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Rush Of Blood To The Head, part 3.2.


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#1 Guest_Theodur_*

Posted 04 August 2003 - 03:39 PM

Rush Of Blood To The Head, part 3.2.

The rooms at Sea’s Bounty are smaller and less comfortable than those we had at Mithrest Inn, but nevertheless they are well furnished and most importantly the bed is of adequate quality as well. I am slightly annoyed that our task can only be conducted at night, but such is the order of all things natural that villains tend to show up with the arrival of the darkness. And nothing can be more villainous than vampires.

We have transported all of our stuff from Mithrest over here – so that we can be closer to the guildhall and do not have to lose time when Aran gives the green light for the operation “Rescue Imoen”. And of course, it is very close to the docks where our mission shall unfold this very night…

Viconia has come to join us in our room - her reasoning was “to instruct the witless mongrel on what spells should be memorized”… Somehow I get the feeling that Jaheira knows well enough what she is supposed to be memorizing and the reasons for Viconia’s visit are rather different. If it would not be her, I could swear she is simply looking for company – but people change over time and maybe she is no exception.

“Do you think he will keep his word?” Jaheira rises from the floor, having finished her prayers.

“Can’t be too sure. He did not seem to have a problem with the idea as such,” I muse, “if not, let’s try more open threats. He has the nature of a coward.”

“True, abbil,” Viconia joins in the discussion, “and think of the money we will save this way – you initially planned to pay them for the killing, did you not?”

“I am surprised that money is your concern, Vic,” I smirk, “when you left us at Baldur’s Gate, you had more than enough. You could have afforded anything you wish...”

I see that Jaheira raises her head and looks at me inquiringly - I have never told her that I paid Viconia to leave. I wonder if not saying the truth counts for lying…

“I bought a small cottage in Beregost. It didn’t work out, I… didn’t get along with the locals,” seeing my curios look she adds, “and do not ask me for details… I do not want to discuss it.”

“How comes she had all this money, Theodur?” Jaheira asks me directly.

While I ponder my answer, Viconia responds for me, “I threatened our jaluk that I would tell about your little secret to your husband, druid. He sealed my silence with a heavy bag full of coins, the fool.”

“Why did you not tell me about this?” Jaheira looks at me with an intense stare.

“Was that important?” I shrug my shoulders, “would you knowing this, change something?”

“Not as such… no,” Jaheira replies after a moment of contemplation, “’tis a deed done and I am not going to dwell upon it. I suppose I should be grateful to you – at least… well, I meant to say… Khalid did not get to know that I… we…”

“Who are you trying to fool, druid – us or yourself?” Viconia grins, “Your dear m’ranndii knew it all and you saw it as well. I was simply bluffing, hoping that our jaluk will do everything to prevent it coming out in the open, I could not say anything to your man that he didn’t already know.”

Jaheira’s only reply is a series of short gasps as her hand grips the bedsheet… her head slumps down on the side of the bed and she remains sitting, motionless…

“We already talked about that, did we not, Jaheira,” I try to calm her down, “I gladly accept the larger part of the guilt on my shoulders. Do not be so hard on yourself.”

“You both are starting to disgust me,” Viconia snarls, “what are you weeping about, Jaheira? You ended up with the stronger and worthier male, did you not? Where is the problem?”

“Eh, Viconia, you are not really helping here,” I tell her, “Perhaps it would be better if you would leave us alone for a while… not that we don’t like your company, but… you’re welcome to join us again, later.”

“Pah, I would not stay with you for a minute longer,” she snarls rising from the chair, “stupid rivvil with their stupid problems…”

As Viconia leaves, snapping the door behind her shut, I turn to face Jaheira who is still sitting on the floor the opposite side of the bed. As she slowly lifts her head I see that rueful, embittered expression on her face, as if asking me for words of reassurance. However, I cannot find the strength to face another one of those guilt driven discussions… they wear me out mentally.

“What do you think of her? She has been behaving a lot friendlier than I expected,” I speak, trying to divert her thoughts in other direction.

“What? Oh… Viconia? Yes, yes, I suppose so,” she replies absentmindedly and crawls into the bed and pushes herself closer to me. I reach my hand around her shoulders as we continue to lay, both deep in thoughts.

I am starting to hate this ever-present feeling of guilt. I wonder if something can be done to remove it fully, would saving Imoen be a start… it is like a tumor growing inside me and I cannot find a way, a cure to get rid of it. I mean – I should be happy, I have Jaheira and she loves me, we both love each other madly. Why am I not happy then? I wish, I had the answer… I know that seeing her suffering from the guilt adds to my own pain.

