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Chapter 10


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#1 Guest_Jover_*

Posted 02 December 2002 - 03:45 AM

Chapter 10

"I still don't like leaving our gold with Bayle." Jaheira said.

"Neither do I Jaheira." Jover said, for the second time as they walked towards the Copper Cornet. "But we can't carry it around while we travel and we don't have a safe place to keep it. Paying Bayle as we go until the whole amount is raised was the only option."

"I know." Jaheira said. "I still wish that there was another way besides dealing with this group he represents."

"I've been thinking about that." Jover said. "Couldn't we ask your associates for help?"

"I thought of that as well." Jaheira said, as she stopped outside the Copper Cornet. "Although I am hesitant to ask them."

"Why?" Jover asked. "I would think they would be eager to help us avenge Khalid."

"They would normally." Jaheira said, looking away from Jover. "But there are other considerations."

"Do you mean me?" Jover asked, as he leaned close to Jaheira so no one could overhear. "What have I done to the Harpers? Gorion was one of you."

"You haven't done anything." Jaheira said, looking at Jover. "But not everyone shared Gorion's ideas, many argued against his plans to raise you as a normal child. I have not been in this part of Amn in years and do not know how the local Harpers might react to you."

"So because of me." Jover said, sadly. "You might be cut off from the people that are your family. I'm sorry Jaheira, I didn't know."

"I have a contact here in the Cornet." Jaheira said, as she put her hand on Jover's shoulder. "You wait out here for Minsc and Aerie to arrive, I shall go inside and see if there is any help to be found with my people."

**

Jover didn't have to wait very long before he spotted Minsc making his way down the crowded street. The huge ranger was carefully watching over Aerie as they made their way to where Jover was standing.

"Where is Jaheira?" Aerie asked.

"She's inside checking on something." Jover said. "I was beginning to worry about you two, did you have any trouble returning Quayle's wagon?"

"Not much." Aerie said, with a little smile. "There is a large group of workers clearing the debris from the part of the Promenade that collapsed, we had to wait for them to move one of their wagons."

"Minsc told them that Jover was waiting, but they did not care about this." Minsc said. "So Minsc was going to make them move faster but our new witch said not to."

"No harm done big man." Jover said smiling at the ranger, before turning to look at Aerie. "Last chance Aerie, are you sure you want continue traveling with us?"

"Yes Jover, I'm certain." Aerie said, "With Nalia and Anomen gone you need me and I know I can be of great help to you."

"Well if you’re going to fight to help me save Imoen you'll need these." Jover reached down picked up a small pack and handed it to Aerie. "I bought these from a vendor Bayle recommended."

"You bought things for me." Aerie said, surprised. "But you need that gold to rescue your friend."

"Lord De'Arnise was very generous, we had enough gold to pay Bayle a fourth of the money he wants and still have some left over." Jover said, as he opened the pack. "Besides having good equipment is important if we're going to rescue Imoen, the next gold we get is going to buy Minsc some new armor."

"Boo is happy to hear this." Minsc said, smiling. "There is not much room inside this armor for both Minsc and Boo, even though Boo is small as far as minature giant space hamsters go."

"Minsc give me hand lacing these bracers." Jover said, as he fitted the piece of magical armor to Aerie's forearm. "These will help to block any physical attacks that your magic can't stop. Most of the other things in your pack are standard gear, except for this." Jover pulled out a mace and a belt with a hook to carry it.

"I.. I'm not strong enough to use that." Aerie said, looking at the weapon.

"Just try it." Jover said, handing Aerie the mace. "Hit that barrel over there."

"It's magical." Aerie said, as she walked over to the barrel. "I can tell by the way it feels." Aerie took a clumsy swing but still connected enough to smash the barrels side. "It made me stronger!" Aerie said with a big smile. "But I don't know how to use it properly."

"We can teach you that." Jover said. "First lesson is to remember is only use it as a last resort, always use your magic first."

