Chapter 27: I Offer You Mine
As darkness descended, Charmane's mind wandered to her well-deserved triumph. The fortified camp, secluded and heavily guarded along the coast, had presented no challenge to her cunning. Amongst the various bandits and brigands that roamed the area, she moved with such stealth that she might as well have been invisible.
Her reflections were abruptly interrupted by a powerful gust of wind, lifting her high above the camp and the surrounding woods. Soaring towards the morning sun, she briefly tasted the freedom of a bird, released from her obligations to those below. But the invisible forces of nature soon reasserted their grip, transforming her from a sparrow into a weighty catapult stone.
Descending without impact or fanfare, the ground accepted her passage without retaliation. In an instant, darkness enveloped her, and she could have sworn she had plummeted to the very core of the world. Gradually, the rocks around her radiated a faint glow, unveiling a cavern that revealed no more than a few steps in any direction. Struggling forward, she came face to face... with herself.
Before her stood an exact likeness carved in stone, capturing even the smallest of details. From the depths of the darkness, a voice accused her, its tone tinged with amusement. "Such pride undeserved, great predator, when your whole being is borrowed. Credit where it is due, and dues where payment is demanded."
A bone dagger materialized from the darkness and unerringly struck the statue, causing it to crack slightly. Yet, the pain that tore through Charmane felt as though she herself were being rent asunder.
"You were made as you are," the voice taunted, "and you can also be broken."
The rogue fell backwards, powerless to stop her descent into an endless void.
Charmane bolted upright, her heart gradually slowing its frantic pace as the remnants of the haunting nightmare dissipated. Beads of cold sweat clung to her skin, leaving a damp residue on the sheets.
As her senses reoriented to her surroundings and the grip of fear loosened its hold, Charmane experienced an unfamiliar sensation. For the first time since these unsettling dreams had begun, she felt a dry sense of satisfaction. The next time poison coursed through her veins, she wouldn't have to cry out for Jaheira's aid or deplete her precious antidotes. She could sense her new divine power coursing through her, the ability to cure poison pulsating within, ready to be harnessed at a moment's notice.
Rain pelted down on their tent, its rhythmic patter blending with the soft sounds of her companions asleep in their bedrolls. Drops of rain, trickling through the gap in the middle of the domed tent, had extinguished the flames of the brazier below. A single lamp, atop a wooden table across from her, illuminated the room. Beside it sat Edwin, his spellbook open before him. Charmane's nightmare must have interrupted his concentration, for he now sat watching her intently.
Pulling her sheets around her Charmane got up and gingerly made her way to a stool beside him. "Was it that bad?" she asked, as she sat down, her voice barely audible, not wanting to disturb the peaceful slumber of her companions.
Edwin met her gaze, his eyes filled with amusement. "Like a hoard of stampeding oliphants," he replied, his voice matching her hushed tone.
Charmane offered a sheepish smile. "I figured."
The red mage's expression softened slightly as he spoke, "Tell me, woman, what absurd powers did you get this time?" he inquired, genuine interest lacing his words.
"Curing poison with a touch," Charmane replied, a hint of pride evident in her voice. She hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to reveal the details of her dreams. She had kept them closely guarded, only sharing them with Imoen. However, with her divine abilities now known to her companions, she saw no harm in sharing. "In my dreams..." she began, recounting everything the ominous voice had said and the vivid memories of her most recent nightmare.
Edwin's gaze remained fixed on Charmane, as he mulled over her revelations. His voice held a contemplative tone as he spoke. "Borrowed... credit... dues," he repeated, "Divine abilities always come at the cost of pandering to the whims of some insipid 'higher power'," he scoffed, gesturing the quotes to emphasize his disdain for such notions. "But yours... they come without the usual conditions. At least, ones that we are aware of."
Edwin's fingers steepled together as he delved deeper into his thoughts "I can only speculate," he continued, his voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and caution, "that by utilizing these divine abilities, you may unknowingly be accumulating some form of debt, be it to a deity or a demon."
Charmane's brow furrowed in concern as she contemplated Edwin's words. "So, should I refrain from using them then?" she questioned, a note of uncertainty in her voice.
"Nonsense," the red mage scoffed, dismissing her doubts with a wave of his hand. "Power is meant to be wielded. Besides, the rest of what the voice said suggests that this power is an inherent part of who you are."
Charmane nodded, absorbing his words. "Yes, but the way it was said... it felt like someone made me this way, and that someone can break me as they wish," she explained, a shudder running down her spine as she recalled the excruciating sensation from the bone dagger.
Edwin's eyes narrowed, contemplating her words. "Bah! That just sounds like that religious cliché: 'God giveth, and God taketh away.' I refuse to believe that such a simplistic notion governs the workings of power," he retorted, his voice filled with defiance. "No, there must be more to it."
