All That Glitters...40

Sort of driving in the point I made last chapter, if there was much of one. And other stuff.

 

Chapter Forty

Jaheira was the only one to wake up at the usual time in the morning. She proceeded downstairs to find only Yoshimo waiting in the taproom. The taproom was deserted, as it usually was in the morning, with only a few people coming in to get breakfast.

"You had a pleasant rest, I trust?" Yoshimo asked.

"Passable. What of you...do you not sleep?"

"Oh, most certainly I pass some hours in restful slumber. Not many, it is true, but one only sleeps as long as one needs to."

Jaheira blinked the last of the sleep out of her eyes and looked around. "Where are Kal and Viconia?"

Yoshimo shrugged. "Sleeping, I presume. Although I have noticed that neither are particularly sound sleepers."

"What time is it?" Jaheira asked, looking out a window, trying to get a glimpse of the sun.

"Early morning," Yoshimo said.

"Then I did not oversleep, and I slept at the same time they did...this is strange." Jaheira went back up to the second floor and knocked on Kal's door. No response. She knocked again.

Jaheira heard Cel's voice from inside the room. "Hey, Kal, someone at the door for you!"

The door creaked open, revealing a very sleepy-looking Kal. "Oh...hi, Jaheira. Is it...morning already?"

"You do not look as if you had enough sleep last night."

"Probably didn't. I had a...bad dream."

"One of those rivers of blood, rains of entrails kinds of things that he was having before, remember?" Cel said.

"Yes...I remember," Jaheira said slowly.

"Just worse," Kal said. "The others didn't wake me up in the middle of the night. This one did."

"Then I will let you get more rest. It is not urgent that you wake up." Kal nodded and closed the door.

Jaheira then headed to Viconia's door. One knock got her attention. "Yes?" an equally sleepy-looking Viconia said. "What is so important?"

Jaheira's eyes narrowed as she registered Viconia's state. Whatever else she may have been, Jaheira was not stupid. "Nothing. I apologize for interrupting your sleep." Viconia shrugged, closed the door and returned to her bed.

Back to Kal's room she went, opening the door quietly. Kal, as she had suspected, was sound asleep. She took two strides into the room, swept up Cel in her hand, and left, closing the door behind her. "What happened?" she demanded, looking at Cel's ruby.

"He had a bad dream," Cel said. "I'm not lying."

"What else happened? Or did he leave you behind?"

"Oh, that's what you want to know. No, he went up on to the roof to get some air."

"And?"

"And they looked at the stars." A long pause. "No, I really mean that, no strange double meanings, Jaheira. They looked at the stars." Another pause. "It was romantic."

Jaheira's eyes narrowed even more. "Romantic?"

"Yes, romantic. Are you unfamiliar with the word?"

"How romantic?"

"Romantic romantic!" Cel answered, a hint of annoyance in her voice. "Is there some numbered scale I'm supposed to know? Or do you expect me to show you?"

"Whatever happened to I'm on your side, Jaheira?" Jaheira asked accusingly.

"The same thing that happened to talk to me when you're ready, Jaheira! You didn't move so neither did I!" Cel shot back just as accusingly. "Besides, what did you think I should have done? Zapped them with a lightning bolt?"

"I...I don't know!"

"That's what you've been telling me all along, Jaheira, for everything. Anyway, I think Kal really is happy. And I'm not sure any more if I want to try and spoil that. If it comes down to you being happy, or Kal being happy, I pick Kal - I hope you understand."

Jaheira sighed. "Yes, I understand."

"All right. Now put me back in Kal's room. Both of them need another two or so hours of sleep."

---

An hour later, Keldorn arrived. Upon hearing that Kal and Viconia were still sleeping, he merely shrugged and sat down. "I can wait. If there is one thing age teaches you, it is patience, especially for times as short as an hour. Are they commonly late sleepers?"

"Not usually," Jaheira said. "But everyone sleeps late on occasion," she said, striving to keep the acid out of her voice.

"Ha! True enough. I know I sometimes take a goodly amount of time to drag myself out. Thankfully, the clatter of the Order's activity never fails to wake me up."

"You live at the High Hall?" Jaheira asked, somewhat surprised.

"Duties," Keldorn said. "I have an estate, but it is inconveniently located. To do my duties, it is easier for me to live at the High Hall."

