Chapter 20: A Small Mercy

Neera watched in both fascination and horror as the lifeblood slowly seeped out of the sirene, she tilted her head to one side. "It's not really her fault, you know?" Neera said, her tone filled with empathy. "Sirenes can't help being the way they are. It's just their nature. They lure people in, like a moth to a flame. And I get it, it's all part of their... charm."

Charmane, her expression hardened as turned to face Neera. "Charm? You think this is about charm?" she retorted, her voice cutting through the air like a sharpened blade. "This creature willingly manipulated Edwin, and took his life. She and her filthy mate would have feasted on him had we not intervened. She deserves no mercy."

A small smile graced Edwin's lips as he spoke, his words carefully chosen. "I must admit, my dear Charmane, I find myself both impressed and intrigued by the swiftness and unyielding nature of your retribution," he remarked, his tone carrying a hint of admiration. "Though it pains me to utter these words, I must express my sincere gratitude for avenging my temporary demise with such... exquisite brutality."

Charmane's irritation was momentarily replaced by her usual playful smile, "I see you are a man of your word," Charmane replied, the satisfaction evident in her eyes.

Edwin furrowed his brows, momentarily confused by Charmane's comment, before realisation dawned upon him. He could not help but give a self-assured chuckle, "Haha, y-yes of course, you are perceptive as ever, my dear." he replied, his voice taking on a tone of calculated amusement. "Indeed, one must uphold the terms of a wager, even if it leads to words that might be misconstrued for er… sentimentality."

"This is serious, guys," Neera interjected, unable to contain herself any longer, "Can we focus for a moment? Letting the sirene die slowly like this... it's unnecessary."

Charmane's voice grew cold, her gaze piercing. "Unnecessary? Tell that to Edwin, who experienced the horror of her treacherous kiss."

"It certainly wasn't a horror to begin with." Edwin muttered, with a lecherous smirk. Looking at the half-elf, he chimed in, "Surely even a brain as minuscule as yours can grasp the value of retribution. After all, it is an important lesson for those who believe they can act without consequence."

Neera bristled at Edwin's insult, a flicker of defiance lighting up her eyes. "I just think we should have a bit more compassion," she said, her voice tinged with conviction. "We're better than this"

Charmane's grip tightened on her weapon, her resolve unyielding. "Compassion has its place, but not when it comes to those who would harm me and mine. This is justice, Neera."

Charmane's words hit Edwin like a jolt, his brows furrowing in a mix of indignation and surprise. He couldn't help but mutter under his breath, his voice barely audible, "Edwin Odesseiron is no one's possession." The words carried a hint of defiance, yet, a flicker of something different stirred within him. It was a faint glimmer of satisfaction, a fleeting pleasure that someone would dare to claim him as their own. It was a sensation he rarely experienced, accustomed as he was to scorn and animosity. The realisation that Charmane held him in such regard, even if it was in the context of their agreement, sparked a subtle warmth in his chest.

"But-" Neera's interjected, breaking the momentary spell, drawing the red mage's attention back to the present conflict. Edwin's eyes flickered with annoyance as he sighed inwardly. The misguided idealism of the girl was wearing thin on his patience.

"And yet, mageling," Edwin harshly interrupted, his voice laced with disdain, "you claim to be the epitome of compassion while casting judgment upon a sirene as if she were a mere puppet, devoid of agency. How cruel it is to hold others to such low expectations simply because they differ from you. Your idealism and ignorance blinds you to the complexities of the world."

Neera's face flushed with embarrassment as Edwin's words pierced through her naivety, leaving her momentarily speechless. She looked down, unable to meet anyone's gaze, her conviction waning in the face of his cutting remarks.

Jaheira, who had been quiet till now, interjected with a thoughtful tone, "The nereids possess a perilous allure and cunning. I wonder how many sailors this one lured to their deaths. However, in this instance, the ogre's grip on her shawl left her with no option to halt her cruel game, had she ever wanted to. Perhaps, granting her a swift and merciful demise would be a more fitting resolution?"

Charmane gazed down at the pitiful creature before her, its life force ebbing away. The fury that had consumed her earlier was slowly receding. She couldn't bring herself to liken the creature to a rabid dog, as Neera had done, but Jaheira's words rang true. Charmane took solace in that the punishment it deserved would be delivered in the realm of the dead, as it did for all sentient beings. With a swift, decisive slash of her blade, she ended the sirene's suffering, bringing an end to its existence. In death, the creature's countenance took on an air of tranquillity, embraced by the serenity of the eternal slumber.

