Chapter 7 - Journeys

Title: Journeys

“Ugh, I think I’m going to be sick,” Aerie announced and moved to the doorway to brace herself and get some fresh air. The ship was tossing steadily in the rough winds of the eve. Dark clouds brood on the horizon, a storm raging below them, and Captain Havarian was moving the ship at angle to their path to avoid them. The storm, large as it was, was isolated to itself, and the crew could see both the end and beginning of it. It was still churning the waters, however, making headway difficult and rough. Minsc headed towards her to offer support.

“What is wrong, my witch? Have you the not the stomach of an eagle? Surely, the gentle rolling can not be bothering you.”

“I don’t know Minsc. It’s probably just the extra salty food, along with everything that’s happened lately.” Aerie shot a glance back at the table, where Arelius and Jaheira where eating. Arelius quickly turned his glance away from them, and back to Jaheira. That made it hurt even worse. Aerie knew he cared about her, but he loved Jaheira. Their last, heated, conversation had made it clear to her that Jaheira had his interest, and that there was no longer any hope for the two of them. Things had calmed down, but tension still hung in the air amongst the party members. She looked back out the door and up the steps to the deck where the night sky rose beyond the ships rigging, leaving her to wonder if the circus was truly her destined home. “Do you think the moon is out there anywhere, Minsc?”

“If you so command it to be, it shall run to do your bidding, or Minsc shall drag it before you. Did I ever tell you Boo has been to the moon?”

“No, I don’t believe you have. Please, walk with me and tell me about it.” The two left the cabin and headed for the bow of the ship. The ship creaked with each dip of the hull, and the wind whistled through the sails. The waters were gray, reflecting the clouded sky, but the moon was nowhere to be found. “I think I feel a little better now, outside in the fresh air.”

“That is good my lady. Now, I must tell you of the most harrowing tale of Boo on the Moon.” Minsc stood while Aerie braced herself against the railing, looking over to watch the ship move through the waves, all the while keeping her attention on Minsc. A few crew members moved by occasionally, checking various securings.

“But first, I must let you in on a little secret. You must promise never to tell anyone,” Minsc told her, looking around to make sure no one was with earshot. “As my witch, I shall hold you to it.”

“Oh, ok, Minsc. I’ll keep it between us. I promise.”

“Good. I tell everyone that Boo is a giant miniature mutant space hamster, yes. But what I don’t tell everyone is that he is a ‘flying’ giant miniature mutant space hamster. Boo wants to keep that a secret. I do not understand why, but Boo is the smart one, so I do as he says.” Aerie laughed and smiled as Minsc began to weave the tale for her.

**********

Back inside the cabin, Arelius and Jaheira were finishing dinner, enjoying the fact that each was more comfortable with the other than they had ever been before. The tangled relationships were resolving, and Jaheira no longer had to worry about Aerie being in the middle of them. Arelius had made his intent known to Aerie, and that was friendship. She was now free to concentrate on making their relationship work, which she knew her heart wanted, but just didn’t know when her head would follow.

“Did something taste funny to you in the food? I tasted something, an ingredient, that I have never tasted before.” Jaheira asked the remaining group members.

“The sailors taste is one not savored by those who dwell the land,” Yoshimo replied. “I have been on many a ship, and each was a culinary nightmare. This, is actually much better than most.”

“I’m sure it was just something these pirates captured from somewhere. I thought it tasted pretty good,” Arelius added.

“Ah, yes, your famed exquisite taste. Tell me, have you ever eaten anything that did not taste ‘pretty good’ to you?” She smiled and gave him a slight nudge to the arm with her elbow.

“No,” he laughed. “As long as it doesn’t try to eat me first, I’m happy with it.” Captain Havarion entered the mess hall and walked up to the table where the four sat.

“So, my new found friends, are you enjoying our little voyage?”

“It has been uneventful, so it is much to my liking, Captain,” answered Arelius. “We have found time to rest, for a change. When do you suppose we shall make landfall?”

