Thicker than Water 11

another shorter one, but as these are all closely connected, i figure there isn't any problem in just posting lots of little ones close together. and after this mess, we'll see some more of good old crazy tybalt- soon to be reunited! (i know i say that every chapter...)

“And who do we have here?” Gethras inquired calmly. “Would-be assassins?” Aerie flinched at the term but didn’t dare reply. “I’m getting quite tired of thieves raiding my house for information on Mae’Var.”

“You know something about Mae’Var?” Yoshimo asked in astonishment.

“Of course, why else would he be sending all these thugs out to kill me? It seems he has some dealings with enemies of the Shadow Thieves, though I’m sure you already know this.”

“No,” Yoshimo admitted, hoping to buy some time. “We were actually sent to discover such plans for the Shadow Thieves and bring Mae’Var to justice.”

“Justice?” Gethras laughed. “Is that what you scum call your eternal backstabbing? Well, if that’s all you wanted, I could have given you some proof to begin with.” The group relaxed visibly. The wizard laughed coldly. “But it won’t be as easy as all that! Even if you are on the mission you claim, why would I care whether Mae’Var lives or dies? Though it would be fortuitous if these damned attacks ended,” he pondered. Shaking his head, he went on. “Still, you broke into my home, destroyed my servants and have no doubt cost me much valuable time and resources. For that, no matter your original intentions, you shall have to die!” He pointed a finger at Minsc and a bolt of sickly green light shot out at the giant.

Minsc dodged it just in time as a crater appeared in the floor. “And now you’re wrecking my home even more!” the wizard snarled as he continued his assault.

Xan and Aerie raised defenses before trying to tackle the skilled wizard, but they were already tired from the skirmishes with the house’s guardians. Yoshimo was virtually useless without his sword, and Minsc was still dazed from the blow to his head. There was little hope in defeating the wizard as they were.

“Gethras!” a new voice snarled from the building’s entryway. Valygar stood in the doorway, his family blade unsheathed and screaming for blood. “I suggest you leave my companions alone.” He spoke quietly but the threat was pure steel under the soft tone.

Gethras stepped back slightly before recovering. “The Lord Corthala. I see that killing two of our number hasn’t managed to break your spirit at all.”

“Rayic Gethras was the leader of the wizards who tried to capture me,” Valygar explained to his confused companions on the floor between the speakers. “He escaped while I killed his comrades. There’s the difference between us, wizard. You’re willing to sacrifice everything to get what you want, and I’m not.” He walked forward. “And what did it cost you? Hiding in the docks now? At least I have my dignity.”

Gethras hastily pulled up a magic shield. “Ah, but I have my life. Which is more than I can say for you!” He shot missile after missile of magical energy toward the ranger before retreating back up the stairs.

Valygar managed to withstand the brunt of the onslaught, deflecting some of the magic with his katana. “Are you all right?” he asked the others. Hesitant nods answered him. “Head back to the Sea’s Bounty and I’ll meet you after I finish Gethras. It’s time we had a talk.” He clenched his jaw and rushed up the stairs.

Xan and Aerie supported the dizzy Minsc as they headed to the outside. “W-will Valygar be safe without us?” Aerie quivered.

“He seemed to do well enough on his own,” Yoshimo said wryly. It stung a bit that someone had rescued him from danger, yet he was glad of the ranger’s timely aid. “Why don’t you head back and I’ll make sure our friend makes it safely. I still have my bow.” He slipped into shadow and moved up the stairs.

“Minsc does not feel well,” the giant confided to Aerie as they wandered the docks. “It’s like he drank a whole barrel of ale, but I don’t remember any tavern.”

Aerie patted his hand gently. “Don’t worry, some rest will fix that.” A figure moved in front of her and she gasped.

A squat dwarf grinned maliciously at the trio. “Evenin’, fine peoples. A bit late for a stroll, no?” He held a wicked looking dagger in his hand. The blade gleamed with sickly poison, and Aerie’s stomach fled to her feet.

“L-leave us alone,” she whimpered, standing as tall as possible. “You are outnumbered!”

