AT THE SIGN OF THE RED SHEAF

Dusk was closing in when the party of five reached the outskirts of the town of Beregost.

'We will rest here for tonight,' Jaheira informed them, to the relief of Tal and Imoen, who weren't as used as the other three to the hardships of life on the road. 'And continue on in the morning.'

'A welcome suggestion, dear lady,' Coran said brightly, earning himself an eyeroll. 'There are a few fine establishments in this fair town, sufficient to entertain us all for the night.'

'Entertain yourself however you like Coran, just remember, if you are not with us when we depart, you will be left behind.' It was evident from her tone that she didn't care much for the elf and would be delighted if the party left without him.

Tal bowed his head and smirked, having a good idea of what the elf meant by entertainment. He doubted very much that Coran's bed would be empty that night.

'Khalid and I will secure us rooms at Feldepost's Inn,' she informed him. 'It would be wise if you remained with us.'

The incident with the bounty hunter back at the Friendly Arm was obviously very much still on her mind, and it certainly hadn't left his, but it had been some years since he'd last visited the town, and he was of a mind to take a wander, see if he could see anyone he remembered. Maybe it wasn't the wisest of ideas, but he wanted to escape, if only briefly, the protective circle they'd unconsciously placed him in the middle of.

'Actually, I think I'd like to take a walk,' he said, revelling for a brief while in being somewhere familiar, even if it was only somewhere vaguely familiar.

'Tal…' she began warningly.

'I'll be careful,' he said, instantly placating when she favoured him with a frown. 'I just need some space. Please.'

He thought for a moment that she might argue, or at the very least insist that one of them accompany him, but to his surprise she just nodded curtly, and with Khalid and an oddly quiet Imoen in tow, she headed in the direction of Feldepost's. Imoen cast him a single look over her shoulder, her expression unreadable, then she was skipping up next to Jaheira, bending the other woman's ear with her chatter.

'She's worried about you,' Coran said, watching the trio walk away.

'You don't say,' Tal replied, cocking an eyebrow at the elf.

'Just pointing out the obvious, my friend,' Coran said, shaking his head. 'And that done, I am off to the Jovial Juggler. There's a certain barmaid there who loves my smile.' He let his smile shine out. 'Care to join me? There's nothing more relaxing than an evening spent in the company of a lovely lady.'

'Maybe next time,' he said, smiling absently. Ordinarily he'd have been all too happy to join the elf in finding some pleasant company, but he'd meant what he said to Jaheira, he needed some space. 'Thanks for the offer though.'

'Well, you know where I'll be if you change your mind.'

Coran gave him a friendly clap on the shoulder and a smile as he left, neither of which Tal paid much attention to, he was too busy wondering, as he had been since they left the inn, on why anyone would want him dead, and willing to pay two hundred gold at that. He'd never made an enemy in his life, unless Beth's brother counted, and that lout couldn't afford that amount of gold, so what was it about him that had garnered such attention? Once he'd helped Khalid and Jaheira with their mission to Nashkel, then he would take all the time necessary to find out. Maybe that's what he should be doing now, rather than trying to be a hero, but he'd promised them, and he never broke a promise. One thing was for sure, he was going to have to be a lot more alert. That mage at the inn had come far too close, and he was determined that wouldn't happen again.

His feet had taken him through the centre of town, past shops and houses he'd once visited with Gorion, and towards the inn his father had always insisted on frequenting. There was nobody out on the streets apart from a young bard, who looked at him with sudden interest before shaking his head and walking away. Eventually, he arrived outside of the Red Sheaf, the largest inn in Beregost, and the quietest. The quiet of the place was the main reason Gorion enjoyed it there, and why Tal now found himself outside of the door.

Analise Ravenstone, formerly of Tantras, took a sip from a glass of red wine, took another look around the room, and sighed. She'd been told before departing Baldur's Gate that the town of Beregost had little to offer to a woman like herself, and she was finding that to be true. It was to be expected, she supposed, being a predominantly farming town, but she'd hoped for at least a bit of liveliness. But if there was any liveliness in this town, then it wasn't at this inn, with its tables full of merchants muttering to each other quietly and urgently, or with its bar crowded with grim old locals. There certainly wasn't any music or revelry.

'Though maybe I just picked the wrong inn,' she mused, unintentionally aloud.