“I expect another three or four days, depending on how far this storm pushes us out of our way. With any luck, we’ll catch a tail wind and make some time up.”

“Saemon, I would have a word with you,” Sime called out as she entered the cabin. “Why are we headed west? Our course should be south around the storm.”

“My dear lady, do you pretend to tell me how to sail my ship.”

“There is a ship off the starboard stern. If they are shadowing us, going west around the storm will only give them an advantage in catching us. We should use the storm and force them to swing to our port. If they indeed tail us, this will give them away.”

“A ship Saemon?” Arelius inquired. “You didn’t mention this to me.”

“I’m sure it is nothing my good fellows. Many ships pass this way to other lands, and it is not uncommon to see them in the distance. Now, as to my course, Sime, I travel west because there are dangerous waters to the south.”

“They are not marked as such on your maps.”

“Charts, dear lady? And whom are you going to trust: some decrepit old charts, or a seasoned sailor? Sime, I could draw those charts in my sleep,” he proudly proclaimed.

“Then why have you not marked them as so? Any good captain would maintain proper charts for his crew to follow.”

“Yes, well, in any good and proper navy, I’m sure they would. But this be a pirate ship, lass, in case you hadn’t noticed… and a good captain out here keeps a few secrets to himself, to make himself more valuable, if ye be following my meaning.”

Sime sighed and paused for a moment to reflect on his logic. “Very well. But I shall be watching our new friends, and if they move towards us, I shall expect you to brave those waters. Understood?”

“As you wish.” Sime slipped away from the cabin out into the night.

“Bloody thieves. Thinks they knows it all. I’m sure it is nothing gentlemen… and lady,” he added, bowing slightly to Jaheira. “So, have any of you braved the seas before?”

“I’ve made the run from Baldur’s Gate to Athkatla a time or two,” Jaheira answered. “All were relatively calm and pleasant experiences.”

“I made a trip to a small island off the coast of Baldur’s Gate once. Terrible experience. Remember that, Jaheira? Uh… no. I guess not,” Arelius paused remembering his mistake. That was after he had left her and Khalid at the Friendly Arms Inn. She realized it as well and looked down at her lap.

“I too, have made many a trip to far away lands,” Yoshimo broke in to help ease the awkwardness of the moment. “I find the seas much to my liking. I have had to chase many an adversary across them. Tis good to be back on the water again.”

“So it seems we have quite the seasoned travelers here. Good, good. Make yourselves at home and enjoy the trip. We’ll be around the storm soon, and with any luck, we’ll use its wind to make some time up. Enjoy!” The captain motioned to his crew to clear the tables and then left. The party finished eating, and sat in silence for a few moments.

“So, Valygar. Do you enjoy the occasional game of chance?” Yoshimo queried the stalker. “I feel a kindred spirit between us, to some extent.”

“Yes, we share a taste for the pursuit of prey, in all its many forms. We have our differences, though. I do prefer the wilderness, and if you are speaking of cards or dice, then no. I have found little use for them there.”

“Ah, you don’t know what you are missing; the excitement from the risk of loosing, and the thrill of a chance well taken to victory. It is much like battle, but with much better monetary rewards, and much easier on the bones. Come. Let’s go below and find a few crew members for me to demonstrate on, and I shall show you its wonders, and make ourselves a little profit on top of it. Besides, I could use a strong arm in case someone tries to… play unfair, so to speak.”

“Yoshimo, you do live dangerously. And you think I could help you out of a jam if you angered the whole crew?”

“Bah, the crew will cut its own throat long before ours. I know these pirates. Just show strength, and they’ll splinter. The odds should always be to our advantage. I do not cheat, either, or at least I don’t get caught,” he added with a grin, “so they will have little need to express anger.”

“All express anger when they loose, and getting caught or not shall not stop the accusations of a looser. I shall accompany you, however, if for no other reason than I am not ready to turn in yet, and I could use some entertainment. Watching you loose your money should prove rather interesting, I’m sure.”

“I assure you, that shall not happen. You two want to join us as well? The more the merrier,” Yoshimo quizzed Arelius and Jaheira.