“That’s not how I see it,” the dwarf replied, snapping his fingers. Five shadows emerged from nearby, formless patches of darkness given life. Faint crying could be heard from the shades, childlike voices moaning in pain. “The children will help me,” the dwarf cackled. “You’ve gone and stolen something important to the pretty lady, and Neb promised to bring it back to her.” He gestured and the shades advanced.

Aerie stumbled back in fear, then turned to her companions. Xan watched the dwarf with disgust, seemingly oblivious to the closer danger of the shadows. Minsc stared blearily at the five figures, struggling to keep his eyes open. “Boo, why are the shadows moving?”

The elf girl knew this was her moment to prove herself to the group, show that she was worth something. Calling upon Baervan, she invoked a protective shell around them, warding them from the undead. The shadows hesitated at its border, unsure whether it was strong enough to truly deter them. At the dwarf’s angry insistence, one reached to the glowing white barrier and recoiled quickly.

“Xan, help me,” Aerie whispered, concentrating on sustaining the barrier.

The other elf said nothing, merely pointed the moonblade at the dwarf. In a moment, Neb had changed his stance from hostile to confused. “What-?” he began.

“Call off your spirits!” Xan commanded. The dwarf obliged, and the shades vanished with cries of relief. “What are you looking for? Who is this lady?”

Neb began to answer, but stopped with a look of surprise on his face. He managed to blurt out, “Red Wizard,” before toppling to the ground, an arrow imbedded in his back. Aerie had dropped the ward and now cast protective spells against arrows around them all, but she needn’t have worried. After a search of the area, they concluded the attacker had fled.

Xan kneeled by the dead dwarf, examining the body. “I’ve heard of this Neb. He’s wanted in several lands, including Amn. We could get a fair bounty from him.” He sat up. “What I don’t understand is why he attacked us. He normally lured children to his lair and killed them; rarely did he go after adults, much less seek them out. Whoever hired him must be powerful.”

“Who doesn’t want us to know their identity,” Aerie concluded. “This arrow is poisoned; the sniper could have shot at us as easily as Neb before we were prepared. Why not kill us?”

“Neb said he wanted something from us,” Xan mused. “So he needed one of us to tell him where it was, whatever it is.” He shook his head. “This is too much. I need a night’s rest before even thinking of what this all means.”

Aerie nodded. “Minsc should get some sleep, too. We can deal with this tomorrow.”

Xan eyed the girl. “I…suppose I should…ahem.” He coughed and tried again. “I want to- well, not want, exactly, but-”

“You’re welcome,” Aerie bubbled, pleased to see the elf struggle against his natural gloom. “Your enchantment saved us, though.”

“Hmm, yes,” Xan admitted. He scowled and hunched his shoulders. “I don’t know why I didn’t surrender right then.” He stormed away, but Aerie kept her smile, helping Minsc to the inn.

“Justice?” Gethras laughed. “Is that what you scum call your eternal backstabbing? Well, if that’s all you wanted, I could have given you some proof to begin with.” The group relaxed visibly. The wizard laughed coldly. “But it won’t be as easy as all that! Even if you are on the mission you claim, why would I care whether Mae’Var lives or dies? Though it would be fortuitous if these damned attacks ended,” he pondered. Shaking his head, he went on. “Still, you broke into my home, destroyed my servants and have no doubt cost me much valuable time and resources. For that, no matter your original intentions, you shall have to die!” He pointed a finger at Minsc and a bolt of sickly green light shot out at the giant.

Never trust a Cowled Wizard...

“He seemed to do well enough on his own,” Yoshimo said wryly. It stung a bit that someone had rescued him from danger, yet he was glad of the ranger’s timely aid. “Why don’t you head back and I’ll make sure our friend makes it safely. I still have my bow.” He slipped into shadow and moved up the stairs.

Yep, he doesn't like being outskilled...

“That’s not how I see it,” the dwarf replied, snapping his fingers. Five shadows emerged from nearby, formless patches of darkness given life. Faint crying could be heard from the shades, childlike voices moaning in pain. “The children will help me,” the dwarf cackled. “You’ve gone and stolen something important to the pretty lady, and Neb promised to bring it back to her.” He gestured and the shades advanced.

Ah, that bastard... though what would he want?