They chatted for another half hour or so, and at the end of that Kal emerged from the stairs, fully alert, though as yet unarmoured. His armour wasn't a pleasant thing to wear, even though it was magical. Besides, he was hungry, and eating in armour was always an effort doomed to ignominious failure.

"Ah, Kal," Keldorn said. "I've been waiting. I've got something to discuss with you."

"How serious?" Kal asked.

"Not of major importance, if that is what you are asking."

"Then can we discuss it while I eat?"

Keldorn smiled. "Certainly."

Kal had a quick chat with Samuel Thunderburp, then headed back to the table where Keldorn, Yoshimo, and Jaheira were sitting.

"All right. So what did you want me to discuss?"

"Actually, it's about acquiring another travelling companion."

"I'm listening."

"There's a certain squire that we've been having trouble with."

"What kind of ‘trouble'?"

"Nothing like Wellington Zoar's. This one...well, the Prelate and I think he has a chance, though much of the Order does not. His name is Anomen Delryn." Keldorn paused to watch for a reaction, but Kal didn't seem to know the Delryn name. "He's the only son of Cor Delryn, the head of a minor merchant family."

Samuel stopped by, dropping off Kal's breakfast. Kal thanked him with a nod, and turned to Keldorn. "And why do you think he'll turn out better than Zoar?"

"He...well, perhaps it is best if I summarize his story from the beginning. About...," Keldorn squinted at the ceiling, "About a year and three months ago, Anomen presented himself at the gates of the High Hall, requesting admittance to the Order. Now, the standard procedure for noble sons - as he is nobility, merely minor nobility - is to arrive at the gates with an honour guard, or at least his immediate family, as well as with standard equipment - armour, helmet, weapon, shield - things such as these. The family is expected to furnish them, such that the Order can use its limited supplies to replace ones damaged in battle, or to donate to applicants who do not have noble backing."

Kal waved for Keldorn to go on.

"Anomen arrived with no one and virtually nothing. Additionally, he was much older - four years, at least - than the usual age at which sons applied to become squires. Now, before I can go on - what do you know of the Delryn family?"

Kal swallowed. "Nothing, actually. I'm rather new to Athkatla."

"Well, among the people of Athkatla, the Delryn family now carries a rather sordid reputation. Once, they were a profitable family: Cor ran the business well, though ruthlessly, and most merchant houses are run that way in Amn. However, soon after Moirala - Cor's wife - died, he took to drink. There was evidence that he became drunk on a regular basis beforehand, but after her death he began spending entire weeks in a stupor. Among the other merchants he lost credibility as he lost increasing amounts of money."

Jaheira sniffed. "Not entirely surprising when one's financial decisions come out of a bottle."

"And Cor grew frustrated, taking out his anger on nearly everyone. He beat everyone he could get his hands on when he was drunk and angry. At the last, he attempted to marry off his daughter, Moira, to some other family's son, but no one would touch her for fear of association with the Delryn name."

Viconia appeared at the top of the stairs and descended them gracefully but unobtrusively. She sat beside Kal, casually stealing some of his breakfast. Kal continued to listen.

Keldorn continued. "His only hope was Anomen - that his son would somehow turn around and save the family name. Of course, he had beaten Anomen, as well, so he had an...adversarial relationship with him. Nevertheless, Cor pinned all his hopes on Anomen, who had just finished weapons training in Murann."

"Weapons training?" Kal asked.

"Many merchant families prefer that their sons know how to defend themselves," Yoshimo explained. "Assassination is not uncommon, and it is infinitely preferable for their sons to be trained warriors, as opposed to pale-faced, thin fops."

"Not to say that there are few of the latter type, however," Jaheira observed.

"I think," Keldorn said, "That it was partly because he wanted to get away from his father, as well - and I don't blame the lad for that."

"Nor would I, if he's as bad as you say," Kal said.

Viconia decided that she was hungry enough to eat her own meal and not just parts of Kal's, and stood up to talk to Thalia, letting her fingers linger on Kal's hand for just a second.

Keldorn gulped uncomfortably and continued. "In...in any case, Anomen had just returned...and he told his father he wanted to join the Order."

Kal winced. "His father must have been furious."

