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Chapter 4


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#1 Guest_Jover_*

Posted 30 November 2002 - 04:18 AM

Chapter 4

After entering another room and fighting their way through a handful of monsters the companions approached a staircase. Only to find their path blocked as a genie appeared.

"Congratulations, Lord Kalah is most amused by your progress." the genie said. "You may live as long as you continue to provide such entertainment."

"So, Kalah's in the next room then." Jover said.

"Yes indeed." the genie said.

"Then move out of the way so we can finish him." Jaheira said, angrily.

"As you wish, o' spiteful one, I would have granted you the opportunity to rest before facing the Master but your rudeness deserves no such chance." The genie said before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

"Everyone get ready." Jover said, assuming a tone of voice that he reserved only for combat. "Focus your attacks on Kalah and try to ignore everything else, most of it is probably illusion. Nalia and Aerie stay in the back and use your spells first. No one attacks until I do, understood?"

Receiving affirmative nods from everyone, Jover led the group up the stairs and through the door. Inside they found Kalah who appeared to be an ogre mage and with him were a half dozen of his monsters.

"Ah, my beast." Kalah said. "You have led them here nicely."

"W.. What? I'm not.." Aerie said.

"You're not what? You're not my beast?" Kalah asked. "You are all my beasts, don't you see?"

"What.. What have you done to my Uncle Quayle?" Aerie asked.

"He is here somewhere, my beast" Kalah said. "Perhaps I will make you kill him to amuse me."

"Oh mighty Kalah, your illusions are truly powerful." Jover said, stepping forward. "Might this unworthy one ask a question before you take my life?"

"How fitting, a last request." Kalah said, amused. "What do you wish to know?"

"Why did you choose to look like an ogre?" Jover asked, "I mean, if this is how you appear in your own fantasy. You must have been really ugly before."

"What! You! Kill Him My Beasts! Kill him!" Kalah screamed, pointing at Jover.

All of the monsters charged at Jover who managed to block the claws of the first werewolf, but the others managed to score several cuts, staggering the fighter. Jaheira quickly began using her powers to heal Jover's injuries even as the monsters continued their attack.

Minsc and Anomen seeing the opening Jover's taunt had given them, rushed to attack Kalah directly, while Nalia and Aerie sent several magic missles flying at the evil mage. As Kalah weakened under this assualt, his illusions disappeared and everyone found themselves back in the circus tent. Kalah had returned to his true form, that of a gnome.

"No.. This isn't what was supposed to happen." Kalah said, his voice growing weak. "This isn't what was promised to me. Killed by some fool adventurers. I was promised a world I could rule." Kalah's eyes closed as he died.

"The gnome is dead." Anomen said, "How he was able to perform these great feats of illusion will have to remain a mystery it seems."

"Uncle Quayle!" Aerie said, hurrying over to her uncle who was lying on the ground. "Oh, you're hurt! Lie still let me heal you."

"Don't worry little Aerie." Quayle said. "It's not too bad, I'm just lucky Kalah didn't hate me enough to kill me sooner."

"Take everyone outside and then the soldiers can clean up in here." Jover said, looking around to see the bodies of Kalah's victims and monsters scattered around the tent.

"Minsc will help you little gnome." Minsc said, as he picked up Quayle and carried him out of the tent.

"Oh.. Thank you Minsc." Aerie said. "Th.. That is very kind of you."

"Minsc is always kind, except to those who do evil." Minsc said. "Evil gets only a butt kicking from Minsc."

After the companions helped the people who survived Kalah's illusions outside, Jover remembered about the little boy that was waiting for his mother. He looked to where they had left him but the child was gone. 'There were several women that made it out of here.' Jover thought. 'His mother must have already found him.'

***

"How are you doing Quayle?" Jover asked, after walking over to stand by Aerie, who was fussing over her uncle even though she had already healed his wounds.

"All things considered, I'm in great shape." Quayle said, looking up at Jover. "Are you trying to make a habit of saving me?"

"No, It was just chance that brought us inside your tent." Jover said, smiling. "I didn't even know this was your circus, till Aerie mentioned your name. It's good to see you again though."

"Even better for me my boy." Quayle said. "My thanks to you and your friends, we would have all died here today if not for you."

"No thanks are necessary for our part." Jover said. "Although Aerie deserves some praise, she helped in the fight with Kalah."

"Is that a fact?" Quayle said, looking at his niece. "I'm proud of you Aerie."