“No. I think we’ll pass tonight.” Arelius looked at Jaheira and saw she was in agreement. He needed to talk to her about recent events as well. “We’ll meet in the morning.”

“Suit yourself. I expect a much heavier purse by morning.” The two strode off, leaving them alone, with just a few crewmembers nearby.

“Well. It appears it’s just us again.”

“Yes. Imagine that,” she smiled and bowed her head once more. “Let’s go watch the storm for awhile,” Jaheira suggested. The two got up and headed aft out the door. Arelius looked over his shoulder and noticed Aerie and Minsc still talking up near the bow of the ship.

“So, what happened on your voyage that made it so terrible?” She asked as they made their way to the rear of the boat, climbing over the various rigging and ships paraphernalia that lay about. They finally reached a large spindle out of sight near the railing and stopped.

“I’m sorry, Jaheira. I didn’t think you would want to hear it. It was after our falling out at the inn.”

“I know. But that is in the past. This is the present, and much has changed. Too much, but it cannot be avoided. We must go on.” She was looking straight ahead towards the storm, watching the lightning flash in the distance.

“You’re right, as always. Well anyway, like I said, we were traveling to an island off the coast of Baldur’s Gate, chasing some crazy rumor of Balduran himself or something, I hardly remember why now, and the ship crashes. Ran ashore on some rocks. We all just barely managed to make it to shore. Are things normal on this island? For us? Of course not. We found ourselves in the middle of wolfwere compound. Didn’t know it at first, until they sent us out to hunt the rest of the pack. One thing led to another, as usual, and we were caught in the middle of the two packs, both of them playing us against the other. Eventually, it all worked out, for us at least, and we got our passage home, but for a while, I didn’t know if we were going to make it back.”

“Well. I’m glad to know you managed a little sight seeing in between Sarevok’s little games. You have survived well. Your god must truly smile on you to protect you so well.” She smiled at him and put her hand on his shoulder. “Come to think of it, you have never told me which god you follow.”

“That’s because I don’t.”

“What? Surely you must follow some god. Where does your power come from?”

“I don’t know. Maybe the gods don’t supply as much of your power as you give them credit for. Mages do just fine without them. It’s probably my divine nature talking, but I find these gods a source of great consternation, and sorely lacking. Take away their powers, and they’re just schoolchildren in dire need of discipline. With their powers, they are a dangerous force in the universe, one that should never be trusted. So I don’t. I can’t help but wonder if somewhere there isn’t a god who’s above all that, so powerful, he doesn’t bother with petty games as they do. That is the god I would follow, and the ideal I hold myself too.”

“An unnamed god, whom you have no proof of its existence. You continue to amaze me. But I suppose you are right. You are a godchild yourself. How could you be expected to bow to another god? Still, those are dangerous words to utter. So, is this ‘other’ god good, bad, or neutral? Is it male, or female?”

“I would like to imagine something beyond all that. I’ll let you know if I ever meet it. Until then, I follow my own paths to righteousness, and none those fools Helm or Torm would dictate.” He paused to scan the horizon. “Look, that must be the ship Sime was talking about,” he said, pointing out into the distance. On the horizon, the lights of a ship reflecting off its sails could just barely be seen. “Can you farsight it?”

“No, it is much too far away. Do you think Saemon was honest with us? I felt a defensiveness in his voice that gave me concern.”

“Me too, but his argument was good. I’m not sure.” He backed up and sat next to her, putting his arm around her in the process. “But right now, I’m a little more concerned about our party right now. What has been going on between you and Aerie? That last outburst caused a lot of hurt feelings.” Jaheira was taken back by that, and stiffened, staring out into the distance.

“I don’t know. She has been accusing me of things, and has said much to hurt me.”

“I know, and I’m not going to take her side in this. She didn’t have to attack Khalid or you like that. If you hadn’t asked me to go easy on her, I’d have told her off good. But I am very concerned about this rift in our party. What if one of you hesitates when the other needs it most. I am not about to loose you… I mean either of you, because you were fighting over something neither of you has any control over.”

