Chapter 5

Chapter 5

As dusk began to approach the companions stopped their wagon near a stream, to water the horses and have some thing to eat.

"According to this map we should be over half way to your home by now." Jover said.

"Yes, I think that's about right." Nalia said. "I wish we were there now, I'm so worried about my father."

"We will get moving again soon girl." Jaheira said, as she took a drink. "We had to water the horses, but luckily there will be a full moon tonight so we can continue traveling for awhile longer."

"Speaking of horses." Anomen said, standing beside the large black charger he had been riding. "This horse is not at all what I would expect someone like yourself to ride Lady Nalia."

"It's not the one I usually ride." Nalia admitted. "That’s my father's horse."

"Why didn't take your own horse?" Jover asked.

"Father's was the only one I could get." Nalia said, without thinking. "All of the others were run off or dead."

"Why would pretty horses be killed?" Minsc asked. "The very thought makes Boo angry."

"That is a very good question." Jaheira said, as she turned to stare at Nalia. "Horses are far too valuable to kill, they are usually captured instead."

"I don't know why." Nalia said, trying to avoid looking at Jaheira. "I... I told you I didn't see anything."

"You saw that the other horses were dead." Jover said. "How were they killed?"

"I... I.." Nalia stammered, looking nervously at the companions. "They... umm..."

"This girl is lying to us Jover." Jaheira said, taking hold of Nalia by the arm. "Tell us what you know!"

"How dare you insult Lady Nalia's honor like that!" Anomen said, stepping forward. "Unhand her at once!"

"No Anomen, they .. they are right." Nalia said. "I have been keeping the truth from all of you."

"So you did see something." Jover said, looking at Nalia. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"I.. I couldn't tell you." Nalia said. "Everyone that I told refused to come so.. I lied."

"What kind of enemy are we facing girl." Jaheira said, angrily.

"Trolls." Nalia said. "It's trolls, when they broke through the outer wall I ran to the stables to escape and I saw them, killing the other horses and.. eating them. I barely managed to saddle Father's horse and flee to get help."

"This changes everything." Jover said, shaking his head.

"You can't back out!" Nalia pleaded, grabbing Jover by the arms. "Please I'll do anything!"

"Do not worry little Nalia." Minsc said, patting Nalia on the shoulder. "True heroes never back away from a challenge. Do they Jover?"

"Only the smart ones Minsc, and that's never been a problem for us." Jover said, smiling at the big man. "We're not going to run off and leave you Nalia, but we do need to change our plan of attack. Is there anything else we should know about?"

"There were these strange snakelike creatures." Nalia said. "They have arms and are as tall as a man."

"Those would be Yuan-Ti." Jaheira said, glaring at Nalia. "Some of them are likely mages. By Silvanus! This just keeps getting worse."

"I'm sorry!" Nalia said, starting to cry.

"Is there anything you know that we can use to our advantage?" Jover asked.

"There is a secret entrance to the Keep." Nalia said, wiping her eyes. "I used it to sneak out."

"That's a good place to start." Jover said. "Nalia, I want you and Aerie to get your spell books out and study any fire spells you have."

"I.. I don't know any fire spells." Aerie said, reluctantly.

"What kind of mage are you?" Jaheira asked angrily, causing Aerie to back away as if she had been struck. "Don't you even know a simple spell like fireball?"

"No one is perfect Jaheira." Jover said, coming to the Avariel's side. "Aerie, how about acid or poison spells? Those also work against trolls."

"Y.. Yes I know a good acid spell and a poison one too." Aerie said.

"Good." Jover said. "Then study those and if you have an invisibility spell
be sure to have that ready as well."

"I do and I will Jover." Aerie said, with a small smile. "I.. I won't let you down."

"I'm not worried." Jover said, with a grin at the elf.

"That makes one of us." Jaheira said.

"This is as good a spot as any." Jover said, ignoring Jaheira's comment. "We'll camp here tonight."

***

"Jover.. Jover wake up." Jaheira said, gently shaking the sleeping fighter. "It is me Jaheira, wake up."

"No.. Imoen.. I'll save.." Jover said, as he woke with a start. "Where.. oh.. Jaheira."

"Speak quietly or you'll wake everyone." Jaheira said, looking at him with concern. "You were moaning and talking in your sleep."

"Nightmare." Jover said, sitting up. "Did I wake you?"

"No, it is almost morning and I had the last watch." Jaheira said. "Do you wish to talk about it?"

Jover nodded in agreement, then he and Jaheira walked to the edge of the camp so they wouldn't disturb the other companions sleep.

"There wasn't much to it, I was in some twisted version of Candlekeep." Jover said, as he leaned against a tree. "Imoen was there asking if I remembered her and the others that have passed on, she said I would arrive to late to save her."

"You will not." Jaheira said. "Trust me, we will rescue her and have our revenge on Irenicus."

"Irenicus was in the dream too, talking about my potential and telling me to take what was mine." Jover said. "This dream didn't have same feeling as any of my other 'dreams' though, probably just my own fears. At least I hope that's all it was, my head has enough voices what with Bhaal, Gorion and my own in it. I certainly don't need Imoen and Irenicus in here as well." Jover tapped the side of his head and grinned at Jaheira.

"It is good that you can find humor in your situation." Jaheira said, allowing a very small smile to cross her face. "Most people could not."

"I have to laugh at myself, Jaheira." Jover said. "Thinking about my problem, of what my destiny might be doesn't help anyone, especially me. But if I can make someone smile, even if its just for a moment, that is something that belongs to me, the real me. It's one of the few things in my life that has nothing to do with Bhaal and I treasure those smiles."

The two friends stood in silence for a few moments watching as the sun began to rise. Before going to wake the others and start what promised to be a hard day of fighting to retake Nalia's home.

***