Adrian: Baldur's Gate

Officer Jessa Vai was still invisible, sitting on the stairway leading up to the top of the Throne tower.

She had held her silence throughout their ascent through the tower levels, knowing now was not the time to flirt with Edwin, as this was important business. When they had reached the top, Adrian asked her to ask as their reserve. Edwin had left a small red marble on the next step up. If it glowed bright, that meant they needed her.

Jessa had understood. They were a cohesive unit now, and she was there to back them up.

But when a wrenching scream shook the tower, shattering glass windows and making her teeth vibrate, she charged up the stairs.

She arrived to see the entire party visible, and a lot of carnage. Both Edwin and the other mage, that annoying Xzar, were wounded. Adrian was walking away from the others, telling Viconia to heal their wounded. He did not look happy.

"What happened?" she asked.

Edwin looked around. "Er, you're still invisible, Jessa," he said.

"Oh." She knocked her fist against a wall to dispel it. "What was that scream?"

"A conspirator escaped by teleport spell," said Viconia, bent over Xzar and preparing to heal him. "Adrian was not amused."

"Er, right," said Jessa, not quite sure what to make of that but knowing not to press further. "Where's he going now?"

"To find the usual evidence these fools leave behind," said Tiax, the mad gnome.

Jessa nodded, then surveyed the party. She was no fool; she knew they weren't nice people. But she had grown up in Phlan, a city that had been reclaimed from the darkness at least twice, and she knew that people who were not good could be convinced to help the aims of civilization, if indirectly. Such was the case with this group. The Flaming Fist knew full well the sort of people they were employing; Edwin and Viconia were evidence enough of that. But the Fist were, first and foremost, mercenaries. They had simply engaged in an open-ended contract to protect the city. They were no Order of Knights or Paladins; they would use whatever means were available.

As for her attraction to Edwin, she knew well enough who he was and where he came from. It didn't bother her. Unless, that was, Thay came to conquer. And that clearly wasn;t teh case.

Jessa had had a rough, hard, life, and consorted with rough, hard people on a daily basis. Edwin was not the worst of them by any stretch. She wasn't a floozy, but she did enjoy a bit of fun now and then. Edwin was one such for her.

Adrian came back out of the aparments holding a sheaf of papers in his hand. His teeth were still clenched and his eyes were like ice. Jessa shivered, and was glad he was helping them. Gods knew what sort of enemy he would make.

He noticed Jessa, and attempted to calm himself. "I think your superiors will find this useful," he said to her.

After that scream, no one challeneged them on the way back down the tower. They arrived at Flaming Fist HQ without incident, and Jessa led them back to Duke Eltan. Scar was still out on patrol.

She handed the sheaf of papers to the Duke, who read them gravely. After a time, he looked up, first at her, then at Adrian.

"It would seem that Reiltar, the titular head of the Throne on the Sword Coast, is heading to Candlekeep to form an alliance with the Knights of the Shield."

"It would seem so," said Adrian, quietly.

"You hail from there, do you not?" Jessa asked him.

Adrian nodded, and closed his eyes. "It seems a lifetime ago, now," he said. He opened his eyes. "But they won't just let me back in."

"Indeed no," agreed Eltan. "Alas, I cannot spare Officer Vai to join you for this, I need her here. But I can provide you with a Tome to let you in the citadel."

"Good, thank you," said Adrian.

Behind him, Edwin pouted a little. Jessa winked at him.

The Duke called a page to bring him a book from the Fist Library. Within minutes, it was in Adrian's hands. He bowed to the Duke, and he and his party left.

Begging the leave of the Duke, Jessa dashed after them.

"Adrian, Edwin," she called as they left the building. "Wait."

The Red Wizard turned back and raised an eyebrow at her. Adrian hissed in impatience.

"I know you wish to leave," she told Adrian breathlessly. "But there's something else you need to know."

"Which is?" Adrian asked.

"There's a reason Eltan still needs me here. Scar's position as number one is threatened. The cchallenger is a fellow named Angelo."

"So?" asked Viconia.

"So," said Jessa, "It is widely suspected he's on the Throne payroll."

"Which is why Eltan okayed the raid on their tower," said Adrian, nodding slowly.

"And all may not be well when we return here, if Angelo makes his move," added Edwin. "(The Endgame is complicated, again.)"

Jessa wondered wether Edwin knew he was talking to himself like that. She thought it was cute. "Right. So be on your guard. Watch your backs, all of you."

"We;ll take taht advice," said Adrian, and there was respect in his voice. "Thank you, Jessa."

"A pleasure," she said.

Edwin hugged her briefly, and then Adrian's party marched away.

She hoped they would meet again, and not just because of Edwin.