"Ah, Aerie shall be a fine warrior as well as a witch!" Minsc said, proudly. "Evil will tremble when we approach, although people already do that sometimes."

"Thank you Minsc." Aerie said. "But I'll never be able to fight like you and Jover."

"Only one thing left that needs to be corrected." Jover said, as he drew his dagger and knelt down next to Aerie gripping the hem of her robes.

"W.. What are you doing?" Aerie asked, startled.

"Fixing your mage robes." Jover said, as he slit the side of her robe from the hem to a point just above Aerie's knee and then made the same cut on the other side. "Running is a requirement in our line of work and your robes were not made for that."

"I.. I'm not sure about this." Aerie said, blushing. "It.. it shows so much of my legs."

"Minsc thinks that they are very nice legs." Minsc said, as his hamster looked down from the ranger's shoulder. "And so does Boo, although he prefers ones that are shorter and have more fur."

"There are some new boots in your pack." Jover said, smiling. "They should cover you up to the knees and trust me Aerie, this little bit of skin won't attract much attention in here."

"If.. if your sure." Aerie said uncertainly, as Jover led them into the Cornet.

**

Seeing her friends enter, Jaheira quickly finished her conversation with the bartender and made her way across the tavern to sit at their table. "We have a problem, and no it's not because of you Jover." she said. "Everyone listen closely, the bartender Bernard is an.. old friend. He came to work here weeks ago to gather information about the illegal activities taking place here."

"W.. What do you mean?" Aerie asked.

"These women are not here by choice, child." Jaheira said, pointing at one of the scantily clad courtesans. "They are slaves being forced to prostitute themselves in order to protect their children who are being held hostage. Their husbands are forced to fight in an arena in the back room. Entire families are being used, all to provide entertainment for rich nobles. Bernard has been trying to get.. somone to stop these activites for some time, but they have not responded. So he has asked if we could help and I think we should."

A quick look around the table told Jover that everyone was more than willing to help. "Does Bernard know where the children are being held?" he asked.

"No, but perhaps one of the women might." Jaheira said. "If we can arrange to speak with one of them privately."

"That should be easy." Jover said, as he stood up. "Wait here, I'll go upstairs and pretend to be a customer."

"I shall go with you." Jaheira said, as she stood to follow Jover.

"Don't you trust me alone upstairs?" Jover asked with a grin, as they walked towards the stairs.

"Your choices in companionship may have not been the best, but I know you would never be with a courtesan." Jaheira said. "I am going along because these women have been mistreated by men, they may speak more openly with me, than they would you alone."

The rooms upstairs at the Copper Cornet actually smelled worse than the main room because of the added stink of very cheap perfume. As Jover and Jaheira entered an older human woman approached them. "Greetings, my Lord and Lady." the woman said. "I am Madame Nin, are you interested in companionship?"

"How much will it cost me?" Jover asked.

"A modest fee, my Lord." the Madame said. "Fifty gold pieces acquires a room, as well as a lovely companion. We can also provide, for a small fee, a male escort for your Lady."

"No need for that." Jover said, as he noticed Jaheira tense at the Madame's words. "The Lady will be joining me as well."

"Of course my Lord, I should have known." Madame Nin said, giving Jaheira an appraising look. "No matter we welcome all types here."

"What do you mean 'type'?" Jaheira asked angrily, as she took a step towards the Madame. "You old hag, I will.."

"Jaheira darling." Jover said, quickly wrapping his arms around Jaheira's waist and pulling her back against him in what he hoped would appear to be a lover's embrace. "Let's save that eagerness for later."

"Let go of me or I will show you how eager I can be!" Jaheira said, struggling in Jover's arms.

"What room do we use?" Jover asked, as he tossed a pouch of coins to Madame Nin.

"End of the hall on the right." Madame Nin said, with a grin. "I'll send one of my girls to join you."

