After what happened with Ajantis, no one was inclined to trust their eyes, but neither had anyone learned to pierce illusions yet. And even if they had, none of them were any match for a dragon's magic.
Lidia had agreed to scout ahead with Yoshimo. She wasn't as adept in moving quietly as he was, so she'd poured out a little Invisibility Potion for herself that Yoshimo happened to have handy. As Yoshimo had slipped into the forest, staying low and out of sight, she followed. Even if no one could see her, she was almost certain that they heard her crashing through the forest floor. Without being able to see her hands and feet, she was clumsy, forcing her to stay close to the ground as they drew nearer to Garren's cabin.
After what seemed like an age, their host's small cabin came into view between the trees and from atop one of the hills, peacefully resting in its small piece of tamed earth. But surrounding the place were twelve armored soldiers all bearing the crossed heart of the Order.
Immediately, Lidia and Yoshimo hid behind a massive tree, even though they were nearly impossible to pick out in broad daylight - one through his talent for stealth, and the other with chemical assistance. After a moment, however, Lidia remembered that she was invisible, and turned to look again, as silently as she could manage.
She was about fifty feet away from them, with about ten feet of woods left before they yielded to the clearing. Even with the trees and bare brush standing in the way, the soldiers' armor and mail gleamed in the sunlight. Nine went on foot, carrying bows and wearing mail hauberks. Another, a sturdy, brown-haired young woman with a bright, quick glance, turned her back towards them, revealing the hand of Helm emblazoned on her tabard. Two more wore full armor and surveyed the scene from atop their horses; they seemed to be conversing with each other.
Lidia cast a thought towards them. Nothing happened.
She whispered to Yoshimo, "I've done what I can. Let's go."
As soon as they were safely out of earshot, she took off running through the woods, nearly tripping over a downed log. The potion lost its power, and her hands and feet reappeared; she slowed down as soon as they did.
Yoshimo soon caught up to her. "What did you discover?"
"They don't seem to have any evil planned."
"That's it? You can't sense whether they truly are as they seem?" He seemed incredulous.
"We don't have the power for that. Not yet, anyway," she said. "A person has to be planning, committing, or pondering some evil act for me to sense it. It's not a reliable way to get a read on anyone most of the time. People are complicated. Most of them usually do what they feel is right, within what their circumstances and consciences allow."
Yoshimo's gaze flitted towards the woods ahead, but soon returned as he resumed his easy lope. "Well, what about Firkraag?"
"Demons, dragons, vampires, their ilk - they're different, almost as though evil spills out through them."
He gave her an odd look.
"You know, like a hot pan radiating heat."
"I understood your meaning." He shook his head. "You're easily one of the stranger beings I've met on my travels, that is all."
They soon returned to the others.
"There's no reason to believe that they aren't what they seem," Lidia said. "Their speech and actions all check out."
"You know, walks like a duck, talks like a duck, as they say," Yoshimo said.
"I don't know about ducks," Minsc said, "but Boo is an expert on all small things. Let us go and see for ourselves what these brave heroes wish of us!"
"We're fugitives, as far as they are concerned," Yoshimo said. "I suggest we go to ground until they leave. They outnumber us two to one."
"And do what?" Anomen said. "We ought to make ourselves known, rather than have them find us first. I will not hide like a thief in the night."
Yoshimo fired back, "I've evaded a few like your Order before. It's not difficult."
Lidia spoke up, moving between them. "We still have Iltha with us. It will go far better for us if we go to meet them ourselves, but neither should we run to them with open arms. I doubt Garren has made it to Athkatla yet."
They left most of their gear and the pack horse in the clearing, with the intention of coming back later, and made their way down the thin trail again, this time in twos.
Lidia and Anomen went forward first; she'd reasoned that having him there to greet other members of the Order stood the best chance of success. Minsc and Jaheira followed close behind; they were to act as backup in case of trouble and to keep an eye on Iltha. The girl had slipped out, instructed to stay within sight and to stay hidden. Aerie and Yoshimo followed some distance behind; they were to stay hidden until the last possible moment.
As soon as Anomen and Lidia emerged from the clearing, he called to them. "What news from the High Hall?"
One of the knights, who rode the darker horse, turned his steed and approached them with a light trot. His armor was polished to nearly a mirror finish, and the symbol of the Order was embossed on his right arm. He carried a sturdy spear in his right hand. His shield, carried upon his left arm, bore the holy symbol of Tyr, the Maimed God: two scales resting upon a warhammer.
The voice that issued from the helm was deep, but softer than Lidia was expecting. "I fear our purpose is far too weighty for lighter conversation, Squire Anomen. Let your entire company come forth, and we will talk."
Lidia crossed her hands behind her back, and opened and closed her fists.
Understanding the signal, the other four came forward from the woods, somewhat reluctantly gathering closer around her. The Order's company formed a semicircle around them. Both seemed to be waiting for the other to make a move or speak; instead they lingered for a few moments in silence.
Beneath his helmet, the knight of Tyr glanced at each member of the Company, as though he were searching. What he found seemed to trouble him.
"I am Sir Grady Lignar," he finally said, "and we serve the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart. Our cause is simple. Surrender the Child of Bhaal among you. Refuse us at your peril."