"He was. Both drunk and furious. He threw Anomen out of his house, screaming in a tantrum half the Government District could hear. And so Anomen presented himself at the gates without a mother, with a father too angry and drunk to attend, and with nothing more than the clothes on his back, with one exception - his family shield, which Cor had evidently been too drunk to attempt to take back."

"Surely you helped him out," Kal said.

"We did. We accepted him and equipped him out of the Order's stores. But he has...not had the best of tenures as a squire. Many of the others are noble's sons, as well, and some, including Wellington Zoar, who are just like him, made Anomen's life...miserable. He was made outcast from the other squires - not a commoner, as his shield and his name make plain, but not a noble either, with no help from his family and associated with the name of Delryn. Additionally, unlike the other squires, he is neither paladin nor warrior nor priest, but a priest of Helm with warrior training. He does not fit in with anyone - a sad situation, especially for those who do not deserve it."

"It is, isn't it?" Viconia commented from behind Keldorn, whose shoulders jerked in surprise. She gave him a meaningful look and returned to her seat.

"Ah...well, this has driven him to try to become the ‘perfect knight'...in his own estimation. Unfortunately, in part, his idea of what a perfect knight is...is less than perfect. And he retains several characteristics - notably his pride - that would prove a great obstacle to his becoming a knight if they were to persist."

"And you want me to help with this."

"Yes. We want him to succeed. We hope - many would say beyond hope - that he will become a knight. He...you see, he has the desire to be a knight, the necessary devotion, and shows great potential...he only needs the proper teacher." Keldorn sighed. "Unfortunately, his pride will not let him learn from older, more experienced knights...or any knights at all, in fact."

Kal nodded. "All right. If you and the Prelate think this Anomen has a chance and that I can get through to him, I'll give it a try...though I warn you I'm far from perfect myself."

Keldorn beamed. "Excellent! We can find him at the Copper Coronet."

"The Coronet?" Jaheira asked in some surprise.

"What's so strange about the Copper Coronet?" Kal asked.

"It is a...dive. A decidedly low-class institution."

"But also a popular destination for adventuring parties," Keldorn said. "Anomen is at the point in his tenure just before his Trial, where many squires seek out adventuring parties to work with in order to gain some experience in the world."

"Where Ajantis was when I met him," Kal noted.

"Exactly. Anomen has been looking in the Coronet for several weeks, but has not found anyone to join up with - I fear his manner and presentation may have something to do with that."

"I see. Well, when we're done here, we'll go to the Coronet, and find something to do as well. If not the sewers, there's always something. I just need an opportunity to talk with him...then we'll see."

"It is all we can ask for," Keldorn said. Then he sighed. "It is a relief that someone has decided to-"

The main door of the Five Flagons exploded inward in a burst of flame. Five people entered the room, led by a woman openly displaying a silver pin. It was a familiar symbol - the sign of a harp, marked with stars.

EDIT: Typo destroyed.

Hey, awesome chapter! Time for Rianne (was that her name), is it?

Yay! Another chapter.

I really enjoy how well thought-out your story has been so far. You have a nice flow to your writing (w/ a delightfully droll undertone) which, in combination w/ your other literary skills (like your characterization and imaginative re-working of the SoA storyline) make reading this a pleasure.

I'm impressed by how you've added Keldorn into AtG: instead of leaping immediately to friendship, he and Kal are still in the getting-to-know-one-another phase...and it's fitting that Keldorn should prove instrumental to Anomen's (prospective) addition to Kal's crew.

Btw, in your conversation between Jaheira and Cel you really captured Jaheira's ambivalence...or the ambivalence she typically displays when she is Charname's romantic interest. You also *temper* Cel just right so that she comes across as someone w/ hundreds o' years of experience w/o becoming a Mary Sue annoyance.

Thank you for continuing this series.

Hey, awesome chapter! Time for Rianne (was that her name), is it?

Reviane, but yes, that is her. And she isn't happy at all about what happened to our favourite megalomaniac...

Jaheira then headed to Viconia's door. One knock got her attention. "Yes?" an equally sleepy-looking Viconia said. "What is so important?"

Jaheira's eyes narrowed as she registered Viconia's state. Whatever else she may have been, Jaheira was not stupid. "Nothing. I apologize for interrupting your sleep." Viconia shrugged, closed the door and returned to her bed.

