Talek was staring at the walls of Candlekeep. The walls looked much higher then he remembered. Guards were walking on top of hit and looking down at him. Talek noticed he was carrying a shield and wearing chainmail.
“What the hell am I doing here again?” Talek turned away and stopped breathing for a second. Gorion was standing a few metres in front of him.
“Come, my child. We shouldn’t waste time. The Friendly Arm awaits.” The mage smiled benevolently at his foster child and started to walk towards the forest.
Talek was staring at the retreating form in shock for a few seconds. Then he ran towards him.
“Gorion, no! Stop! Don’t go! There’s an ambush waiting.” Talek started running behind the calmly walking mage. He had meant to yell, but the sound leaving his voice was too quiet to be heard. His hands reached out to grab Gorion’s shoulder and stop him, but despite the fact that he was running the distance between them wasn’t getting smaller. Gorion just kept walking straight ahead.
Talek picked up his pace. The trees were rushing by his sides while Gorion only passed one every seconds, but now it looked like Gorion was actually getting farther from him. His own voice seemed to grow softer and softer even as he felt himself grow hoarse from screaming. He didn’t know how long they had been walking like that before he saw the dead gibberling corpses on the ground and the armoured figure appeared. No words were exchanged this time. Gorion didn’t cast any spell. The powerful figure calmly, solemnly even, walked towards the mage.
“NOOOOOOOO” Talek roared. He couldn’t even hear himself anymore. He drew his sword and charged, his legs aching as he sprinted and only moved a few centimetres forwards.
The man had reached the mage and lifted his great two-handed sword. In desperation, Talek jumped forward, dropping his shield as he leapt to try to parry the killing blow. The jump seemed to work, Talek flew forward as it seemed the descent of the blade for the killing blow slowed down to a crawl. Talek brought his own sword forward.
And then his speed froze again. Talek was hovering in mid air, completely motionless, as the huge, dark piece of iron reached Gorion. Talek clearly viewed how it split first the green mantle that gave Gorion his name. Saw how the steel divided the skin, broke through the aged collarbone with a quiet but disgusting noise, and kept going. Blood flowered out of the wound. Talek could see it coming towards his face, obscuring his vision.
Then he fell heavily on the ground. The armoured man had vanished. The only trace of Gorion was the giant pool of blood on the ground he was laying in. It had started raining again. Talek didn’t seem to care or notice that it was raining blood. The forest seemed darker then before.
“Heya, it’s me Imoen.”
Talek got up to a standing position. He was covered in blood while Imoen’s pink suit looked as if it had just been washed. “Imoen... Gorion... he...”
“I know Talek... I know...” Imoen smiled sadly. “But we’ve got to go on. We can’t stay here.” she beckoned him to follow. Talek quickly started running, relieved that he caught up with her. He kept his sword in his hand as he stayed right behind her. Imoen walked into a small path, going uphill, that was flanked by thorny vines. many of them crossed the path.
“Are you sure we should take this path?” Talek asked. “Looks dangerous.” Imoen just smiled and walked over the vines.
Talek shrugged and followed, when one of the vines suddenly grabbed his foot.
“What are you doing here monster?” The old voice of the cleric appeared. He was standing next to Talek where a tree had bene only moments ago. “Still hiding your true nature?”
“You...”
“Ignore him Talek. Come on.”
Talek got his foot loose and made another step forward, but more thorny vines seemed to awaken when he passed and reached for him. As they moved the trees by the path started to change into figures.
Ulraunt looked down on Talek even though he was smaller. “Oh, you haven’t died yet? You’re hoping to cause more problems here, I assume.”
To the other side the Gatewarden gave him a stare full of cold contempt. “What do you think you’re doing here Talek? There’s no place for violent thugs here.” Behind Talek the priest continued to talk. Talek slowed down as he had to wrestle through the vines, the thorns scratching his skin even as the words stung.
“Never mind them Talek. Come on!” Imoen yelled
Winthrop appeared. “For her sake you better stay away from Imoen, boy.”
