Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Jover woke up unsure of where he was, except that it was a very good place, his mind soon recognized the feeling. 'Bed, so warm and soft.' he thought, 'I haven't been this comfortable since we left Baldur's Gate.' Opening his eyes he saw that he was in one of the Keep's bedrooms and sitting beside his bed was..

"Aerie..." Jover said, barely able to whisper because of his dry throat.

"Oh! Jover you're awake." Aerie said, putting down the book she had been reading. "Thank Baervar."

"How long have I been asleep?" Jover asked, after Aerie gave him a glass of water.

"Almost two days." Aerie said. "We've all been very worried about you."

"Two days..." Jover repeated, trying to sit up. "Is everyone... "

"We are all just fine." Aerie said, before Jover could finish his question. "Everyone's had a chance to rest and we've been taking turns sitting with you."

Jover relaxed after hearing this news, settling back down against the pillows.

"I'll go tell the others your awake." Aerie said, as she stood up.

"Aren't you going to ask me anything first?" Jover asked.

"Ask you.. about what?" Aerie asked.

"About how I was able to resurrect Lord De'Arnise." Jover said. "Aren't you curious?"

"Not at all." Aerie said, with a small smile. "I already know what happened."

"How?" Jover asked. "Have I been talking in my sleep again?"

"Not while I was here, but I know that you’re a child of Bhaal." Aerie said. "That's why you were able to save Nalia's father."

"You know about my heritage." Jover said, amazed. "Did Jaheira tell everyone while I was asleep?"

"Jaheira didn't say anything." Aerie said, as she sat down on the edge of the bed. "Quayle told me about you before we left Athkatla."

"Hold on a moment, how did Quayle know?" Jover asked. "I never told him and he left Baldur's Gate before everyone found out."

"Uncle Quayle still has friends in Baldur's Gate, they write him with all the gossip." Aerie said. "They mentioned your name and all the stories about your heritage. Quayle wasn't sure mind you, but he wanted me to know just in case."

"So you both thought I might be a Bhaalspawn." Jover said shaking his head. "I don't know who is crazier Quayle for sending you with me or you for agreeing to go."

"Quayle trusts you Jover and so do I." Aerie said. "You aren't responsible for your birth and you have done good things, saving the circus and now Nalia's home and father."

"I don't meet many people who can just accept me for what I am." Jover said, reaching to gently squeeze the elf's hand. "This means a great deal to me, thank you Aerie."

Aerie blushed at the kind words, her pale skin becoming a light pink. She quickly looked away.

"I had better get up now and face the others." Jover said, noticing Aerie's discomfort. "I hope they react as well as you did."

Jover started to throw back the blankets, but stopped when he realized he was wearing only his underwear. "Aerie, did you undress me?" he asked, with a slight grin.

"W.. What?" Aerie asked, her blush turning to a dark pink "I wouldn't.. I mean.. I.. I couldn't."

"Calm down child, he is just teasing you." Jaheira said, from the open doorway. "Jover thinks he's funny, but if the man had any real talent he would have become a jester instead of a fighter."

"I'm sorry for teasing you Aerie." Jover said. "Would you leave us alone for awhile so Jaheira can yell at me in private."

"Oh.. of course." Aerie said. "And I.. I don't mind your teasing me Jover."

"Tell the others we will be down soon." Jaheira said. "To explain everything that has happened."

"I.. I will." Aerie said, as she left and closed the door.

Jaheira walked over to a corner of the room lifted a pack and threw it on the bed, nearly hitting Jover.

"Here are your clothes funny man, get dressed." Jaheira said, as she sat down. "And spare me any of your protests about modesty. After all of the times I've healed your wounds, trust me when I say you do not have anything I have not seen before."

"You really know how to hurt a man Jaheira." Jover said, smiling at the druid.

"Hmfp! You must be feeling well if you are already up to teasing your friends." Jaheira said.

"Never felt better." Jover said, as he slowly got out of bed.

"Is that why you are moving like an old man?" Jaheira asked.

"Just Bhaal's newest gift taking its toll." Jover said.

"Weakness is a natural reaction to the resurrection spell, but after two days asleep you should be fully recovered." Jaheira said. "Perhaps because you were injured and had never done such a thing before it will take longer, but do not worry your strength will return."

