Cards Reshuffled

It is not uncommon for there to be plenty going on beneath the surface of any adventuring party that isn’t obvious at first. Of course, I had to go and find myself a party member who was plotting to torture and murder us all. Just my luck, I suppose.

Excerpt from ‘Ruminations Of A Master Bard’

Her control…was slipping. Aerie seethed inwardly as she followed the rest of the group through the city. By now she ought to have had every single one of them eating out of her hand, but things weren’t going entirely her way. True, she had got rid of that annoying bounty hunter. True, Minsc was doting upon her every word. Jaheira might not exactly like her, but thought her such a weakling that she’d never suspect differently. But apart from that…

Zaerini was being – difficult. Aerie had tried to speak with the half-elf more than once, and had got polite answers in return, but there was always a certain distance, even after performing her ‘heroic’ revelation of Yoshimo’s double-dealing. She didn’t think that Zaerini suspected her of foul play exactly. But whenever those golden eyes met hers she got the impression that…that this comparable infant was sensing something wrong about her. And now there was the added complication of Jan. If Zaerini wanted to get rid of her, having found a second mage would prove an excellent excuse. That gnome must die. Both for convenience and for the sake of his affront against me.

It had been extremely humiliating getting stunned like that, and though Jan had apologized about it as soon as she recovered she had the nasty feeling that he was still sniggering about it behind her back. Nobody humiliates me and gets away with it. I’d like to flay him slowly, inch by inch. But I suppose I’ll have to content myself with a swift death, something that can easily be pinned on another. No doubt an opportunity will present itself soon. Meanwhile, I can still work on another target.

Anomen was certainly proving susceptible to her charms, even if her progress wasn’t quite as swift as she had expected. She had used all her usual tricks. Smiling. Cooing. Blushing. Tears. Doe-eyed admiration of his every word and gesture, with an added seasoning of ‘helpless little girl’ to rouse his protective instincts. And yes, Anomen was certainly enjoying the attention and the opportunity to drone on endlessly about his own perceived perfection and heroic feats. Yet, there was something missing.

By now he should have been reduced to the state of a drooling zombie, his mind completely absorbed by me. Yet, sometimes his attention slackens. It seems I must intensify my efforts.

“Anomen,” Aerie said, gently touching the young squire’s arm and smiling shyly up at him. “I just wondered…would you mind telling me a l-little about your life in the Order? I’m sure you must be so brave and pure of h-heart to have joined them…they take only the b-best don’t they?”

“Aye, my lady,” Anomen readily agreed, fingering his mustache. “Verily, the Order accepts only the best of the best. It would be o’erly prideful of me to boast of my own exceptional prowess, but I will say that Prelate Wessalen himself told me only last month that I am a unique talent.”

Probably because you have a completely solid brain. That would be a bit of a novelty even among paladins I suppose.

“How very interesting!” Aerie made herself gush. “But I’m sure you could never be immodest.” After all, it takes some knowledge of the concept of modesty to achieve immodesty. “Please, do tell me of…of your heroic deeds!”

Anomen nodded eagerly and raised his voice so nobody would miss a single word he said. Aerie quickly followed his glance. He was looking at…Zaerini. The bard was walking a little ahead, eagerly conversing with Jan about his special ‘Extra Mega Gadget Pickpocketing Gloves’. She was smiling at the gnome and her hair shone like fire in the clear sunlight. So that is how it is, the Avariel thought. He is trying to use me to make her jealous, is he? The nerve of it! He should be whipped severely for such impudence. Anyway, it cannot be allowed. I should be the one they both confide in, none other. “Never mind her, Anomen,” she whispered. “I…I don’t think she cares much for…for such things. You would probably…b-bore her.”

“Nonsense!” Anomen sounded unusually sharp and his cheeks were flushed. Then he gave her an embarrassed look. “Pardon me, my lady. I was rude. It is just that…”

“Hey!” Zaerini said, turning around. “What’s up? Anything I should know?”

Anomen beamed at her. “Indeed, my lady!” he said. “I was just about to tell young Aerie about…” Then he interrupted himself at the sight of the man who came rushing towards them.