The paladin of Beregrost joined the choir. “Stand back, cur. I shall not allow any more of your misdeeds in this place.”
The Flaming Fist Khalid had killed. “I AM the law. Your crimes won’t continue here, bandit.”
A scared monk. “T... Talek. W...what...what are you doing here? Go away!”
More and more people. The vines continued to grab at Talek, until he hardly could move forward at all. Talek snarled. “Stop slowing me down... Stop keeping me away from Imoen... I’m NOT losing her too...” The hand gripped the sword tighter. “...so get out of my way or I’ll...” He got his arm free out of a vine. “...KILL YOU!”
The sword cut through a thorny vine, unleashing a stream of blood . The apearances screamed. The surviving vines suddenly moved faster, and new vines appeared. Talek screamed as he cut furiously at the vines. Imoen was trying to yell something at him but her voice was drowned out by the screams. Talek fought for every centimetre he moved closer, but the more vines he killed, the more there seemed to grow. They had stopped trying to bind him, now merely springing up between him and Imoen. Talek’s sword flashed, but he could see less and less of Imoen, until finally he was stabbing futilely at a wall of solid branches.
“Imoen! IMOEN!” Talek yelled at the wall in vain, until he saw something else. Another path, downhill, clearly open was next to where the thorny path had been. It looked extremely inviting.
“IMOEN! I’m gonna take another road. We’ll meet where they come together.”
He waited for an answer, but he couldn’t hear anything. Without another thought he ran down the other path. He seemed to grow stronger with every step, running faster and faster. Suddenly he stopped and listened. There had been an echo in his footsteps. As if someone was running in pace with him. Now that he stopped, he heard nothing. He started running again and the echo followed. He stopped and it was silent. He made a step. Another footstep followed a fraction of a moment later. Talek scowled and kept his sword ready. He turned around and saw...
Talek sat up in his bed, breathing heavily. His tunic was soaked with sweat and he was shaking.
“Dream... just a dream...” he said. After some deep breaths to calm down. Talek rose from his bed and looked at Imoen’s bed, sighing in relief. Imoen was sleeping peacefully. He looked outside and saw some activity.
“Hm... gonna be dawn soon. And it’s not like I’m gonna fall asleep again.” Talek washed up, took a new tunic, cleaned his weapons and performed some exercises. After he recovered from that he went into his room again and took out a book, two small bottles and a thin pencil. He went to a table and started drawing. As the parchment page was filled Talek started to grin broadly, as if he was reading a funny story.
“Hey Talek. You’re up early.” Khalid emerged from his room, in tunic with slightly messed up hair and an unusually calm and happy grin on his face. “What are you doing?”
Talek moved to close the book, then shrugged and continued to draw. “Just drawing a bit. Just about done”
“Can I see it?” Khalid moved closer. Talek finished a stroke and sat back. Talek looked at the book. The picture Talek was working on depicted the Helmite priest and Talek. Talek seemed to have grabbed the priest by the back of the head and one of the man’s legs and arms was wounded, causing him to mor eor less supported by the younger man. A symbol of Helm was laying on the ground. The driving action in the picture was Talek’s sword that sliced over the man’s abdomen in a killing blow. Only two inks were used, red for the blood and black for everything else. Despite the colours the picture didn’t look sombre or moody. The Talek in the picture sported a victorious, satisfied grin.. It wasn’t very detailed, and clearly unfinished
Khalid looked at the previous picture on the other page. It was clearly finished and depicted a large armoured man holding a broken two handed sword with one hand, while his other arm ended in a stump, with the hand laying a little further, while Talek was just retreating a bloody belt knife from his eye. Here Talek wasn’t grinning anymore but positively laughing with glee. The detail was much greater here. The lines were clean, with very subtle shading done. Everything in the pictures looked lifelike, except the blood, that was bright red, and much more clearly visible then actual blood.
“This... is very well drawn, Talek. Imoen told me you liked to draw but this is more then I expected.”