"You know, my mind keeps fixating on that Bhaalspawn idea," Charmane remarked.
"Of course, it was a conjecture I proposed." Edwin responded, smugly, "It is only natural that you would find it the most reasonable."
Charmane couldn't help but roll her eyes, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "I wonder if you can hold a single conversation without patting yourself on the back," she commented wryly.
Edwin, ever unapologetic, chuckled softly. "There is no harm in speaking the truth, my dear. And in this case, the truth is an undeniable testament to my brilliance," he replied with an air of confidence.
"You know, Edwin," Charmane began, her tone sincere, "for all your bluster and arrogance, I must admit, you possess a mind that never fails to impress me. You bring an undeniable spark to our adventures."
Edwin's composure wavered for a moment, and a faint hint of awkwardness flickered in his eyes. He quickly masked his discomfort with a chuckle, attempting to regain his usual poise. "Ah, flattery…" he mused, his voice tinged with a touch of irony.
Charmane noted the fleeting unease in Edwin's expression, "No need to be so suspicious, Edwin," she said softly, her voice sincere. "I do appreciate you and the unique perspective you bring. And I'll keep telling you that as many times as I need to."
Edwin's eyes met hers, and she could see a mixture of surprise and something else in their depths. He stumbled over his words, visibly unsure how to respond. "I... I suppose it is only natural for you to recognise my... um..." Edwin cleared his throat, struggling to find the right words. "But, I must admit, your words are not… unappreciated."
Charmane smiled softly as she observed Edwin's momentary vulnerability and stifled the urge to alleviate his discomfort. Instead a wicked smile graced her face, as she wondered how much the mage would squirm at her next words. "I would kill for you, you know." she said, "I have killed for you." she said.
Edwin face went as his red as robes and his eyes widened, caught off guard by Charmane's unexpected declaration. Despite the grin she wore, he knew she wasn't mocking him. He had seen the vengeance she wrought on the sirene firsthand. Imoen had filled in some of the missing details. For a moment, he was at a loss for words, his composure slipping. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his poise.
"Well, my dear Charmane," Edwin finally managed to reply, his voice betraying a hint of unease. "While your... dedication is certainly... unexpected, I must remind you that holding such notions with regards to a Red Wizard of Thay would be… inadvisable."
Charmane's grin persisted as she regarded the mage, her voice steady and resolute. "My dedication is not to a Red Wizard of Thay, but to you, Edwin."
Edwin's eyes widened further, surprise mingling with a touch of confusion. "You... you don't understand," Edwin stammered, "My past, my allegiances... they define who I am (Or do they?)" Edwin said, sounding slightly unsure, "Loyalty is a treacherous path," he rambled on, "A dangerous game with no winners."
Charmane's playful smile widened as she saw Edwin squirming uncomfortably. She leaned forward, her gaze meeting his with an intensity that hinted at her true intentions. "Don't worry, my dear mage," she retorted, "I do not expect your loyalty. I offer you mine."
Edwin's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his unease giving way to a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "Offer me your loyalty? Why would you do such a thing? What do you gain from it?" he questioned, his tone laced with suspicion.
Charmane's expression softened, her voice filled with sincerity. "I may not fully grasp the intricacies of your past, but I believe in judging someone based on their actions in the present. And you've given me no cause to dislike you."
Edwin's expression shifted from surprise to exasperation. "That is incredibly naive, Charmane," he retorted, "But I suppose your misguided loyalty is not altogether... unwelcome. (What is wrong with you Odesseiron!?). I must admit it is... rare to find someone so eager to stand by one such as I."
Charmane raised an eyebrow, undeterred by Edwin's attempt to dismiss her words. "Call it what you will, Edwin," she replied, her voice firm. "But I trust my instincts, and they tell me that there's more to you than a muttering mage."
"(I do not mutter.) I do not mutter!" Edwin said indignantly.
"Of course you don't." Charmane said with a smirk, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Now keep your voice down before you wake our companions."
"Please, Charmane, it's been over a day!" Neera pleaded, her voice filled with desperation. The zombie, sporting a tuft of pink hair, was shuffling along beside Charmane. The cursed ring weighed heavily on Neera, both physically and emotionally.
The party was making their way westward towards the Friendly Arm Inn to resupply and offload their backpacks, which were bursting with the spoils of battle.
Charmane let out a weary sigh, her gaze momentarily fixed on the troubled figure beside her. "As I've told you before, Neera, tonight you will have the chance to explain precisely why you are being punished. If you can provide a satisfactory answer, I will have Viconia remove this curse."