'No such thing as the wrong inn,' a deep voice grumbled.

'No, good master dwarf, but there is such a thing as the right inn.' She smiled brightly at the stocky dwarf who shared her table, earning herself a scowl in reply.

He picked up a tankard of ale, pointedly looked away from her, and proceeded to slurp noisily, spilling more down his dirty grey beard than he got into his mouth. She sighed again, regretting choosing to sit at this table rather than lounging at the bar, even if it was by a crackling fire. The dwarf held up a piece of parchment, studied it intently, and sneezed on it. It wasn't the first time he'd done that since she'd sat down, but this time she looked at it, eyes widening as she recognised a bounty notice. He scowled at her again.

'Keep yer eyes on yer own business, girl,' he warned. 'This mark is mine.'

She held up her hands placatingly and smiled again. As if she'd lower herself to go hunting bounties, that was work for cruder people than she, as evidenced by the little thug she sat with. No, he could have his measly gold for his measly bounty, she had her sights set higher. But those sights meant she'd have to seek a room soon, as she planned to head south at dawn. And indeed, she was just about to see if there were any rooms available, when the door opened and in walked a young man.

At first she thought he was nothing more than some indolent noble looking to mix it with the common folk. She knew the look, she'd seen enough of them in places like this on her travels, most of them had tried charming their way between her legs, and most of them had failed. The cut of his long black tunic, the fancy sword at his hip, and the artfully tousled black hair gave credence to the look. But he didn't hold himself with the arrogance that she associated with the nobility, nor did he project that air of entitlement and superiority that never failed to irritate her. No, the likelihood was he was just another traveller, maybe her age, on the road, albeit an interesting, and very pretty one to look at.

He glanced around the taproom, gaze settling on her briefly before looking away, then flicking back to her, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. A slow smile curved her lips, his reaction wasn't one she was unused to, men were always drawn to give her a second look. In some cases it could be creepy, but in others, like right then, it was appreciated. She tipped him a salute with her glass, then startled when the damn dwarf slammed his hands on the table.

'Well, I'll be blessed,' he roared. 'Old Karlat's luck be in today.'

Turning her head, she saw the dwarf on his feet, a wide grin splitting his ale-soaked, bearded face, and that roll of parchment held tightly in his hand.

'Ye picked the wrong inn to walk into, boy,' the dwarf roared again, picking up a wicked looking axe from where it leaned next to the fireplace. 'Not that it's anything personal you understand, but I'm afraid your time on this here ball of mud is just about done.'

The dwarf hefted his axe, stalked out from behind the table, and the inn erupted in chaos. Or as much chaos as a sedate place like the Red Sheaf could muster. Loud, indignant voices rose up, demanding to know what in the hells was going on, the locals looked around to see what had disturbed their quiet evening drinks, and the stranger started to back quickly towards the door, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.

The dwarf charged … and without stopping to think, she stuck her leg out, tripping him as he barged past. He hit the stone floor face down with a thud, cursing horribly, blood leaking from a newly mashed nose. The axe skittered away from him, and he scrambled after it on all fours, cursing all the while. Just as he reached it and curled his hand around the haft, a tankard swung down and bashed him on the top of his head, knocking all the fight out of him.

She snorted a laugh, and watched as a tall, greying man, obviously the innkeeper, rush out from behind the bar. He approached the dwarf's target, and her sharp ears, and the silence of the inn, allowed her to hear everything that was said.

'You're Old Gorion's lad, aren't you, from Candlekeep?' He had a kindly voice. 'It's best you leave town and quick, boy, there's a lot of folk passing through very interested in you right now.'

'What about him?' The other indicated the prone dwarf.

'We'll deal with him, don't you worry.' From the tone of his voice, she wondered if the dwarf would soon find himself in a shallow, unmarked grave. 'Consider it a thanks to your old dad for all his custom.'

'He's dead.' There was a broken edge to his voice that made her heart instantly go out to him, even if he was a stranger.

'Sorry to hear that lad, I truly am, but you still need to run.' Then he had a hand on the others shoulder, pushing him back out of the door.

Acting without thinking, again, she drained off the last of her wine, stood swiftly and followed, catching him up when he was halfway to the centre of town.

