In The Cards

Betrayal is enough to make even the calmest and most levelheaded of people act irrationally. Imagine then, the effect of a perceived betrayal on one already filled with raging madness. But make sure you do it with the light on, and all the doors closed.

Excerpt from ‘Ruminations Of A Master Bard’

The Ducal Palace was certainly magnificent, Zaerini thought. Its high towers and spires, its imposing walls, they all helped create a formidable impression. Banners flapped from the tallest towers, and guards patrolled the walls. There were also quite a few guards watching the doors, such as the one standing right in front of her at the moment. “Look,” she said, waving the invitation in the man’s face, “it’s perfectly clear. My name is Krystin. And this is my husband Slythe.” She pointed at Edwin. “As it is stated in these official invitations. Now let us in.”

“I don’t know about this,” the guard said. He was a slow, solid man, as flexible as a rock. “That may be so – but what about these others? Doesn’t say anything about them.”

“They are our servants of course,” Edwin said, giving the guard a haughty look. “People in our position go nowhere without our retainers, as well you should know. (As for him, I wouldn’t employ him to take out my garbage.)”

“I…don’t know…”

Rini sniffed loudly. “Really, my darling,” she said, placing a hand delicately on Edwin’s arm, “must I suffer being insulted by this lout? This…commoner? He dares imply that I…that I walk about unattended!”

Edwin nodded. “Indeed it is a grave insult, my sweet,” he agreed. “He is not worthy even of worshipping the ground your shadow falls on. Fortunately, I have ways of dealing with such impudence. (Yes. Ways, and ways and ways.)” He gave the guard an unpleasant smile. “You may have heard stories about the depraved and cruel ways of the aristocracy. Well, let me assure you that they are all true – and I’m as blue-blooded as they come. (Of far nobler and more ancient descent than any of these westerner so-called nobles.)”

The guard paled a little, but he wasn’t about to give in just yet. “I still don’t think…”

“Is there a problem here?” The new voice was distinct and clear, with an underlying note of easy arrogance that carried generations of old money with it.

The guard straightened up at once. “Lady Skie! My condolences about your father, my lady!”

Skie nodded. She had put her dark hair up in a complex arrangement, and was wearing a dress of deepest black, with a matching veil that partially covered her face. Clearly she was still deep in mourning. “I know these people well,” she said. “You may let them in.”

The guard nodded. “Of course, my lady. Anything for the daughter of Duke Entar.”

Once the adventurers and Skie had walked far enough across the courtyard that they could no longer be heard, she turned towards them. “Sarevok will be presented to the nobles shortly, in the long hall to the right once you go up the stairs. I wish you luck.”

“You should try to stay away,” Jaheira warned. “It will be dangerous.”

The noblewoman nodded. “I have no intention of risking my life, but I shall be watching from the Gallery above the hall. That way, I will be able to witness everything that happens.”

“Thank you,” Zaerini said. “For everything.”

Skie smiled. “And you. I already owe you much, and if you destroy the plans of my father’s murderer I shall owe you even more. As I said, I wish you luck.” She waved and walked away, black skirts swishing about her feet.

“So,” Rini said. “This is it.”

Are you ready, kitten? Softpaws asked, twining herself around the half-elf’s ankles.

As ready as I’ll ever be, I think. Sarevok is in there, you know. I…I can sense it.

“Everybody ready?” the bard said, turning to her friends.

Jaheira nodded. “The balance will be served, and Gorion’s slayer kept from bringing further chaos to the Sword Coast.”

Khalid took his wife’s arm tenderly. “And w-we will be where G-Gorion would have wished us to b-be. At your side.”

“That be right,” Yeslick agreed, loosening his hammer a little. “I owe ye my life, lass. I would have rotted still in that cell in the Cloakwood if not for ye. If I fall protectin’ ye, that be a small price to pay for freedom.”

Imoen hugged her friend tightly, tears shining in her eyes. “You know…in the stories the good guys always win, and live happily ever after. But…I guess this is more than just a story, right? So…just in case one of us doesn’t make it…you’ve always been the best friend I could wish for.”

Rini smiled and hugged her friend back. “You too, Immy. I’ve always thought of you as a sister, you know. Let’s hope we all do get a happy ending.” She turned to look at Edwin. The wizard’s face was dark and inscrutable, and he was gripping his staff so tightly that his knuckles had gone white.

“I…could say many things,” the wizard said. “Eloquent, grandiose things. (Who better than I to wax poetic over the twin fires of her eyes or the even brighter fire of her spirit?) But this is not the time. Until such a time arrives, know that I will do everything within my power to insure your safety.” His eyes seemed almost black as they met hers, and they were filled with strong determination. “Remember that. Whatever it takes, no matter the cost.”