**

Aerie had just started to ask Minsc about his travels, when a dwarf wearing battered splint mail walked up to Minsc.

"Hail friend!" the dwarf said. "I be scouring for a band of desperate men to aid me in a gallant task. Ye look big enough to keep the undertakers in a brisk trade, have ye the courage for a challenge?"

"Minsc has courage to spare and size to match." Minsc said. "What is this challenge you speak of?"

"A fortnight past, me fellows and I were in the midst of obtainin' an ancient text fer our patron when a skirmish visited our midst." the dwarf said. "Vile words, became a lake o' bloodshed, an the sacred book ne'er made it to our benefactor's hand. The volume sits not far from 'ere in a tomb, jus' waitin' to be taken. The scuttlebutt is the pay is handsome, sacks of loot and odd magics. What do ye say?"

"Minsc is not sure of all your words, but if you need help Minsc and Boo shall stand ready." Minsc said.

"Minsc, I..I think you should talk to Jover before you agree t..to anything." Aerie said.

"Who asked ye elf!" the dwarf turned to yell at Aerie. "This be man's talk, shut yer mouth afore I take me axe to ye lilywhite limbs!"

The dwarf turned back towards Minsc just in time to see the ranger's huge fist coming at his face.

**

Jover held onto the struggling Jaheira until they reached the bedroom. As he released her Jover ducked to narrowly avoid Jaheira's staff as she swung at his head. He did not however avoid her knee which hit him in the stomach doubling him over. Jaheira then grabbed a pitcher of water from the bedside table and emptied it over Jover's head.

"Don't you EVER hold me in that manner again!" Jaheira said, angrily.

"You were about to attack that woman!" Jover said, wiping water from his face. "You would have ruined any chance we have at getting the information we need."

"I can control my own actions!" Jaheira said. "I do not need you to do so for me."

"Ha!" Jover laughed. "Then why am I soaking wet."

Their argument was interrupted as the door opened and a scantily dressed woman entered looking nervously at the arguing couple. "Hello, I am Kerstia." she said. “I hope my companionship will please you.”

Jaheira took a blanket from the bed at put it around the womans shoulders. "Come here and sit down." Jaheira said, as she led the woman to the bed. "We are here to help you."

"To help me?" Kerstia asked. "As I am sure my Lady is aware, I am only here to bring you pleasure, there is nothing for you to help me with."

"Kerstia we know that you are a slave and about the children." Jover said. "We need to know if you can tell us where they are held."

"I should not speak of this.. but you know of our children.. by the gods I pray you truly want to help." Kerstia said, with hope. "The slave compound is not far from here, a dry-docked boat just across the way on the east side of the slums. There was talk of a secret passage through the sewers connecting the Coronet to the slaver base, but I don't know where the entrance is. I know nothing of the defenses inside the compound, my stay there was brief and very long ago."

"We shall do everything in our power to rescue the children and free all of the slaves." Jover said.

"Bless you my Lord and you my Lady." Kerstia said, taking hold of their hands. "May the gods go with you both."

As they left the bedroom, Jover and Jaheira had the misfortune to run into Madame Nin in the hallway.

"Out so soon." Madame Nin said. "Didn't my girl show you a good time?"

"She was well worth the gold." Jaheira said, as she shoved Jover towards the door that led downstairs. "In fact I can assure you that we will be returning to see her again."

**

Downstairs they found a large number of the patrons gathered where they had left Minsc and Aerie. Jover and Jaheira pushed though the crowd to find a wounded Minsc standing over an unconscious and bleeding dwarf. Aerie was already healing the injuries Minsc had received.

"What happened?" Jover asked.

"The dwarf threatened Aerie!" Minsc said, loudly. "No one threatens a witch while Minsc and Boo are alive!"

"Child, do you know this person?" Jaheira asked as she knelt to check the dwarf's condition.

"N.. No he was trying to get Minsc to help him, something about a book." Aerie said. "I.. I only said that Minsc should talk to you first, but the dwarf got angry with m.. me."