Frustration painted Neera's expression as she pleaded, "This is torture! I reek, bits of me are falling off... Please, I promise I won't do it again. Just let me off this one time."
Charmane's expression softened, but her resolve remained firm. "A good leader does not go back on her words. Actions have consequences, Neera, I hope you will learn that at least."
Neera's shoulders slumped, a mixture of frustration and regret evident in her eyes as she fell back to her position.
The party strolled through a sun-kissed meadow, basking in the radiant glow of the midday sun. A meadow stretched out before them, a picturesque landscape painted in vibrant hues. Lush green grasses carpeted the ground, swaying gently in the warm breeze. Delicate wildflowers of various colours danced in the light, their petals reaching skyward as if yearning for the sun's touch.
The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the gentle hum of buzzing bees. Amidst the peaceful scenery, Viconia hesitantly approached Charmane, her normally confident demeanour tinged with unease. Her obsidian black skin seemed to glisten under the sun's rays. She stood slightly hunched, as if trying to shield herself from the vast expanse of the open sky overhead.
Her red eyes, normally sharp and piercing, darted nervously from one end of the meadow to the other. The vibrant colours of the wildflowers and the lush greenery that surrounded them seemed almost overwhelming to her senses.
She fidgeted with the links of her chain mail, "I am sorry to be so nervous," Viconia's voice quivered slightly as she spoke, "but the surface is so large, unending when compared to my homeland."
Charmane offered a reassuring smile and wondered what had prompted the drow to seek her out.
"I suppose I have neglected to express my gratitude properly, Charmane," Viconia began, her usual imperious tone still tinged with uncertainty. "You rescued me and welcomed me into your group, and I have not shown the appreciation you deserve. I've been... thoughtless in that regard. Bel'la dos, ussta abbil. Here's to a fruitful companionship. May our enemies fall before our might!"
Charmane's smile softened as she listened to Viconia's words. "You're most welcome, Viconia," Charmane replied, her voice filled with sincerity.
"Welcome? I am welcome. It has a pleasing ring to it, Charmane," Viconia murmured, her voice filled with a mix of uncertainty and gratitude. Her obsidian eyes flickered with a hint of emotion. "Though I walk now apart from House and Queen, my pairing with this group may yet keep me from the grave. To victory!"
"Cheers to that," Charmane responded. She felt a fresh appreciation for the drow. It was a pleasant change from the usual repertoire of false gratitudes and backhanded compliments. She had almost forgotten what genuine thanks sounded like amidst the sarcasm and condescension that filled her party's banter.
As Charmane approached the entrance to the Friendly Arm Inn, a familiar sight greeted her. There, standing in their path, was the wizened figure of Elminster, the legendary wizard of Faerun. It seemed that the old man once again stood in her path, undoubtedly with some more enigmatic advice to offer.
"Well met, young one!" Elminster's voice rang out, his aged eyes glimmering with familiarity. "I trust that thou art well? I have heard many things about thee in the past few tendays, and I am most impressed."
"The pleasure is all yours, I am most assured," Edwin interjected, his tone dripping with condescension.
Charmane couldn't help but be amused by the wizard's arrival. "Are you following me, old man?" she teased, a hint of mirth lacing her voice.
Elminster chuckled softly, his beard quivering with mirth. "Only through tales and stories, I assure thee," he replied. "Thou art the subject around many tables lately, and I am quite sure that the majority of rumors are more or less true. Much is as I would have done, though the methods may have differed. No doubt the clues unearthed so far have pointed thee in the same direction I would have concluded as well. Thou dost possess a... gifted nature, and I am sure that thou wilt make good use of it."
Charmane nodded, her gaze steady. "My direction is clear... though confirming it would not hurt."
Elminster's eyes twinkled with wisdom. "As thou hast no doubt determined, the clues seem to point towards the Cloakwood forest," he revealed. " 'Tis likely that the scoundrels behind the bandits have some sort of base within the wood. Of course, I am only telling thee things that thou dost already know. Good luck on thy travels, young one. Be wary as well, for thou art making powerful enemies, both here... and within thyself. I am sorry I cannot speak more plainly on this matter, but events must unfold as they will without any meddling from this old man."
With that final enigmatic statement, Elminster's form wavered for a moment, surrounded by a shimmering aura of magic, before he gracefully portalled away. The party was once again left standing there, contemplating his cryptic words.
Charmane groaned, "Powerful enemies within myself." she repeated, dryly. "Waiting to collect a debt for a loan I never agreed to. Exactly what I needed."
"As I predicted-" Edwin began smugly.
"You were probably right." Charmane supplied, her eyes on her fingers as she clenched and unclenched them. "That would explain a lot of things."