Auren has a love for adventure and her friends, though as of now, I'm not quite sure if she'll have the same views about adventure. *************************************************************
Sacrifice: Chapter 1
"Face me, the new Lord of Murder!"
Sarevok's words clouded my concentration as we tried to break through his lackeys' defenses.
Tazok caught me off guard and swung a massive fist into the side of my head. I hit the ground hard, dazed and bleeding. My sword flew out of my hand and clattered to to floor of the Temple of Bhaal.
"Auren!" I barely heard Jaheira shout as she tried to hold off the vampiric wolves Angelo had summoned. I felt a strong hand grab me and lift me to my feet. I looked up and saw Minsc looking down at me.
"Boo says Auren cannot give up now!" he yelled over the sounds of combat.
I nodded and saw Dyhaneir fire a series of chromatic orbs at Angelo, who, upon contact with the orbs, appeared to be in a state of shock as he crumpled to the ground.
Khalid, who had been dueling with Tazok from the moment I fell, pushed his long sword into the chest of the monster. Blood immediately poured from the half-ogre and the ground seemed to shake as Tazok hit the floor, his weight cracking some of the tiles on the floor.
Minsc and I charged Sarevok with both our swords ready. Sarevok somehow managed to defend himself against both myself and Minsc as we got into a duel that was to last for only two minutes. Those minutes felt like an eternity to me.
Sarevok's last lackey jumped on Minsc from behind, causing my giant companion to turn and fight him, leaving me to deal with my half brother. Sarevok kneed me in the stomach and pushed me down. Once again, I dropped my sword. Funny, I thought, I always seem to drop my weapon when I really *really* need it.
"How *dare* you even think that you could ever challenge ME?" he bellowed. I knew at that point that I was going to die. We were all going to die.
"Now you can die and fuel my soul," he sneered and held his huge sword up high, ready to strike.
Suddenly, he screamed in pain as if he had been stabbed from behind. I caught a glimpse of reddish hair and suddenly thought, Imoen. Sarevok spun around and swung his sword at her.
I took this opportunity to grab my sword and drive it through my half brother's heart. After a moment, he finally fell. Minsc finished off his opponent. The monsters were gone, the wolves unsummoned.
I stood up, bleeding and shaking. "Everyone all right?" I expected cries of victory, but all I saw were faces full of seriousness. Jaheira looked ready to cry. Khalid was staring at the ground while putting his arm around Jaheira. Dyhaneir had tears streaming down her face.
"What is it?" I said.
Minsc put his hand on my shoulder and pointed on the other side of me. "Poor little one," he said, nearly sobbing.
I slowly turned, and nearly threw up.
Imoen was lying on the floor, dead. Blood seeped from the abdominal wound Sarevok had inflicted on her when she stabbed him.
"Oh, Immy," I whispered.