“So what would you have me do? Bend down and kiss her feet? Become her slave? She is no better than me,” she said with a slight rise in her voice.

“I didn’t say she was. Why would you think that?”

“You hear her. ‘I can’t go on without my wings.’ ‘I can’t survive this miserable existence on the ground.’ What she is saying is that if you are not a winged elf, you are nothing.”

“No…”

“Really? That is what it is about, Arelius, what it is always about with the purebred. They have always looked down on me for being only half-elf. I have suffered their taunts and insults throughout my life. You have wondered to me many times how I can be a druid and Harper. It is because they do not care what I am. The few purebreds I’ve encountered in the ranks have all been good to me. That is what drives me to balance. As there must be balance in my body, between human and elf, so needs there be in my life. Can you understand that?” Jaheira held his gaze, and their eyes told the story.

Arelius thought for a moment. The words were all too true. He remembered many a guard disparaging the occasional half-elves that came through Candlekeep. Even in his own world, the humans were mean to those of mixed heritage. “I have never believed it. I guess I have blinded myself to the ways of prejudice. Let me talk to her. This has to be resolved. I cannot afford to have you two fighting. If I lost you because she hesitated to heal you,” he tightened his grip on her, “Well, I don’t want to think about that.”

“Thank you… for listening to me.”

“If ever I stop, you have my permission to smack me upside the head, though I doubt I need to tell you that.” She smiled at him. “And I find both your halves quite appealing,” he said with a slight smile on his face.

“Ugh,” she intoned. “Yes, you do amaze me sometimes,” and she leaned her head against his as they shared the blissful silence.

**********

“It was long time ago, long before Minsc and Boo became the fearsome team they are today. Boo lived in a small village far from here. Boo’s village was all sad, because a giant giant mutant space hamster had broken into the storehouse and eaten all the cheese. They had none, and it was almost winter, and they would not be able to make enough in time. Everyone fretted, until someone suggested that the moon was made of cheese. ‘Someone should be sent to the moon to collect some,’ Mayor Boff stated.

“Boo, being the brave and heroic hamster that he is, took up the challenge and told the village that he would fly to the moon, and bring back enough for the whole village. The town cheered, and Boo was sent off with a big parade.

“So Boo is flying along, but when he reaches the moon, he finds that it is not made of cheese. ‘Surely, there must be some cheese here somewhere,’ he thinks to himself. He continued flying until he found a large hole, as big a hole as you have ever seen,” Minsc’s eyes were wide with excitement, and he holds his arms spread wide to strengthen the image. “Boo wonders, ‘what is in that hole. Perhaps it is the cheese I have heard so much about. I shall have to find out.’ Boo dives down into the hole, and what does he find at the bottom?” Pausing to wait for Aerie’s reaction.

“I don’t know Minsc, what was at the bottom of the hole,” she played along, laughing at the frivolity of the story.

“Another flying giant miniature mutant space hamster! This one was black as night sky. Boo asked him his name and other hamster say his name is Bolo. Boo ask Bolo if he know where cheese is, but Bolo just smile and say, ‘there is no cheese here.’ Boo became outraged. ‘I know the moon is made of cheese, now you will tell me where it is, or I shall extend my boot’, well paw actually, hamsters don’t where boots, ‘and perform some major butt kicking on you!’ Bolo smiled with an evil grin and said, ‘I have hidden all the cheese, and you shall have none of it!’ Boo immediately flew into a rage, and slew the evil flying giant miniature mutant space hamster. Boo found all the cheese and flew home. His village was saved, and they all cheered him, giving him the largest portions of it for his bravery!”

“Oh Minsc, that was a wonderful story! So where did he find the cheese?”

“Cheese? I guess it was in the hole. I don’t know, Boo never told me.”

“That’s ok. I like a little mystery in every story.” Aerie was smiling ear to ear and her eyes had lit up like two magic missiles.

“It is good to see you smile again, Miss Aerie. Boo does not like it when you do not smile, and neither does Minsc.”

