This chapter was probably typed more slowly than any other, because of the trouble my arm is giving me. I hope I caught all the typos.
As Imoen would say, this is too darn creepy, Jarran thought. They had entered the ruins, and found the usual thugs inside the doorway. No surprises there. Orcs, hobgoblins, the usual humanoid trash that was easily hired and easily replaced.
But exploding kobolds? Thank goodness they had been far enough away to miss the blast. One moment they had been shooting arrows at a group of kobolds and a rakshasa, and the next their opponents had been reduced to ashes.
Then they had found a deep hole with a rumbling sound coming from the depths. Jan had leaned over a bit too far, and had dislodged a small stone, sending it plummeting into the darkness. They listened for a long, long time before they heard what sounded like an annoyed snort. They had all backed slowly from the pit, even Keldorn looking apprehensive.
But Jarran hadn't had time to contemplate that for long, because misty, horrid creatures came out of the shadows, with claws that were sharp and cold. The mists had fallen before them, but at the touch of one, Jarran felt a coldness flow through his body. He felt older, stiffer, and the flail he carried seemed heavier. After the battle was over, he sagged to the floor, his energy fading fast.
Jaheira bent over him, her face full of concern. "Jarran, are you all right?" She pulled up his face so that she could examine it. "You have been drained by one of them. Priest!" she snapped out. "Bring me a scroll."
Anomen stomped over, a sour look on his face. "I have already restored Keldorn, druid, so I will do the same for Jarran. There is no sense in both of us suffering the spell's aftereffects."
Jaheira didn't look happy, but she nodded. As Anomen chanted words that only his god could understand, Jarran felt warmth spread through him, and his vigor return. Anomen, on the other hand, had circles under his eyes, and seem to stand with slow deliberation.
Having cleared the cavern of monsters, they gathered at a door that opened onto a staircase that led into the gloom below. Jarran looked around. "Everyone ready?" His inquiry was met with nods.
They slowly descended, listening for movement. They entered a small room with a door on the opposite wall. Jan looked closely, and said, "No traps on the floor... the walls! The walls have arrow slits!"
At his cry, the air was buzzing with arrows, their flames giving the illusion that the group had walked into a hive of red bees. They tried to return fire, but it was hard to aim through the small holes.
Jarran saw Jan run right up to one of the walls. "What are you doing?" he cried out. The gnome was making an easy target of himself. Jan didn't answer, but a moment later a door swung open. The thief turned with a grin and ran for the opposite wall to do the same.
Jarran and Anomen charged through the open door, now able to attack the orcs beyond it. Between the crush of Jarran's flail and the thud of Anomen's hammer, the tiny room was soon coated with blood. Jarran couldn't help noticing that it seemed to take Anomen longer than usual to finish off his opponents.
After the last of the orcs were killed, Jaheira came to patch up Jarran's assorted cuts and scrapes. Perhaps it was his imagination, but it seemed to Jarran that Jaheira had been nearly elbowing Anomen out of the way to heal him whenever he needed care. The druid didn't seem to trust the squire, possibly because of the misunderstanding that occurred when Anomen joined the group, when Jaheira thought he was there to replace her. Still, he couldn't complain. Any opportunity to feel Jaheira's hands on him was to be savored.
They prepared themselves to continue on to the next room, when Keldorn said in a low voice to Anomen, "Young Anomen, it seems to me that you have been to long away from the fold. Perhaps this is a good time to continue your lessons."
The squire glared at the paladin. "I assure you, noble Keldorn, that I am well-versed in the statutes and moral laws of the Order."
"I doubt it not. However, perhaps it is time to re-memorize the virtues of chivalry and honesty." The knight seemed to put emphasis on the last word.
"I know what you're about, Keldorn. Let me worry about training and you may worry about your own affairs."
"I am not 'about' anything. I've no ulterior motive outside the betterment of a squire. Best you listen to the wisdom of those who have gone before you."
"I shall take, Sir Keldorn, what path I deem appropriate. I have not bothered you so it seems rude that you find the time to bother me."
"Very well. I see that you are not prepared to learn."
The two men stared coldly at each other before turning back to their preparations.
Jarran whispered to Keldorn, "Mind sharing what that was all about?"
"The young fool is exhausted and won't say anything. You know as well as I do that the spell of restoration drains the caster of energy, but he wants to pretend he is suffering no ill effects from it. He will get himself killed behaving in such a fashion or, even worse, get a companion killed. His pride will be his downfall."
