled by rage and wounded pride, began conjuring an acid arrow, his eyes blazing with malice. Recognising the incantation, Edwin swiftly pulled out his new wand, and with a flourish, summoned forth a pair of towering ogres and a menacing gnoll. The creatures materialized within seconds, taking the brunt of the arrow's assault.

Surrounded by the towering creatures the poor mage was helpless. Edwin watched his minions do the dirty work with a smug look on his face. "Not the relaxing day off I had in mind but it is not a complete loss, I suppose." Edwin muttered, his gaze now fixed on Charmane. "The world needed a reminder of my genius."

A few seconds later Charmane came back to her senses and found herself staring up at two ogres. She was just about to attack when Edwin intervened.

"Behold!" he gestured with a flourish. "It is but a fraction of a conjurer's repertoire." Edwin said, smugly.

Charmane surveyed the lifeless mage sprawled on the floor, her gaze shifting to the imposing figures of the three monsters standing vigilantly nearby. "Well done, Edwin," she finally said, "And, uh, my apologies for the, um… " she trailed off sheepishly.

"Worry not, my dear, it was nothing I could not handle." Edwin replied smugly, adjusting his robes. "Now what are we do to with this witch?"

Charmane turned her attention to the woman in the corner, "You alright?"

"Thank you for rescuing me," the woman replied, her voice carrying a trace of relief. "I am Bentha, and yes, you could call me a witch, for I do use magic. However, I have no intentions of killing the livestock or 'seducing' the young men. Zordral is an old enemy of mine, one who has caused me and my family great pain over the years. If you had not walked in at that moment, I would have been killed. I must thank you again. Is there anything that I can do to help you?"

"You address the wrong person, woman!" Edwin cut in, indignantly. "I, who just saved your barbaric hide, demand a reward befitting a Red Wizard of Thay."

The woman's eyes widened in recognition. "Ah y-yes, of course, anything you desire." The woman fumbled in her pouch and pulled out a green vial. "Here this should protect you from even the most potent poisons."

Edwin's eyes narrowed with displeasure. "A mere trinket?" Edwin scoffed, derisively. "Do you think this pitiful concoction is sufficient to appease a mage of my calibre? I will have my just dues. I spied a silver bottle there. I would have that too."

The woman's face paled, and fear flickered in her eyes, but she managed to gather some courage. "But that's..." she stammered, her voice trembling.

Edwin's gaze turned icy, and he took a step closer, his voice dripping with menace. "Understand this, witch," he hissed, his words laced with a veiled threat. "You would be dead without my intervention and unless you wish me to return things to their natural order, I suggest you reconsider."

The woman's hands shook as she reluctantly pulled out a bottle with shimmering silver liquid, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and resignation. She handed the bottle over to Edwin, who snatched it from her grasp with a victorious smirk.

"Remember this lesson well, woman," Edwin sneered, his voice dripping with malevolence. "When a Red Wizard demands a reward, you comply, lest you wish a fate worse than death."

Bentha nodded anxiously, her eyes avoiding Edwin's menacing gaze, and hurriedly left the tent, leaving Edwin and Charmane alone.

Charmane crossed her arms with a disappointed look on her face, "You didn't have to scare her into submission, Edwin, there was a better way to handle this." Charmane asserted, her tone firm yet composed.

Edwin scoffed dismissively, "And what would your approach have been, Charmane?" he retorted, "A feeble attempt at persuasion? She would have simply handed you that worthless antidote and moved on."

"You never know," Charmane replied, her voice unwavering. "I may have been able to convince her to offer a more substantial reward willingly."

Edwin chuckled mockingly, "Hah, words! They are a waste on the weak," he sneered. "Of course, the barbarian prattles on about diplomacy." he muttered, disdainfully.

Charmane was undeterred, "Sometimes words can accomplish what force cannot. Diplomacy can go a long way in resolving conflicts without resorting to intimidation or violence."

