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The Raven's Tale: Chapter Forty-Six:


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Posted 24 February 2006 - 02:41 AM

The Raven's Tale:
Chapter Forty-Six:

I worked my way through the crowd. Something was causing a sizable disturbance, one that people were shying away from. Likely one of my crew, I thought sarcastically.

*Numel, go take a look, okay?*

*As you wish, mistress.* The raven flew from her shoulder, circling high above the crowd.

*I have spotted Jaheira and Yoshimo, mistress. They are pursuing Corris through the crowd.*

I grumbled internally. Corris. . . . so liable to get herself into trouble. *Where are the others?*

*Minsc, Kelsey and Anomen are coming out of the Order's Headquarters. Jaheira and Yoshimo are pursuing Corris. And Aerie is --*

*Just behind me. I know that.* Numel could be so literal at times.

“C'mon, Aerie.” I started into a jog. I can only imagine the sight I must have been, running through the temple district in my dress, my bow across my shoulder, and my swords at my waist, trailing behind me a cleric of Baervan . . . not that I cared at the moment.

“Minsc!” I could spot Minsc through – or rather above – the crowd, he tended to be somewhat distinctive. “Minsc!”

He turned, and his face lit up like it always did. “Little Ellie! Teeny Corris went off like a giant storm . . . she is fierce for one so tiny. Minsc knew it, she is like Boo after all!”

I rolled my eyes despite the situation. Anomen simply gaped for a moment.

“Lady Elshana,” Anomen said with a frown, “this Corris seems to create more problems for us at every turn. Not only is she a dishonourable rogue, who has no compulsions about taking a life, she --”

“Enough, Anomen.” I held up a hand, to forestall whatever rambling tirade he would have gotten into. I knew he and Corris did not see anywhere near eye to eye, but still.

Kelsey simply nodded. “We should go after her. She might need our help.”

I nodded. “Yeah. C'mon.”


Corris worked her way through the crowds, but she was easy to tail. I suspected that had she not been so angry and actually been paying attention to her surroundings, she would not have been as easy to track. She left the temple district and was walking through a far less crowded area, heading down a raised road that would lead into the Government district. The few people walking that path obviously weren't brave enough to test themselves against an obviously angry halfling who openly wore a number of knives.

*Smart individuals, mistress*

I snickered. *Oh? You calling someone else smart?*

*They are displaying rudimentary intelligence, mistress. After all, we have seen her skill and her precision when she aims, and one would not want to become her target.*

*True.* I winced at that. She had thrown knives for a living, she had to be quite good, and I had seen her accuracy demonstrated at a few points along this adventure.

I jogged a bit ahead of the group. “Corris!” I called, hoping my voice would carry above the dwindling crowds. If she heard me she didn't turn her head, just kept her straight line course. It was the course of someone who is looking for a challenge, who wants something in her path to give her that challenge, so that she would have something to strike. I had seen Imoen behave that way a few times, when Winthrop had gotten on her case for something.

And how is it that every thought I have always comes back to Imoen? Her and Corris are nothing alike . . at least, I hope not. . . I had the sudden realization that I had no way of knowing what my sister was like now. Immie, where are you? Where did those cowled bastards take you?

Not now. I shook my head to brush aside the thoughts. Sorry Immie, but I've got to keep my head. . . I'm not forgetting you.

"Corris!" I called again, and this time I saw her stop. I ran to catch up with her.

"Corris!" Jaheira caught her first, cutting through the crowd to come in front of her. "What were you thinking, running off like that!"

“Corris, your actions today --” Anomen began. Corris whirled and glared at him with enough ferocity to make him snap his jaw shut mid-sentence.

Corris stopped and glared up at Jaheira. "I'm -- and will be-- fine. I told ya that, now, quit your harpin', Jai."

I knew the look on Jaheira's face. Not convinced in the slightest, Jaheira simply raised an eyebrow. "And we are supposed to believe that?"

Yoshimo stepped in front of Jaheira and offered Corris a bow. "I do apologize, Corris. I did not mean --"

"Yeah, yeah." Corris turned her back on him and scooted past Jaheira – well, tried to, anyway.

“Corris!” I called again. She whirled.

“Hey Ellie, call the twerps off, huh? I'm fine, I jus' wanna think. I'll meet y'all back at the inn.”

“I, lady Corris, am no 'twerp,' as you so colourfully put it, I am a Knight of the Order and a priest of Helm.” I held up a hand and for the second time in a few moments, Anomen stopped speaking.

Aerie put a small hand on my shoulder. “I-I think it's okay, Elshana. She can handle herself, and . . . well, sometimes she just needs to think. I. . . uhm, I can go with her if you want.”

“Lady Aerie, that is highly inappropriate, you cannot go wandering about with out an escort!”

“Minsc will not let little Aerie out of sight. Minsc will go too.”

Yoshimo simply laughed and bowed to Aerie. “You appear to have attracted a following, my dear.” Corris stood, tapping one of her daggers against the leather bracers on her arm, and watching with an expression that was half bemused and half angry.

“Oh!” One hand flew to her lips and her cheeks coloured. “Well, I'm flattered, but. . . uhm. . . “Aerie looked at me and I saw on her downcast and worried face what she was thinking. She wanted to talk to a friend alone.

I nodded, and Aerie's looked up and smiled at me. “T-thank you.”

Corris took Aerie's hand and started tugging her through the crowd of people. Aerie spoke over her shoulder. “C'mon, Aerie, let's leave these twerps alone.”

Aerie looked back at me and gave me an exasperated shrug. “W-we'll meet you back at the inn tonight, alright?”

I nodded, wondering what on Toril was going on.

*Numel, I hate to ask . . . * I disliked spying on people. But I suspected Aerie might understand why I was watching them, she seemed reasonable enough. I wasn't going to go slinging around accusations of any kind without good reason, and even though it bothered me, I figured I had a need to know. I could only hope they'd forgive me.

*You want me to watch them.*

*Like a hawk.*

*Mistress, that will be difficult.* I got a clear sense of mischief. *How can I watch them like a hawk, mistress. I am but a raven.*

Stupid, annoying familiars. . . *Just watch them!*

He flew off quickly, images of a teasing, mock retreat coming clearly across the link. *Ah, as you wish, mistress. . . I shall do as you command, mistress. Please, don't eat me, mistress. . . *

I couldn't help but giggle.

“Lady Elshana, I fail to see the humour in the situation!” Well, I suppose that was what I deserved for giggling aloud.

“Numel's just being stupid, Anomen.” I smiled at him. “Don't worry about it.”

*Stupid? Mistress? Well, see if I do anything for you again.*

I smirked. *And see who feeds you dinner tonight.*

*Ah. . . I do see your point. Now hush, they are speaking.*

I held up a hand to the others. *Numel's got an eye on them, so hold up for a second.

“Elshana, are you sure that's a good idea?” Kelsey asked, “they're likely not to be impressed by you snooping around like that.”

I sighed. Maybe not, but I figure I've got a good reason to want to know what's going on.”

*Mistress! Quiet!*

I gave my attention over to what Numel was showing me. I didn't particularly want to know, but I figured I had a need to.




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