Adrian: Baldur's Gate

Baldur's Gate.

They saw it from across the bridge, in full sunlight. It was a bright, cloudless day, the sun shining down, reflecting off the sluggish water of the river.

Coran, Safana, Xzar, and Kagain had all been here before, for short tenures or long ones, on business or pleasure or both. For them it was familiar, even comforting, but nothing more than that.

Edwin and Viconia had not been here before this day, but had seen many cities. Each of them were mostly interested in how the design differed from that of Thay and the Underdark, respectively.

But Adrian had never seen a true citadel before. Candlekeep was nothing like this. The Gate was a great vast fortress city, a microcosm unto itself wrapped in tall, strong walls that seemed to Adrian to be so right, so proper. His heart lifted in his chest, and his eyes were bright.

In many ways, for the first time in his life, Adrian had come home.

"Hold! I serve the Flaming Fist!"

"Oh *no*," Adrian ground out between his teeth. They couldn't possibly attack this fool, so near to the city. They were on the bridge now, as near to the middle as he could make it.

The plumed guard came marching up to them. "State your origin, and pay the tithe of six gold pieces to enter the city!"

"Oh, is that all," said Adrian. "I am from Candlekeep, and my party of...fellows...are from various places. Here is your tithe." He handed it over.

"Candlekeep, you say?" said the guard. "Is your name Adrian?"

Adrian flinched. "Aye, what of it?"

"Please wait here. My commander wishes to speak with you."

Adrian flashed an uncertain look at Xzar. The mage shrugged helplessly.

"Citizens, please step forward," said a new, deeper, more gravelly voice. It was a tall man with bristle grey hair, and a livid scar up his right cheek. In some ways he resembled Adrian.

"Adrian. Officer Vai spoke to me of you. Is yours the party that cleared out the Nashkel mines?"

"Aye, it was," Adrian agreed, wondering just what in the Hells was going on now. "The party's makeup has changed somewhat since that quest, but some of them are veterans of that job, including, of course, myself."

The man nodded. "I am Scar, First Lieutenant of the Flaming Fist. I hear you work well for the money. And your history proves it. So come to me at the Fist headquarters in the city and I may have some tasks for you, for which you will be well paid."

Adrian nodded slowly. These Fist fools obviously didn't realize how little he thought of them, or that he'd killed two of their number. They could be useful, once his....other business in the city was completed.

"I have other plans right now," said Adrian, "But I daresay I will be able to perform some comissions for you in the not too distant future. But first, let me share some intelligence with you. The Nashkel mines were only the beginning..."

Leaving out a lot of personal details, including the price on his own head and Viconia's Drow nature, he told the tale of the apparent Iron Throne conspiracy as far as he knew it.

"The Throne, aye." Scar's scar twitched as he scowled. "I'm not surprised, in truth. But I cannot yet act against them. Come to me when you can, but let it not delay too long. Officer Vai has spoken of your skill to me." With that, he turned and marched away.

"That was interesting," Safana commented, drily.

"Interesting is not the word," said Edwin.

"It's money, that's what matters," said Kagain.

"We must nevertheless tread carefully," said Adrian, and Kagain nodded.

Adrian turned to the mad wizard. "Now, Xzar. Your masters."

Xzar took point, and led them on.

"Ho there, wanderer."

"Elminster," said Adrian.

"You know my name?" the old mage said, one white eyebrow raised.

"I've learned it since we last met," Adrian agreed.

"Ah. Well, I was an old friend of Gorion's. But he was not your real father."

"That much I already knew. But I've begun to wonder about my true parentage."

"Tis dark knowledge, child," Elminster said in what he probably though was a wise voice.

"I've rather gotten that impression," said Adrian, drily.

"Tis no joke. There's bad blood in thee."

Adrian just nodded. Provoking Elminster would get him nothing but trouble. At least today.

"That does not surprise you?"

"I've had strange dreams, and strange powers follow them," he said.

Elminster nodded. "You are wary, that is good. Take care the darkness does not consume you."

Adrian bowed his head, and Elminster hobbled on.

"The darkness does not consume me, old man," said Adrian quietly. I control it. I use it for my purposes, rather than the reverse."

He turned to Xzar. "Now."

Xzar nodded, scratching nervously at the tattooed mask around his face. "It isn't far."

They moved on.