“Thank you. You have made me feel so much better. Everyone kept telling me to look for the good things on the ground, perhaps I have found one.” She reached out and took Minsc by the hand, pausing to hold it for a moment. “Oh, and you too, Boo!” She petted the small hamster on the head.

“Miss Aerie, Boo wants to tell you another sec…”

“Hey you two, you aren’t doing anything me and Jaheira wouldn’t do, now are you?” Aerie and Minsc turned and found Arelius walking up to them. Aerie’s eyes turned to the ground and Minsc smiled at him.

“What would you two do if you two could that we would do if we two cooouu… coouu… ooo, you make Minsc’s head spin with words. I was just telling Miss Aerie some of Minsc’s and Boo’s tales, and she was listening too them. Do you tell Miss Jaheira stories of Boo too?”

“No Minsc. Those are all yours. Speaking of Jaheira, Minsc, she wants to talk to you for a few moments. She’s at the back of the ship.”

“You shall watch over my witch while I am gone?”

“Not a problem, Minsc o’l boy. She’ll be just fine.”

“Then I shall seek out Jaheira, and return as quickly as my feet will carry me. What’s that Boo? You want to stay here with Miss Aerie? Oh… ok. It is good that you want to get better acquainted with her. Here you are, Aerie. Take good care of him while I am gone.”

Aerie had not let go of Minsc’s hand yet, and Boo scurried down his arm into her hand. She cradled him with both hands, and gave the hamster a little kiss. “He’ll be just fine with me, Minsc. I’ll be here when you’re done.” Minsc turned and left, and Aerie kept her eyes on him as he disappeared down the deck. “So, what does *she* want?” she asked with as much ice in her voice as she could manage.

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you. I wanted to apologize for our conversation before we left Athkatla. I’m sorry, Aerie, perhaps I was leading you on, and I didn’t mean to. I didn’t realize the way you were feeling. I was just trying to be your friend.”

“Oh, Arelius, get over yourself. You’re not the only one around here you know. You think because I told you a few details about me, that I was coming on to you?”

“Aerie, please. You don’t have to get defensive. It’s no shame to admit you like someone. I do like you, just not in that way. We’ve all been hurt before.” Aerie’s lips quivered, but she was doing a good job of maintaining her composure, and she continued to look between Boo and the storm. “You have to understand that I’ve had a longer relationship with Jaheira, and even though it wasn’t always good, I guess it has given me a deeper insight into her. But I didn’t come here to explain my heart, I came because I don’t want you two arguing. This is a dangerous life, Aerie, and having you two fighting could get one of you killed.”

“Are you saying I would let her die if I could save her? What kind of a person do you think I am?!”

“Not let her die, just hesitate long enough that it would be too late.” Aerie opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off. “And before you say you’d never do that, understand that I have. At times, I’ve let emotions get in the way of my actions in battle, and some have indeed nearly gotten people killed. It’s only by luck that they haven’t. Remember Korgan? I couldn’t stand that little dwarf and his incessant greed. You don’t think I didn’t occasionally hold back when running to his aid. I didn’t mean to hold back, but I would just think for an instant to let him fight his own damn battles. In those instants, he could have died because of my hesitation. I was so glad to get rid of him, not just because we didn’t see eye to eye on anything, but because I would have enjoyed watching him die too much. I didn’t like that about myself.”

“I don’t feel that way at all about her, Arelius, really. But she just makes me so mad sometimes. She’s always looking at me, bossing me around. She thinks she’s my mother or something, and I miss… I miss my real mother. She has no right to take her place.”

“I never knew my mother, so I can understand that a little. But that’s the way Jaheira is, Aerie. She has been hardened by the conditions of battle and life on the road. She’s seen more friends of hers die than she cares to think about. You’ve also said some pretty harsh things to her. You’re wrong about Khalid, you know. If ever two people loved one another, they did. I saw it firsthand. Yes, Khalid was fearful… a lot. But his bravery was shown in that even though he was scarred, he stood up to it. His internal battles were greater than any that raged around him, and I’ll not have his memory dishonored by anyone, including you. You could have learned a lot from him.”

