> The group sat quietly resting in a large room. They had discovered a
> disk on the floor that provided healing, and they had gratefully made use
> of it to close their wounds. However, the healing could not remove the
> weariness from their bodies.
> Imoen was idly looking through one of the scroll cases that Jarran had
> given to her. She had to hand it to her brother, he had obtained some
> truly powerful spells. She only hoped she would live long enough to scribe
> them.
> She closed her eyes as fatigue threatened to overcome her. The brave face
> she had put up for Jarran could only last so long, and it was so hard
> forcing the memories away. The knives, the cold eyes, the pain….
> “Are you well, my lady?”
Let's see... stolen soul, stolen freedom, stolen from her friends, stolen two months from her life... NO, she ain't BLOODY WELL, Anomoron! 
> Her eyes snapped open. Who…? Oh, the knight. Well, talking to him would be
> a welcome distraction from her unpleasant thoughts. She gave him a quick
> smile. “I'm just a bit tired. I guess I'm out of practice.”
> “Perhaps we should give you some time to sleep.”
> “Oh, no, we don't need to do that.” Not sleep. The dreams came when she
> slept.
*sniff*
> Anomen leaned closer to her and said in a low voice, “Your words when you
> chastised us for being too protective showed great strength and
> determination, my lady, and I admire you for your courage. That being
> said, however, there is no shame in admitting that you need assistance.”
One notch up for possible Imoen/Anomen romance. 
> “Can you tell me about Jarran's life since I was taken? Has he been all
> right? When it took so long for him to come, I worried that… that he had
> been killed. That another Bhaalspawn like Sarevok had come after him, or
> that Irenicus' servants had gotten him, or…or….”
Oh, yeah! Imoen has a lot of catching up to do... 
> “I cannot speak for the whole time, but since I joined this party, your
> brother has fought evil bravely and well. He has saved many lives, and
> there are entire towns in Amn that owe him a debt of gratitude. Yet there
> was not a single day that he did not speak of you, my lady. You were ever
> in his thoughts. He was happy to help others, but his goal of gathering
> the strength of arms to challenge the wizards was foremost.”
> Imoen smiled at him. He's cute. A bit too serious, but cute. At least he
> doesn't look at me like I'm a snake about to strike like that ranger does.
> Ah, that reminds me….
One notch up for Imoen/Anomen, one down for Imoen/Valygar.
> “Please be tolerant, my lady. Valygar comes from a family that known much
> tragedy, and nearly all of it because of wizardry. His ancestors' research
> into necromancy has left a shadow over his family name. Even his own
> mother fell to the influence of evil magic. She became a lich, and he was
> forced to kill her and the zombie she had transformed his father into.”
> “That's awful! Gee, I guess I understand a little better now. Poor guy.
> Well, I'll just have to show him that I'm not like that.”
Okay, one more notch for Imoen/Valygar...
> “So power means nothing to you? Or exploring the depths of magic?”
> “Power to do what?”
To dye your hair without using hair-dye?
> Even Valygar had to laugh at that. “I would not dream of insulting your
> father, Imoen. Very well, I will accept that you chose your profession
> with the purest of motives. But have a care. The very power of magic
> twists a mage's soul a little each day. There's always one more spell to
> learn or cast. Before you know it you've spent your life in the library,
> having never seen the light of day, never truly lived. Believe me, I know
> this only too well.”
> Imoen made a face. “Spend my life in a library? No thanks! I spent my
> childhood trying to stay out of one.”
LOL!
> Jarran's eyes had gone dead and black, and he grew taller. His skin
> reddened and cracked, his fingers lengthened and claws burst from the
> ends. In less time than it would take to describe, he became a nightmarish
> creature with sharp teeth and protruding spikes.
Yikes! Scary!
> Bodhi staggered back, her eyes wide in shock. “What… what is this?” She
> screamed as the monster raked her with his claws. “No, no! Get away from
> me!”
LOL! And the hunter becomes the hunted...
> The warmth seemed to help as the shivering stopped. After a few minutes,
> Jarran carefully sat up. Trying to smile, he said, “Well, that was
> unpleasant.”
I'll say...
> “You. You were the best part of me.”
Awwww....
> She angrily met his gaze, and was surprised to see sympathy, not disgust.
> The ranger continued, “There is no reason for you to worry. You have
> survived the foul mage's evil treatment of you, which shows that you have
> plenty of strength. If the worst happens and you change, you will have the
> will to return to normal. I have no doubt that you could do it.”
> She wiped away her tears and managed to smile when Rose climbed into her
> lap. The pseudodragon's chirps sounded suspiciously like an agreement.
> “Gee, everyone has been so good to me. Where did Jarran find such nice
> people?”
> Valygar's dark eyes twinkled. “We have heard about you nearly every day.
> We have heard stories about your childhood, about your adventures… we felt
> as if we already knew you. It is easy to be kind… to a friend.”
> Imoen looked around to see smiles on the other's faces. “Thanks. Thank you
> for being my friend, and for being Jarran's. I think we both are going to
> need all the friends we can get.”
More awwww...
Great stuff,
---Weyoun
