Chapter 5 - The Portal

“You have done a noble thing for us”, Ulene said joyfully. “We will honor our bargain and tell you how to activate the portal.”

“At last!” Imoen said, her voice quivering with excitement.

“There is a portal key in a room to the south” said the dryad. “He…Irenicus keeps it as it was long ago, a remembrance of the past. Take the key and you can travel through the portal. I know not what lies beyond it, only that it will take you from this dungeon.”

“That will be more than enough, fair one” Theodoric said, bowing slightly. “I thank you.”


*

The room to the south was a thing of splendor, a chamber appointed as richly as a king’s. Or a queen’s. The décor had a feminine touch. Imoen marveled at it.

“The dyrad said this place was a remembrance” puzzled Jaheira. “A remembrance of what?”

“I don’t know” replied Theodoric. “It certainly seems out of place here. But right now, we need to find that key and get out of here.”


They found the oddly shaped key and several curious bits of treasure, including a finely cut blue gem of indeterminate origin and purpose. They also found several nasty traps, including an alarm at the entrance. No guards came, though. Theodoric assumed they must have slain whoever was supposed to respond. Illyich, perhaps?


Leading them back to the dryad’s cavern, Theodoric made ready to bid the dryads farewell. His stomach muscles tightened as he considered the possibility the portal would take them to Irenicus. For a moment, he felt as if he was back in his cage. Scowling angrily, he forced the thoughts back. He composed himself as he approached Ulene.

“We have the key", he said. "Have no fear, we will take your acorns to the grove as soon as possible.”

“Thank you again, and luck be with you.”

They were halfway to the cavern mouth when Imoen suddenly stopped. She frowned, and stared in the direction of the dryads.

“Is something wrong, child?” asked Ulene.

Still frowning, she shrugged off her pack and began rummaging through it. She retrieved the strange statuette they’d recovered near the portal. It was glowing faintly and pulsing rhythmically.

“You have the key to the djinn’s chamber!” breathed Ulene. Motioning to her sisters, they produced a strange looking flask. As they held it up, the statuette’s glow and pulsing increased.

“Djinn?” asked Theodoric. “We encountered an efreet earlier, intent on questioning us. Is that who you mean?”

“I do not think so” Ulene said, shaking her head. “The djinn is a prisoner here, as we. Irenicus is…angry with it. We are charged with holding its flask, to prevent it from escaping.”

“Gods, there is no end to this villain’s crimes!” boomed Theodoric.

“We do not enjoy the task” one of the dryads said, defensively. “It amuses Irenicus to make us both prisoner and jailor.”

The bottle can free the djinn… as the acorns will free us.” Ulene added, with signifcance.

The party exchanged glances. Jaheira shook her head tiredly. “We must see to our own safety. We are in no position to effect the rescue of this djinn.”

Imoen nodded in agreement. “We have to get out of here. I’m..I’m sorry for the genie, but Jaheira’s right. I’m almost out of spells - and so is she!”

“No!” bellowed Minsc. “Minsc will not leave another in this place. Not another!”

“We still have to find Khalid!” retorted Jaheira. “Would you put this creature above one who has fought by your side?!?”

“Enough!” shouted Theodoric. He was silent for a long moment. When finally he spoke, it was with a odd deliberance. “I have lost much of my honor in this place. I will not add to that shame with cowardice.”

“It is not cowardice to use common sense!” exasperated Jaheira. “We do not even know what we will face when we exit through the portal. We may very well encounter our captor. Should we not be prepared for that?”

“We will have to take that chance, then. I cannot, will not, turn my back on another in need. Go on if you must, I will rescue the djinn myself.”

“What has gotten into you?” Jaheria snapped. What are you thinking? No. You are not thinking. Something else is going on here.


“Perhaps we can help you” interrupted Ulene. She glanced at her sisters, who nodded their consent. “We have a few potions Irenicus allows us to keep. We also have water, from the underground stream in this cave. We will share with you, for what you have done for us and what you will risk for another.”


Theodoric bowed slightly, “good creature of the forest, I thank you for your help.”