Edwin raised an eyebrow, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Ah, yes, diplomacy," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Tell me, my dear, were you practicing this noble art when you dealt with those ogrillons on the toll bridge? I recall you haggling successfully, only to end their pitiful lives just to save a few coppers."

Charmane's expression faltered. "Touché, Edwin." she admitted, a sheepish smile crossing her features. "I guess I haven't been the epitome of diplomacy either."

Edwin's smug expression grew wider. "Ah, the hypocrisy of our esteemed leader," he teased, enjoying the moment. "Treating the human woman with delicate persuasion while dispatching the lesser beings without a second thought. Quite the double standard, would you not say?"

Charmane's expression shifted from sheepishness to a wry smile. "You have an uncanny talent for pointing out uncomfortable truths," she admitted, her tone laced with a hint of amusement. "While I may not agree with your methods, I suppose there's some value in it as well."

Edwin's smug demeanour softened slightly, replaced by a flicker of surprise. "Interesting, her accord is more welcome that I expected." he murmured, his voice betraying a trace of genuine curiosity. "Are you saying you appreciate the way I navigate this world?"

Charmane nodded, "Reputation matters, of course," she said, her tone thoughtful. "but it seems I have much to learn from your unapologetic approach. Your ability to embrace your own questionable nature without concern for societal judgment is… admirable."

Edwin's curiosity transformed into a smouldering grin, a glimmer of respect shining in his eyes. "Well, well, Charmane," he said, a newfound playfulness in his voice. "It seems we have discovered some common ground amidst our differences. Who would have thought?"

Charmane smirked, "Indeed, Edwin," she agreed, her voice carrying a hint of mischief. "Let us embrace the duality of our natures and use diplomacy when it serves our interests and unapologetic force when required. A perfect balance, wouldn't you say?"

"Ah, Charmane, you have finally grasped the essence of our partnership," he declared, his tone laced with amusement. "Truly, it warms my heart to see a barbarian appreciating the wisdom of my cunning ways. You may make something of yourself yet, my dear."

Charmane rolled her eyes playfully, a smirk dancing on her lips. "Barbarian?! The nerve!" she retorted, feigning exasperation. "But let's not forget, it takes a certain level of brilliance to see the brilliance in others."

Edwin chuckled, "I admit, there may be a glimmer of potential hidden within that monkey brain of yours," he replied, his voice carrying a touch of mock reverence. "But let us not get too ahead of ourselves."

"Well, Edwin, as entertaining as this is, we should probably go find the others. Imoen has a peculiar knack for getting herself into trouble."

"Clearly the girl has a fantastic role model." Edwin muttered, sarcastically. "Come now," he continued, now speaking directly to Charmane, "I'm sure the little rogue can handle herself. Besides that spineless elf will surely keep her from doing anything too bothersome."

Charmane could not help but suppress a smirk, relishing the opportunity that Edwin unknowingly presented.

As they continued their leisurely exploration of the festival, perusing the eclectic tents and vibrant merchandise, Charmane casually interjected, with a sly glint in her eyes, "You know, while delving into the vast archives of Candlekeep, I stumbled upon a fascinating account. If memory serves me correctly, your grandfather is reputed to have achieved mastery in a rather impressive trio of magical schools, am I right?"

Edwin, momentarily distracted by a magical amulet on sale, shifted his attention to Charmane. "Not just three, my dear." he replied smugly. "My esteemed grandfather is a true prodigy, excelling in the realms of conjuration, evocation, necromancy, and abjuration. A formidable repertoire, unlike anything an average mage could ever hope to achieve."

Charmane's lips curled into a mischievous smile as she savoured the moment of triumph. "Ah, so it seems my sources were correct," she teased, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Your lineage does precede you, dear Edwin. It appears the renowned Homen Odesseiron's prodigious talents have indeed been passed down to you."