“Eh...” Talek shrugged, making a dismissive sound. “Just practised a lot. Back in Candlekeep there were two things that would keep me busy for hours. Drawing and swordfighting.” Talek’s face remained rather dark.
“Is something wrong Talek?”
Talek looked at the pictures. “You know. I try, Khalid. I really try to ‘do it right.’, to follow everyone’s rules, to prove myself. To be good. And I thought that despite what everyone said, I wasn’t doing that bad. But now...” He put some flowpaper on the drawing to remove the excess ink. “...now I don’t know anymore.”
Khalid took a chair and sat down next to the depressed Talek. “I know I’m the one that send you to the priest Talek and I’m sorry for that. But it’s not like good and evil are as simple as asking a priest for his opinion.”
Talek’s face didn’t change. “The Hemite’s not your fault. but it’s more then just that. Tell me Khalid. Why do you and Jaheira come and help these people?”
Khalid suddenly looked nervous. “W... w... we just l... like to help people. The v...village is in s... serious trouble.”
Talek didn’t notice the nervousness and just nodded. “Yeah. Just like Gorion. He always told me how he couldn’t just watch how people suffered. But I... I don’t feel anything like that. For all I care this village and all the bastards in it starve to death. They clearly don’t give a crap about me, and I really can’t bring myself to care about them.”
Khalid sighed. “From what I’ve heard of your life in Candlekeep, I can understand you. But things aren’t like that everywhere. Just give people a chance and I’m sure they’ll give you one. Just keep your temper in check, and that... liking for killing you have.”
Talek closed the book. “Too late for that.” Khalid’s eyes widened. “Yesterday, after I left the temple, I was... pretty pissed off. And then some guy, I think he was screwed up in the head, started talking to me. I told him to sod off but he just kept talking. I lost it and I started punching him. I guess I’m not used to iron gauntlets but... after the fifth punch or something... he was dead.” He kept staring at the book. “I killed him.”
Khalid looked as if someone had just punched him in the gut. His breathing quickened and his face paled until he got a hold of himself. “Talek...I... D...did you m...mean t... t...to kill him?”
“NO! I told you. I just wanted to shut him up and got carried away!”
Khalid seemed deep in thought for some time. Finally he spoke up, speaking the words hesitantly as if he had to pull them out. “Talek... did anyone see you do that?”
Talek answered. “Oh, Xzar did, but no one else. It was pretty far out of town.”
Khalid swallowed, looking earnestly at Talek. “Listen Talek. This is important. You must not speak to anyone about this. I’ll explain to Jaheira.”
Talek nodded.
“And something else. What happened there was... was bad. But you’re not evil. That’s something you choose to be, not something that gets printed on you. Do you want to be evil?”
“No!” Talek immediately answered. “It’s just that everyone seems to treat me like I am.”
“What the others think isn’t important. We are what we choose to be. So... be good Talek. As long as you try to be good we can help you to avoid making mistakes.”
There was a long silence. The conversation seemed to be finished. Minutes later Jaheira left her room and chased the two down to arrange breakfast. Said breakfast was a subdued affair. Talek explained Imoen what had passed last night and assured her of his good resolutions. Khalid informed Jaheira who seemed ready to talk to Talek about it, but was convinced by Khalid to remain quiet. Xzar just nibbled his bread and appeared to be sulking. Montaron entered the in halfway the meal and grabbed some food. When Jaheira announced that they’d head for the mines after breakfast. nobody contradicted her. After everyone had donned their equipment and new food supplies had been bought the party left.
Talek still seemed in a dark mood. As he walked by conversations fell silent and people stared at him or left the main street. Talek noticed and his scowl deepened. Suddenly a voice under him sounded.
“Are you adventurers?”
A little boy dressed in old but clean clothes looked up at him. Talek stopped and smiled down at him. “Yep, we’re going to the mines.”
The boy looked at them with a serious expression. “My daddy says that everyone who goes down there is going to die.”
Talek gave a confident chuckle. “Well he’s wrong. Whatever is down there is going to have its ass kicked.”
