Makings of a Monster

- "Sarevok, you are so quiet. Would you want some of that herb stuff so that you could tell us what's going on in your mind?" asked Winski with concern. The boy hadn't uttered a word when they headed home from the house of the old Bhaalite lunatic, and now they were sitting in Winski's secret laboratorium with the very worried Jelena.
- "No, I wouldn't want that!" answered the boy, angry. "That's your answer to everything, isn't it? If it hurts you or you can't handle it, you mess your head up with something or the other so that you are not yourself anymore." He pressed his face on his knees.
Winski, hurt, didn't answer. He hadn't touched alcohol, or any other mind-altering substances since he had started his relationship with Jelena, but he couldn't deny the urge was still there. He was just so damn used to it. It was like a reflex, a way of chasing all the bad stuff away. It even physically felt bad.
Sarevok lifted his head and stared with his golden eyes.
- "I'm sorry. I really am. I know that you have stopped with the brandy. I just... this is kind of.... it explains a lot but opens a lot more questions. All the stuff about vessel and chaos and resurrection. What does it mean?"

- "Bhaal was a Lord of Murder. Not just death, but specifically murder," said Jelena in grave tone. "I don't know about the prophecy or any of the other stuff, but I know that much. And I can't just believe that you would have his blood in your veins..."
- "Mother, please! You are never there when I fight! You love me, and it is the best thing I have, but I really don't deserve it. I am a... natural born murderer! It is in my blood as is breathing and eating for others. You'd know if you saw it. Today I killed an old man, the one we went to see," he continued despite Winski shaking his head furiously, "I strangled him dead. The presence, or I suppose he has a name now, Bhaal, took over and I reveled in being able to kill him, so easily..." he stopped as his mother started to look more and more shocked.

- "Sarevok. There are things best left unsaid," said Winski sternly.
- "Don't patronize me, Winski!" snapped Jelena. "Of course I have never seen it, but I do know that you two don't belong to any knightly order exactly. And guess what? Love is not something I give as a reward of being a good boy or good man. I just give it. I wish you didn't have to fight such a frightening inheritance, Sarevok, but as this is the situation, I won't back up. You are my son. I told you that I'd always love you no matter what. Nothing has changed."

Sarevok seemed to relax a little, and Winski eyed Jelena with profound pride. How did that shaking shadow of a person become this woman he so dearly loved? Through purpose. Through having people to love and cherish in her life. He blushed to think that he was one of them, feeling unworthy.

- "Has it occurred to either of you that it could be a good thing? Such power! If it only could be controlled to Sarevok's own ends it could be a wonderful thing. Already he is so powerful..." started Winski, getting excited.
- "Such things do occur to people like my beloved husb..." Jelena saw the look in Winski's eyes, "gods, I'm so sorry, Winski. It is just that... for me it seems obvious. Gods meddle with mortals, but do they want to share? Do they play fair? No, on both counts."
- "But mother, it is THERE! If I just pretend that I don't have this... taint, it won't just say okay then and go away!" cut Sarevok in. "The most powerful feeling I have is the feeling of joy and purpose when I kill. And when that happens, the blood flows strong in me. I don't even know what I would be without it. If there even is a 'pure Sarevok' out of the Bhaal taint."
- "There is. I know there is." There was a stubborn determination to Jelena's voice. "And I don't know what to do about the... taint, but we must be careful now. All of us."
- "We should examine Alaundo's prophecies," said Winski, still hurt of the jabs both his lover and his practical son had made at him. "They are available at the library of Candlekeep, but it is very expensive even to browse."
- "Winski, you are thinking too big picture now," said Jelena sternly. "You have here a 14 years old child who is very upset and needs some comforting."
- "I will be 15 after two weeks," said Sarevok, but managed only a mild indignation.
- "Of course," said Winski, regretful. He had this tendency to get carried away. The lovers held the hands of the boy they both loved so much. They didn't talk, but much was going through their minds.