Adrian: Baldur's Gate

The next day they marched towards the Wood of Sharp Teeth. The whole party was subdued, but Edwin and Xzar most of all, in the back, walking along slowly together but not speaking. Periodically Xzar would rub his throat.

It was Kagain who finally broke the silence.

"Lad?"

"Aye?" Adrian answered, not seeming bothered by being called a lad.

"What was that scream last night?"

"My fury unleashes it. The same thing happened the night my foster father was killed."

"But...how? Where do you get it from??"

"I don't know," Adrian replied, honestly bewildered. "But whatever it is, it comes from the same source as my spellcasting," he wiggled his fingers, "Which strange dreams seem to trigger."

"But ye don't know how ye came by these abilities?"

Adrian shook his head.

In the back of the party, Edwin and Xzar exchanged a nervous glance. Safana and Viconia likewise eyed each other, but in their eyes excitement was married to the fear.

As the day wore on, Safana and Viconia gradually fell back in the party ranks until they were last. Xzar and Edwin glanced back at them but did not object. They let the others pull ahead.

"Thief," said Viconia.

"Drow," Safana returned.

"He is your male for now, but eventually he will be mine," Viconia began in a threatening voice.

To her surprise, Safana nodded. "It was never intended to be a permanent thing anyway," she said. "I just need his help once we get to the Gate for some things."

"Which you will tell him about."

"Now? Yes indeed. And after last night...."

"Not so sure you want him anymore?" Viconia smirked.

"Oh I do, but I never wish to anger him." Safana shivered.

Viconia nodded thoughtfully. "Those wizards," she said. "They know what he is."

"They're not telling, at least not yet."

"I believe Xzar spoke the truth about his masters. I think they will tell Adrian."

"Only question, then," said Safana, "Is what he is, and how he will react."

The rest of the day was spent in thoughtful silence.