“Then why was she so quick to forget about him, and seek your attention?”

“She didn’t forget about him, or do it on her own. I suppose that’s part my fault too. I sometimes feel responsible for Khalid’s death, as well, and that I owed her for that loss. I didn’t plan on my heart taking over, and neither did she,” he sighed heavily and paused, turning to look at the storm in the distance. “I’ve heard that in some cultures, the family and friends of the husband are honor bound to care for his widow. I suppose that gives me some justification. I don’t feel a responsibility to it, but I am not going to feel guilty about caring for her either. But my feelings are my business, as much as her feelings are hers alone.”

She looked down at Boo, and continued petting him. She was so glad Boo had stayed with her, giving her something close to focus on while she thought and listened to his words. Boo’s eyes were looking up at her, calming her. “So where do we go from here? I guess I can try to be nicer. Don’t expect me to get all buddy-buddy with her though.”

“No. I’m not asking for that. Just for you two to put aside your differences, and for you both to understand each other a little more.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you. Hey, I’ve never seen Boo with anyone else. How?”

“He just came to me. I don’t know why.”

“Hey hey! Minsc has returned and has found his witch and friends in same state as when Minsc left. Minsc thanks you, Arelius, for defending my witch in my absence.”

“It was my pleasure. I’ll see you both in the morning,” he strode by the gentle giant and patted him on the shoulder.

“Ok… and thank you Arelius,” she called to him as he left. He looked back at her and gave her a friendly nod, and headed back towards where Jaheira was. When he turned the corner and was within sight of her, he noticed she had a tear in her eye. He approached, and she quickly wiped it away.

“Everything ok?”

“Yes. I was just… remembering.”

“Still hurts, huh.”

“Yes. I miss him, Arelius. I’m sorry, I am moving on, but now and then, my memories get the best of me. This whole mess with the Harpers has things even more complicated. ‘We’ were Harpers, and I have disgraced us both.”

“I understand. I want you… want us to move on, but I don’t want either of us to forget him.” He paused for a moment and thought about his next words. “I don’t think you have dishonored yourself. The truth is on your side, and it will come out somehow. I just hope we’re alive when it does.”

She reached out and took his hand and pulled him close to her. He moved it from one hand to the other and returned his arm around her.

“So, how did your conversation with Minsc go?”

“Heh, can anyone truly have a conversation with him?” She chuckled as she wiped the remaining tears from her eyes.

**********

“So, the bid is twelve, and my mark is five.” Yoshimo verified with his opponents, and noticed out of the corner of his eye Seamon standing by, watching the game. As the Captain noticed Yoshimoe’s recognition, he nodded to the bounty hunter. “So we are all in agreement on the stakes, then,” he continued, building the suspense as he shook the die. The others grumbled their agreement, and he let them loose into the corner of the room. Yoshimo snatched the money up before the dice stopped tumbling, exposing a four on one, a one on the other.

“Gentlemen, it has been a pleasure. But it appears you have no more money to play with, so the game appears to be over.”

“Wait a minute there. How come you knew it was going to be a five?” one of the men questioned as he approached Yoshimo. Valygar took position behind him.

“Because if I did not believe it, it would not have happened. That is the power of the gambler, to believe in the outcome, no matter the odds.”

“Fancy words… for a cheater!” One of the men scowled, pulling his dagger out and showing it off as a threat.

“Ah, dangerous words. Do you have proof of such accusations? Are those not your dice? How could I have rigged the game with your own devices?”

“Well, I don’t know, but no one can be that lucky.”

“The power of the gambler, my friend. If you doubt, you loose. Remember that next time.” The men relaxed and Yoshimo and Valygar turned to leave. No one was sure they believed him, but could not understand how he could have cheated either.

“I told you they would accuse you if you won.”

“Valygar, if I stopped something because of accusations, I’d live a very boring life, now wouldn’t I? Please excuse me a moment, I would have words with the captain.”