Jaheira pursed her lips. “If you are determined to pursue this, I will stand by you as I have in the past. But I insist we leave once we have freed the djinn.”

“Agreed. Imoen?”

Imoen was silent for a moment, but then nodded wearily. “I can go one more round.”


*

They shared the healing potions and water the dryads gave them, taking a few minutes to rest. Their pain and weariness receded ever so slightly. As they readied to leave, Ulene also handed them the genie’s bottle, the key to releasing it.


“May nature guide you well, brave one.”


*

Backtracking yet again, the group passed through the library and the storage room where Illyich had fought them. A short passage off that room took them to a long tunnel with a door at its closest end. Faint noises could be heard coming from down the other end of the tunnel. Rather unpleasant sounding noises.

“This must be the door to where the djinn is being held”, Imoen said, holding up the statuette.

“Yes, it must be” said Theodoric, staring intently into the darkness.

“What is it?” asked Jaheira.

“It’s…it’s nothing” he replied. “For a moment, I thought I sensed something evil from that direction. But it’s gone now.” He shrugged.

“Perhaps more goblins, or Duergar dwarves?” she asked.

“I don’t think so” he said. “This felt…darker.”

Jaheira glanced at Imoen and stepped close to Theodoric. “Do you think it is Irenicus?” she whispered softly.

“No. I…know his presence, his aura. Whatever it is, it’s not him.”

“Then we should waste no more time with it” she said matter-of-factly. “We have enough to worry about without adding to our troubles further.”

“What if Khalid is there as well?”

“I would know if Khalid were near. You are not the only one attuned to the presence of others.”

“Fair enough, Jaheira. Come, let’s rescue this genie and be on our way.”


*

The Djinn’s chamber was a huge natural chasm with an elaborate set of wooden catwalks built above it. A large windmill-like structure stood apart from the catwalks, spinning of its own accord filling the chasm with a stiff breeze. Flitting about around the catwalks were groups of mephits of every imaginable variety.

“Here we go again”, sighed Imoen.

*

The djinn beamed with delight at the sight of its bottle.

“You have done a great service for me”, he boomed “And for that I thank thee.”

“Think no more of it” replied the young paladin, absently stomping on a still twitching mephit. “I would not leave another here to Irenicus’ mercy.”


“You are brave indeed, to cross the master” the djinn replied, in a tone Theodoric couldn’t determine was sincere or mocking. “Take the spoils of your victory. You have earned it and will need it in the trials ahead!”

The djinni produced a huge, two-handed sword. Theodoric immediately recognized it.

“That’s Sarevok’s blade!” he gasped.


“The master bound me in service to protect this blade. Now that I am free, I give it gladly to the one who has freed me. Farwell, mortal!”

The djinn and his bottle faded into nothingness, leaving only the sword. It lay against the the coffer that had held it.

Picking up the huge weapon, Theodoric marveled at its balance and craftsmanship. Imoen examined it next and determined it had only a fraction of the enchantment that it had held when Sarevok wielded it, and was safe to use.

“Minsc”, Theodoric said. “You’re the only one in the group still without an enchanted weapon. I’d like to see this blade used for good, after all the harm it has done.” Theodoric handed the weapon to the ranger.

Minsc hefted the sword with ease and smiled. “Ah, Minsc will kick many butts with this!”

“I’m counting on it, Minsc”, Theodoric said. Pausing to give a parting stomp to the mephit, he turned to the others.

“Let’s get out of here.”



*

They returned to the portal without incident, and the key fit perfectly into a slot on the portal, which hummed to life. For a moment, they stood there, each wondering privately what might lay beyond the gate.


“Well… it’s now or never”, said Imoen.

“Ehhh, Boo does not like the look of this machine”, frowned Minsc.

“Come on, Minsc, how bad could it be?” she replied.

“We have no time for this foolishness”, snapped Jaheira. “This is the only way out and we must take it.”

“Jaheira’s right”, added Theodoric. This thing may be our only chance to escape.” Though it might also take us to Irenicus’ lair.

Minsc continued to look at the device with skepticism, but nodded his head in agreement.

“Alright, then. Be ready, everyone.”

They stepped through the gate, vanishing in a brief flash of light.