The party had entered the Docks by now, since Jan explained that the Shadow Thieves were prolific in this part of the city. Zaerini had reasoned that if the Cowled Wizards couldn’t be made to tell her where to find Imoen, it might be beneficial to get to know her new allies a little better, make some contacts, try to figure out what they knew. Here, the air smelled strongly of salt and seaweed, and there was a strong western wind that tugged at Aerie’s hair and forced her to tuck it behind her ears so she wouldn’t get it in her mouth. The narrow streets sloped gradually down towards the harbor proper, and were lined with a curious mixture of crumbling old mansions and more recently built hovels. This had once been a prosperous part of the city, but fortune had moved on. Now it was home to sailors and pirates, to beggars and prostitutes, to thieves and killers. Aerie had to remind herself to shudder with delicate girlish fear whenever one of the more unsavory characters passed close by.

Apparently, the place was also home to madmen. Right now, one was coming their way. He was a skinny man with wild hair, bloodshot eyes and a tattered black robe. “Kneel and repent!” he screeched, almost frothing at the mouth. “The all mighty Cyric commands it! Convert to his worship, or be destroyed!”

“Worship Cyric?” Zaerini said. “Why would I want to do that? Are you insane or something?” Then she shrugged. “Stupid of me. You’re a Cyricist. Of course you’re insane. Why don’t you go and gibber somewhere else? Unless you planned to pay me for the privilege of converting me.”

“Pay? PAY! Glorious Cyric does not pay! He exacts payment! In blood!”

“About what I figured. No thanks then.”

The priest wasn’t about to give in though. “You will go no further,” he said, and suddenly his voice sounded frighteningly cold and lucid. “Your journey ends here, Child. If you will not kneel to your betters, you will be made to do so.” He raised his hands to chant a spell, but before he could finish he suddenly stared in great surprise at the Sword of Chaos protruding from his chest.

“Minsc does not like bad men who threaten little Rini,” Minsc said in a reproachful voice. “It upsets both him and Boo.”

“Gaaaccckk…” the Cyricist said as he gently slid off the sword, accompanied by an enthusiastic squeak from the hamster sitting on Minsc’s shoulder. The animal was jumping eagerly up and down.

“See?” Minsc said. “Now he won’t calm down for hours…”

Aerie seethed inwardly as she watched Anomen hurry over to Zaerini. “My lady, are you well?” he said. “You are not hurt in any way, are you? He did not frighten you?”

The bard looked momentarily surprised, but then she smiled briefly. “I’m just fine,” she said. “He never even touched me. And it takes more than some poor madman to frighten me, but it was nice of you to ask.”

“Well, I thought it was just horrid!” Aerie said. “I…I am trembling all over! My poor legs are just shaking…”

Anomen opened his mouth as if to say something, but before he had the time to do so Minsc cut in. “Minsc will carry Aerie if she is feeling sick! Minsc likes helping those smaller and weaker.” Instantly the Avariel found herself hoisted off the ground by the ranger’s strong arms and flung across his shoulder, held in place by the massive strength of his muscular right arm.

“Eeeeek!” Aerie shrieked. She just barely managed to bite back a violent curse that wouldn’t fit her persona. Put me down you great oaf! The indignity! I can walk on my own! “M-Minsc?” she said. “I…I d-don’t think this is such a good idea…” On Minsc’s other shoulder Boo was glaring at her with his beady little eyes. Oh, if only I could wring that fuzzy little neck…

“Of course it is!” Minsc said. “Now Aerie will not get tired anymore and Minsc is very happy to help.”

“Y-yes but…”

“Oh, just be quiet,” Jaheira said. “He does have a point. At least this way you will not slow us down.”

It was at this point that another stranger approached the adventurers. This was a man in anonymous looking clothes of gray and brown, and a plain but watchful face. “Zaerini?” he asked the half-elf. “I have an invitation for you.”

“Really?” the bard said, sounding a little annoyed. “I suppose it’s too much to hope for that it’s so someplace pleasant.”

“You’ll have to be the judge of that. Gaelan Bayle spoke of you, and he is one of us. There is somebody who would very much like to meet with you. Renal Bloodscalp is taking a personal interest.”

“Shadow Thieves,” Jaheira said in a low voice. “Tread carefully, child.”

“Shadow Thieves?” Anomen exclaimed, sounding quite outraged. “My lady, you cannot possibly mean…”

Zaerini gave him a sharp glance. “I will do what it takes to find Imoen. I’d go to a meeting with Mask himself if I thought that would help. Are you coming? Or do Helmites abandon their quests so easily these days?”

The squire’s mouth set in a stubborn line. “I will come,” he said. “You will need somebody to guide your virtue and keep you from sliding towards the Chasm of Sin after all.”