Ergh. You know, I *really* hope that Kal does tell her the bitter truth as soon as possible. She's no schemy Airhead who deserved to be treated the way she was - Jaheira is in a pretty heavy turmoil right now. I hope that Kal and Cel care enough not to make it even harder for Jaheira.

"That's what you've been telling me all along, Jaheira, for everything. Anyway, I think Kal really is happy. And I'm not sure any more if I want to try and spoil that. If it comes down to you being happy, or Kal being happy, I pick Kal - I hope you understand."

Well, but you could make an effort at least not to make Jaheira really unhappy, right?

"Duties," Keldorn said. "I have an estate, but it is inconveniently located. To do my duties, it is easier for me to live at the High Hall."

Er. Inconvienietly located? Keldorn, it is almost next doors to the High Hall... or has he forgotten where he lives?

"Nothing like Wellington Zoar's. This one...well, the Prelate and I think he has a chance, though much of the Order does not. His name is Anomen Delryn." Keldorn paused to watch for a reaction, but Kal didn't seem to know the Delryn name. "He's the only son of Cor Delryn, the head of a minor merchant family."

Hmm. I believe I understand what Anomen's arrival means in terms of the composition of the group.

"We did. We accepted him and equipped him out of the Order's stores. But he has...not had the best of tenures as a squire. Many of the others are noble's sons, as well, and some, including Wellington Zoar, who are just like him, made Anomen's life...miserable. He was made outcast from the other squires - not a commoner, as his shield and his name make plain, but not a noble either, with no help from his family and associated with the name of Delryn. Additionally, unlike the other squires, he is neither paladin nor warrior nor priest, but a priest of Helm with warrior training. He does not fit in with anyone - a sad situation, especially for those who do not deserve it."

Heh, the gamer's luck. Ano sure is one of the most powerful NPC's, had he access to fighter HLA, I would have rated him even higher than Jaheira...

"Exactly. Anomen has been looking in the Coronet for several weeks, but has not found anyone to join up with - I fear his manner and presentation may have something to do with that."

No kidding? Could that possibly be the case?

The main door of the Five Flagons exploded inward in a burst of flame. Five people entered the room, led by a woman openly displaying a silver pin. It was a familiar symbol - the sign of a harp, marked with stars.

Ah, I see now. It is time for Jaheira to leave this group. Well, considering the circumstances, I think that would be the best for her... she isn't going to be happy in this group. I just wonder how her leave will happen. *chews on fingernails nervously*

I really enjoy how well thought-out your story has been so far. You have a nice flow to your writing (w/ a delightfully droll undertone) which, in combination w/ your other literary skills (like your characterization and imaginative re-working of the SoA storyline) make reading this a pleasure.

I aim to please

(Though, on average, it takes 6-7 revisions to actually hit what I'm aiming at.)

I'm impressed by how you've added Keldorn into AtG: instead of leaping immediately to friendship, he and Kal are still in the getting-to-know-one-another phase...and it's fitting that Keldorn should prove instrumental to Anomen's (prospective) addition to Kal's crew.

Instant friendship's never been something I've been comfortable with, both when running PnP campaigns and when writing. As for Anomen, well...I found his manner of introduction so off-putting when the main character's male, that I couldn't imagine him finding his way into the party any other way.

Btw, in your conversation between Jaheira and Cel you really captured Jaheira's ambivalence...or the ambivalence she typically displays when she is Charname's romantic interest. You also *temper* Cel just right so that she comes across as someone w/ hundreds o' years of experience w/o becoming a Mary Sue annoyance.

Thank you! I'm glad that some of the notes I write myself are actually working. I was worried about Cel's potential Sue-ishness back when I was writing chapter twenty or so (which would put it at a year or so ago). So I revised every unposted chapter a few times to make sure she didn't turn out that way. Good things that come from writing many chapters ahead.

Ergh. You know, I *really* hope that Kal does tell her the bitter truth as soon as possible. She's no schemy Airhead who deserved to be treated the way she was - Jaheira is in a pretty heavy turmoil right now. I hope that Kal and Cel care enough not to make it even harder for Jaheira.

Well, it's kind of a difficult conversation to have. Firstly, Jaheira has never said right out or indicated in any way other than not denying it that she's interested in Kal. Nor has he really given any sign of being interested back.

Out of the blue, it's not the easiest thing to say, "Look, well, I know that you were, um, trying to get me, and well, it would never work between us."

