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Part 14


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#1 Guest_Flarn_*

Posted 19 May 2003 - 12:54 AM

Whatever the rough company, the food at the Coronet was cheap and plentiful, and the drinks included Alyndria's preferred cider. Not to mention the fact that a good many patrons were looking to hire adventurers with the profile of Alyndria's group.

A few gold coins later and the group was seated around a moderately less grubby table, regarding a substantial meal.

Seeing it was relatively safe, ALyndria loosened the ties on her pack, grinning when a mottled green and brown reptilian hand peered out.

"It's safe, Scorch," Alyndria said, absently scratching the ruffled scales that sprang from the top of the small beast's head like a rooster's comb. Already she was learning to caress her familiar as he enjoyed, and he made a throaty croon of approval as he gazed up at her. "You can come out now."

The small pseudo-dragon leapt from the pack, springing onto the table before spreading its batlike, leathery wings, narrowly missing a loaf of brown bread. "I didn't make any messes, my lady," the little dragon announced proudly, as it moved to investigate the small feast laid out upon the table, eyeing the roast meat with a particular greed. "Oh my lady, is this all for me? It is very nice of you, but I would prefer an apple."

Alyndria scooped the reptilian creature into her lap. "No, it isn't all for you, but you may have a sample." She cut a gobbet of roast with her eating knife and set it before the small beast, who bolted it eagerly. "Apples aren't in season yet, but the fruit seller in Waukeen's Promenade promised she would let me know as soon as she got more of last year's in from her warehouse."

"I smell apples," the little dragon insisted, sniffing the air like a dog. "Right over... here!"

Alyndria placed a hand over her tankard of cider. "I'm not sure how good cider would be for a little dragon, let alone a familiar. Frankly, I'm not so sure how good it is for me, but thanks to a certain someone," she grinned at Khalid, "I am hopelessly addicted."

"Oh my lady," the dragon made big, piteous eyes at her. "Surely if it doesn't bother you, it would be alright for me as well."

"I don't think so, Scorch," Alyndria insisted. "Tell him, Khalid."

"Alyndria is quite right," Khalid told the small reptile, who allowed his chin to be scratched briefly by the fighter before he ducked under the table. "Someone I knew had too much, and became very curious... and I am sure you are quite curious enough. Ahem, er, that is my boot you're gnawing on. I am sure it isn't very tasty... ouch!"

Alyndria scooped Scorch up again. "Khalid is our friend, you mustn't chew on him."

"I like him," the dragon told her simply, "he smells like you, only a little
muskier..."

"Thank you," Khalid replied, taking a weary sip from his tankard of ale. "I think."

Aerie giggled, then teased the half-elven man with good-natured humour, "Oh Khalid, it must be your human side."

"Now, Aerie," Khalid began with a smile, "if you weren't old enough to be my grandmother, I might have something to say to you about respecting your elders."

The avariel playfully stuck out her tongue, then picked at a piece of bread, tearing off small bites, which she nibbled at, thoughtful, and vaguely birdlike.

Nalia was slicing her portion of meat into dainty pierces. Alyndria noticed that while she made a very great show of cutting her food, very little nourishment actually passed her lips.

"You should eat, Nalia," Alyndria coaxed. "You know spells don't work well on an empty stomach... you may not feel it now, but eventually your appetite will catch up to you. Come on, just a little, and then maybe we can get a room, and you can have some quiet time while we plan our next move."

"I'll be alright, really," Nalia's voice was listless, belying her words.

"Nalia, you can't help the world if you can't help yourself. Eat, please? We can buy a whole other meal for the beggar out front after you're done, alright?"

The redhead gave Alyndria a searching look. "Am I that transparent?"

Alyndria laughed, "Yes, I'm afraid you are. But it's a very good idea."

"Where would you have us go from here?" Yoshimo inquired, twisting off a piece of bread. "To see Gaelan and make arrangements for Imoen's rescue? She was... an intriguing young woman - I look forward to speaking with her again."