"Most of it will." Jover said, as he dressed in his casual clothes. A simple cloth shirt and pants, much like what a farmer would wear.

"What do you mean?" Jaheira asked, with concern in her voice. "Tell me the truth Jover."

"Nothing is free with Bhaal unless you do it his way." Jover said. "This new ability has a drawback if I use it, either the Bhaal essence inside me grows stronger or I grow weaker - permanently. I could feel it happening, it was like part of my life was being drained away."

"By Silvanus." Jaheira said. "You can never do this again, the cost is far to high."

"Actually it's a great plan on Bhaal's part." Jover said. "No matter how I use the gift it would make me less of a threat to his plans to be reborn."

"That is another reason, you have to think of your destiny." Jaheira said.

"You want me to just stand aside and not help someone that I could save." Jover said. "That's not what Gorion taught me."

"Given your situation.. yes, that is exactly what I want you to do." Jaheira said. "You must promise me that you will never use this gift again."

"Sorry Jaheira." Jover said, sadly. "But I can't promise you that."

Jaheria stood up and Jover seeing the arguement that was about start, quickly spoke first. "Lets just go downstairs and tell the others my little family secret." Jover said, as he picked up his sword and opened the door for Jaheira. "We can argue about this later."

"You can count on that mister." Jaheira said, as she walked angrily out of the room.

*

The greeting he received after entering the main hall happily surprised Jover. He quickly found himself surrounded by friendly faces.

"Let all evil doers beware Jover is well again!" Minsc’s loud voice echoed though the room.

"Jover, good to finally meet you lad." Lord De'Arnise said, extending his hand. "Face to face as it were."

"Good to meet you as well Lord De'Arnise." Jover said, as he shook hands Jover was able to take a good look at Lord De'Arnise. They were about the same height but the Lord was broader around the middle from years of living at the Keep. It was also easy to see where Nalia got her red hair, the Lord's was the same color with only a little graying at his temples

"Thank you for saving my father!" Nalia said, as she stood on tiptoe to kiss Jover on the cheek.

"I'm just happy it all worked out." Jover said, "Nalia, I want to tell you how sorry I am that I couldn't stop Torgal from.. hurting you."

"That wasn't your fault." Nalia said. "It was mine, running into that room the way I did, it's lucky everyone wasn't killed because of my mistake."

"Enough sad thoughts you two." Lord De'Arnise said, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. "We are alive today and what matters most is that we enjoy it, because nothing in life is guaranteed least of all seeing tomorrow."

"That sounds like an adventurer's philosophy, Lord De’Arnise." Jover said.

"Indeed it is lad, I walked that path in my youth before I met Nalia's mother." Lord De'Arnise said. "Also, please stop that Lord De'Arnise business, my name is Nathan to my friends and that includes you."

"If you are done with these pleasantries." Anomen said, from where he was sitting. "I would like an explanation of your actions."

"Please good squire." Lord De’Arnise said. "It is dinner time and Jover is probably quite hungry. Let's all just sit down and eat, then if he wants to Jover can explain."

"I will try to explain everything, but a meal would be most welcome." Jover said, as he walked over to one of tables. "I see that your Keep appears to be almost back to normal."

"Indeed it is." Lord De’Arnise said. "There are many fine loyal people who live on my lands. While you slept they helped with the cleaning and many brought fresh food and game to replace what trolls used. Now please, everyone enjoy your dinner."

Jover waited for everyone to finish eating before he stood and began to speak. "I could stand here and tell you my life story, about how I was raised and the events that brought me to this point in my life. But for now I'll just tell you the important part first, I am a child of Bhaal."

"I thought that the children were just a myth." Lord De'Arnise said.

"Sadly we are not." Jover said. "I have met one other, although he is dead now."

"Who's Bhaal?" Nalia asked.

"Bhaal is the dead god of murder." Anomen said as he stood, an angry look on his face. "Jover is a Bhaalspawn, a creature born of pure evil that should be exterminated."

"Why?" Jover asked. "What have I done that is wrong?”

"You dare ask why you deserve death!" Anomen said. "You brought Lord De'Arnise back to life by unholy means!"

"I did not." Jover said. "I admit that ability comes from my Bhaal heritage, but I can assure both you and Lord De’Arnise that the energy used to make it work came only from me."

