Adrian: Baldur's Gate

They left Edwin alone in the grass for some twenty minutes, then Adrian came after him.

The former Red Wizard was standing, staring into nothing, mouth slightly open, tears running down his cheeks.

"Edwin."

The mage did not move.

"Edwin, we need to move on."

"A few more minutes."

"I'm sorry, Edwin. I truly am. But we can't stay here. We have to deal with that fool Thalantyr--where we can get you a new robe, I might add--and then back to the city. The final reckoning with Sarevok is nigh."

"I know that," sighed the mage. "I also know it's already late, and we wont go far before we camp. Not that I want to camp here, mind you, near my....my past. But now I'm obligated to you more than a year; I've no one else to turn to, I'm your damned mage for life."

"That's as may be. We shall see."

"You don't understand," said Edwin, and he turned and looked into Adrian's eyes. Adrian glared at him, but Edwin matched it. "I am bound to you now. I can never go home, unless I can conquer. You are the only ally I have left in this world. You and those that travel with you, monkeys and pawns though they may be. I am your mage now, wether I like it or not. So, given that I will be forced to obey your commands for the rest of my life, I think you can grant me a few. More. Damned. Minutes."

Adrian nodded slowly. He reached out and put a hand on Edwin's shoulder, who blinked at the gesture of support.

"Ten minutes. Then we move. As you say, we don't want to camp in this place."

During those ten minutes, Adrian went to Kagain.

"You've been quiet, my friend."

The Dwarf nodded.

"I've already got one member having a crisis. What is yours?"

"When word reaches Beregost of what happened in Candlekeep, I'll lose my business."

"I'm sorry."

"Och, don't be. I make far more money followin ye than I ever did in that place. But...."

"But?"

"But I've spilled a lot of blood for my money. More than I care to. I'll follow ye, to Sarevok and even beyond if I don't fall. But one day, I'll have my fill and leave."

Adrian nodded.

"But when I do, I'll have a replacement for ye. I've mentioned my cousin in Amn more than once. Korgan is his name. Of hte Bloodaxe clan. The ties between Bloodaxe and Dragonaxe run deep. I'll send him a letter or something, when the time comes."

"I understand, and thank you."

The party finally got moving, and headed back to Beregost. They camped that night not far from Mutamin's stone garden.

Edwin cried out in his sleep several times during the night, but did not wake. He wept and burbled names over and over. They left him in peace.

Thankfully, Edwin's night cries did not attract the attention of Emirikol, who was following their path, and passed their camp by less than a mile, as he tracked them towards the Red Wizard base.

The next day they bypassed Beregost--obviously full of Flaming Fist, looking for them and preparing for war with Amn--and headed straight for High Hedge.

Adrian had been anticipating this little moment against Thalantyr for some time now, but when it came to it, it was nothing much, really. The party was much more powerful now, and they cut through the flesh golems and Thalantyr himself with ease. They looted his store of goods, and Edwin dissapeared into one of the mage's own chambers.

Adrian pounded on the door. "Come out, Edwin."

"A minute, only. I am finalzing things."

Edwin almost sounded back to his normal self, which pleased Adrian. He stepped back from the door.

It opened, and everyone caught their beath.

Edwin was dressed in thick black robes, but they ended in a strange, coat-like cut at the knee, giving him greater liberty of movement. The robes were trimmed with bright scarlet, a remembrance of his heritage. The archmagi robes, still reflecting the new black color scheme, added thickness and depth to the ensemble.

Edwin bowed to Adrian. "Edwin the Black at your service, Lord Adrian."

Adrian felt something shiver inside him at being named a lord. "I accept your service, Edwin the Black," he said formally. "Come, great battle awaits us in the city of the gate of Balduran."