As Charmane and her party pressed onward, a sheer drop stretched along their right, plummeting into the sea below. In the distance, the familiar silhouettes of Candlekeep's majestic towers beckoned, evoking a bittersweet feeling that tugged at Charmane's heart. The rugged terrain gradually descended, guiding them towards the sea and soon they encountered a peculiar old gnome.

The gnome, haggard and dishevelled, introduced himself, "Arcand I am, Mad they call me." the old gnome babbled, "Who you are, know not I!"

"Charmane, enterprising adventurer, at your service." Charmane said with a mock bow and a flourish.

The gnome's eyes lit up, "I like you, yes I do", he responded, in a sing song voice, "Wertle, wertle, wertle, wooo… and I know of a way to make you like me too! Wertle, wertle, wertle-wooooo. Down by the ocean, down by the sea, there's a pirate ship waiting for you and for me. Bring me what's in it, but don't ever wear it, or sure enough, soon enough, you'll wertle too…"

Imoen bounced on her toes, unable to contain her glee, "Did ya hear that, Charmane? Now we're talkin' some real adventure! We gotta find whatever's in that pirate ship. Imagine what we could discover! Chests of gold, precious gems, and who knows what else?"

Jaheira raised an eyebrow, her tone measured yet cautious, "Let us not disregard the warning signs. In my experience these mad hermits tend to not be nearly as mad as they seem. I say we proceed with caution, for there may be more to this encounter than meets the eye."

Southwest of their location, the group found the stranded pirate ship, its bow wedged into the cliffside. The vessel, weathered and worn, bore the marks of a rough sea journey. As they cautiously climbed aboard, the desolate ship revealed signs of thorough looting, leaving nothing but a solitary enchanted ring as evidence of its former treasures.

As Edwin's eyes fell upon the ring, a flicker of recognition crossed his face, quickly masked by a disinterested expression. He cleared his throat and spoke with feigned nonchalance, "Ah, the Discipliner. A clever little trinket, though hardly worth the effort it took to retrieve it. A reminder of the follies of youth, you see. Not that any of you would understand the complexities of such matters."

Charmane raised an eyebrow, catching the slight shift in Edwin's demeanour. As Neera's identification spell magically scribbled the history and properties of the ring on her journal, a mischievous grin spread across Charmane's face but she kept her thoughts to herself.

While they were returning to the eccentric gnome, Charmane fell in step with the Red Wizard. "Hmm. A ring that teaches arrogant students the importance of humility." she recited, out of earshot of the others, her voice full of mirth. "Oh, come now, Edwin. You can't fool me. There's a tale behind this ring, and I'd wager it involves a certain ambitious mage who got his ego knocked down a few pegs. Care to share?"

Edwin scoffed, "You continue to think you can unravel the depths of my past, Charmane? I assure you, it is a futile endeavour."

Charmane grinned. "Oh, Edwin, don't be so coy. We had a little wager, remember? The terms were quite clear. If you failed to resist a sirene's charm, you would have to be nice to us for a change. Seems like now's the perfect opportunity for you to fulfil your end of the bargain."

Edwin crossed his arms, a sly smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Ah, but dear Charmane, I am being nice. Nicely declining your request to delve into my illustrious past."

Charmane raised an eyebrow, "I would have thought you'd be eager to regale me with tales of your youthful follies and shattered ego." she replied, teasingly, "But I suppose true humility is not within the realm of a Thayan's vocabulary."

Edwin smirked, "Humility, dear Charmane, is a virtue for the weak, those who rely on society's approval to feel validated. I, on the other hand, need no one to affirm my brilliance. I stand tall and proud, unyielding in the face of lesser minds."

Charmane chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, Edwin, your arrogance knows no bounds. It seems your towering ego has blinded you to the beauty of humility. It takes strength to admit one's flaws and learn from them, to recognise that even the mightiest can stumble and grow stronger in the process."

Edwin's eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and disdain. "Strength? Strength is not found in false modesty, my dear. It is found in the pursuit of knowledge, in the relentless drive to surpass one's limitations. Why waste time wallowing in self-doubt when one can reach for the stars and grasp them firmly in their hand?"

Charmane smirked, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Ah, but have you ever considered that it's the journey, the challenges faced along the way, that truly shape us? Humility allows us to learn from our mistakes, to see the world with clarity. After all, even the brightest star in the sky needs the support of the constellations to create a beautiful night sky."

