4 Mirtul, 1369 DR

When I woke up this morning I began to think about all the things I have to do, and the sheer number nearly overwhelmed me. But Delaine always told us to figure out the easy tasks and do them first, so we wouldn’t be distracted once we got started on the hard ones, and that’s what I did. First, I wrote to the Dukes to explain what happened (at least, as much as I’ve been able to reconstruct), thank them for their hospitality, absolve them of any blame, and request that some of the things we’d left be sent on to us. I also wrote to Aldeth Sashenstar, asking him to arrange a transfer of some of the funds I banked with him to the local temple of Waukeen. We went to the Government District, where the temple is, to find out how long it would take. They think about a tenday. Until then, it’s going to be quiet living for us, not that I wanted to be conspicuous anyway. Although I guess Minsc is never really inconspicuous. I’m just so used to the sight of him, I forget how big he is--- and how strange Boo must appear.

Also, we took our leave of Yoshimo, giving him his fair share of what gold we scraped together during our escape. Not even Jaheira really wanted him around. I’m beginning to worry about Jaheira. Torm knows she’s never exactly been a barrel of laughs, but her refusal to acknowledge her grief is troubling. I really wish there was a temple of Chauntea here; perhaps fellow druids could help her more. If I say anything, she’ll only retreat further into that sullen silence. Minsc, on the other hand, is proving to be a tower of strength. He mourns Dynaheir deeply, but his great and simple soul sees it as a test of his character. Besides, he has Boo. Sometimes I envy him that confidante. Oh, Immy, what am I saying? I must really be losing it. I miss you so much already; you’d have just the joke to lift my spirits.

Speaking of jokes, our trip to the Government District did yield us a jester of sorts. We knew we’d need somebody to disarm traps for us and pick the odd lock, and by great good luck (thanks Deneir, for that answered prayer) we were able to extricate a gnome named Jan Jansen from a little altercation with the taxation authorities. His mouth may be fast, but so is his crossbow… and I think he’ll stick with us, instead of selling us out. He did let us know that he wasn’t planning to break the anti-spellcasting rules, but that it is possible to get a license from the Cowled Wizards for a “suitable consideration”.

It seems that Jan’s family lives in the slums near the Copper Coronet, a well-known hangout for adventurers (read: hard beds, bad food, and worse ale, but proprietors who are blind to nearly everything but the sight of gold). As we headed to his house so he could pick up his traveling gear, a man named Gaelan Bayle accosted us. According to him, his contacts can locate Imoen for us… for 20,000 gold pieces. Such a sum! We’ll have to find some honest work soon to put that much in our coffers. After splitting things up in Baldur’s Gate, I’ve not that much to my name. Imoen and I both sent half of ours home to Delaine. I know Dynaheir made arrangements for her and Minsc’s shares to reach their families in Rashemen. I don’t like to ask Jaheira about it at all, since that will undoubtedly bring up thoughts of Khalid. Ajantis, thank the gods, was already on his way home to Waterdeep to undergo his trial for knighthood when all this happened. I will have to write to him tonight, to see how he fares. Actually, I should ask Anomen if the local Order headquarters can pass the message more quickly.

Ah, yes, Anomen Delryn. That was the second piece of fortune for us today. After Gaelan made us his offer of assistance, he recommended that we turn our steps to the Copper Coronet to find work, particularly stating that we should look up Lehtinan, the owner, and say that Gaelan sent us. Somehow, it didn’t sound too appetizing, but after Jan grabbed his things, we all headed over there. It was time for some lunch anyway, and it’s hard to screw up bread and cheese, although the Coronet certainly tried. Still, I know we didn’t look any too prepossessing ourselves, even though I forced Jaheira and Minsc to go shopping in the Promenade long enough to find a respectable suit of clothes apiece. After escaping Irenicus, what we had on was mostly fit for the ragbag, and a decent cloak and pair of boots are simply a traveler’s necessities.