“Ok, I do believe I’m ready to turn in. This has been enough excitement for one day.”

“In the morning then.” Yoshimo gave a slight bow to Valygar as he left, then he joined Saemon nearby. Keeping his voice low, he inquired, “Is everything going according to plan? The mistress will be very unhappy with us if we fail.”

“The plan is proceeding. They eat as intended. I am keeping her informed of our actions with signals to her ship.”

“Then that is her who trails us?”

“Yes. Do me a favor and see if you can keep Sime occupied. I bluffed my way through that little episode at dinner, but I don’t want her to continue to question me in front of them. They might start getting suspicious if more things start happening. That bloody storm was unexpected. Didn’t plan on having to change course so they could stay with us. Got’ta admit, she was pretty sharp to pick up on that.”

“And how do you propose I keep her busy.”

“I don’t know, romance her or just keep distracting her. I don’t care, just keep her quiet.”

“I shall do my best. Good night.” The captain nodded in return.

**********

“You appear distraught, Miss Aerie. Did Arelius say something to you to injure you? If so, I shall plant my boot on his backside for you!”

“No Minsc. He made me feel a little better, to tell the truth.”

“That is good. I would hate to be in his boots should he ever make you sad. Minsc would not like that. Did Boo behave while I was away?”

“He was a godsend. Thank you for trusting me with him.”

“Minsc did not trust you with him, Boo trusted me with others. Boo likes you very much, I can tell. He has never left my hands for anyone before. He went straight for you though.”

“Yes, he does seem to know a lot, for a hamster.”

“A flying giant miniature mutant space hamster.”

“Of course, Minsc.” She held out her hand to return Boo to him. As Minsc held his out, Boo scurried up Minsc’s arm, across his shoulders and dove straight off over the railing into the ocean.

“BOO! NO!” Aerie screamed, and started to dive over the railing herself to catch him, but Minsc grabbed her, holding her hanging over the railing. Aerie was about to burst into tears over Boo’s loss, when she looked down, and there, just above the waves, was Boo, hovering in mid air, looking back at her with his dark eyes and pointed nose. Slowly, Boo rose towards her, and when he was but a few feet away, she reached out and took him in her hand. Minsc pulled her back in.

“Know I know Boo really likes you. He will not even let me tell anyone he is a flying giant miniature mutant space hamster, yet he shows you. He is a clever one, that Boo.”

“I… I had no idea, Minsc. I mean… I’m… I’m sorry. Everyone always thought…”

“That Minsc is crazy. That Boo is but simple common rodent. Minsc know. I suppose that is why he tells me to tell the truth. He does not want it known, and it is much easier to hide behind a truth, than a lie. As I said, Boo is the smart one. He is also smart for choosing to tell you. You are as good a person as any can be, Miss Aerie, and also… very pretty. Minsc like you very much.”

Aerie blushed, the redness easily overwhelming her pale skin. “Aerie… I mean… I like you very much too, Minsc.” She reached out to put her arms around him as best she could. Boo scrambled up his back and onto his shoulders. Minsc was surprised at her action, but managed to put his massive arms around her. Aerie practically disappeared in them.

“Miss Aerie, I…”

“(Squeak squeak),” Boo interjected warmly.

“Listen to Boo, Minsc. Just be quiet and hold me.”


***

[Authors note on the segment when Sime is accusing Saemon of not piloting the ship correctly]

Keep in mind the geometry of the situation. Spellhold was southwest of Athkatla, so the ship would have been heading southwest. The mystery ship was off to their right, and when they hit the storm, they had to turn either right, and head west, or left, and head south. Turning right put them on a closing path to the mystery ship, making it easy for the other ship to stay with them. Turning left, or south, would have turned them away from the other ship, causing the other ship to scramble to catch up to them and avoid the storm. This would have tipped Sime off that the other ship was indeed shadowing them. Saemon stated that he headed west, or turned right into the mystery ship, because of dangerous waters to the south. He was indeed allowing the other ship to stay with them.