> “I swear before all that is holy, sword, if you don't shut up I'm going
> to beat you into a plowshare!”
*cackle* What an amusing idea!
> Jarran sighed. What a pity he was the only who could use that stupid
> blade. He had to agree with Kay, the sword had been nothing but trouble
> from the moment he had taken possession of it. It had started with the cry
> of “We're here to kill you!” when they entered the building from the
> sewers, bringing a horde of guards charging their way, but the straw that
> had broken the camel's back was its refusal to stop screaming “Murder!
> Death! Kill!” while they were trying to calm the crying enslaved children.
> The poor things were still huddled in their cages, terrified to come out.
Now, if only they'd implemented that ingame, no one would take the bloody thing. 
> Jaheira approached him, a frown on her face. “I am unsure of what we
> should do, Jarran. I cannot coax the children out, and they become
> hysterical when Valygar and Anomen come near them. Do you think you could
> try?”
> “I'll do my best.” About two dozen dirty, wide-eyed youngsters watched him
> until he stepped into the cage, then began to scream and wail in terror.
> He backed out quickly. “Oops.”
Err...hi?
> Mazzy marched past him, ignoring the tears, and walked to within a foot of
> the boys. “Now stop that this instant,” she said sternly. “You have
> survived a terrible experience, young ones. You should be proud! You are
> strong. You are brave. You have nothing to fear from these people, they
> have come to rescue you.”
Good job, Mazzy!
> As she spoke, the tears died away to sniffles, and smiles began to appear.
> The boys started to stand straighter, and one said, “You're really here to
> rescue us?”
> “We have, ah, taken care of all the slavers that held you here, and now we
> will take you away from this place. Now, I have a very important task for
> you boys. You must come with me to the girls' cage and show them how brave
> you are. This will help them be brave as well.”
> At these words, there was a sudden flurry of eyes being wiped and faces
> rubbed. Jarran had to grin as he watched the youngsters clean themselves
> up to impress the young girls.
*smirk*
> Jarran was happy to see that the other children had no more than scratches
> and bruises. He watched Jaheira tending to the whipped girl, and a smile
> came to his face. She was so gentle and kind with the child, soothing the
> traumatized girl with a tenderness that those who had experienced her
> sharp tongue might not have believed possible. The image of Jaheira as a
> mother came into his mind. I wonder why she and Khalid never… He brought
> that line of thought to a halt. It was silly to think about that. He and
> Jaheira would never have children.
Aww...
> Anomen's jaw clenched when he saw the record sheet. “I know of this place.
> A palatial and luxurious estate, mere steps from the Order and the Temple.
> They dare to operate amongst the very gods themselves.”
I wonder, then, why the holy orders haven't gone there in force long before now.
> Jarran smiled as he quietly passed Hendak a bag of gold. “Some of them are
> old enough to apprenticed somewhere, and I'm sure some of the adults would
> be willing to adopt a number of them after they have established
> themselves. The ones who want to return to their native countries might
> find caretakers among the adults who are going home. If you need more gold
> to care for them, let me know. I can be reached through the Five Flagons
> Playhouse.”
> “Ah, you are too kind.”
> “Not at all. Let's just say… I know what it's like to be in a cage.”
Dallan: *sigh* As do we all, brother. As do we all.
> “I must say, in the time that I have traveled with you, you have proven
> yourself to be a person of good heart, Jarran. What you have done for
> those poor slaves assures me that I have found the right person to travel
> with.”
> “Thank you, Mazzy. Thank you for judging me for who I am rather than what
> people think I am.”
Aw. I should take Mazzy, one of these games. She sounds like a person I'd like to know.
> “Then start your own order of knighthood.”
> Mazzy looked startled. “Begin… my own?”
Nice little idea!
> Mazzy smiled as she said, “I am merely considering who would be a suitable
> candidate for my first squire.” Her eyes seemed to linger on Valygar, who
> did not appear aware that he was being scrutinized.
I'm glad to see a reason for that. I was always a bit leery of Mazzy turning Valygar into basically a servant without any context.
> “A nishruu!” Jan gasped. “They're magic eaters!”
Jan, being brief? Surely you jest.
(I saw a ToB dialog from Jan, where you're attacked by Githyanki in Watcher's Keep, and Jan starts telling a story about astral turnips, for $DEITY's sake...)
> As they readied themselves to go up the sweeping staircase, Jarran heard a
> faint whine. “Don't leave me out of all the fun. I was in a sewer forever
> and ever, and now you keep me cooped up in this thing.”
> The bard sighed. “I'll give you one last chance, Lilarcor. You keep your
> mouth…or whatever it is you use shut, and I'll let you out.”
How nice of him.
> They crept up the stairs, then peered into the large room at the top. A
> group of people and creatures appeared to be huddled in a discussion.
> “Jan, we should toss a couple of fireballs their way while they aren't
> paying attention,” Jarran whispered.
> Suddenly a loud voice rang out, “Awww! Spells? You promised I'd get to
> have some fun!”
Bloody sword!
> Jarran was shaking with anger. His error in judgment could have cost
> lives. “Sword, you are going straight to the Adventurer's Mart. Though
> I'll be lucky to get more than a shaved copper for your sorry self!”
*chuckle*
> Feeling a surge of icy rage welling up from the pit of his stomach, Jarran
> roared. He swung the sword with all his might against the wall. He was not
> prepared for the results of his temper.
> The world seemed to slow as his eyes widened. The blade shattered into
> tiny silver shards, and in his shock he dropped the hilt. It bounced once,
> then clattered to the floor among the slivers. The party froze, startled
> by the sight.
Ooh, a plot twist!
> “Um, yes, a very good sword. There is a temple of Lathander just across
> the way, why don't we take you there and the priests will help you get
> home.”
> “All right. Gee, this is even better than beating that evil treant. I was
> a mighty sword!”
Now I'm _almost_ sorry I had Jaheira toss it into a furnace.
> Jarran left the young man to his happy thoughts as the group finished
> exploring the home. Valygar was pleased when Jarran presented him with a
> katana of obvious power.
Ah, _the_ katana. (I've never actually gotten it, not knowing that the GC was full of Slave Lords...)
> Jaheira joined him as they collected their equipment. “It would seem that
> for once your temper had a positive result.”
*snerk*
> She stared into his eyes for a long moment, then sighed. “You have an
> uncanny knack, Jarran, for holding a mirror up to my soul. I am... I am
> looking for excuses to avoid you... and what I feel. What is it about you
> that makes my resolve melt like butter in the sun? I suppose I have come
> to a crossroads. I must decide which direction to go, and never look
> back.”
> Jarran took her hands and said gently, “And I will still be there to help
> you, no matter what you decide.”
Aww...
Another excellent chapter...well done!
-D.
Ninefires Development Studios
