Rush Of Blood To The Head, part 5.18.

Rush Of Blood To The Head, part 5.18.

With my eyes still closed, I reach over to greet Jaheira with a traditional good morning kiss… but for some unknown reason, she doesn’t seem to like the idea and something heavy hits me right in the face.

“Hey! For what?” I protest, lying down on the floor.

“You are not of the required type and gender,” a sneering man’s voice replies mockingly, “Hmm, I wonder what would our dear druid say about your strange tastes… a thought that requires some pondering upon, am I right my apish friend?”

“Huh?” if there was an insult in Edwin’s words, I have let it pass, my thoughts already focused on Jaheira… it is morning already and I must see how she is doing. As quickly as possible I dress myself, knowing that we must also make haste to the temple, to meet Phaere and the Matron Mother.

“Get ready, Edwin – we have to move out quickly,” I explain the details to him hurriedly and reluctantly he gets out of the bed as well, “thanks for sharing the room with me, Eddie, but I sincerely hope that this was the first and last time…” I add, walking out the door.

“It better be, as I am not inclined to further suffer your derogatory companionship,” Edwin mutters as I leave him alone in the room. I cross the main room and knock gently on the door of our room. Silence. I guess she’s still sleeping… I knock one more time, now louder… still, nobody responds.

I put my hand on the door handle and push the doors open… the room is empty, the bed is made and… peculiar – she is not in the washing chamber either. Where could she be?

Has she walked out of me because of what happened yesterday? Would she do something as stupid and irresponsible in the middle of Underdark? That would surely mean her… death. Gods, I am becoming hysterical and panicking… As I inspect the room once again, with relief I notice that her backpack is still here – she has probably just went for a walk or to have breakfast…

Idiot… I chide myself as I leave the room to suddenly stand face to face with her, she has just returned from… wherever she’s been…

“Good morning,” I manage a small smile, not knowing what to expect, “are you… feeling any better?”

“I do. While being separated from you was unpleasant, I needed some time to think, without being interrupted or… distracted,” she grins, “and I must apologize to you… I have been too mistrustful regarding your motives and actions as of late. I had nor reason, neither right to question you and I feel that I have been inconsiderate towards you.”

Looking in her eyes, I realize that I would forgive her even the most horrid crimes and apologizing for such small issues seems nonsensical to me, but judging from the serious expression on her face, it obviously matters a great deal to her.

“You are forgiven, beloved,” I whisper, brushing aside a lock of her hair to kiss her softly on the forehead and hugging her gently.

“Good. We need our relationship to be as strong and stable as it can possibly be – only then we can hope to weather through all of this,” she speaks softly in my ear, “oh, and by the way… how was your night with Edwin? I was afraid you would kill each other…”

“Ah… he’s a swell fellow,” I chuckle, still holding her, “where are Vic and Immy, we need to get moving soon – it’s unlikely that this Matron Mother is of the patient sort.”

“I left them both at the breakfast table… speaking of which – you should have something to eat as well. And I will come with you and make sure that you do so properly,” she smiles and takes me by the hand, together we head to join Immy and Vic at the table…

At the table, I immediately start to interrogate Viconia about the contents of the book that I handed to her last night and the rather bizarre, saddened expression on her face surprises me, for I know no reasons for her awkward display of emotions.

“Are you sure you want to hear everything that is written in that book? And you must know that it is not an ordinary book, but it is indeed, Solaufein’s diary,” Viconia asks.

“Will you get on with it, Covinia? It might contain valuable clues, for all we know,” Jaheira urges her and Viconia shrugs her shoulders before continuing.

“If you so desire… but I would have imagined that you won’t like to hear entries such as ‘I thoroughly enjoyed myself with that adorable and feisty surface female, who struggled and wriggled in my arms so delightfully and begged me to…’”

“SHUT UP, Vico… Covinia! Stop it, immediately!” only at the last moment I remember the situation we are in and lower my voice, but already, most of the tavern’s visitors are looking in our direction.