The child was quiet for a moment and seemed to consider those words. “You have long hair. Only girls have long hair!”
Talek frowned but didn’t look too insulted. “That’s not true. I’ve got long hair and do I look like a girl?”
The child nodded. “Yeah, cuz you’ve got long hair.”
Talek seemed at loss for words at that comment for a second and finally managed a weak “Yeah well... I’m not.”
“GERALD! Come here!” A voice sounded. A concerned looking woman ran towards the child and quickly scooted him of his feet. “You are in SUCH trouble!”
“But mommy...” The woman ignored the boy’s pleas, quickly darting a look backwards. Talek caught her eye as he glared at her retreating form with an expression of angering bordering on fury. Her face grew pale and she quickened her step.
“Hey, boy. We’re all waiting and the iron ain’t gonna fix itself.” Montaron sounded from behind him.
Talek got up and followed the halfling. “Bloody Amnish bitch. Did it look like I was gonna eat him or something?”
Montaron shrugged. “Can be expected if the local priest has yelled on the street that ye’re a slobbering beast from the Abyss. It’s all over town. One of the new adventurers is ‘bad news’ and for once it ain’t me or the wizard.”
“So the bloody rumour mill made me into some kind of demon already. Great, just great.” Talek’s mood was down again.
“Speakin of the rumour mill, they’ve found he corpse of the local village idiot in the fields somewhere with s crack in his skull. Ye wouldn’t know anything about that would you.”
Talek looked very uncomfortable now. “Euh... well... that is...” He seemed to be struggling between not wanting to lie to Montaron and doing what Khalid asked.
“Ye can quit fidgeting. The wizard told me. What? Ye think I’ll be pissed because ye helped some addled fool out of his misery? Just asking ye to clean up after yerself next time. If ye had bothered to toss the stiff in a ditch with some branches over him they wouldn’t have found him for a few days when we’re either dead or long gone, and they’d probably just assume one of the others threw a rock that was too big and bury him without too much fuss.”
“T... there’s not gonna be a next time... I’m not gonna do it again.”
Montaron rolled his eyes. “Whatever ye say. Just giving ye a few tips to make life easier.”
They walked further. Soon they were out of the city and a few hours later in the mines. Jaheira talked to the owner of the mines, who now and then shot suspicious looks at Talek. Talek and Imoen were looking at the blue sky.
“It’s a clear day.” Imoen said.
Talek chuckled bitterly. “Figures, just when we’re going underground.” He looked beside him at Imoen. “Our very first dungeon. You scared?”
“A little...well okay a lot... But I’m looking forward to it too a bit. All the stories... And now it’s gonna become real.”
Talek nodded. “Yeah. It’s fear, but it’s good fear. And I want to find out about who killed Gorion. You know. It seems like I’ve stopped fleeing and I’m now chasing them.”
“Just remember not to step on anymore people Talek. You know I’m always on your side, and I know you try to keep your anger in check but...” She was interrupted.
“There. It is settled. We have access to the mines. Now let us go. We have wasted enough time.” Jaheira commanded. Imoen and the others followed. Talek was still staying by the entrance for a moment, looking at the light of he sun.
“Hey boy” Montaron shouted. “The guy with the best armour walks in front!”
“I’m coming.” Turning away from the light Talek followed Montaron into the shadows.
About Blood 19
Started by
Guest_Rand Al'Tor_*
, Sep 16 2003 01:57 AM
16 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_Hunter_*
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Posted 16 September 2003 - 05:49 AM
“NO! I told you. I just wanted to shut him up and got carried away!”
That dosn't count.
Khalid swallowed, looking earnestly at Talek. “Listen Talek. This is important. You must not speak to anyone about this. I’ll explain to Jaheira.”
How?
“And something else. What happened there was... was bad. But you’re not evil. That’s something you choose to be, not something that gets printed on you. Do you want to be evil?”
“No!” Talek immediately answered. “It’s just that everyone seems to treat me like I am.”
That is quite understandable actually.