"How is he?" Jover asked, looking at the dwarf.

"Badly hurt, but he will survive." Jaheira said. "Shall I heal him?"

"I am curious about what he wanted with Minsc." Jover said, as he bent down to pick up the dwarf's battle-axe. "We'll drag him outside first, then heal him, I don't want to talk in here."

Everyone shouldered their packs and headed for the door. Minsc grabbed the dwarf by the arms and pulled him outside, placing him on some nearby stairs. After Jaheira had finished with her prayer of healing, the dwarf woke and stood up only to find himself surrounded by the companions.

"Hell and damnation!" the dwarf said, as he looked up angrily at the companions. "Ye bested me, ye bloody giant! But Korgan Bloodaxe has a long memory, I'll be dancin' on yer grave one day."

"Keep your temper reined in dwarf." Jaheira said. "Or you'll be the one needing a grave."

"Me temper will go where it pleases, tree hugger." Korgan said. "If ye want me axe put anywhere but in yer skull, ye'll keep out of me way."

"You mean this axe." Jover asked, as he held Korgan's weapon so the dwarf could see it.

"Gimme that axe groundling or I be rippin' yer head off with me bare hands." Korgan said.

"Not until you tell us what you wanted with Minsc." Jover said.

"I be offerin' the fool a chance at gold." Korgan said. "Until that pansy elf had to open her whiny mouth."

"Don't start that again dwarf, you know what it will get you." Jover said. "Minsc travels with me and we have other matters to attend to right now."

"Har! What can be more important than gold?" Korgan asked.

"What we are doing is none of your business." Jover said. "Unless you agree to go with us."

Jover could feel the eyes of his friends look at him in surprise.

"Jover a word with you please." Jaheira said, as she walked away from the dwarf.

"Of course Jaheira." Jover said, as he motioned for Minsc and Aerie follow him. "Korgan wait here."

"Har har! Ye nay even be able to lead yer group." Korgan's voice mocked as Jover left. "That tree hugger be wearin' the pants here."

"What are you thinking?" Jaheira asked. "Offering to let that mercenary accompany us, you cannot possibly trust him."

"I don't intend to trust him, but I do think he can be bought." Jover said. "I counted at least fifteen slaver guards inside the Cornet, there have to be more in the back rooms. Also, we have no idea how many are going to be at their compound, we are going to be badly outnumbered. Hiring Korgan to work for us would only be temporary, but if the rest of you are against this, I will send him away."

"Minsc you fought him how good is he?" Jaheira asked.

"The dwarf is a mighty fighter but Minsc does not like the hurtful words he uses." Minsc said. "Only if he behaves will Minsc fight beside him."

"I.. I don't know Jover." Aerie said, as she looked back at Korgan. "I don't like him, but if you think w..we should."

Jover looked at Jaheira waiting for her decision.

"Do it if you must, but I will be watching him closely." Jaheira said.

"We all will." Jover said as they walked back over to the dwarf.

"Korgan, for one day of your service as a mercenary." Jover said. "We'll pay you one hundred gold, any questions?"

"One hundred gold." Korgan repeated, shaking his head. "To travel with ye sad bunch of long-limbs. Nay, not nearly enough of the kingdom's coin to interest one so battle-proven as I"

"You haven't proven anything to us dwarf." Jover said. "Other than the fact that Minsc can kick your arse. Take the offer or walk away.. while you still can."

"Insults and threats, is it? Har Har Har!" Korgan laughed. "Maybe I can work with ye after all. If there be gold an' loot to pillage, ye cut me in fer a share, then me axe can be yours to command. That be good enough for ye groundling?"

"Gold isn't what we're after Korgan." Jover said. "But if there is any profit to be found you can have your share of it."

"Done an' done groundling." Korgan said. "Give me my bloody axe an point me at what needs killin'."

***




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