Adrian: Baldur's Gate

"I'm sorry," the High Watcher of the Temple of Helm told them. "Such a poison is beyond our aid, at least in the timeframe you speak of. The rite to neutralize it would take two tendays at the least."

Adrian grunted.

"Besides," the priest sniffed. "Such dark ones as yourselves deserve no help."

"Spare me the hypocritical proselytizing," Adrian spat. He led the party out.

"That's the third temple of so called 'good' we've tried," said Edwin. "Shall we try a darker sect?"

"Good point. Tiax, any temples of your patron in the city?"

"Several small ones," Tiax responded. "Tiax wonders if they'll help. Tiax himself would be saved, of course, for his greater destiny. And it may amuse him to spare you, Adrian. But the others? Tiax cannot say."

"We may have to try," said Adrian, as they left. "That could at least give us time enough to help the others--"

"Excuse me," said the whispery voice of Marek.

Adrian's crossbow was pointed in his face less than a second later.

"Just how," Adrian hissed, "Did you sneak up on us?"

"I am a theif by trade," said Marek, smiling. But there was no mirth in it. He leaned forward slightly. "I am not a willing servant of the Throne." As soon as he spoke the words, his eyes closed and his teeth gritted in his face, as though a pulse of pain had passed through his head.

"Geas," said both wizards simultaneously.

"What?" said Adrian.

"A very powerful charm," said Edwin. "He must obey the commands given him. The revelation he just made cost him dear."

Marek nodded, eyes still closed. "Seek the fortune teller in the Wide. She will tell you what you need know."

"Geas or no, why help us?" Viconia asked.

"Because it may mean my own release," Marek gasped, then limped away, clutching his head.

"Wait! Where can we find you?" Kagain called after him.

"I'll find you," the weak voice floated back.

"Can we trust him?" Adrian asked of no one in particular.

"What choice do we have?" asked Viconia.

"None," grunated the Dwarf.

Imoen and her party returned to the city. She threw back her head, letting her now slightly longer hair flow free.

"Jaheria, Branwen...I wish some time alone," she said to them.

"Of c-course," said Khalid. "But d-don't stray far."

"We'll have another mission soon," said Jaheria.

"I confess to growing impatient," said Branwen. "I am no Harper, and am beginning to entertain notions of travelling elsewhere."

"We'll talk about it," said Jaheria.

Imoen wasn't interested in listening to any more of the conversation. She just walked back to her room, head hanging low.

It had been too much. Xasoruq, and the trail of death he'd left behind him, had been too much. She curled up in her own room, and wept helplessly.

All she'd ever wanted was a simple life.

Why?

Why??

WHY???