Cards Reshuffled

Having been on the brink of death more than once, I fully understand those who strive to be free of that doom, though such a search may tempt them to do much evil. And yet, having been faced with an eternity in the Abyss due to my heritage alone, I can easily see myself falling into the same trap. And I might well have done so, if not for the people I could not possibly leave behind.

Excerpt from ‘Ruminations Of A Master Bard’

It was a nightmare, plain and simple. Worse, it was a nightmare he had lived through before, giving that extra edge of terror that comes from knowing what to expect. From the moment when Edwin had first discovered that Zaerini was missing he had been in a quiet state of rage and worry. Well, all right. Maybe not so quiet, but that was surely beside the point. And it wasn’t as if the roof actually had caved in, the Fireball he had directed at one of the supporting pillars had been a minor one, after all. There were more important things to fuss about. Anything could be happening to her right now! Anything! And where is that confounded gnome? How long can it take to check for a few traps? And that druid…you would think that wolf form of hers would be good for something, would you not? But no, she simply goes on about how the large mass of undead on the premises masques all other smells. Not to mention the dwarf who doesn’t even seem to realize the extreme gravity of the situation. Quite worthless, the lot of them.

The worst thing was that he could remember all too clearly that other time when his Hellkitten had been abducted, and just what had happened to her, and just what had almost happened. He knew that she still wasn’t entirely recovered from it, and perhaps never would be. Almost a pity she killed Reiltar Anchev. I would have taken great pleasure in doing so myself. Preferably slowly.

You’re fighting old battles, wizard, Softpaws said. The cat was walking a little ahead of him, and her voice felt just as edgy and irritated as his own. Apparently she wasn’t close enough to be able to pinpoint her Mistress’ location, though she explained that as soon as that happened she would be able to lead them directly to the spot. My kitten needs you to keep your head, you know.

Yes, yes, I will. It is just hard, that is all. If she were to die…

She will not! The cat sounded frantic now, both frightened and angry. Don’t say that, not unless you like the idea of claws inserted into your feet. She paused and turned to look at him across her shoulder, green eyes unreadable. But you are only human. I suppose you cannot be expected to have the cool head of a cat. So, you may pick me up and carry me, if you wish. I am told that humans like that.

Carry you?

Yes, I can’t very well let you go to pieces, can I? My kitten will want you back in one piece. Are you going to pick me up or not?

Snappish as the familiar sounded, there was still that clear undertone of fear to her mental voice. Edwin thought it best not to mention that however. Besides, it would perhaps do him some good. Bending down he picked the black cat up, carefully letting her ease into a comfortable position in his arms before moving on. The warmth of the soft fur felt…quite nice, actually. You will have to get down in case of battle of course.

Of course. I couldn’t let you impede me if I need to move quickly. You may pet me now.

Smiling a little despite everything, the Red Wizard stroked the silky fur, for a moment allowing himself to pretend that it wasn’t fur at all, but hair. Red hair, to be exact. It actually did seem to be calming his nerves, just a little bit. He was still frantic, but better able to think than before. She will be all right. She has to be. I’ve only just found her, I cannot lose her again. I will not allow it.

“Hey!” Jan yelled from up ahead. “Look what I found!” Edwin blinked with surprise at the strange sight that met him. Trailing after the gnome was an enormous green spider, almost as large as he was, but the animal showed no signs of wanting to attack.

“What…where did you find that creature?” Jaheira asked.

“Just a little further along the passage. I almost shot her, but then she sat up and begged so nicely, and then she rolled over…couldn’t hurt her then!”

“Why?” Korgan asked. “That be when it be easiest to hit them…”

“It is good that the little gnome should have a pet of his own,” Minsc whispered to Edwin in a voice like booming thunder. “I have seen him casting greedy eyes at my Boo more than once. If Minsc’s Witch hadn’t asked him not to he might well have…” Here the giant man’s eyes filled with tears, and he gave the wizard a pleading look. “Will we find Minsc’s Witch again?”