“Hey boy” Montaron shouted. “The guy with the best armour walks in front!”
And that lessens montarons chances of dying
Hunter
#4
Guest_Theodur_*
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Posted 16 September 2003 - 07:58 AM
Then he fell heavily on the ground. The armoured man had vanished. The only trace of Gorion was the giant pool of blood on the ground he was laying in. It had started raining again. Talek didn’t seem to care or notice that it was raining blood. The forest seemed darker then before.
Egh, that's what I call a really bad dream...
“Imoen! IMOEN!” Talek yelled at the wall in vain, until he saw something else. Another path, downhill, clearly open was next to where the thorny path had been. It looked extremely inviting.
Ooooohhh... especially for Talek, I bet...
He waited for an answer, but he couldn’t hear anything. Without another thought he ran down the other path. He seemed to grow stronger with every step, running faster and faster. Suddenly he stopped and listened. There had been an echo in his footsteps. As if someone was running in pace with him. Now that he stopped, he heard nothing. He started running again and the echo followed. He stopped and it was silent. He made a step. Another footstep followed a fraction of a moment later. Talek scowled and kept his sword ready. He turned around and saw...
Eeek! That was a very nasty dream... and a nice expansion on the game's version.
Having never played evil in BG1 (am playing my first evil char in BG2, currently - a maniacal gnomish berserker romancing Aerie...
), I have no idea what Bhaal-power Talek got, but he better be careful with it. “Hey Talek. You’re up early.” Khalid emerged from his room, in tunic with slightly messed up hair and an unusually calm and happy grin on his face. “What are you doing?”
I take it that Jaheira is still... recovering... 
“This... is very well drawn, Talek. Imoen told me you liked to draw but this is more then I expected.”
Perhaps, more than I wanted to see?
Talek’s face didn’t change. “The Hemite’s not your fault. but it’s more then just that. Tell me Khalid. Why do you and Jaheira come and help these people?”
Khalid suddenly looked nervous. “W... w... we just l... like to help people. The v...village is in s... serious trouble.”
Well, in their defense, one must remember that people usually join Harpers in order to help other folks - it is a very dangerous job and you don't gain any significant wealth or power by being a regular Harper. Talek closed the book. “Too late for that.” Khalid’s eyes widened. “Yesterday, after I left the temple, I was... pretty pissed off. And then some guy, I think he was screwed up in the head, started talking to me. I told him to sod off but he just kept talking. I lost it and I started punching him. I guess I’m not used to iron gauntlets but... after the fifth punch or something... he was dead.” He kept staring at the book. “I killed him.”
Khalid looked as if someone had just punched him in the gut. His breathing quickened and his face paled until he got a hold of himself. “Talek...I... D...did you m...mean t... t...to kill him?”
Poor Khalid, it looks like this job is getting a bit too tough for him...
I must say, I keep expecting Jaheira to be more active in the re-eduction of Talek... she seems to be a bit too passive, but then maybe I'm just biased and want to see more of her... who knows.
“What the others think isn’t important. We are what we choose to be. So... be good Talek. As long as you try to be good we can help you to avoid making mistakes.”
Yes, but the lack of compassion for others is clearly a trait that is more characteristic to an evil person... in my interpretation, that is.
“So the bloody rumour mill made me into some kind of demon already. Great, just great.” Talek’s mood was down again.
Oh, c'mon Talek - clear the mines and you'll be a hero again. Now what could possibly go worng there - he won't align with Mulahey, will he?
Talek chuckled bitterly. “Figures, just when we’re going underground.” He looked beside him at Imoen. “Our very first dungeon. You scared?”
“A little...well okay a lot... But I’m looking forward to it too a bit. All the stories... And now it’s gonna become real.”
Just watch out for those nasty Kobold Commando's and you're ok. Oh, and do pay attention to the traps...
“Hey boy” Montaron shouted. “The guy with the best armour walks in front!”
“I’m coming.” Turning away from the light Talek followed Montaron into the shadows.
Heh... a lot of crazy things can happen in the darkness...