“I’ll remember that, Eddie,” the half-elf said, smiling. “And later on I’ll take you up on the offer of a grandiose speech, I think. If…if you still want to, then. But first, let us go meet my brother.”

Afterwards, Rini could never remember much about the inside of the Ducal Palace. There were only vague impressions of long corridors, pretty tapestries on the walls, and people in fine clothes whispering along the walls. But her brother’s presence was like a beacon in her mind, drawing her on. She could sense him close by, even before she heard his voice, rolling like thunder towards her from a nearby hall. There were other voices as well, but there was only one that mattered. She pressed on through the crowd, careful to stay out of her brother’s sight as he towered far above all others present. The two surviving Grand Dukes were there, one man and one woman. They seemed to be hard pressed by the assembled nobles, who kept crying out for war against Amn, claiming that both Entar’s murder and the recent iron crisis had been caused by Amnian agents, possibly in league with the Zhentarim.

Finally it seemed that Belt, the male Grand Duke, had had enough the doubting and insulting comments. He formally introduced Sarevok, presenting him as the newest Grand Duke, having been nearly unanimously elected. Good gods, he’s actually wearing that spiky armor of his! Rini thought. And they still elected him Grand Duke? Guess he spooked them all into selecting him.

“I am honored to be here before such a respected assemblage of noblemen,” Sarevok said. “I accept my new position with full awareness to my new responsibilities, and I will have many of them.” There was the faintest hint of a sneer to his voice, but Rini was fairly certain that she was the only one who noticed. “I would first like to address many of the questions that had been asked earlier. The rumors about Amn's mobilization for war are entirely true, as is the involvement of their Zhentarim cohorts. But do not worry, we are not bereft of a defense. Although the recent Zhentish attempt at depriving us of the most valuable war resource, iron, has weakened us, it has not crippled us. When my father was most recently murdered, I inherited his control over the western branch of the Iron Throne. They have a great deal of stock piled iron, enough for all of our needs. I will give this to the city to do with as you will. Unfortunately our greatest military commander lies on his death bed, a grievous blow to this city. To insure that the Flaming Fist is well led, I will be assuming control of the mercenary regiment, with permission from its current steward, Angelo.”

At this point Belt cried out in protest over such a breach of protocol, only to be shouted down by several of the nobles. The Grand Duke subsided into an uneasy silence, nervously watching Sarevok.

“Instead of waiting for the war to come to us, we will take it to them,” Sarevok went on, his deep voice triumphant. “With the Flaming Fist we should be able to easily take the town of Nashkel, and then quickly fortify the mountain pass through the Cloud Peaks.” Then he suddenly fell silent. Zaerini was pushing out of the crowd, having finally reached the point where she was too impatient to stay silent any longer.

“Why, if it isn’t ‘Koveras’!” the half-elf said, a sweet smile on her face. “Fancy meeting you here.”

For a second or two Sarevok actually looked embarrassed at having had what he considered his clever disguise seen through. He soon rallied however. “Intruder!” he called out. “How dare you show yourself here?”

Rini shrugged. “Sorry, but I’m a bit busy. We’ll have to talk later.” She turned to the two Grand Dukes, using her most sincere and dramatic voice. “I would not elect Sarevok as Grand Duke if I were you. Sure, he’s great at fighting and at intimidating people, and I guess those are the sort of qualities you’re looking for. But the downside is that he plans to kill both of you and rule alone, not to mention that he’s the reason why you’re almost at war with Amn.” She produced a few letters and documents, including a certain leather-bound book, with a grand flourish. “Just read this, and you’ll soon see what I mean.”

Sarevok’s eyes were glowing like bright fires from within the dark confines of his helmet, and Rini got the uncomfortable sensation that he was suddenly twice as tall as before. “Lies and trickery!” he stated. “You cannot trust these criminals.”

Liia, the female Grand Duke, gave him a hard look. “We will determine such for ourselves,” she said. “Or are you our lord and master now? Perhaps these allegations are in fact true.”

“What difference does it make?” Sarevok snarled. “Seeing that you will never leave this room to tell anybody of it.” He raised one large mailed fist and brought it down with a sharp gesture. Immediately, nobles all around shed their disguises and were revealed as large doppelgangers, hissing threateningly as they raised their claws.

“Everybody, protect the Grand Dukes!” Jaheira shouted. “If they fall, there will nobody to verify the truth!”