The elf girl knew this was her moment to prove herself to the group, show that she was worth something. Calling upon Baervan, she invoked a protective shell around them, warding them from the undead. The shadows hesitated at its border, unsure whether it was strong enough to truly deter them. At the dwarf’s angry insistence, one reached to the glowing white barrier and recoiled quickly.

Shame that her turn undead was always too low level to bother using.

Neb began to answer, but stopped with a look of surprise on his face. He managed to blurt out, “Red Wizard,” before toppling to the ground, an arrow imbedded in his back. Aerie had dropped the ward and now cast protective spells against arrows around them all, but she needn’t have worried. After a search of the area, they concluded the attacker had fled.

Ah, fair Edwina?

Xan eyed the girl. “I…suppose I should…ahem.” He coughed and tried again. “I want to- well, not want, exactly, but-”

“You’re welcome,” Aerie bubbled, pleased to see the elf struggle against his natural gloom. “Your enchantment saved us, though.”

“Hmm, yes,” Xan admitted. He scowled and hunched his shoulders. “I don’t know why I didn’t surrender right then.” He stormed away, but Aerie kept her smile, helping Minsc to the inn.

I hope Aerie doesn't change Xan into a deliriously happy and cheerful lunatic...

“Justice?” Gethras laughed. “Is that what you scum call your eternal backstabbing? Well, if that’s all you wanted, I could have given you some proof to begin with.” The group relaxed visibly. The wizard laughed coldly. “But it won’t be as easy as all that! Even if you are on the mission you claim, why would I care whether Mae’Var lives or dies? Though it would be fortuitous if these damned attacks ended,” he pondered. Shaking his head, he went on. “Still, you broke into my home, destroyed my servants and have no doubt cost me much valuable time and resources. For that, no matter your original intentions, you shall have to die!” He pointed a finger at Minsc and a bolt of sickly green light shot out at the giant.

He's quite annoyed ain't he.

“Rayic Gethras was the leader of the wizards who tried to capture me,” Valygar explained to his confused companions on the floor between the speakers. “He escaped while I killed his comrades. There’s the difference between us, wizard. You’re willing to sacrifice everything to get what you want, and I’m not.” He walked forward. “And what did it cost you? Hiding in the docks now? At least I have my dignity.”

And soon gethras will not even have that.

“He seemed to do well enough on his own,” Yoshimo said wryly. It stung a bit that someone had rescued him from danger, yet he was glad of the ranger’s timely aid. “Why don’t you head back and I’ll make sure our friend makes it safely. I still have my bow.” He slipped into shadow and moved up the stairs.

“Minsc does not feel well,” the giant confided to Aerie as they wandered the docks. “It’s like he drank a whole barrel of ale, but I don’t remember any tavern.”

Aerie patted his hand gently. “Don’t worry, some rest will fix that.” A figure moved in front of her and she gasped.

A squat dwarf grinned maliciously at the trio. “Evenin’, fine peoples. A bit late for a stroll, no?” He held a wicked looking dagger in his hand. The blade gleamed with sickly poison, and Aerie’s stomach fled to her feet.

A mugger!

“Call off your spirits!” Xan commanded. The dwarf obliged, and the shades vanished with cries of relief. “What are you looking for? Who is this lady?”

Neat trick.

Xan eyed the girl. “I…suppose I should…ahem.” He coughed and tried again. “I want to- well, not want, exactly, but-”

Go to the toilet???

“You’re welcome,” Aerie bubbled, pleased to see the elf struggle against his natural gloom. “Your enchantment saved us, though.”

“Hmm, yes,” Xan admitted. He scowled and hunched his shoulders. “I don’t know why I didn’t surrender right then.” He stormed away, but Aerie kept her smile, helping Minsc to the inn.

Hmmm

Good story

Hunter

Never trust a Cowled Wizard...

a good rule of thumb to start with...

Quote:

“He seemed to do well enough on his own,” Yoshimo said wryly. It stung a bit that someone had rescued him from danger, yet he was glad of the ranger’s timely aid. “Why don’t you head back and I’ll make sure our friend makes it safely. I still have my bow.” He slipped into shadow and moved up the stairs.