This cannot be happening to me, Edwin thought. I can not be…be comforting a Rashemite ranger! Imagine the shame if this should ever become public knowledge! Yet it wouldn’t be a good idea to have Minsc go into another one of his rages. I mean, my little Fireball was discreet. Just a natural and sensible way of ventilating my emotions properly. But him with all that screaming and raging and charging about with a sword, he could have killed us all! And besides, this time he shared the ranger’s sentiments exactly. “Yes,” he said. “Yes, of course we will find Zaerini. No question about it. Am I not Edwin Odesseiron, the greatest mage in recorded history? My immense magical powers will guide us to her without failure, striking down anybody who would block our way.”

“Pity you have no skill at Divination,” Anomen acidly remarked. “We might have found the lady already, if you weren’t more inclined to blow things up and summon dangerous beasts.”

“I don’t exactly see you contributing! Arrange some divine intervention, like some powerful magical creature turning up out of nowhere, and then you can…”

At that moment all the adventurers’ heads turned simultaneously towards the large green spider on the ground. “I…I do not think I did that!” Anomen said, looking confused.

“It does not exactly sound like Helm,” Jaheira said. “From what I know, he would be more likely to send a Beholder. But surely it cannot be…”

“Not her?” Edwin protested. “Not the Spider Goddess? That makes no sense whatsoever. (Not that much of these monkeys’ conversation does anyway.”

The spider chirped excitedly, looking very eager. “I will attempt to commune with it,” Jaheira said. “Give me but a few moments.” With that, the druid sat down on the ground before the spider, her hands hovering above its hairy body, her eyes closed. The spider stood perfectly motionless, not seeming to mind the attention as a faint green glow surrounded it. Eventually Jaheira’s eyes snapped open, and there was a fierce look on her face. “Hurry!” she shouted, getting to her feet. “No time to waste!”

“What is it?” Anomen gasped, even as the others hurried after the druid.

“This spider knows where Zaerini is. It will take us to her. But…”

“But what?” Edwin snapped. “Talk!”

“But she is gravely wounded, maybe dying! So if you value her life wizard, hike up your robes and run.”

Running in the dark was not easy, even with mage light to help, but it was of some comfort to Edwin that if he was a bit hampered by his robes, Anomen had just as much trouble with his armor, and so did Minsc. Jan’s shorter legs would have made him get left far behind if Minsc hadn’t finally simply picked him up and placed him on his back. Korgan was getting by quite well on his own though, displaying the legendary stamina of the dwarven people. Jaheira took the lead, easily loping along behind Khittix in her light leather armor. Soon, Edwin thought as he pushed himself to run faster. Soon. I am coming. For a mage he was actually in quite good condition, due partly to a naturally strong constitution and partly to his teacher’s insistence that he keep himself reasonably fit and get at least some practice with weapons other than his magic. You always want to have an ace up your sleeve, Dekaras had told him. An enemy who thinks you harmless will take greater risks, and you may surprise him if you have the means to do so. And trust me, if you should ever find yourself in a situation when you completely run out of spells, you will want another means to defend yourself.

And he would know of course, Edwin thought, feeling the familiar stab of pain as he thought of his mentor. He would know all too well.

Finally the tunnel widened a little, and the eager Khittix scampered over towards something dark lying on the ground. Edwin sent the red orb of his mage light a little higher in order to see better, and then he almost howled out loud with despair. The thing on the ground, lying there like a discarded bundle of cloth, was Zaerini. Her face was pale and motionless, her eyes closed, and there was blood. So much blood. Her face and clothes were smeared with it, glistening puddles that looked almost black in the darkness, and she wasn’t moving. No…no…please no!

“NOOOOOO!” Minsc bellowed, shaking Jan off and hurrying towards the fallen half-elf. “Not Minsc’s Witch! Not Minsc’s Witch! Not AGAAAAIIIIIN!”