Edwin scoffed, his voice dripping with derision. "Constellations, Charmane? I have no need for the feeble company of lesser lights. I am a blazing comet, streaking through the heavens, leaving a trail of brilliance in my wake."

Charmane arched an eyebrow, "Yes and you'll streak through and burn out eventually. It's the constellations that remain, eternal and ever-present. Perhaps you could use a few allies to lighten your path and lend a helping hand when the darkness threatens to engulf you, as exemplified by your encounter with the sirene."

Edwin's lips twitched with a hint of begrudging acknowledgment. He could not deny the truth in Charmane's words, as much as he despised admitting it. She had proven her intelligence and resourcefulness, outwitting their foe with a calculated ruthlessness that even he had to admire.

With a controlled sigh, Edwin retorted, "It appears the wager has assured you a temporary reprieve from my usual barbs, Charmane. (Yes, let her think it is merely the wager. The rogue will be none the wiser.) Your cunning and audacity did save me, I suppose. But let's not get carried away with illusions of camaraderie. The rest of your merry menagerie continues to resemble nothing but a band of baboons."

Charmane's smile widened, a glimmer of triumph in her eyes. "Oh Edwin, you wound me with your high praise. At this rate, perhaps you'll truly come to appreciate me one day, wager or otherwise."

Edwin scoffed, his tone laced with thinly veiled amusement. "Appreciation, Charmane? I will make no promises, for the prospect seems as unlikely as a kobold quoting Volo. But let it be known, I shall continue to tolerate your presence in this motley assembly for the time being."

Charmane chuckled, her voice tinged with playful sarcasm. "How generous of you, Edwin. Rest assured, I shall savour every moment of your benevolent tolerance. "

"And so you should." Edwin replied smugly.

Mad Arcand, with his cryptic and dizzying ditties, expressed his gratitude for delivering the cursed ring. In return, he bestowed upon Charmane a peculiar bottle containing a viscous yellow liquid. Recognising the wisdom in Arcand's previous warnings, she chose to honour his advice and refrain from opening the suspicious bottle before she had it identified.

As they traversed the coastal expanse, Charmane's keen eyes spotted delicate feminine figures in the distance. With the memory of the sirene fresh in her mind, she opted for a stealthy approach to confirm her suspicions. Indeed, three sirenes stood by the waters, each holding a bow, engaged in conversation, their foreign tongues carrying through the air. The pearl Charmane had retrieved from Shoal had looked expensive, it now fueled her desire for more.

After a swift discussion with the party, they proceeded. As soon as the sirenes caught sight of the lone half-elf, their voices melded into an eerily beautiful song, accompanied by a black glow emanating from their hands. Within moments, Khalid's eyes glazed over, and he became rooted to the spot. The leading siren advanced toward the warrior, poised to administer her fatal kiss. However, before she could execute her deadly intent, Charmane's dagger swiftly pierced her heart.

Chaos ensued in the next moment. Khalid raised his sword, poised to strike at Charmane, but Jaheira had already completed her spell, desperately hoping it would override the enchantment. As the man's blade descended, a sudden blast of magic struck him from behind, causing him to stagger and scan his surroundings. "My l-love," he said looking at Jaheira, "You look more radiant than ever, I m-m-must say!"

Jaheira could not help rolling her eyes, "Save the flattery for later, Khalid. We have sirenes to kill." Jaheira replied, her voice tinged with both relief and exasperation.

The remaining sirens closed in on the party, their enchanting songs met with a barrage of arrows, bullets, and arcane missiles. Jaheira fearlessly joined the fray, her strikes fueled by a burning vengeance. Yet, in a cruel twist, it was now her turn to fall victim to their bewitching charm.

Amidst the chaos of battle, Jaheira found herself hacking at a figure that seemed vaguely like a male half-elf. Suddenly, a warm sensation enveloped her senses, and she couldn't stop herself looking behind her, gazing straight at Edwin. He possessed an oddly captivating aura, which she couldn't help but comment on. "You appear different today, Edwin," she began, her voice laced with enchantment.

Edwin's face twisted with disgust as he snapped at her, "Cease your idle gawking, druid and focus on the sirens! Kill them!" Jaheira, still under the spell's influence, blinked in confusion for a moment before redirecting her attention towards the sirens.