Yep, he doesn't like being outskilled...

luckily, Yoshi doesn't seem the type to stay angry long. plus, without a sword, he couldn't do any real harm to valy anyway

Quote:

“That’s not how I see it,” the dwarf replied, snapping his fingers. Five shadows emerged from nearby, formless patches of darkness given life. Faint crying could be heard from the shades, childlike voices moaning in pain. “The children will help me,” the dwarf cackled. “You’ve gone and stolen something important to the pretty lady, and Neb promised to bring it back to her.” He gestured and the shades advanced.


Ah, that bastard... though what would he want?

i was always glad in the game to be able to avenge all the children neb killed, feeling guilty for escaping with him in Baldur's Gate. so i had to put him and his lost souls in here somehow...

Quote:

The elf girl knew this was her moment to prove herself to the group, show that she was worth something. Calling upon Baervan, she invoked a protective shell around them, warding them from the undead. The shadows hesitated at its border, unsure whether it was strong enough to truly deter them. At the dwarf’s angry insistence, one reached to the glowing white barrier and recoiled quickly.


Shame that her turn undead was always too low level to bother using.

yeah, both her mage and cleric skills are a bit under par for a main caster, but she's good as backup (as seen here with xan )

Quote:

Neb began to answer, but stopped with a look of surprise on his face. He managed to blurt out, “Red Wizard,” before toppling to the ground, an arrow imbedded in his back. Aerie had dropped the ward and now cast protective spells against arrows around them all, but she needn’t have worried. After a search of the area, they concluded the attacker had fled.

Ah, fair Edwina?

mayyyybe

Quote:

“Hmm, yes,” Xan admitted. He scowled and hunched his shoulders. “I don’t know why I didn’t surrender right then.” He stormed away, but Aerie kept her smile, helping Minsc to the inn.


I hope Aerie doesn't change Xan into a deliriously happy and cheerful lunatic...

no worries, Xan won't be changing anytime soon (well, at least not his outlook, hehe )

thanks for reading, I'll have another chapter up soon!

Quote:

“Justice?” Gethras laughed. “Is that what you scum call your eternal backstabbing? Well, if that’s all you wanted, I could have given you some proof to begin with.” The group relaxed visibly. The wizard laughed coldly. “But it won’t be as easy as all that! Even if you are on the mission you claim, why would I care whether Mae’Var lives or dies? Though it would be fortuitous if these damned attacks ended,” he pondered. Shaking his head, he went on. “Still, you broke into my home, destroyed my servants and have no doubt cost me much valuable time and resources. For that, no matter your original intentions, you shall have to die!” He pointed a finger at Minsc and a bolt of sickly green light shot out at the giant.


He's quite annoyed ain't he.

wizards aren't known for their tempers, especially ones who've been exiled to the docks and face thieves.

Quote:

“Rayic Gethras was the leader of the wizards who tried to capture me,” Valygar explained to his confused companions on the floor between the speakers. “He escaped while I killed his comrades. There’s the difference between us, wizard. You’re willing to sacrifice everything to get what you want, and I’m not.” He walked forward. “And what did it cost you? Hiding in the docks now? At least I have my dignity.”


And soon gethras will not even have that.

among other things...

Quote:

A squat dwarf grinned maliciously at the trio. “Evenin’, fine peoples. A bit late for a stroll, no?” He held a wicked looking dagger in his hand. The blade gleamed with sickly poison, and Aerie’s stomach fled to her feet.


A mugger!

and not just any mugger...!

Quote:

“Call off your spirits!” Xan commanded. The dwarf obliged, and the shades vanished with cries of relief. “What are you looking for? Who is this lady?”


Neat trick.

i figure that if he's restricted from evocation spells, he can at least use his enchantments for the best.

Quote:

Xan eyed the girl. “I…suppose I should…ahem.” He coughed and tried again. “I want to- well, not want, exactly, but-”


Go to the toilet???

say thank you. he's not the best with loosing face, especially to a little elf girl from the circus

Quote:

“Hmm, yes,” Xan admitted. He scowled and hunched his shoulders. “I don’t know why I didn’t surrender right then.” He stormed away, but Aerie kept her smile, helping Minsc to the inn.


Hmmm

Good story

Hunter

aerie just wants to cheer the group up, which is good since they'll be headed for darker times before the end...

thanks for reading!

Good chapter!

Good chapter!

thank you! another will be out in a few minutes!