At any rate, we at least looked clean by the time we got to the Coronet… and that ranked us above fully half of the crowd. In fact, any better dressed and we’d have looked as out of place as the few obvious nobles out slumming. Perhaps that’s why the Watcher chose to address us. I noticed him as we entered, largely because he was cleaning his armor. I’ve watched Ajantis do the same so many times as we sat night watch together, and even the armor itself had a strange familiarity. He seemed to start a bit as he saw us, and when we passed by he spoke to me, asking if we were in search of anything in particular. You know how uncomfortable I am at meeting people, Immy, but it’s a good thing you forced me to learn how to make small talk, since I’m the only one capable of doing it now. Jan’s got too much mouth, Minsc is a little slow, and Jaheira’s mind is too occupied with her own sad thoughts right now to notice very much.

Anyhow, I told him that we were searching for adventuring work and food, not necessarily in that order. I think I specified “honest” work, as who knew what might be offered in this place. It’s a lot like the Mermaid in the Gate… only not quite so rowdy. It turned out that he was a squire seeking admission into the Order of the Radiant Heart, just like our old companion. No wonder the armor looked familiar. By great good luck, this Anomen is also a cleric of Helm. Needless to say, I was more than glad to accept his company on the same two days’ trial as Jan. In spite of the unjust dislike many people have taken to Helm, the Watchers can at least be trusted--- and the healing he can proffer most welcome. With Jaheira’s mental state deteriorating by the hour, I need all the help I can get. Some evening I shall have to ask more of how a cleric came to join the Radiant Heart. What I know of the Order is only what I have learned from Ajantis, and there was little time for chatter amongst ourselves today. Hopefully his personality won’t turn out to be unbearable.

I thought the way Gaelan mentioned Lehtinan sounded fishy, and when I talked to the man, my suspicions were confirmed. Fortunately, my control held, and unaware of my real feelings, he offered us the use of the “special facilities”. That disgusting reptile was not just keeping slaves, but using them as gladiators to fight monsters. Especially after having just escaped from imprisonment ourselves, I couldn’t just ignore that. Ilmater would never forgive overlooking such suffering. Madam Nin and her girls, I’m afraid, are just an unfortunate fact of life in any large town. As long as the girls are there of their own free will, there’s not much that can be done except to encourage them to choose another line of work.

I spoke to Lehtinan alone, and I was glad that the others seemed willing to follow my lead. Anomen did look as if he resented my shepherding them off without a word, but he was willing to accept the terse, whispered half-explanation that was all I had time for before we were in the pits. Thank the Five that he and Jan were with us; I don’t think we’d have survived back there with just the three of us. Jaheira’s losing concentration, and it very nearly got her killed back there. That Beastmaster had a skilled minotaur under his control, and if Jan hadn’t got him in the throat with a bolt at the critical second, Jaheira would have been split in two by his axe. I’ve never seen her make that kind of mistake before, even when dog-tired. She’d left an opening as big as a barn door behind her shield. I know she’s not been sleeping well at night. This can’t go on. She’ll break soon if she won’t give herself time to grieve. For a druid, she’s being awfully dense about allowing nature to do its work.

I must end here; it is time for me to begin the Rite of Tyr in Khalid’s honor. Tomorrow we’ll try to find the main slave pens. Hendak says they are keeping children down there. Babies versus beasts… how low these men must have sunk. And what of the spectators? Don’t they bear as much guilt? There’s supposed to be a way in through the warren of passages at the back of the inn. Yet another lovely day in Mirtul lost to dungeon crawling. Rats.

5 Mirtul, 1369 DR

I’m exhausted… a bit bruised and battered, but the children are free. Hendak has undertaken to send them home. Got letter off to Ajantis, warning him to be on guard, though I don’t think Irenicus will pursue him. Now have new mission. I can’t write more now… too late and too tired…. Tomorrow evening must try to perform my tenday’s service for Deneir and finish the Helm Song… will try to think more tomorrow. Can’t put Jaheira problem off forever….