Edwin's expression shifted from smugness to a mix of surprise and annoyance. He narrowed his eyes, his voice laced with a hint of begrudging admiration. "Well played, Charmane," he grumbled. "I should have known better than to underestimate your deviousness."

Charmane chuckled softly, relishing in Edwin's reaction. "It's all part of the game, Edwin" she replied with a playful wink. "In our line of work, one must learn to gather information from every nook and cranny." Charmane glanced at the amulet Edwin had been fixated on, it had a shimmering aura. "Looking for a new necklace, are we?"

Edwin's brows furrowed momentarily. He cleared his throat and replied, "Not for me my dear, it would be most ideal for you."

"Me? Did you actually consider someone other than yourself?" Charmane exclaimed, taken aback by Edwin's unexpected consideration.

"With this particular amulet," Edwin carried on, dismissing Charmane's astonishment, "you will have the ability to harness the power of a Shield spell. I trust I do not have to explain what that is?"

"But what about this other one?" Charmane asked, pointing to a different necklace on display. "It boasts the ability to cast a fireball!"

"Regrettably, my dear," Edwin replied with a touch of disappointment, "it is far too exorbitant. Emptying the party coffers for a single necklace seems imprudent, and it hardly justifies a personal expense either."

"I'll defer to your judgment then." Charmane replied and turned to the merchant. "I'll have this amulet, please."

"There ye are!" Imoen's voice called from behind. The young rogue sauntered into the tent, with Xan reluctantly trailing along. "Look what I done got!" she exclaimed with enthusiasm, proudly displaying two potions—one shimmering like sapphire and the other a deep, captivating red. "These here potions, they'll boost yer smarts and strength, I reckon! And I managed to snag 'em both fer a measly 100 gold!"

Charmane's expression turned skeptical, and she shot an irritated glance at Xan.

"I did warn her," Xan replied, defensively.

"And ya won't believe this, but listen up," Imoen exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. "So, there was this statue, right? It used to be standin' just a few steps from where we are now. But get this, it came alive! I'm not kiddin', it happened just yesterday!" Imoen's words spilled out eagerly. "And ya know what? That halfling mentioned a dark-skinned lady in a fancy purple robe bein' involved. Can't help but wonder if it's Dynaheir. Never thought she had that kinda magic in her, though!" Her tone carried a hint of surprise and curiosity.

"She could never surpass my abilities!" Edwin muttered to himself with narrowed eyes as he turned to Imoen. "I can assure you, girl, the witch possesses no such talent," he continued. "This will be a mere instance of a petrified creature being restored to its mundane form. Undoubtedly, she resorted to a Scroll of Stone to Flesh procured from some backwater temple."

"Ah, this is all well and good," Xan mused with a touch of weariness in his voice, "but at this rate, I shall succumb to exhaustion long before I meet my demise on some forsaken battlefield. Can we, perchance, retreat to the inn now?"

"Aw, come on, Xan. It ain't even sunset!" Imoen exclaimed, her voice tinged with disappointment. "That ol' halfling fella went on 'bout some fancy tent to the east. Says it expands yer mind and such."

"Beware, young one," Xan warned, "for the path of the black lotus leads not to enlightenment, but to a deceptive embrace of emptiness. Its allure may grant transient solace, yet ultimately, it deepens the hollow void within. Find solace in more meaningful pursuits, for this journey demands clarity of mind, not illusions."

"The elf speaks with rare wisdom," Edwin remarked, disdainfully. "Indeed, indulging in the black lotus is a pitiful recourse for feeble minds seeking refuge from their own inadequacies. It merely cloud the intellect and leave one wallowing in a stupor of ignorance. Rest assured, I would sooner converse with a babbling imbecile than partake in such mind-numbing drivel."

Imoen cast a longing glance at Charmane, her lips drooping with disappointment.

"Can't argue with our mages on this one, Imoen," Charmane responded. "That stuff is a recipe for disaster. Come now, let's head back to the inn and get some dinner."