A Strange Encounter Part 4 - Allies

The siege camp surrounding Saradush had laid waste not only to the city, but the countryside for miles around. Tybalt saw the black smoke first, then the dead crops and rotting livestock. An occasional body would lie at the roadside, sometimes near a ruined farm, sometimes alone in the fields. He had met several trains of frenzied peasants fleeing the war on his way down but no travelers following his direction. He encountered less and less life as he neared the city, until only the ravens kept him company.

As the first of the war tents came into view, he tensed and drew his sword. Yaga-Shura’s sentries would no doubt already by watching him. He hoped that Melissan had informed his brother not to harm him, or he would have a legion to fight off. And with no companions, he was doubly at a disadvantage.

He thought of Haer’Dalis and hoped the bard would understand why he left. He had almost lost the tiefling to Bhodi, and numerous times in the constant battles they had fought. With the wars against his siblings, Tybalt knew that the fighting would only increase. If Haer’Dalis followed him, he would fall, and Tybalt couldn’t bear another loss. Better that he stay in Suldanessellar or travel on that follow Tybalt to his death.

His thoughts were interrupted as a giant appeared in front of him, blocking his path. Tybalt froze, astonished that such a being could sneak up on him. Then he saw the smaller man standing beside the giant, dressed in blood red robes. “Edwin? I thought you were dead.”

“Many have plotted my downfall, none have succeeded (though the last time I encountered your group of trained monkeys was closer than I care to admit). I, Edwin Odesseiron, am not subject to the laws which govern the world like you lesser mortals. My powers are many, more than you could comprehe-”

“Get on with it, wizard!” the giant growled. “Yaga-Shura waits.”

Edwin gave his companion a scathing look before clearing his throat. “I was about to get to that (a shame your brain did not grow to match your size). We are here as escorts to the most noble future god, Yaga-Shura.” He heavily emphasized the title, pursing his lips as if suppressing a sneer. “Come, he does not like to wait (I said five more minutes but he couldn’t wait, could he? Had to barge in while I was in the middle of a most important…business transaction).” He waved his hand and the three of them were jolted past the initial ring of tents into the heart of the siege camp.

Tybalt staggered forward, catching his breath at the unexpected teleportation, his hand still firmly clutching the Equalizer. He didn’t trust Edwin or Yaga-Shura anymore than Melissan or the other Children.

Another giant stepped forward, dressed in gleaming armor and carrying an immense war hammer. Tybalt realized that much of this army was composed of giants, fire giants by the looks of them, and understood how dangerous a situation he was getting himself into. He was amazed that Saradush had withstood a siege by giants for any time.

The armored giant spoke. “So this is the spawn Melissan has told me about? I think I could crush it in an instant. Why should I fear him?”

“Care to test that theory?” Tybalt asked. “I may be surrounded, but I can take out quite a few before I fall.”

The giant laughed. “You have fighting spirit, if not enough wits to use it. Maybe you will be useful, Yaga-Shura does not know yet. A task, to measure you.”

“I would know your plans, first. You conquer Saradush and destroy the Children within. What then?”

Yaga-Shura smiled cruelly. “It shall be the first city to fall before my might. Saradush will be an example to the Sword Coast of the power Yaga-Shura commands. None will oppose me!”

“And what of the other Five? Melissan told me you were working together to erase all heirs to our father’s throne. Will they not hunt you down?”

The giant held his hammer to the skies. “Let them come! Yaga-Shura is not afraid of their mewlings! I will kill them all and bring Bhaal back to life, and I will be his lieutenant. If not for Melissan’s orders, I would kill you now. But even Yaga-Shura understands the importance of strategy, and you have something most valuable to him.”

“What is that?”

“You can get into Saradush and lower their defenses. My wizards stop any from leaving the city, but we cannot yet breach the walls. The city is too well fortified. You must go in and open a way for Yaga-Shura’s army so we can raze the city to the ground.”

“I have no wish to see the city destroyed. I would gladly help in destroying our kin, but the lives of innocents need not be sacrificed. I can go in and eliminate our siblings one by one, if need be.”

Yaga-Shura shook his head. “So you are weak at heart. As I suspected. There is no room for one such as you at Father Bhaal’s side.”

