Lidia stopped just outside the door to the small temple to Ilmater. The unpolished glass windows, both in the temple and in the hospital next door, allowed a diffuse golden light through, lending a faint glow to the sleepy neighborhood. It was the only light here; since it was far above the street, the city didn't bother putting lanterns here.
Just before she went inside, she was suddenly mindful of the fact that her boots were caked with a thick layer of foul-smelling mud. By now, it had hardened. Hoping that their condition would make them unappealing targets, she removed the boots and left them just outside the door.
She found everyone gathered inside the shrine, lingering wordlessly. Ganthet was lighting and placing candles at the altar. The entire room was filled with their light and the smell of burning wicks, and they gave off a faint warmth - not enough to stave off the chill of early spring, but enough to diminish it. Hendak was in a corner by himself, his arms folded.
As soon as she entered and greeted the group, Ganthet turned his head and set down the candle. He wound his way through the ramshackle arrangement of tables and chairs, deftly enough to show that he knew this room well even without sight. He went to the wall that the temple shared with the hospital, then rapped on it gently.
In a moment, Sebire also appeared in the doorway, drying her hands on her tunic.
Lidia finally spoke up. "Good to see you all. Are the slaves safe?"
"They are," Sebire said. "They're now in a safe house in the Docks, largely thanks to the people you sent with us."
Minsc held his hamster high. "All will remember the heroes that are Minsc and Boo and us!"
"Ah...yes, though you ought to consider finding some sort of restorative boon," Anomen said.
"I know I think clearly because Boo tells me so. That is enough for me."
Sebire chuckled, then continued, "We had feared that Lehtinan would try to take them back, but now I hear it's not so." She tilted her head in a questioning glance to Lidia.
"He's no longer a problem," Lidia said. She hoped to herself that it would prove true.
"We could have killed him," Yoshimo said. "It would have been simpler."
Hendak unfolded his arms and strode forward. A fire flashed in his eyes beneath his unkempt yellow hair. "Aye, it would have been. Or if you had not the stomach, I'd have repaid him well."
Ganthet stared over at the group with a thoughtful look on his face. "Perhaps true justice would have come from showing him what kind of pain he inflicted on others."
Sebire turned away, looking distinctly uncomfortable.
"That was the idea," Lidia said. "He'll spend a life in a cage, much as you did, Hendak. He's nothing without his money, or his control over others. He would have preferred to die a lord rather than live as nothing. And so death would have been too quick a punishment for him."
Hendak asked, nearly shouting, "Do you know how much blood he spilled? How many lives he spent for coins in his pocket?"
"Killing him wouldn't have brought any of them back," she said.
He barged his way past, nearly knocking Lidia aside, and slammed the door behind him as he went into the night.
A long moment of silence passed, then Ganthet said, "Still, nonetheless, a great wrong has been undone, and for that we thank you."
"Of course," Lidia said. "I mean, my thanks should also go to everyone else, here. It took everyone to pull this off. Let me know if there's anything in the future you need."
He nodded to Sebire, then said, "There is one thing. I absolutely insist that you accept this from us."
Sebire went up to the altar, reached into a box on the side, and pulled out a grey folded cloth. "A spare, here," she said. "Wear it well."
Lidia unfolded it. The cloth was a bit slubbed and rough, made from undyed grey wool, the kind one could buy in the Promenade for a silver piece. It was a yard wide and about two and a half yards long, with a hole in the middle for one's head. Centered below that hole was the symbol of Ilmater: two white hands bound by a red thread, done with care in simple cloth and cotton thread. This was a simple tabard of the kind the Ilmaterite clergy wore, and so rightfully hers too, though she didn't feel it was so as she stared at it.
Gorion's Company left the temple shortly afterwards. Most of them were eager to settle in for the night, so Lidia let them go on ahead to their rooms in the Coronet - she wanted to clean off her boots outdoors before turning in. She set the tabard aside, then sat in the middle of the worn planks, as far out as she could while still benefiting from the small stream of light.
To her surprise, Anomen stayed behind. She didn't mind, especially since she had no idea whether Gaelan or any friends he'd brought were still lingering in the shadows.
"Run into much trouble down there?" she asked, after exchanging a few pleasantries.
"We dispatched some over-bold brigands but little else," he said. "I hope you at least considered this episode worth your while,"
"I'm sure the former slaves appreciate your efforts," she said mildly. She dashed the boots against the wood, and some of the mud fell off in cakes.
"Now, that job Lord Jierdan offered...I'd offered my talents to his cause, but he had stated this was a task best suited for a group. A band of knights from the Order have been in the Windspear Hills for a tenday; he must have had great difficulty eliminating the beasts from his lands."
He paused and seemed to be working his way towards a thought. Lidia had a guess as to what it was. "You wanted to try to find them?"
"Indeed. However, even one skilled at arms can be caught unawares. If you and your group are heading east, we ought to join forces until then."
It made a kind of sense, but one question stood out for her. "The Order lets you do as you please?"
"I was sent home from my last campaign earlier than expected, and my Test of knighthood is in four months' time. My only duty for the time being is to remain in Amn and find deeds to do until then."
So the deal was struck; Anomen would adventure with the Company to the Windspear Hills until he joined forces with his fellows. They shook hands on it, and parted ways in front of the Coronet.
Lidia went inside. The common room was mostly still, except for a few drunks dozing in one corner. Bernard was setting everything straight for the night when he called to her.
"Oi, maybe you can help with something. Have you seen a key?"
"Which one?" she asked, though she already had a sneaking suspicion which one he meant.
"The one to the cells. I got Lehtinan's spare, but mine has gone and disappeared. It's not the end of Toril if I don't find it, but I want 'em all accounted for."
"I think I know who has it, but I'll make sure," she said. This would have to be handled carefully.