"That might well be, but I would appreciate it if you would tell me these things before calling him on the carpet in front of the whole group."
Keldorn looked abashed. "Perhaps you are right. I should have been more discreet with my words."
"I'll go calm him down. I don't think he'll want to talk to you right now."
When Jarran approached him, Anomen was angrily wiping the orc blood off of his armor. They had acquired a set of plate mail for him after one of the battles, and he had been itching to polish it. He looked up at the bard, his glare softening when he saw who it was.
"Well, what has he been telling you? What crime against the Order have I committed now?" he growled.
"He's concerned about you. Why are you trying to hide how tired you are?"
"I do not want to slow us down, because we cannot afford to stop. We need to find that young girl as quickly as possible. I... I cannot help worrying about her. Please, do not delay our progress on my account."
Jarran thought this was very likely true. After his desire to become a knight, Anomen's greatest interest seemed to be the well being of his sister. Perhaps his protective nature extended to Garren's daughter. "Very well, but you're on sling duty until we get a chance to rest. You were sloppy against those orcs, and we can't afford to lose your healing skills."
Anomen looked as if he couldn't decide if he had been insulted or complimented, so he settled for nodding.
The next challenge was a pair of stone golems, and then they came across the most cowardly orcs they had ever encountered. One panicked and attacked them, but the other Jarran let go free.
Jaheira placed her hand on Jarran's shoulder. "Khalid would be proud of you."
Jarran stiffened. He hissed, "Don't say that, Jaheira. Don't ever say that again."
"But... but why? I thought you would be pleased."
"I appreciate the sentiment, Jaheira, I really do. But it... it sounded too much like how Khalid used to tell me that Gorion would be proud. Now they're both gone. It never occurred to me before, but, well, call me superstitious but I don't want you telling me that."
Jaheira's eyebrows rose. "You are afraid it will somehow curse me?"
"It's silly, I know, but just... don't."
"It may be silly, but I am touched. I thank you for your concern."
Jarran felt himself blush. "I just don't want to lose anyone else. Especially not... one of my oldest friends."
"Hey, fearless leader," Jan said as he walked up to them. "Did a little scouting. There are doors that look like a lot of critters have been trooping through them lately. It seems to me those are our best bet to find the girl."
Minsc chimed in, "Yes, and finding the little girl must come before all else! Minsc's boot itches with the desire to bury itself in the kidnapper's behind!"
They advance through the hallways, fighting through various creatures, until they met a woman named Samia who was looking for artifacts. Jarran promised to help her when he could, but he knew it would be a while before he had the time to poke through tombs. Their plan was to rescue Iltha as quickly as possible, then come back to clear out any remaining evil.
The group moved down a curved set of stairs. Jan opened the door, then scurried back as three orcs, one of which was very large, crowded into the doorway. After they had been dealt with, Jarran and his party advanced into the room, only to be confronted by another occupant.
A familiar face leered down at Jarran. "Ahh, you did come! He said you would, but I thought you too much a coward. My swaddling kin will have your flesh after all!"
"Tazok? Aren't you dead?" Damn it, why is it that those dearest to me are gone forever, but my enemies keep turning up? Who's next? Sarevok?
"Sarevok took too much for his plate, left us in a bad position. You'll find my new master much smarter, and me much harder to kill! Seems Firkraag has a special treat in store, brought me here just for you. Got a special bug in his craw about seeing you perform. Who am I to disagree if it means I get to put my foot to you once more! Fight! And know that behind Tazok is a power greater than you have ever seen!"
"Oh, by all means, let's put on a show for him. Do you know how many times I've been threatened by lackeys?"
"Tazok is no lackey! You die now!"
Tazok swung his sword at the bard, but his blade was deflected by Keldorn before it was even halfway through its arc. If he had been facing Jarran alone, he might have had a chance, but against six, Tazok fell in barely a minute. Bellowing as he tried to reach Jarran, he was hampered by Keldorn and Minsc, and peppered by missiles from Anomen, Jaheira and Jan. There could be no doubt as to the outcome.
After Tazok had been finished, a voice called out to them. "I knew you would come! Free me and we shall take flight! I... think the locks are magical. The mage that brought me had a sort of key, but I don't know how to get it." It was Iltha, peering through the bars of a cell.
Jan inspected the lock. "She's right. This can't be picked."
The girl looked earnestly at Jarran. "From what I have heard his men say, Firkraag is fearsome. Please, do not risk your life needlessly. Get the key from the mage and we can flee."
"We will, no fear. Just be patient, and you'll be free."