"Lair!" Anomen shouted, "You have been deceiving all of us!"

"I didn't deceive anyone." Jover said. "I simply did not tell you everything about myself, because it did not matter for this mission."

"It matters to me! I have been following the orders of a Bhaalspawn!" Anomen shouted. "My honor, my dreams of becoming a knight are destroyed because of you! By Helm! I will end your menace and reclaim my honor." Anomen quickly picked up his mace and advanced towards Jover.

"I don't want to fight you Anomen." Jover said, backing away. "Please just listen."

"I will hear no more of your lies!" Anomen yelled. "Draw your sword and fight me, you dishonorable cur!"

"Sit down Anomen or you will have more of a fight than you want." Jaheira said, as she and Minsc stepped in front of Jover.

"There, that is your kind of honor." Anomen said. "Hiding behind this harpy of a woman and that mind damaged giant."

"Insulting my friends will get you hurt squire." Jover said, angrily. "Leave them out of this."

"Good, show your true nature Bhaalspawn and attack me!" Anomen said. "By Helm's power I shall prevail!"

"If that is what it will take, so be it." Jover said as he moved towards Anomen.

"Stop this now!" Lord De'arnise said loudly, as he stepped between the two men. "This is my home and I will not allow this. Squire Anomen you have my thanks for your part in saving my home and for healing my injuries, but Jover has given me a second chance at life. A second chance to see my daughter, something that two days ago I thought I would never do again, if you attack him you will have to face me as well."

"Me too!" Nalia said, coming to stand next to her father.

"Lord De'arnise this.. demon has clouded your mind with his foul power." Anomen said, "If you would allow me, I shall attempt to cleanse.."

"I'm not a demon Anomen, just a man and probably the least powerful person in this room, but if my death will restore your precious honor.. then kill me." Jover said, as he unbuckled his sword belt and let the weapon fall to the floor.

"What are you doing?" Anomen asked suspiciously, gripping his mace tighter. "Pick up your weapon and defend yourself!"

"No one interfere." Jover said, waving Lord De'Arnise and the others back as he moved to stand in front of the squire "If you want me dead Anomen, then this is how you'll have to kill me, unarmed and defenseless. Not a very grand story for you to share with the other squires, but at least you'll be able to say you've killed a Bhaalspawn."

Anomen recoiled slightly at Jover's words, nervously gripping his weapon as he stared into the fighter's eyes. Then everyone in the room tensed as Anomen slowly raised his weapon, but as he started to swing Anomen changed the direction of the blow and threw the mace to the floor."Helm forgive me.. I cannot strike a helpless opponent." Anomen said as he turned away. "Not even a Bhaalspawn."

"Then you haven't lost anything after all." Jover said, placing his hand on Anomen's shoulder. "True honor is not something that can be taken from you."

"I am a fool that does not deserve to be a knight." Anomen said, jerking away from Jover's touch. "I cannot honorably kill you, but I shall travel with you no longer Bhaalspawn. I will make my own way to Athkatla and report both my failure and your presence to the Order and to the temple of Helm." Anomen then quietly walked out the room to go and gather his belongings.

"That was quite the risk lad." Lord De'Arnise said. "How did you know he wouldn't strike you?"

"I've dealt with enough knights that I can understand them a little.. if such a thing is possible." Jover said. "Anomen has more honor now, than most knights could ever hope to possess. He would never attack someone that would not defend themselves."

"Well, I don't care that you’re a Bhaal whatever." Nalia said. "You saved my father and my home, now I will be happy to go help you rescue your friend."

"No my daughter." Lord De'Arnise said. "You will not."

"But Father." Nalia said. "Jover helped us now we have to help him."

"I always honor my debts." Lord De'Arnise said. "Jover, I have arranged to provide you a substantial reward to help with they rescue of your friend. Further more, you and your friends are always welcome at my home, but Nalia will have to remain here by my side. This is not because of your heritage, we simply have our own troubles we must attend to, foremost of which is determining who is responsible for the invasion of our home."

Nalia looked like she was about disagree, but simply said, "Yes father."

"Then it will just be the four of us." Jover said, turning to look at Jaheira, Minsc and Aerie. "We will leave tomorrow morning to go back to Athkatla and find our next paying job."

***