"I.. I didn't do much." Aerie said, blushing. "J.. just a few spells."

"Aerie would you leave us for a moment?" Quayle asked. "I'd like to talk to Jover alone."

"Yes Uncle." Aerie said. "I.. I'll go and see if I can help Jover's friends with the injured."

"I can't talk for long Quayle." Jover said kneeling down next to the gnome. "Nalia's home is under siege and we have a long walk ahead of us. I just wanted to make sure you were well and say goodbye."

"Just for a moment Jover, please." Quayle said. "It's about Aerie."

"What about her?" Jover asked.

"Take Aerie with you on your journey." Quayle said.

"No Quayle, Aerie helped us stop Kalah, but this isn't some vacation trip." Jover said. "We are going to be fighting to free Nalia's home. Aerie would only get hurt traveling with me."

"My boy, you've saved my life twice now." Quayle said. "You won't let my Aerie be hurt."

"I can't protect her Quayle." Jover said. "My life brings extra burdens, I.. I've lost other people.. failed them."

"My boy, I have lived the adventurer's life and I know the dangers it brings." Quayle said "I also know that it is best to learn when you are young. Aerie's youth was taken from her when she was captured by slavers. All she knows is the few memories of her people and life inside this circus. She is a good mage and cleric, yet she doesn’t have confidence in herself, traveling with a group would help her."

"Maybe with some other group." Jover said, "But not with me, it's too dangerous."

"Danger can find you anywhere, Kalah almost killed all of us today and it had nothing to do with you." Quayle said, as he leaned back sighing. "I'm an old gnome and my better days are behind me, but Aerie is an elf. She still has a long life ahead of her and needs to learn about herself, to explore the world and find her place in it. Maybe there was a time in your own life, back when you first started on this path. Was there someone that helped you? Showed you what was out there, protected you when you needed it. That's all I want for my little Aerie."

Jover looked over to where Jaheira was helping with one of the wounded. 'The only reason I'm alive today.' Jover thought, 'Is because Khalid and Jaheira watched over me until I learned to do it for myself.'

"How do you know that Aerie even wants to leave?" Jover asked, his resolve weakening.

"I know my niece, she wants to travel and help others. She simply would never leave by herself or with anyone else because of her fears." Quayle said. "But she already trusts you and your friends because of what you did here today, if you give her the chance she will take it."

"She can come with us to Nalia’s." Jover said, holding up his hand as Quayle began to smile. "If she doesn’t like traveling with us or she gets hurt, I'm bringing her right back here."

"My boy, I could ask for nothing more than that." Quayle said. "Now let's go tell Aerie the news and gather your friends. I think I might have a way to help you on your journey."

***

"Here it is my boy, what do you think?" Quayle asked, pointing at the circus wagon, which was painted purple with big yellow lettering on the sides that read Quayle's Wonderful Circus, and in front of the wagon being led into the harness were four white horses.

Reactions to this sight were mostly positive. Minsc and Nalia were smiling, and even Jaheira had an amused look on her face. Aerie naturally didn't find the idea of traveling in the wagon unusual at all.

'Imoen would LOVE this.' was Jover's only thought, before saying. "Thank you Quayle, we'll bring it back to you."

"I cannot ride into battle on.. that." Anomen said, staring in disgust at the wagon.

"We're not riding it into battle, just to the battle, there is a difference." Jover said "It will get us to Nalia's home faster and we will be well rested when we arrive."

"It is not fitting." Anomen said, turning to face Jover. "A member of the Order has a duty to maintain a certain appearance."

"Anomen, you don't have to ride on the wagon." Nalia said. "My horse is in the stables, you can ride it if you like."

"Thank you for the most kind offer Lady Nalia, but a horse for a young noblewoman like yourself could never support a man such as I."

"You haven't seen this horse." Nalia said with a smile. "It can carry you with no trouble."

"Then it's a good idea." Jover said "Anomen can ride as a scout, so the wagon doesn’t get ambushed."

"I accept the responsibility." Anomen said, looking much relieved. "I shall retrieve Lady Nalia's horse and meet you at the city gates."

"Everyone load up." Jover said "Let's get this show on the road."

After the companions loaded their gear onto the wagon. Minsc helped Nalia and Aerie up and then climbed aboard himself. Jaheira sat in the front beside Jover as he took the reins and got the horses moving.

"Goodbye Uncle Quayle!" Aerie called, waving from the back of the wagon, "I'll miss you!"

***




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