#5
Guest_Rand Al'Tor_*
Guest_Rand Al'Tor_*
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Posted 16 September 2003 - 10:47 AM
[quote name="Hunter"][quote]
“NO! I told you. I just wanted to shut him up and got carried away!”
[/quote]
That dosn't count. [quote]
true, but it would have been worse if Talek had actually decided to kill Noober.
[quote] [quote]
Khalid swallowed, looking earnestly at Talek. “Listen Talek. This is important. You must not speak to anyone about this. I’ll explain to Jaheira.”
[/quote]
How? [/quote]
Hm... probably with a stutter.
[quote] [quote]
“And something else. What happened there was... was bad. But you’re not evil. That’s something you choose to be, not something that gets printed on you. Do you want to be evil?”
[/quote]
[quote]
“No!” Talek immediately answered. “It’s just that everyone seems to treat me like I am.”
[/quote]
That is quite understandable actually.[/quote]
Sure, except they've been doing it for years.
[quote] [quote]
“Hey boy” Montaron shouted. “The guy with the best armour walks in front!”
[/quote]
And that lessens montarons chances of dying
Hunter[/quote]
Of course. Montaron is looking our for number one.
“NO! I told you. I just wanted to shut him up and got carried away!”
[/quote]
That dosn't count. [quote]
true, but it would have been worse if Talek had actually decided to kill Noober.
[quote] [quote]
Khalid swallowed, looking earnestly at Talek. “Listen Talek. This is important. You must not speak to anyone about this. I’ll explain to Jaheira.”
[/quote]
How? [/quote]
Hm... probably with a stutter.
[quote] [quote]
“And something else. What happened there was... was bad. But you’re not evil. That’s something you choose to be, not something that gets printed on you. Do you want to be evil?”
[/quote]
[quote]
“No!” Talek immediately answered. “It’s just that everyone seems to treat me like I am.”
[/quote]
That is quite understandable actually.[/quote]
Sure, except they've been doing it for years.
[quote] [quote]
“Hey boy” Montaron shouted. “The guy with the best armour walks in front!”
[/quote]
And that lessens montarons chances of dying
Hunter[/quote]
Of course. Montaron is looking our for number one.
#7
Guest_Rand Al'Tor_*
Guest_Rand Al'Tor_*
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Posted 16 September 2003 - 11:09 AM
Then he fell heavily on the ground. The armoured man had vanished. The only trace of Gorion was the giant pool of blood on the ground he was laying in. It had started raining again. Talek didn’t seem to care or notice that it was raining blood. The forest seemed darker then before.
Egh, that's what I call a really bad dream...
YEah... I really looked forward to writing it.
“Imoen! IMOEN!” Talek yelled at the wall in vain, until he saw something else. Another path, downhill, clearly open was next to where the thorny path had been. It looked extremely inviting.
Ooooohhh... especially for Talek, I bet...
Yep, especially since the other path is closed.
He waited for an answer, but he couldn’t hear anything. Without another thought he ran down the other path. He seemed to grow stronger with every step, running faster and faster. Suddenly he stopped and listened. There had been an echo in his footsteps. As if someone was running in pace with him. Now that he stopped, he heard nothing. He started running again and the echo followed. He stopped and it was silent. He made a step. Another footstep followed a fraction of a moment later. Talek scowled and kept his sword ready. He turned around and saw...
Eeek! That was a very nasty dream... and a nice expansion on the game's version.
Thanks. I'm happy with the way it turned out.
Having never played evil in BG1 (am playing my first evil char in BG2, currently - a maniacal gnomish berserker romancing Aerie...
You're just doing it so you can have fun imagining Aerie being happily married with a vicious, violent little gnome aren't you?
“Hey Talek. You’re up early.” Khalid emerged from his room, in tunic with slightly messed up hair and an unusually calm and happy grin on his face. “What are you doing?”
Heh... there's an appealing thought...
“This... is very well drawn, Talek. Imoen told me you liked to draw but this is more then I expected.”
Perhaps, more than I wanted to see?