Edwin tried to walk towards the woman on the ground as well, but his legs felt oddly sluggish, as if he was walking through a deep swamp, and there was a strange roaring in his ears. No…no…no… He was dimly aware of Softpaws leaping from his arms, but if the cat spoke to him again he couldn’t make sense of the words. All he could do was to stare at the red hair fanned out on the ground, and the blood that had seeped into it. No…no…no…

“ASIDE!” Jaheira shouted, her voice even more commanding than usual. “Anomen, MOVE! She will need us both!” The druid was murmuring a prayer to her god even as she knelt by Zaerini, her strong hands rapidly searching the injuries out. Anomen had joined her by now, pale and visibly shaken, but he obeyed the voice of authority and acted automatically, joining Jaheira’s efforts. The two healers worked silently for the most time, grimfaced and concentrated, only now and then exchanging a few muttered words that were totally incomprehensible to all others. Somehow it had managed to penetrate to Edwin’s frantic mind that Zaerini was indeed still alive, though just barely. And for how long? They have to save her! They have to! Somehow Softpaws had wound up in his arms again, and he clutched the cat tightly to his chest without thinking about it, as if keeping the animal safe would somehow do the same for its Mistress.

Finally Anomen chanted a spell in a voice louder than he had used before, there was the sound like a great bell ringing, and a rush of wind. Immediately the cleric sagged against the wall, his face gray and exhausted. “It…is done,” he said, his voice weak. “By the will of the gods…she will live!”

Edwin just barely had the time to hear the last words. Then the roar in his ears grew to a howling hurricane, his eyes rolled back in his head, and he promptly fainted.

When Edwin next opened his eyes it was to a much more pleasant reality than before. A pair of wide, worried golden eyes were looking into his own, and the face that went with the eyes was very familiar as well, familiar and treasured. Those eyes…make her look like I imagine a deva must look. Well, apart from the fact that she’s still smeared with blood all over and…she’s alive? “’Rini?” he murmured. “You…are alive? Really alive?”

“Won’t get rid of me that easily,” the half-elf said, smiling a little. She looked tired, but otherwise healthy. “Yes, I’m fine. What about you though? You got a nasty bump on the head, Anomen had to use his last healing spell to get rid of the concussion.”

“Not that I am likely to get any thanks,” the Helmite sourly said. “And I was already exhausted, the day wasn’t this long when I led soldiers in the Order!”

“Well, I am grateful enough for both of us,” Zaerini told the cleric. “You and Jaheira saved my life, not to mention that you restored the life energy that the vampire drained away. I don’t know how I can ever repay you. And Khittix of course, for getting you guys here in time.” The spider chittered happily at this.

“Think nothing of it, my lady!” Anomen beamed, bowing proudly. “It was my pleasure to serve you, as it will always be.”

I’m sure it would be, Edwin thought. Blast. Since he did save her life I suppose I owe him something. I suppose that means I can’t kill him, at least not yet. And I had such nice ideas about it too…

Anomen reluctantly excused himself after a few moments, saying that he needed to go thank his God for what help he had received, and the mage and the bard were left to themselves, apart from Softpaws who was sitting in the crook of Zaerini’s arm, and Khittix who was exploring the floor. “I’m sorry you were so worried,” Zaerini eventually said in a soft voice. “It’s funny you know…do you remember that old bard’s tale villain, Super Evil Villain Man?”

“Er…yes?”

“Well, they always used to say that ‘if you can’t find his body, he’s still alive somewhere’. But I’m just the opposite. If you can see my body it means I’m still alive. When I die…I guess I’ll just turn into…dust.” Her eyes turned a little distant. “Just like Sarevok.”

Edwin grasped her hand, holding it tightly, marveling at how small it felt in his own. “You will not die,” he said. “I promise you. (No, not while Edwin Odesseiron is still alive, breathing, and in possession of his masterful wits and staggeringly powerful magic.)”

“Everybody dies,” the half-elf said, raising a delicate red eyebrow.

“No. Not everybody.” He smiled proudly at her, his heart singing. “And I will soon prove it to you, making you see just how amazing I am. (The Nether Scroll is close. I know it, all the signs point in this direction. And then…power and life everlasting, for both of us.)”

The smile that she gave him was enough to almost make him feel like divinity was already within his grasp. Surely no goddess could possibly be more beautiful than this. “Actually,” Zaerini said, “I happen to think you’re pretty much amazing already.”