There are moments when I think I should not have done any of this. I should have been stronger - I should have fought my feelings… But what could I do, my mind understood that I should not covet other man’s wife, but my heart did not. I followed my heart and so did she – do we deserve to pay for it? Yes, but I hope this guilt will not follow us through the rest of our days.

 

I hold the piece of parchment in my hand as we leave the Five Flagons behind our backs. For the second time, our visit here has ended in bloodshed, last time it was five Harpers, this time – a couple of treacherous Shadow Thieves and an informer from Bodhi’s guild. I think we better not visit this inn again, because Samuel’s stare as we came downstairs and quickly left, was very dark and threatening. Even for a halfling.

Two chores done in the same night, first to protect Aran’s little shipments in the docks, then to drag out the information from the traitors who were about to join the other guild. I wonder what else Aran has on his mind, I am not sure that I can keep my temper under control for much longer.

“He is going to send us against her, you know that abbil,” Viconia speaks as we continue our walk back to the guildhall

“That’s what I’m afraid, Viconia,” I reply, “all signs point to this…”

“We should make absolutely sure that he delivers on all counts, if he is going to ask us that,” Jaheira adds, “and I think it is time to start the intimidation tactics against our dear Aran.”

“I like the sound of that, Jaheira,” Viconia laughs and then turns to me, “Ah, abbil, she’s not so insufferable when angry…”

“I am not trying to please you, Viconia,” Jaheira snorts, “it simply is a necessity – unless we want to stay in Athkatla for good, doing his little tasks. Would you enjoy pressing his pantaloons, Drow?”

Viconia only laughs and the rest of the trip back is spent in silence, but not a comforting one. The possibilities of having to face a powerful vampire in her lair are not tempting and these thoughts accompany us all the way back to the guildhall, where a very pale looking Aran Linvail is awaiting us, looking very impatient.

“What have you found out?” he asks without wasting time on formalities.

“The traitors and the contact person are soaking the floor of Five Flagons with their blood as we speak,” I reply handing over the parchment to Aran, “you will find this interesting.”

Aran studies the parchment and then crumples it and turns into the fireplace when it quickly disperses into ashes.

“This information is not new to me. The price we paid to learn it was rather large, I am afraid,” he speaks, “Bodhi and her servants attacked us earlier this night… the number of casualties was… high. One of our spies managed to track her back to the Graveyard district and to the exact point where her hideout is located. A set of blue doors north of a huge spider den – the doors are too heavy for any mortal to open, the vampires likely can pass with ease.”

“That is exciting, Aran,” I add sarcastically, “and of course, now you are going to ask us to go and eliminate Bodhi and her vampires. Well, there are some problems, Aran…”

“I am afraid, it is the only way – Bodhi is the obstacle on your way to Imoen,” Aran speaks, “I have to admit, she has left my forces shattered and I have no way to aid you directly in this mission. I will send a mage to open the doors for you and also you should take these…” He steps to the side and I see some wooden stakes on the table behind him.

“As I said, Aran – you have your problems, we have our own,” I reply menacingly, “first – we are not going to crawl around dungeons without a thief to back us up. And since we still do not have Nalia back with us, you will have to give us one of your people. How about that little elven lass we saved at the docks – Mook was her name, was it not?”

“Very well…” Aran replies, “I will command her to join you for this task – she will be waiting for you at the graveyard together with Haz, our mage.”

“That will help somewhat, but that is not all,” I continue, “how about my little request – I understand your problems, but that does not mean that I will let you back out of the deal. The man must die soon.”

“Yes, yes, we are working on it,” Aran exclaims quickly, “he will be in the city tomorrow, inspecting his troops, we will strike then… Goshan and his boys will be ready to pounce on him at the first appropriate moment. Anything else?”

“Just one small thing,” Jaheira steps forward, her hand placed on the hilt of the scimitar, “I sincerely hope that this is the last of the errands we have to run for you, thief. If you plan to delay us for even longer than you have already done, then you should reconsider.”

“Indeed, listen to what the mongrel says,” Viconia speaks, playing with her mace, “besides, I do not like it when I see that someone is trying to deceive me. Such person is either stupid or arrogant, because nobody can deceive Viconia – and you should not even think about it, jaluk. An angry drow is too much for you to handle.” Saying this she pushes Aran on the chest and he slumps back into the armchair, all the self-confidence seemingly disappeared from his face.

“I… I assure you ladies, there… will be no further demands from you…” he speaks wearily, “as soon as you return having cleared the vampire nest, there will be nothing that stands in the way between you and Imoen.”

“Good. Make sure that your people are in the graveyard in time. The night is almost passed and we need some rest – we shall head for the graveyard in the evening,” I speak and we turn to leave the distraught Aran sitting in the chair. Last thing I see before leaving is Aran, trying to pour some wine into his glass, but his hands are shaking so badly that most of the wine ends up spilled on the table.




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