Makings of a Monster

Sarevok thrashed and mumbled in his sleep, and that woke Tamoko up. Every night when he slept peacefully, the innocence of a child on his face regained, she felt grateful. But that didn't happen very often. The phantom that was his dead god of a father came to his dreams, talked to him. He also dreamed of violence, as he had since early childhood. The voices of all the murdered and tortured souls haunted his dreams. As he woke up, he tossed the blankets aside and panted. His eyes shone, and it was hard to tell whether he was upset or delighted.

- "This dream... it gives further proof of what Winski found out. My destiny... it lies in the Sword Coast. Bhaal came to me and said so, himself."
- "That is where Candlekeep is," stated Tamoko. She knew how Sarevok wanted to research the prophecies. She thought it would be a good idea, too. Then they would find out more of what was going on, and what to do about Sarevok's divine, dark inheritance.
- "Things have gone well enough in the Throne, but it doesn't even operate in the Sword Coast. I wonder if those dreams can be trusted," said Sarevok, sounding worried and puzzled.
- "It seemed like a genuine Bhaal-dream to me, if the other ones have been real," sighed Tamoko. "But we will talk about it with Winski, tomorrow. Sleep now, beloved."
And as Sarevok slept again, in Tamoko's embrace, there was a completely different dream. He was just an infant there, a baby with golden eyes. A woman with gentle, blue eyes and golden curls was breastfeeding him, holding him gently, looking into his eyes with perfect love. A single tear rolled on his cheek when he slept. But in the morning he didn't remember the dream.

Winski lingered in bed and went into breakfast table when Tamoko and Sarevok were well into their second cup of tea. This was only one of the countless pleasures of being away from under the same roof with Reiltar. The man had always insisted everyone to be there the minute he had scheduled, and woe poor Jelena or Sarevok if they failed. The thought of Jelena still hurt like a stab wound, even though it had been years. Winski angrily shoved it away.
Tamoko and Sarevok had their own apartment now, and Winski had gladly moved in with them. He was now officially Sarevok's personal assistant as well as his lieutenant mage, and Tamoko was his lieutenant as well. They were his closest associates, and the only ones he really trusted.

- "Morning, kids," he smiled.
- "Don't call me that," Sarevok said mock-indignantly, but smiled back.
- "Morning to you too," answered Tamoko, slicing fruit on a plate.
- "I had another one of those dreams," said Sarevok in a more serious tone.
Winski nodded.
- "It was about Sword Coast. He came to me and said that my destiny lies there, that that will be the stage where this play will take place. You said that you found out something like that from that mad Cyricist..."
- "First of all, Sarevok, that is a tautology. There is no such thing as a sane Cyricist. But secondly, yes, that Sword Coast will be the place where something significant will happen. He didn't know anything more specific either. Of course he went for full theatrical effect with expressions like "will be awash with blood" and so... it is certainly worth looking into."
- "But how do we get our resources there in the Sword Coast? The Throne's influence doesn't cover it by a long shot."
- "We would need co-operation from Reiltar to convince them to try to get a foothold in Sword Coast, of all places," said Tamoko.
- "Well, I'm sick of Sembia anyway. And here are... painful memories," said Sarevok, the pain reflecting in Winski's eyes too. "Reiltar is worried. He tells me that there is a growing tension in Cormyr. TheCormyeran authorities have been more and more unhappy with the Throne as of late, too many scams gone awry... and they are contemplating banning it from operating in Cormyr."

Winski whistled, the made a grim, wicked grin.
- "That would be quite a blow to the Throne, but it also would make Reiltar likely to listen to new ideas," he said, excitement in his voice.
- "The wealth of Amn, the big cities..." continued Tamoko, who had gained knowledge of the area even though she had never actually been there.
- "What does Iron Throne want to do?" asked Sarevok triumphantly.
- "To control the weapons trade wherever it operates," answered Tamoko, not seeing where he was going.
- "And what are weapons made of?" continued Sarevok.
- "Of iron, generally speaking," said Winski, frowning.
- "And if the Throne controls the mining... yes, I think Reiltar would certainly buy that. Naturally he would be the one who would get to make the proposition to the high council and look good. And then we'd volunteer to the operations and move to the Sword Coast..."
They all felt an enthusiasm. It was only a vague idea, but something was beginning. And Alaundo's prophecies would be closer to their reach.