Truth is a Double Edged Sword

Yoshimo blearily watched first Jaheira then Valygar head up to their rooms. “Well,” he slurred to a collapsed Xan, “now we truly are alone.”

The elf burped as he straightened to a sitting position. “I’ve always wanted to know,” he said, “what your interest in Tybalt is. There’s something you’re not telling us.”

The thief grinned broadly. “You think you can discover my secrets so easily? I wouldn’t be the thief I am if I disclosed my life to anyone who asked.”

“I am a skilled mage,” Xan boasted. “I can pry into your mind with a twitch of my finger.” He wiggled his pinky and snickered.

Whether the elf really did cast a spell or Yoshimo had merely fallen under the sway of the alcohol, the thief began to speak. “You know the wizard they all chase? The one with the girl?” Xan nodded. “I worked for him when I arrived here, not knowing what a cold bastard he is. He gave me a mission to track a powerful prize, a child of a god. He placed a geas on me to make sure I followed his orders, so if I disobey him I die. I didn’t even know Tybalt then, and hadn’t realized what a monster Irenicus was.” He stared moodily into his empty cup.

Xan guffawed his disbelief. “I don’t believe you.”

Yoshimo shook his head with mock solemnity. “I am afraid it’s true, my elven friend. You have been traveling with the enemy the whole time.” They both roared with laughter at this.

“Mind if a gal joins you for a drink?” a sultry voice asked from behind them.

A beautiful woman sidled up next to Xan and laid a hand on his arm. “Or am I too late?” She smiled, but neither the smile nor her clear blue eyes held any warmth. Rather, a nasty trace of menace lurked beneath her countenance.

“Safana,” Yoshimo greeted with confusion and embarrassment. “I was not expecting to see you here.”

“Obviously not,” she snapped, “or you might not have decided to drink yourself to the floor. Have you completely lost your senses? You risk your mission here by losing control. Take the elf, here,” she jerked Xan’s arm up violently as he struggled to free himself. “What have you told him? When he sobers up, he’s going to explain your little story to the Bhaalspawn and you will be as good as dead.”

“Let go!” Xan mumbled ineffectively. The woman’s grip was cold and unyielding.

“I am thinking of you, Yoshimo,” Safana barred her teeth. “Are you so miserable that you want to die, by the Bhaalspawn’s hands or Irenicus’? This is for your own good.” She stood, dragging Xan with her.

“Where are you going?” Yoshimo demanded.

“Somewhere where the mage won’t rat you out,” she replied, heading for the tavern’s door. “Don’t worry, as long as you perform your job, you’ll see him again. Though I can’t promise he’ll be in the same condition.” She and Xan exited the room, leaving Yoshimo alone.

He considered going after them, but realized what she said was true; he had spoken too much, and if Xan was allowed to talk, Yoshimo would be lost. Better that Safana take him than he die by Yoshimo’s katana.

He didn’t look forward to explaining the mage’s disappearance, but he had to give a good excuse or the group would investigate too closely. And he already knew that they were beginning to doubt his good intentions.

He stumbled up to the room he had with Xan and looked around. Safana’s appearance had sobered him up remarkably, but the world still spun dizzily as he whipped his head around. He began to pack Xan’s possessions into a neat pack to easily dispose of when Iranie zipped around his head.

“What are you doing?” she inquired brightly. “Where’s master?” She giggled as Yoshimo staggered away from her form and tried to swat her away.

“Please, little one, not so close, I am not at my best,” he moaned. “Your master has taken a walk, he should be back soon.” He would need to destroy the fairy to complete the idea of Xan’s departure from the group, for a mage would never voluntarily leave his familiar behind. But Yoshimo was not ready to attempt to catch the sprite and hide her body somewhere; he would concentrate first on disposing of the mage’s possessions.

He had just finished stuffing everything into a backpack when the door opened and Jaheira popped her head into the room. “Ah, Yoshimo. Have you seen Xan?” She surveyed the room quizzically before arching her eyebrow and asking pointedly, “What is going on here?”

Yoshimo cursed his foolishness in forgetting to lock the door and tried to think of the best excuse his bleary mind could manage. “I heard a noise in the room and went to investigate. There was sign of a struggle, but I do not see Xan anywhere.” He held up the backpack as evidence of his investigation.

The druid frowned. “That is strange, I heard nothing.”

Yoshimo smiled indulgently. “If I may be blunt: you were not in the, ah, best mood to pay attention to your surroundings. Xan and I were alone in the bar while everyone else was involved in their own affairs. He went to bed some time ago and I returned here to rest before tomorrow.”

“And what about the noise you heard?” Jaheira demanded. “When did that occur?”

“Ah. I heard it at the stairs as I went up.” He swayed uncertainly as he tried to remember all he said and avoid contradiction.

Jaheira glared at him. “Have you been drinking? We are in no position to relax, here. We must be at our best in the morning! I would not be surprised if this noise you heard came from your own head!” She grunted irritably. “Does the familiar know anything? She may have witnessed something. He can’t have just disappeared.” She glanced around the room for a hint of the elf’s location.

Iranie flew close to Jaheira’s face but swerved at the warning glare she received. Her voice was unreserved, however, as she screeched sadly, “Master gone! Master gone! Never come back for Iranie!”

Yoshimo thanked whatever powers watched after him that the familiar wasn’t smart enough to reason out his actions. Perhaps he wouldn’t have to kill her, after all.

“Don’t be so dramatic,” Jaheira scoffed at the fairy. “His drunken stupor will inhibit him from traveling far; Yoshimo will search for him early tomorrow before we leave for the grove.” She shot a harsh glare at the thief that gave no room for argument. “So I suggest he gets some sleep before our departure. Some rest will do him good.” She left the room without another word.

Yoshimo sighed. They all trusted and depended on him too much to doubt him now. He would go out in the morning as Jaheira said and ‘search’ for Xan, returning with the bad news that the elf was nowhere to be found. He would suggest that they give him some time to himself, come back for him when they returned to Trademeet. Perhaps by then he would turn up.

Secure in his safety, he swatted Iranie away from his head and went to sleep.