“Excuse me… I seem to have lost my appetite…” Jaheira pushes the plate away from her and storms off in the direction of our rooms, a haunted look on her face.

“Nice going, Vi… Covinia… poor Heira… bro, you should go and…” but Imoen’s words trail behind me as I already am on my way, following Jaheira to our room. I barge through the door to find her sitting in the bed and while she looks slightly depressed, at least she isn’t breaking down in a fit of hysterics. Viconia rushes inside through the door behind me, and bumps into me with a loud ‘oomph’.

“Really… you need not be so concerned. I am fine, trust me,” Jaheira smiles and I wish that I could trust what she says, “it was just a… a momentary lapse. It has passed and I feel well enough, so you can stop staring at me like I am about to collapse. And Viconia… may I ask that you do not mention that again…”

“Yes, yes… you may. I know what it is like, Jaheira, and I… apologize. I… have been submitted to a similar treatment myself and I know that reminders of it are… painful indeed. It happened soon after our parting in Baldur’s Gate,” Viconia explains, seeing our surprised looks, “truly, it is not a pleasant experience and I would never wish something like that upon you, druid. My commiserations for what you had to endure, Jaheira…”

“I never knew about you, being… where… how did that happen, Viconia?” I ask, somewhat shocked.

“I… it is a rather long story and would be better left for another time. I am sure you will agree that we need to concentrate on recovering the dragon’s eggs. Now, about that diary…” Viconia shifts uncomfortably as she speaks.

“Do not be a fool, Viconia,” Jaheira snorts, grabbing her by the hand and forcefully pulling Viconia to the bed to sit right next to her, “Now speak. You will not leave the room until you have told us your story. You know about my… predicament, now tell me about yours in return.”

“Oh, you are impetuous indeed, Jaheira… just like a true drow should be like,” Viconia chuckles, but then turns grim, “well, I gather that I can trust you with these things… but abuse my trust and you will regret that! I would rather keep this to myself, unspoken, but if you are willing to hear… then so be it.”

“It happened during my stay in Beregost… I was foolish enough to entrust and reveal my true identity to my neighbor, an appalling, stinking piece of human filth!” Viconia’s words turn almost into a shriek as she speaks, “he… he lured me into a trap, invited me to his house and I foolishly followed, blind in my trust. Only to be knocked out cold, bound tightly with a rope and then consequently raped multiple times by that bastard and his moronic, miscreant sons. And after they have done the deed, they laughed, spat in my face and jeered at me… then they… they beat me to death and… and buried in the backyard…”

“Did… did you die, Viconia? Then… who resurrected you, pray tell?” I ask, shocked, my fists clenched in burning anger.

“No, I was not dead. But they really should have made sure that I was, before they buried me… for I was still half-alive. By sheer willpower, I dragged myself out of the shallow grave that they had dug for me… I crawled away, having made sure not to leave any traces of my escape.”

“But you obviously did not just left like that, Viconia?” Jaheira snarls, her eyes blazing in anger, “I trust you returned to…”

“Yes… oh, yes, Jaheira!” Viconia laughs maniacally, “Die they did, later that night… I spent many hours just laying in a dirty ditch, gathering the strength to crawl back to my house and to heal myself. And then I returned… and they died…”

“I hope you enjoyed your vengeance, Vicky,” I add, still slightly disturbed by Viconia’s gruesome tale.

“At that moment, watching them die… yes, I did enjoy it. And no – I did not gave them an easy passing… they died in a most exquisite and painful manner, in horrible pain and suffering!” Viconia exclaims, agitated from the awful memories, but she quickly composes herself.

“Had I not been through all of this, I would have condemned you for gloating over helpless victims… but now – I would have done exactly the same thing,” Jaheira growls and places a hand on Viconia’s shoulder supportively, “in a way, I am… proud of you and what you did, Viconia.”

“Yes, I always knew you were a fighter, Vicky,” I smile at her encouragingly, when all of a sudden the door behind me bursts open once again and turning around I see Imoen standing on the doorstep… and the expression in her eyes is one of resentment as she looks at the still confused Viconia…