Adrian: Baldur's Gate

As the chaos of the battle began to settle, Angelo arrived with those Fist loyal to him. But when he saw the Dukes alive and well, and Adrian standing beside them, he paled, cursed, and fled, leaving his troops confused and leaderless. Jessa tried to chase him, but was obstructed by the sheer mass of people. She ordered some of her own to follow him, and, realizing that something was wrong, some of his own troopers obeyed the order as well.

Duke Belt dropped the book and sat feebly into his chair. "Sarevok is a Bhaalspawn..." he said quietly. "You both are Bhaalspawn. We elected a Bhaalspawn as Grand Duke."

"An election that I'm sure has been annulled under the circumstances," said Wheber, smoothly. Then he frowned. "There will be a new election I'm sure, once you have additional candidates besides myself. I'm afraid Councillor Browne was killed in the fighting."

The Duke nodded slowly, then stared fearfully at Adrian. "What about you? What do you want?"

Adrian sighed. "I just helped save your lives, isn't that enough? Money is what motivates me, not power. The only blood I want to spill right now is my brother's."

Belt sighed, and some color returend to his cheeks. "Angelo fled when he saw us alive. Must be working for Sarevok."

"My men are tailing him," said Jessa, stepping in. "They will follow the trail."

"Good," said Belt, weakly. "We will need to restore order to the city."

"And I will need to speak to the Amnians!" Gasped Liia. "We were almost manipulated into a war by these madmen!"

"Aye," said Adrian. "I trust the price is off my head?"

"There will be questions later, but you are at liberty to go about your business," Belt assured him.

"Thank you," said Adrian dryly, "I think." He led his party away.

The two Dukes stared at eachother, realizing how close they had come to the brink of a war they could not win.

Adrian resumed his old quarters in the Low Lantern.

Everyone had gathered; Zavrian, Jessa, Kirya, Rakal, Besheridan, Khalid, Jaheria. Even the Shadow Thieves representative was lurking around, somewhere.

"We have serious forces committed to our side," said Zavrian. "Half the damn city is up in arms over this. We'll have Flaming Fist, Zhents, Harpers, and Shadow Thieves to confront Sarevok with, plus of course my crew."

"Somehow," said Adrian, "I think we're going to need them."

"Angelo fled through the thieve's guild, much to the displasure of the Shadow Thieves," said Jessa. "He used some secret door down into a warren...more like a maze, really. The Thieves haven't used it in years."

There was angry agreement from the Shadow Thieve's envoy in the darkness.

"So we have to follow him," said Adrian. "Down into this "undercity" no doubt."

"Of course," said Viconia, eyes widening.

Adrian looked at her. "Of course what?"

"Remember when we were travelling through the sewers, and I told you there was a larger chamber beneath our feet?"

Adrian nodded. "This will be rather annoying, I gather. But not today. Tomorrow, when we are at full power."

"That will give Sarevok time to prepare as well," Imoen pointed out.

Adrian shrugged. "Risk we'll have to take."

Another dream.

No longer hunted, but still hated and feared. He was teh monster everyone wanted to kill. The was as bad as Sarevok, just like him, save perhaps for not having as much vision and strength. Or so someone would have him beleive.

"You just don't get it, do you Father?" Adrian spoke into the darkness. "I've seen what comes of serving you, even if I were so inclined."

But he did serve the father, the thought came to his mind. He killed, didn't he?

"Even the most sanctimonious paladin kills, without your taint," Adrian pointed out. "Killing itself is not service to you, not even from one of your children. Intent is what matters."

But his own intent was evil, was it not?

"I care not for your meaningless labels," Adrian said. "I do what I do for my own reasons, not yours. I have made the power my own, and you know it."

A huge, angry, fang filled face loomed out of the darkness. Long needle-teeth, blood-red cat-slit eyes, bloody, bony face. It was twice as tall and wide as Adrian.

Adrian didn't flinch, or even react. He simply turned his back on the face and walked away into the dark.

"You are a ghost, father," he said, coldly. "A failure, killed by an opportunistic fool. A voice, nothing more. If your apparitions had any power to harm or control me, they would've done so long before now."

The huge face screamed in rage after him, but became fainter and weaker with every step he took. Amongst it's meaningless threats, one warning did stand out from the din. It spoke of others who obeyed where he did not. Others that would be his death. Such as Sarevok.

"I may die," Adrian admitted. "Or Sarevok may. But either way, I will never serve you."

He walked on, into the Darkness, and Bhaal fell silent.

He stepped forward through an archway, and found himself standing over the dull, gray wastes of Hades. He had the power now, he knew. He could reshape the lands beyond to his liking.

But even though he was free of Bhaal, he was not ready for such. Any passing power would squash him like a bug. And he was not even sure if he wished to rule. Competing with Cyric was not his idea of a good time.

In any even, this was all too soon. He turned away. There was still Sarevok to deal with. He was worthy of all the vengance Adrian would mete upon him. He awoke sure of his purpose, knowing what must be done.