“Whatever, Metal-boy.” The redhead nodded to the strange thief. “Lead the way.”

“Right here,” the man said, pointing at a rather worn building close by, its windows closed and shuttered.

“Minsc will lead the way and protect his friends against evil lurking in the shadows!” Minsc shouted, kicked the door to the building open and leapt through. Unfortunately, he forgot that he was carrying Aerie.

CLONK!

The Avariel felt genuine tears rising in her eyes as she touched her aching head, where it had made contact with the doorframe. Bright stars were spinning in the air around her.

“Oh no!” Minsc cried, sounding as if he were about to weep himself. “Poor Aerie! Minsc is so sorry, he forgot himself! Can you ever forgive him?”

“O-of course Minsc,” Aerie said, hoping that her voice didn’t sound too strained. “It…it was an accident.” And you are an accident waiting to happen you big idiot! Once this charade is over with I’ll enjoy hanging you upside down and slowly frying you over an open fire! With mustard! And your hamster!

Jaheira tutted loudly, bending over the wounded Avariel and touching her head to cast a minor healing spell on it. “You must not let yourself get so wounded, Aerie. I will not always be here to bandage you, you know.”’

No you won’t. Because I’ll make certain you wind up a lifeless corpse along with your stupid husband. “I'm a healer too, Jaheira,” Aerie said. She couldn’t quite keep her voice calm, but childish annoyance might fit ‘sweet little Aerie’ under certain circumstances.

Jaheira shook her head in a rather condescending manner. “And what good are your spells now? You should be more frugal and not cast them all at once.”

“Y-Yes, ma'am.” Once I have you in my power I will conserve my spells. I’ll use my healing spells slowly enough that you’re just barely kept alive to enjoy the delicious pain I have in store for you.

“And do not stutter,” the druid said with an exasperated sigh. “It does not become you.”

“Lady Jaheira,” Anomen protested, “that is hardly fair.”

Time to take advantage of the opportunity. A little sweetness to contrast to her harshness. Aerie made herself smile sweetly at the druid and softened her voice even more than normally. “I…I cannot help it. You are so…so fierce and fearsome that I…that I become quite o-overwhelmed. B-but I forgive you. I’m sure you c-cannot help being rough. We are just very d-different people.” As she said the last she gave Anomen an imploring look, making certain he got her shy smile full in the face.

The squire smiled sheepishly. “I…have noticed…”

“Ahem!” Zaerini said. “Are you lot coming, or should Jan and I go on our own?”

“Would be happy to, your worship,” the gnome cut in. “Jansen Adventure-Wear is at your service. May I tempt you with a set of Jansen Thermal Underwear?”

The bard looked a little puzzled at this. “Thermal Underwear?”

“Granted, it’s pretty hot here already, but Jansen Thermal Underwear will guarantee that you do not suddenly find yourself freezing your nobler parts off, even should some evil wizard teleport you to the farthest reaches of Icewind Dale. And they’re good for keeping your buns hot too.”

“Outrageous!” Anomen trumpeted. “How dare you speak to the lady in such a manner! Of…of undergarments and…and…”

“Hot buns?” Jan said, hauling out a bag of rounded objects from somewhere inside his robe. “Really Ano, you’re very tense. Nothing wrong with wholesome hot turnip buns. But that leaves more for the rest of us!”

“Uh…thanks Jan,” Zaerini said in a faltering voice. “I think I’ll pass on those. Let’s just go meet this Bloodscalp fellow…” She turned and headed further off into the gloomy interior of the house.

“My lady!” Anomen said. “Wait for me! You cannot walk about in this place unprotected!” He rushed after her, leaving Aerie sitting on the floor, forgotten.

“Does Aerie want Minsc to carry her again?” the ranger kindly asked.

“No,” Aerie said, clenching her fists. “No, I don’t.” That does it. Nobody walks out on me. Nobody. That girl has no idea of it, but from now on I’ll be taking a personal interest in causing her suffering. Eventually my opportunity will come, and then I’ll show her what a real mage can do, unlike that ridiculous gnome. Cowled Wizards aside, in all of Athkatla there are none to rival my powers. None. Aerie smiled slightly to herself as she got to her feet. Let the girl run about on the errands of thieves. She wasn’t likely to get anything out of it, but it might present an opportunity to eliminate Jan. Once again making the child dependent on my arcane prowess, as it should be. In the end there will only be one mage allowed in this party and it won’t be a turnip-obsessed one, that I swear.