The battle proved a fierce one, as the doppelgangers hasted themselves to move with frightening speed. As the adventurers took them on with sword and spell, Zaerini fought her way across the floor, towards her brother. Strangely enough, Sarevok hadn’t joined in. He simply stood there, watching. Seeing his sister approaching, he turned his head, looking strangely pleased. “Little sister,” he said. “We meet again. I never did get the chance to compliment you on Reiltar’s murder. Very inventive, that was.”

“I’m so glad you approve,” the half-elf said. “I don’t plan to make a habit of tearing people to pieces, so enjoy it while you can.”

“Why would you not?” Sarevok said. “Killing is what we do. It is what we are. It is our Father’s work. You should embrace it as I have.”

“No thanks, brother. I don’t want to be a slave to a dead god.” Rini hesitated for a second. “Come to think of it, I don’t think you really want that either. Not deep down.”

Two pairs of golden eyes met each other, locked in silent combat. “You cannot win,” Zaerini said. “Bhaal will never let you. He lies and cheats, don’t you know that yet? He will never let you ascend. He’ll use you, and then he’ll break you, and discard you once you’re dead. Is that really what you want?” She prepared herself for the ploy she had in mind, hoping that it would be able to get through to him. However, she didn’t get that far.

Sarevok drew his large two-handed sword with a slow and measured motion. “It is natural that you should speak thus,” he said. “You have strength, but it is no match for mine. I will prevail, and I will triumph with the aid of our sire. He has guided my steps for many a year, and never led me wrong.” His smile was terrifying. “So you see, little sister, I do not fear death. Do you?”

With that, he charged, and it might have gone very badly for Zaerini but for the fact of the large swarm of hobgoblins that suddenly sprung up between her and Sarevok, courtesy of Edwin’s wand. The giant warrior bellowed with rage and started cutting his way towards her, blood spurting as the hobgoblins fell like grass being mowed. So much for the peaceful approach, Rini thought, feeling sick to her stomach.

Yet, apart from the raging man moving towards her, the battle was going well. Her friends were all still up and standing, as were the Grand Dukes, and as she turned her head she could see the final few doppelgangers falling. “Sarevok!” Belt called out. “You will face justice.”

“For your crimes against the city you will die,” Liia added. “There will be no escape for you this time. I have signaled the guards, they will be here any moment.”

“Fools!” Sarevok shouted, his face twisted with unholy fury. “Do you think I would let gnats like you stand in my way? I spit on you and your justice. I will strike you down, all of you! I will trample anybody who gets in my way beneath my feet, and I will laugh as I scatter their bones. I will not be denied, do you hear me? I WILL NOT BE DENIED!”

And then the look of wrath on Sarevok’s face was transformed into one of utter surprise, as silver tendrils of magic enveloped him, transporting him safely away to…elsewhere.

As she looked wildly about, Rini caught sight of the wizard standing almost hidden by the door, where he must have entered during the battle. He was a gaunt man dressed completely in black, and as he completed a second teleport spell she met his eyes and found no anger or malice in them. Only weariness. Then the spell was finished, and he was gone. So was Sarevok.

By the entrance to the Undercity, Sarevok turned on his mentor, his face twisted into a mask of inhuman fury. “You!” he screamed. “You would betray me like this? Tearing me away from my glorious battle, from what is destined to be? From the final moment of trumph?”

“I was trying to save your life, you fool!” Winski said, paying no outward attention to the fact that Sarevok had grasped him by the collar and was pushing him into the wall. “If you are too insane to think of your own safety, then I will. The guards would have been upon you in a moment. Don’t you see? The plan is lost!”

Sarevok’s breathing was heavy and hot in the wizard’s face, like that of some large beast. “You lie. Always you lie. She was so close…my sister was within my grasp, and the time of our clashing was upon us, the time when our souls would join as her blood flowed, the time for which even the gods hold their breaths in anticipation. And you…you took me away from her! You are a traitor, I see it now. You have been working against me from the start…planning…plotting in the shadows. My Father spoke true! It…it is all your fault! Traitor! ”

The wizard’s eyes were hollow and empty, as if he were already staring into the wastelands of death. They met the confused and furious eyes of the warrior without blinking. “Yes…” Winski said in a low voice. “Yes, I see it now…it is I who have been the fool. This…all of it…this is all my fault. Do as you will then. It matters not.”

As the sword stabbed forward, the wizard slid gently to the ground, his hands clutching the spreading dark wetness on his abdomen. The pain was great, but he had a feeling it would take him a while to die yet. And that is no more than I deserve, he thought. In my own way, I did betray him in leading him down this path. Already the heavy footsteps were receding away from him, but he managed to gather his strength enough to speak. “Sarevok…” he whispered. “Son…forgive me.”

The footsteps stopped for a moment. Then they continued on their way, deep into the darkest bowels of Baldur’s Gate.