'What, I save your life, and you run off without a single word of thanks?' Despite what had just happened, that the dwarf had plainly intended to kill him, she couldn't keep a note of humour from her voice. 'I thought such a thing was common courtesy everywhere.'

He stopped dead, shoulders tense, and she was sure he hadn't heard her coming after him. Then he turned around, their eyes locked, and she felt, with absolute certainty, that her future was entwined with this young man. She couldn't explain why she suddenly felt that way, just that something about him called to her and she couldn't resist.

'Why?' His voice was beyond pleasant, the type of voice she'd like to hear whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

'What? Why did I interfere with the dwarf?' She smiled, and flicked her wrist, releasing a dagger from its strap on her arm. 'Maybe it's because I found the look of you interesting. Or maybe I just didn't want that little brute to mark that pretty face of yours.'

'You're not a bounty hunter then?'

'Oh, is that what he was?' She took a step closer to him, still smiling, trying to captivate him with her eyes. 'Nay, I'm no bounty hunter, just a simple adventurer recently arrived here from Baldur's Gate.'

'My lady, I don't know you at all, but I doubt simple is the right word to describe you.' He smiled back at her.

'And as I also don't know you, maybe we should change that.' She moved a further step closer, and placed a hand on his chest, feeling his heart race. 'I'm Ana Ravenstone of Tantras, and you would be?'

'Tal,' he replied. 'Talessin of Candlekeep to be exact.'

'Well, we are well met Tal, Talessin of Candlekeep to be exact.' That's when she pressed the dagger against his chest. 'And you really should be more careful with your safety, because if I were a bounty hunter, then you'd be dead now.' She took it away and twirled it before his eyes, before returning it to its strap. 'But, fortunately for you, I am what I say. Just a simple adventurer on my way to Nashkel.'

He let out a harsh breath when the knife vanished, and she heard him murmur to himself about being more aware. Then he cocked his head and looked at her curiously.

'You're going to Nashkel alone?'

'What?' She cocked an eyebrow at him. 'Do you not think a woman can look after herself?'

'Not at all.' His smile widened. 'But wouldn't such a venture be better undertaken with a group?'

'Are you asking me to join you?' She felt delighted at the prospect.

'Well, join us,' he amended. 'It makes sense, you're going to Nashkel, we're going to Nashkel, so why not go together?'

'I agree, it makes perfect sense.' She took his arm and linked it with his own. 'Let's go and meet your friends.'

Imoen sat with Khalid and Jaheira at a small table towards the back of Feldepost's Inn, her gaze fixed on the entrance, only partly listening to the quiet conversation the half-elves were having, anxiously waiting for Tal to return. Anxious because for some unknown reason, attempts were being made on her brother's life, and he was out somewhere on his own, lost in his thoughts, like he sometimes tended to do.

'He shouldn't have gone off alone,' she muttered, unaware she'd spoken aloud, at least not until Khalid laid a comforting hand on her arm.'

'I think he just needs some time alone, Imoen,' he said, his tone soothing. 'He has had a lot happen in such a short space of time.'

'Ya, I know—'

Imoen forgot the rest of what she was about to say when the door to the inn opened, and the object of her anxiety appeared. She watched as he stepped inside and looked around, his gaze eventually settling on them, and felt a tension in her shoulders ease. Then she noticed the woman by his side, and she sighed in frustration.

'Oh, he hasn't!' She glared at him, a glare to make Jaheira proud.

Here she was, worrying about his safety, and all the while he was doing what he consistently did very well, falling into the arms of the first woman to bat her eyelashes at him. Granted, she was prettier than most of those Imoen had caught him sneaking out of his room, but still, she fit a well-known pattern.

'Silvanus save me,' Jaheira cursed, noticing Tal's return, and his new companion.

Tal and his new friend made their way over, with the woman, little more than a girl really, clinging to his arm the entire way. He gave Imoen a quick look and the beginning of a grin, which she returned with a frosty look, and he sighed instead. The girl just eyed her curiously. Then Tal was stood before Jaheira, hands clasped behind his back, like he'd so often stood in front of Gorion.

'There was another bounty hunter, Jaheira,' he said. 'In the Red Sheaf. And there's more of them been passing through town.' Imoen watched on as his shoulders slumped and his voice turned plaintive. 'What's going on? Why are these people after me?'

