Prologue: Painful memories Part 3

Prologue: Painful memories Part 3

I must have been a coward during those times. Telling Imoen that running away would not solve anything even though I did not heed the advice myself. It was so foolish of me to leave her like that.

Fate became unforgiving, for another revelation was destined to be revealed to the two of us.

And neither one of us could escape it…

A lunatic kept me captive in his damned dungeon, for how long I do not know. One thing was for sure though. I was not alone.

“Why? Why did you have to leave?” Imoen cried as she pounded my chest with her fists.

“You should have not followed me here.”

“And why the hell wouldn’t I follow you?” she cried. “I almost died of a heart attack when I couldn’t find you that morning!”

“Alright, Imoen, we’ll return this time, I promise.”

“I just hope that doesn’t stay as a promise.” She retorted.

We did escape all right, but not after finding the gruesome fate of our two companions, Dynaheir and Khalid. The same lunatic who kept me in that dungeon murdered the two.

That damn lunatic’s name was Jon Irenicus.

The loss of these two was just one of deepest regrets. None of these could have happened if I had only fulfilled my promise to Imoen. I was not the only one affected though. Minsc became more and more dependent to his, hamster Boo. Jaheira however tried to steel herself, but deep inside I know that the memory of Khalid’s death could crumble her to pieces.

Then my own loss came to me.

Imoen cried for help. I quickly drew my sword and lunged after the cowled enforcer who was taking Imoen into custody. He only replied with a spell that knocked me off, and then he disappeared with Imoen.

I blamed myself once more, first Khalid and Dynaheir, and now Imoen. It was a good thing I had Jaheira there. She told me to be strong and to act quickly, since nothing good comes out of idleness. I heeded her advice. I quickly found allies in the persons of Yoshimo, Nalia and Anomen.

Looking at the new members of my party, I could really say that misery loves company. After all, we all had something in common; we all lost something that is most dear to us.

Yoshimo lost his status as a samurai thus; he became a ronin, wandering throughout the world. Nalia on the other hand lost her father to the trolls that attacked their keep, leading her downfall in the nobility. Anomen maybe had the most painful loss of all; just when he became a knight, he discovered that his sister was murdered. We searched for Imoen, often we found ourselves doing the old things we do. Running for quests, exploring dungeons, you get the point.

I could not deny the fact that I felt lonesome without her by my side, the nights I spent alone were colder than usual. Moreover, in this solitude I craved for heat in the nights. Heat that could not be easily extinguished by a courtesan, but by a loving body. In my travels, I could not help but notice the beauty of the women in my group. Nalia was young and promising, Jaheira wizened by age and experience. At first, I felt ashamed of myself, but still I could not help it. Yes, somehow I desired both of them. Unknown to me, they too had a secret desire for me. Sometimes, they showed little hints, sweet tones in their voices, the constant brushing of hair, the tender looks they would flash at me and sometimes the glares they gave at each other.

However, I resisted temptation. Imoen trusted me, and I do not want that trust to be broken. I manage to remain friends with them, but deep inside I knew, that they do not just want me as a friend.

With the help of the Shadow Thieves, we finally found where she was kept. An asylum named Spellhold in an isle near the city Brynnlaw. Entering there was easy; posing as lunatics to the pirate king and with Minsc around it was easier. Upon arriving there, we were welcomed by a cowled wizard. He showed to us the different prisoners, magic users maddened by their own power. Finally, he introduced us to Imoen only to find out that she was in some sort of a trance. The wizard immediately revealed his identity; he was Irenicus all along.

A trusted ally betrayed me; Yoshimo was a part of the plan. It was all a trap, a trap to bring me to Irenicus. I became mad at this, but try as I might, I could not escape my fate. Irenicus stole away my soul like what he did to Imoen and worst of all he revealed a truth, a most haunting truth.
“Imoen? My sister?

“Perhaps she felt no symptoms, but the taint was there. She is a similar age, and was apparently secluded as a child, just as you were. This Gorion of yours should have told you about yourselves early on. You might have learned not to fear what you are. Imoen is indeed a child of Bhaal. I suspect her innocent charm and humor suppressed the darkness. She showed no symptom because there was no place for shadow in her spirit. I had to show her some very dark shadows indeed. It is unfortunate that it had to be done, but it was necessary to get what I needed.”

I’ve had enough of your lies, madman!” My knees began buckling while Irenicus continued with his trash, with the lies. My ears closed themselves, convinced that it was more than enough. Still, I did not want to believe. I still had hope that all Irenicus said was not true.

Irenicus released me, thinking that I would just give up and die. I met Imoen again and we had a private conversation concerning our relationship…our heritage.

“Imoen, I think we must stop whatever we are doing…”

“W-why, Romar is there something wrong?” she asked in a troubled manner.

“Is it true, Imoen?”

“W-what is wrong with you? What do you mean by that? D-did he say something to you?”

“IS IT TRUE?” I asked in a hostile tone.

Imoen shook with fear. I never talked to her in a hostile manner. She began to break into tears as she said her piece. “I-I knew it from the start. I never wanted to tell you Romar. But I knew this day would come.” she sobbed.

My world shattered like glass in the serrated teeth of reality…

We continued traveling together in cold terms. We relentlessly avoided each other’s looks. Whatever feelings we shared together, slowly waned.

I managed to bring back Imoen’s lost soul by killing Irenicus’ sister Bodhi. She was thankful of me and continued to travel with me in my search for my lost soul. We ended up finding Irenicus in the elven city of Suldanesselar, his homeland that he dreamt to destroy. He also tried to be a god by sapping the power of the Tree of Life. We managed to destroy his plans from destroying the city and ascending to the elven pantheon. However, it did not end there. My soul pulled me into hell for our final confrontation, where I prevailed.

The elves thanked us with all their hearts. We stayed a little bit more for the merriments they gave in our honor. I was lost in thought during those days. I always wondered what could have happened if only fulfilled my promise to Imoen, maybe none of these could have happened, maybe we would be back in Candlekeep enjoying our lives there. Once again, I decided to run away. Run like a fool, a coward, running away was the only way I could think of to escape all my troubles.

I took one last look at the faces of my companions, sleeping because of the exhaustion that the feast brought to them. And just like all cowards do…

I ran away again…