Talek’s face didn’t change. “The Hemite’s not your fault. but it’s more then just that. Tell me Khalid. Why do you and Jaheira come and help these people?”Khalid suddenly looked nervous. “W... w... we just l... like to help people. The v...village is in s... serious trouble.”
Of course. Khalid's not lying but he's not telling the truth either. And he doesn't feel good about doing that, especially to someone as naive as Talek.
Talek closed the book. “Too late for that.” Khalid’s eyes widened. “Yesterday, after I left the temple, I was... pretty pissed off. And then some guy, I think he was screwed up in the head, started talking to me. I told him to sod off but he just kept talking. I lost it and I started punching him. I guess I’m not used to iron gauntlets but... after the fifth punch or something... he was dead.” He kept staring at the book. “I killed him.”Khalid looked as if someone had just punched him in the gut. His breathing quickened and his face paled until he got a hold of himself. “Talek...I... D...did you m...mean t... t...to kill him?”
Poor Khalid, it looks like this job is getting a bit too tough for him...
Oh, he's not giving up, but was definately NOT what he had expected from his adventure. Trying to help someone curbing their homicidal tendencies.
I must say, I keep expecting Jaheira to be more active in the re-eduction of Talek... she seems to be a bit too passive, but then maybe I'm just biased and want to see more of her... who knows.
Hmm... maybe she and Khalid know that Khalid is better suited at the moment. But perhaps you're right. I'll have Jaheira have a talk with him as well.
“What the others think isn’t important. We are what we choose to be. So... be good Talek. As long as you try to be good we can help you to avoid making mistakes.”
Yes, but the lack of compassion for others is clearly a trait that is more characteristic to an evil person... in my interpretation, that is.
True, but that's now what Talek needs to hear right now.
“So the bloody rumour mill made me into some kind of demon already. Great, just great.” Talek’s mood was down again.
Oh, c'mon Talek - clear the mines and you'll be a hero again. Now what could possibly go worng there - he won't align with Mulahey, will he?
In his mind, Mulahey is connected with Gorion's murder, so... not likely.
Talek chuckled bitterly. “Figures, just when we’re going underground.” He looked beside him at Imoen. “Our very first dungeon. You scared?”“A little...well okay a lot... But I’m looking forward to it too a bit. All the stories... And now it’s gonna become real.”
Just watch out for those nasty Kobold Commando's and you're ok. Oh, and do pay attention to the traps...
Well..they've got two theieves with them so he should be fine.
“Hey boy” Montaron shouted. “The guy with the best armour walks in front!”“I’m coming.” Turning away from the light Talek followed Montaron into the shadows.
Heh... a lot of crazy things can happen in the darkness...
Ooh..they will... they will.
#8
Guest_Helseth_*
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Posted 16 September 2003 - 09:30 PM
“Heya, it’s me Imoen.”
Immy in Talek's dream too? Or does she dreaming that dream in the same time?
More and more people. The vines continued to grab at Talek, until he hardly could move forward at all. Talek snarled. “Stop slowing me down... Stop keeping me away from Imoen... I’m NOT losing her too...” The hand gripped the sword tighter. “...so get out of my way or I’ll...” He got his arm free out of a vine. “...KILL YOU!”
Probably the more he kills, the more vines there will be. This looks like some kind of test...
Talek moved to close the book, then shrugged and continued to draw. “Just drawing a bit. Just about done”
For some reason I dread to imagine that picture...
“Can I see it?” Khalid moved closer. Talek finished a stroke and sat back. Talek looked at the book. The picture Talek was working on depicted the Helmite priest and Talek. Talek seemed to have grabbed the priest by the back of the head and one of the man’s legs and arms was wounded, causing him to mor eor less supported by the younger man.
Maybe it's "to be more or less supported"?