Charmane revelled in the exhilaration of the battle, gracefully dancing in and out of the shadows, striking swiftly at the scantily clad sirenes. It was akin to a child's game, for the creatures lacked any form of protection against her relentless blades. One by one, they fell before her, reduced to lifeless forms strewn across the ground. A peculiar satisfaction welled up within her, a lingering echo of her enmity towards Shoal, now finding release in the defeat of her kind."

Let us not repeat that experience," Jaheira declared, disgust evident in her voice, the memory of Edwin's Charm spell still unsettling her. "It would be wiser to wait until we possess the means to dispel such enchantments before engaging with such creatures."

Charmane maintained her more optimistic outlook. "Oh, Jaheira, think of it as a valuable lesson in countering charms," she responded, her tone laced with confidence. "Now we have an alternative approach in our arsenal, should the need arise again in the future."

Jaheira sighed, unable to argue the merit in Charmane's perspective. "Very well," she conceded, her tone slightly begrudging. "But let us not underestimate the dangers of such encounters. Caution must always be our guiding principle."

As they were looting the spoils, a concerned-looking man in black robes approached them. His eyes scanned the injured party with a mix of worry and compassion. "It seems you travellers are in need. It's lucky that I found you. It is not often that I meet travellers in these parts of the wilderness.," he remarked in a gentle tone, "If you desire, I have the skills necessary to heal you." he added, his words laced with genuine kindness.

"Jaheira, that spell if you please." Charmane requested, prompting the druid to mutter a swift incantation.

After a moment of focus, Jaheira offered her assessment, "He does not exhibit signs of evil, though his alignment appears… complex. Interestingly," she said, dropping her voice so only Charmane could hear, "Your own aura, now appears more nuanced. It does make me question the reliability of this spell at times."

"Indeed, it is wise to maintain a healthy skepticism," Charmane replied with an appreciative grin. She turned her attention to the stranger, "I hope you understand our need for caution. It is never a good idea to be too trusting when it comes to allowing others to cast spells upon you. We certainly need your healing. But first, could you tell us who you are?"

The mysterious man introduced himself as "the Surgeon," a moniker he adopted as he dedicated himself to the healing arts as a form of penance. Haunted by the guilt of sparing the life of his psychopathic and patricidal brother, Davaeorn, he had ventured to the Sword Coast in pursuit of justice. Determined to end this Davaeorn's ruthless reign of murders, the man offered the party a potion of magic resistance, hoping it would one day bolster their defences if they ever encountered an evil magic user like Davaeorn.

"Thank you, Surgeon," Charmane expressed with gratitude, her gaze fixed on her companions as their wounds miraculously healed. "Your assistance will not be forgotten. Should we ever cross paths with this Davaeorn, we will ensure he faces the consequences for his actions and liberate him from any... ah, perilous artifacts."

After clearing the area of ogres, carrion crawlers and wolves the party decided to make camp for the night.

Some time later, Charmane was startled out of her slumber. She felt an unsettling chill permeate the warm and calm night. It was as if someone had walked over her grave, causing her to momentarily question her own existence. In that instant, the ground beneath her opened up, pulling her into a dark abyss.

When light returned, its presence offered no solace. Before her lay the desolate mines of Nashkel, devoid of life after her previous exploits. Ethereal and intangible, she moved through walls and floors, descending deeper into the depths. And there, a grotesque figure came into view—Mulahey, no different from the last encounter, stood motionless, trapped in this spectral form.

Bound to a wretched existence, this foul apparition had been eagerly awaiting her arrival. A bone dagger floated menacingly before it, ready to be driven into willing flesh. If it possessed breath, she was certain it would spew curses in its frustrated rage. The creature longed for the release of death, a finality that held no hope.

But Charmane turned her back on the vengeful blade, allowing it to clatter to the floor. Punishment enough awaited this wretched creature in the realm of the dead; she saw no need to inflict further suffering upon it. Surprised and relieved, the ghostly visage of Mulahey hobbled forward, passing through her as it moved towards its deserving fate. As if in preservation, it left behind a trace, a spark of hope that filled a void within her, an emptiness shaped like a dagger.

From the depths, a cry of rage echoed, and the bone dagger hurtled through the air, aimed directly at her heart. Just as it should have struck, she awoke abruptly, drenched in cold sweat that stung her eyes. Lingering in her ears, a disapproving voice echoed, defying the confines of the dream. "You... WILL... learn!"