Open your eyes, my servants. Such is my first request to you. Open your eyes and see what truly is, not what you wish for, not what you fear. Only by seeing the truth clearly can we judge fairly the world around us. And to see the world clearly, first look deep within your hearts.
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[quote]
Excerpt from ‘Tenets of Helm’ [/quote]
Hmmmmm. Something different today. Interesting, and a nice quotation. I haven’t figured out what it refers to yet.
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Reference to Ano, and his feelings.
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Anomen watched in horror as Mazzy came bounding out through the doorway as fast as her short legs could carry her, braids flying around her head. [/quote]
She ran away?!?!?!?!?!? I can’t even credit her with foolhardy bravery. Oh well, I’m glad she survived, nonetheless.[/quote]
For now...
[quote]
[quote]Behind her came…a monstrosity. There could be no other word for it. A hulking, fleshless thing, as large as an ogre or bigger, with creaking joints and empty eye sockets. It looked rather as if somebody had gathered together bones of all sorts, one from each kind of monster listed in a bestiary, and then cobbled them together.
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Gulp! Nice description; it’s even scarier than in the game.
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Thanks!
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“Bone golem!” Edwin shouted. “Magic won’t work – and you chimps had best take it down quickly.”
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Oh I wish Dekaras was here to hear that; his hard work did pay off.[/quote]
*grin* He'd appreciate it, to be sure.
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“Anomen! Stop woolgathering!” Jaheira snarled, and he found his focus again. [/quote]
If she only knew.[/quote]
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Zaerini, Jan and Edwin had fallen back behind the warriors, knowing that their magic would have little or no effect. Jan kept firing his crossbow so rapidly that his hands were a swift blur, and Zaerini followed suit with her bow, bolts of lightning flashing against the living bones, crackling through the hollow skull.
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Cool!
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Thanks!
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Anomen met the first attack, managing to block a powerful blow with his shield. The golem was strong – his arm was aching all the way up to his shoulder. “For the glory of Helm!” he roared, and then attacked in turn, and his flail struck against the bony kneecaps in front of him, partially cracking them. The monster hissed and tottered, but did not fall.
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Yay! Ummmmm, what about Mazzy? She has to redeem herself here.
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Well, she'll try. After all, she is brave in battle, I have to give her that.
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Not all that long ago, Anomen would have hesitated to obey such a rude attempt at commanding him. Not now – not in the heat of battle, though he would like to have words with Edwin later on about his tone of voice.[/quote]
When the wizard says duck, you’d better duck.
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Yup.
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[quote]Instead, he threw himself to the ground, dragging Jaheira with him, and saw that Valygar was following their example. Mazzy did not, but half turned, looking highly indignant. Then, her jaw dropped with horror as she saw what was heading rapidly towards her.
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Oops. Hopefully she’s short enough it doesn’t matter.
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Well, just barely.
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[quote]
A large fireball whooshed above the warriors, leaving behind a disgusting charred smell, and struck the golem in the chest. While it didn’t do the thing any actual damage, the force of the impact was enough to make the golem topple that little extra bit that was necessary. The bone golem roared a final time, and then fell backwards, arms outstretched.[/quote]
Preciouuuuuuuuussssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Oh, I hadn't even thought of that as I wrote this.
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Ok, time for Mazzy to be ever so grateful to Edwin for saving their hides, and to apologize for bringing this behemoth down on them in the first place.
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Think so?
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“Listen carefully, mage. I have noticed you launch your spells in battle without first making sure one of us is not in the way. If you hurt anyone, I will kill you. Is that clear enough?”
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(*sigh*) Yup, I thought that was coming.
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I *had* to use it, after all.
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But Edwin interrupted her, and the sneer on his face was aptly matched by the amount of venom he instilled in his voice. “(No doubt my kneecaps are in some danger.) Halfling, here you stand still living thanks to the use of my magic. Question me not.”
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Oh, I’d forgotten that line. Nice job creating a scenario to fit the game dialogue.
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Thank you!
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“I shall never need that kind of assistance in a battle,” Mazzy said. “You threaten us much as our enemies with your carelessness. Your recklessness will not be tolerated.” She pushed her way past Anomen forcefully enough that he had to clutch Valygar’s arm in order not to be tipped into the lava after the golem. “You have been warned, Edwin. Do not think to test my resolve, I will act for the best of the group.”
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How noble. She’s only just joined, and already she’s thinking of the group.[/quote]
Well, you know, it's always the least involved who know what's best for everybody else.
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[quote]Even preoccupied as he was with casting a healing spell on the prone Minsc, he could tell that she was furious. “The group?! He’s a part of this group – and a valued part at that. But you…” She closed her eyes for a moment, her fists clenched at her sides. “No…” She muttered. “Won’t…let you…make me…not worth it.” [/quote]
That’s it, Rini! It’s all part of being the leader. Besides, she just a lunatic halfling knight; it’s not worth it. Although it would be fair enough to chew her out for bringing the Bone Golem down on you.
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It would, but right now Rini is so angry about what Mazzy said regarding Edwin that she's not even thinking about the first part.
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[quote]
“One cannot be a fool forever, my lady,” Anomen replied with a wry smile. “Not even I. And while I will confess that eternal pining for some lost love is something I enjoy in literature, the reality of it is far less appealing. One must move on and…” He suddenly gulped, feeling as if an icy fist had clenched his stomach, as he realized what he had just said. “Lady Jaheira, I…I am truly sorry. Your own grief…quite a different matter of course, I had not meant to imply that…”
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Actually, it wasn’t entirely bad advice.
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No, it wasn't, he's just feeling awkward.
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“Ah…er…truly?“
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[quote]
“Truly.”[/quote]
Oh, that’s sweet.
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Glad you like it!
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[quote]
Anomen readily agreed with this, and they went on with their work, administering healing where necessary, bandages and poultices where not. After that was over and done with, it was time to explore the rooms on the other side. Jan, Valygar, Mazzy and Jaheira headed into the one on the right, and it wasn’t long before he could be heard shouting something eager about ‘hidden papers’ and ‘rituals’. They weren’t complete, but they seemed to be related to the statue the group had encountered before.
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(*grumbles*) I hate this quest.
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Me too, that's why I skipped the details.
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[quote]
Anomen examined the base. “It has an inscription,” he said. “It says… ‘Bring me the Lost, so they may once again see the Sun.’ Apart from the reference to Amaunator as a sun god, I cannot say what it could possibly mean though.”
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Was that inscription in the game? I don’t remember it. Nice touch if you added it.
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It's my own invention, I thought it would be suitable.
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Yet as he turned to leave, Anomen felt a sudden chill along his spine. Something told him that though there seemed to be nothing further to do here at this time, they were anything but done with this solemn place.[/quote]
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Nice chapter! The phrase “wool-gathering” is a little old-fashioned, but I thought it sounded just right coming from Jaheira. The relationship growing between Anomen and Jaheira is sweet. I still can’t quite imagine how it could work, though: Anomen is so callow, while Jaheira is so worldly-wise. Still I’m looking forward to what comes next. I can't explain it, but I kind of like your Mazzy character, insane lunatic that she is. I'm hoping whatever you have in store for her isn’t quite as bad as what you have in store for Ashley. Whatever it is, I'm sure knowing you it will be poetic justice.
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[quote]
--Rick Taylor[/quote]
Glad you liked it, Rick!
And I don't think anything could be as bad as what I have in store for Ashley - except possibly what I have in store for Aerie.