'I wish I had an answer for you Tal, I truly do.' She sighed and stared down at the table. 'We will leave here before first light, but in the meantime, I suggest you stay here with us, do not go advertising your presence to the rest of the town.'

'Fine by me,' he said quietly, taking the seat across from her, putting his back to the rest of the room. the girl took a seat next to him, fidgeting under Jaheira's scrutiny.

'And who is this?' Jaheira asked the question that Imoen couldn't bring herself to.

'Her name is Ana,' he told her. 'She saved my life.'

'Huh, so you're collecting rescuers almost as quick as bounty hunters,' Imoen sniped, earning a confused look from the girl.

'She's going to Nashkel, Tal said, deliberately ignoring her jibe. 'I said she could come with us.'

'I'm looking into the troubles there,' she finally spoke, not sounding as confident as she maybe wanted to appear.

'Maybe you might have discussed this with the rest of us.' Jaheira ignored the girl, who shifted uncomfortably in her seat. 'Especially before extending an invitation to someone you have known for less than an hour.'

At that Imoen had to fight off a snort of laughter. Tal was well-known back at Candlekeep for extending invitations to girls he'd known for less than an hour. A fact that Jaheira was just finding out.

'Maybe so,' he agreed. 'But what's done is done.'

'Indeed, it is,' Jaheira also agreed, and nobody missed the bite she added to her words. 'But in the future, I would appreciate it very much if you would ask the rest of the group you are travelling with if they were agreeable to having new people join their company. It is only polite to do so.'

'I'm sorry if I acted impulsively,' he said, hanging his head. Though Imoen had heard that type of apology from him before and knew it for the steaming pile of horse dung it was.

'Apology accepted.' Jaheira, was, quite obviously, unaware of how easily Tal could fake sincerity. 'Now, I will order some food for the table, and after that I think it would be wise if you went to your room and stayed there out of sight. Khalid and I will make sure no one who wishes you harm will disturb you.'

Khalid settled himself on a stool, several feet away from the room they'd put Tal in and watched his wife attempt to wear a groove in the wooden floor. On the small table by his side a mug of hot tea steamed away.

'Jaheira,' he said, pitching his voice low. 'Come sit with me, enjoy your tea.' Stretching out a leg he pushed the other stool away from the table, wincing as it scraped loudly across the floor. 'You cannot solve any of tonight's problems by pacing in front of his room.'

He knew it was a futile attempt, Jaheira liked to pace when she was angry or annoyed, but that didn't mean he couldn't try and get her to relax. Unfortunately, relaxing was not something his wife did very well.

'The boy is a fool,' she snapped, spinning on her heel and marching up to him. Snatching up the tea, she took a small sip before setting it back down again. 'What we are setting out here to do is serious business, it is not an excuse for him to invite every pretty face in the region to join us.'

He nearly laughed, then thought better of it. Jaheira's temper when roused was a fearsome thing, and he did not wish to be on the wrong side of it. But if he didn't do something soon, she was likely to explode anyways. And, fortunately, he did know a sure-fire way to prevent that from happening.

'While I do not agree with him asking her to join with us without discussing it with the group first, I do find it a pleasure to gaze on the face of a beautiful woman.' He smiled at her as she glared down at him. 'Have you not noticed how often my eyes stray to you?'

'Foolishness, husband,' she said, though there was no venom in her tone and a hint of a smile tugged at her lips. She bent down to gift him a brief kiss, and then for a wonder she settled on the spare stool. 'I just hope that he is not prone to these impulsive decisions.'

'He is young,' he said, reaching across to take her hand. 'We were all impulsive when we were young.'

'I was not,' she grumped.

'Oh, really?' He smiled and stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. 'You were acting on reasoned thought alone the night we first met? When you kissed me under that willow tree, despite us never having exchanged a single word?' His smile grew wider as her cheeks flushed a dusky red. 'Let him stay young for a time yet, while he still has us to guide him.'

'Very well.' She squeezed his hand. 'That night though, that was not all on impulse. I knew from the moment I first saw you that I wished to spend my life with you. To kiss you then felt right, and I have never once regretted it.'

'Nor have I.' A flash of a dream came to him then; of a cold table, inside a cold, dank room, with screams rending the air. His screams. 'Nor will I ever, no matter what road our future takes.' She cast him a curious look. 'Get some rest, my love, I'll wake you when it's your turn to sit guard.'