Imoen and Yoshimo? Alyndria's mind formed the picture and dismissed it just as quickly. No one was getting near Imoen unless Alyndria approved, and she still hadn't decided her mind entirely on the thief of Kara-Tur. "Well, yes, that was what I had thought. We have the gold..."

"What about supplies?" Khalid picked at his food. "If we're going to face that wizard again, we will need far better equipment..." He hesitated, then went on less confidently. "I'm sure you know this already, but I thought I might point it out..."

"Of course, Khalid," Alyndria reassured the fighter. "You're right, but... we have the money right here. We have Imoen's freedom right here." She touched the bag at her waist, its weight a tangible comfort. "I keep remembering her face in there, some of the things she said... whatever happened to us, she didn't get what we did, this time to rest, to recover with people who care about her." She rubbed at her arms, thinking of the new scars that lay beneath. She'd not had the courage to look at herself much as she bathed, but there were several more on her body than the scratches Jaheira had made as she lay dying.

Alyndria fought to control a tremble emerging in her voice again as she went on. "She went away with that... monster again, right away. Who knows what he could be doing with her, even now."

"The Cowled Wizards are an organized group," Nalia pointed out, her voice holding a condescension that was somehow comforting and gentle. "I am sure they keep their prisoners separated."

"Let's hope so," Alyndria said. "Let's hope they're strong enough to. You weren't there when we escaped, Nalia - but that new crater in Waukeen's Promenade was his doing."

"That is why I agree with our tongue-tied friend." Yoshimo offered his own opinion while chewing, yet somehow his thoughtful, considering manner infused the gesture with a princely air. "He is a powerful man, but we are wealthy enough to arm ourselves well against his power - and then raise Imoen's ransom again twice over." He spread his hands in an expansive gesture. "Where is the imagination I have seen gleaming in those amber eyes? This is the City of Coin, Lady Alyndria, there are plenty of purses willing to empty themselves into our pockets." A rakish grin and a lifted eyebrow punctuated the last statement, forcing her to smile reluctantly. "But there are also at least two other parties in this very tavern interested in buying our services, if you want to take the tediously boring honest and upright route."

"Minsc and Boo are ready for anything," Minsc announced, mouth half full, as he paused to wash the rest down with ale. "But a bigger sword would not go amiss, right Boo?"

"And there is something else too..." Khalid pulled a pouch from his own pack, spilling acorns on the table. "We did promise the Dryads we would see to their freedom as well. You cannot have elvish blood, or be married to a Druid for many years besides, without feeling a degree of responsibility to Nature. I know Jaheira would have wanted this passionately - and I beg of you to at least allow this, if nothing else."

Alyndria felt her heart clench. "Khalid, of course we will do this, there is no need to beg. To be quite honest I... with all that's happened, I had quite forgotten. Imoen wanted to help the Dryads too, I remember how enchanted she was with their beauty.... Yes..." She pulled out the makeshift journal she had gleaned from Irenicus' library, a blank spellbook, now forever consigned to chronicling their adventures. Already it had begun to fill, and she flipped back several pages of her somewhat spidery hand - some stained with tears, and some with blood, and some with a sort of ichor best left unexplained - until she found the entry she sought. "Help dryads... Winspear Hills... Khalid, wasn't there someone you mentioned who wanted us to rid them of a problem in that area?"

"Yes," the fighter replied hesitantly, glancing behind him. "Over there...
a nobleman, by the looks of him."

"And with a fat purse, no doubt," said Yoshimo, with a look in his eyes one normally reserved for a tasty meal.

"Good," Alyndria closed the journal with a decisive thud. "It's settled. We resupply ourselves and then journey to the Winspear Hills to help this Lord-Whomever. Imoen will be happy to know what we've accomplished, that we have freed the Dryads, nothing beautiful should have to remain in a place like that."

Khalid smiled at her, a strange smile, of contentment mixed with sadness. It was not difficult to guess, by the softness in his dark eyes, that he thought of another who would be pleased by their actions.




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