Especially when you consider that while you may know it's Viconia, and I have told you it's Viconia, the characters themselves have had a single romantic night upon a rooftop, which is hardly the end-all and be-all of anything.

Well, but you could make an effort at least not to make Jaheira really unhappy, right?

Possibly, but it's hard to point to any one thing at this point and say that it will or will not make her happy or unhappy. One major characteristic of the Jaheira path is that she's uncertain and ambivalent practically the whole way, and while that can work out...sometimes it doesn't. Cel got shouted at for trying to help and got shouted at for not helping. Sometimes you just can't win.

Er. Inconvienietly located? Keldorn, it is almost next doors to the High Hall... or has he forgotten where he lives?

Keldorn lives in the Government District, which is called in the "real" Athkatla the Scepter District...which is almost on the opposite end of the city from the Temple. (I use "real" loosely, but let's just say the Athkatla I portray contains more similarities to the one in the Lands of Intrigue PnP book than to the simplified version in the game). Even if you use the game version, what seems like a quick teleport to you is a several hour trek across the city, even going from temple to government.

Ah, I see now. It is time for Jaheira to leave this group. Well, considering the circumstances, I think that would be the best for her... she isn't going to be happy in this group. I just wonder how her leave will happen. *chews on fingernails nervously*

Well...all I can say is, wait for next chapter.

"Then I did not oversleep, and I slept at the same time they did...this is strange." Jaheira went back up to the second floor and knocked on Kal's door. No response. She knocked again.

I sense something coming up.

"You do not look as if you had enough sleep last night."

He was busy talking to vicky, but jaheira need not know that.

"Probably didn't. I had a...bad dream."

Sure he did.

Jaheira then headed to Viconia's door. One knock got her attention. "Yes?" an equally sleepy-looking Viconia said. "What is so important?"

AHA.

Jaheira's eyes narrowed as she registered Viconia's state. Whatever else she may have been, Jaheira was not stupid. "Nothing. I apologize for interrupting your sleep." Viconia shrugged, closed the door and returned to her bed.

Jaheira will demand an explanation from kal

"That's what you've been telling me all along, Jaheira, for everything. Anyway, I think Kal really is happy. And I'm not sure any more if I want to try and spoil that. If it comes down to you being happy, or Kal being happy, I pick Kal - I hope you understand."

And this after cel advised kal to awoid viconia.

"And Cor grew frustrated, taking out his anger on nearly everyone. He beat everyone he could get his hands on when he was drunk and angry. At the last, he attempted to marry off his daughter, Moira, to some other family's son, but no one would touch her for fear of association with the Delryn name."

Viconia appeared at the top of the stairs and descended them gracefully but unobtrusively. She sat beside Kal, casually stealing some of his breakfast. Kal continued to listen.

Hmmm.

Viconia decided that she was hungry enough to eat her own meal and not just parts of Kal's, and stood up to talk to Thalia, letting her fingers linger on Kal's hand for just a second.

I'm sure that jaheira notices every little hint that viconia gives, and i'm just as sure that viconia wants her to.

"Ah...well, this has driven him to try to become the ‘perfect knight'...in his own estimation. Unfortunately, in part, his idea of what a perfect knight is...is less than perfect. And he retains several characteristics - notably his pride - that would prove a great obstacle to his becoming a knight if they were to persist."

In short, he has problems with his ego.

"Exactly. Anomen has been looking in the Coronet for several weeks, but has not found anyone to join up with - I fear his manner and presentation may have something to do with that."

When his opening line is "are you a force of goddness" that is understandable.

The main door of the Five Flagons exploded inward in a burst of flame. Five people entered the room, led by a woman openly displaying a silver pin. It was a familiar symbol - the sign of a harp, marked with stars.

Damn harpers.

Jaheira will demand an explanation from kal

Oh, no, she won't. Jaheira isn't a particularly open person, and this is just another one of those things she doesn't like to talk about.

And this after cel advised kal to awoid viconia.

Cel's humble enough to admit when she's wrong (not much more humble than that, mind you.)

I'm sure that jaheira notices every little hint that viconia gives, and i'm just as sure that viconia wants her to.

Possibly, but that was aimed at Keldorn.

When his opening line is "are you a force of goddness" that is understandable.

Yep. That opening line makes me shudder.