“Do you want my help or not? This could go on for some time.”

The giant nodded. “No time, that is the problem. Even if Yaga-Shura were weak like you, there wouldn’t be enough time to find all the Children. Thousands, maybe more, hide in the city, too much for one man. By that time, the others will know and hunt you down. Powerful you may think yourself, but not enough to conquer an army.” He looked around his own camp in lightly veiled threat.

Edwin stepped in. “If I may, oh illustrious one. Tybalt, other armies form as we speak. The others will come here if we fail, and the same fate will pass, regardless of what you do (which I assume is not that much). True, your precious innocents will suffer, but the sooner the gates fall, the sooner the Bhaalspawn are dead and you can move on to deal with the more stubborn family. Death will happen with or without your aid.”

Tybalt sighed. What Edwin had said was true; his actions could only do so much. But was the fate of an entire city acceptable payment for the lives of others? He wished not for the last time that his companions were here to give him advice, make him see the right path. But he was alone and friendless, surrounded by the enemy. “Fine. I will go into the city and find a way in for you. But you must promise to focus on the Children and nothing else. Then we face our other siblings.” If we get that far, he added silently.

Yaga-Shura grinned. “Of course, we shall need witnesses to Yaga-Shura’s might. Some will be spared to inspire fear in other lands. Now go, and do not return until you have done the deed.” He turned and entered his tent.

Edwin drew Tybalt away from the tent. “A word, Tybalt. Though in the past you have treated me with less respect than I am due, I am willing to forgive your indiscretions for the moment and focus on the larger picture.”

“What are you talking about, Edwin?”

“I mean, O impatient ape, that I have a deal to propose. I came here hoping to profit from the war that idiot giant is waging. I see now that little use can come from following the monkey any farther; he has nothing but blood on the mind and cannot hope to stand before his craftier siblings. Once Yaga-Shura destroys Saradush, he plans on assaulting his brother Balthazar, another of the Five. He may survive this, but he cannot hope to deal with an army of Drow or dragons.”

Tybalt felt his blood run cold. “You know the other Children?”

Edwin sighed impatiently. “Of course I do, fool! Did you think I would remain here without learning as much as I could of my enemies (and even more of my allies, temporary though they may be). Once Saradush falls, there are three Children to face: Balthazar, Sendai, and Abazigal. They all control great armies, stronger than this one once the siege is over. That is why you need me.”

“Need you? I don’t follow your logic. I thought you were the one stuck in a losing army.”

“For now, yes. But with your help, we can be rid of this gigantic monkey and his siblings forever! I have heard Yaga-Shura and Melissan talking about you. They both fear you will be the Child to win, to claim Bhaal’s throne for yourself. They seek to use you until you are spent, then ambush.”

“No surprise there,” Tybalt muttered. “What exactly do you know of the prophecies, though? Yaga-Shura seemed to think he could raise Bhaal by killing our brothers and sisters, and Melissan claims to want to stop that from happening. Sarevok thought, long ago, that he could replace Bhaal as a new Lord of Murder.”

Edwin rolled his eyes. “Yes, they think they are so clever with their little plans and deceptions. If I had a penny for every failed scheme, I could buy Athkatla. The prophecies state that only one Child will survive the war to bring Bhaal’s power back to life. Whether this means take his place or resurrect him in unclear. You have heard the various interpretations (wrong as they all are).”

“Then what do you think will happen?”

The wizard smiled thinly. “That remains to be seen, now doesn’t it? All you need think of now is getting into the city and letting the giant’s army in. Though I suggest you don’t linger once you do so. Aside from the battle, Yaga-Shura will prove a formidable foe.”

“I have faced worse.”

“Yes, I’m sure you have (personal hygiene seems to be your greatest fear, yet). But Yaga-Shura has a trick up his sleeve. He cannot be harmed my normal means. Neither sword nor spell will harm him.”

“Then how can I kill him?”

Edwin frowned. “That I have yet to figure out. But I creep ever closer to understanding. By the time you have breached the city, I should have found the source of his power, or at least a way of finding it. Find me then and we will work to undermine this Goliath.”