A symbol of Helm was laying on the ground. The driving action in the picture was Talek’s sword that sliced over the man’s abdomen in a killing blow. Only two inks were used, red for the blood and black for everything else. Despite the colours the picture didn’t look sombre or moody. The Talek in the picture sported a victorious, satisfied grin.. It wasn’t very detailed, and clearly unfinished
Well, at least Talek in the picture isn't jolly
Khalid looked as if someone had just punched him in the gut. His breathing quickened and his face paled until he got a hold of himself. “Talek...I... D...did you m...mean t... t...to kill him?”
“NO! I told you. I just wanted to shut him up and got carried away!”
Monty probably wouldn't ask that question. Who cares? The only important thing is to get away with it
.“And something else. What happened there was... was bad. But you’re not evil. That’s something you choose to be, not something that gets printed on you. Do you want to be evil?”
“No!” Talek immediately answered. “It’s just that everyone seems to treat me like I am.”
Ironically, they call different things "evil", I think. And if Montaron would be here, he'd probably said that there is no such thing at all
.“What the others think isn’t important. We are what we choose to be. So... be good Talek. As long as you try to be good we can help you to avoid making mistakes.”
Well, that's right, but don't forget the Zhents
The child was quiet for a moment and seemed to consider those words. “You have long hair. Only girls have long hair!”
Talek frowned but didn’t look too insulted. “That’s not true. I’ve got long hair and do I look like a girl?”
The child nodded. “Yeah, cuz you’ve got long hair.”
LOL!
Talek seemed at loss for words at that comment for a second and finally managed a weak “Yeah well... I’m not.”
“GERALD! Come here!” A voice sounded. A concerned looking woman ran towards the child and quickly scooted him of his feet. “You are in SUCH trouble!”
“But mommy...” The woman ignored the boy’s pleas, quickly darting a look backwards. Talek caught her eye as he glared at her retreating form with an expression of angering bordering on fury. Her face grew pale and she quickened her step.
Pity Xzar didn't comment
“So the bloody rumour mill made me into some kind of demon already. Great, just great.” Talek’s mood was down again.
So what? Talek did say he doesn't care about the town.
“Speakin of the rumour mill, they’ve found he corpse of the local village idiot in the fields somewhere with s crack in his skull. Ye wouldn’t know anything about that would you.”
Xzar still sulking? That's why he was silent
“Ye can quit fidgeting. The wizard told me. What? Ye think I’ll be pissed because ye helped some addled fool out of his misery? Just asking ye to clean up after yerself next time. If ye had bothered to toss the stiff in a ditch with some branches over him they wouldn’t have found him for a few days when we’re either dead or long gone, and they’d probably just assume one of the others threw a rock that was too big and bury him without too much fuss.”
Oh, Monty was just playing.
Talek chuckled bitterly. “Figures, just when we’re going underground.” He looked beside him at Imoen. “Our very first dungeon. You scared?”
“A little...well okay a lot... But I’m looking forward to it too a bit. All the stories... And now it’s gonna become real.”
Wait till you hear miners talk about demons
“Just remember not to step on anymore people Talek. You know I’m always on your side, and I know you try to keep your anger in check but...” She was interrupted.
"Step"? She refers to something? I didn't understand it.
Good chapter. Strange, but after that dream Talek somehow better copes with things.
#9
Guest_Bjorn_*
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Posted 16 September 2003 - 10:20 PM
“Gorion, no! Stop! Don’t go! There’s an ambush waiting.” Talek started running behind the calmly walking mage. He had meant to yell, but the sound leaving his voice was too quiet to be heard. His hands reached out to grab Gorion’s shoulder and stop him, but despite the fact that he was running the distance between them wasn’t getting smaller. Gorion just kept walking straight ahead.
Not a nice dream. Talek sat up in his bed, breathing heavily. His tunic was soaked with sweat and he was shaking.
Poor guy - he's got enough problems already without having to deal with bad dreams as well.
“Can I see it?” Khalid moved closer. Talek finished a stroke and sat back. Talek looked at the book. The picture Talek was working on depicted the Helmite priest and Talek. Talek seemed to have grabbed the priest by the back of the head and one of the man’s legs and arms was wounded, causing him to more or less supported by the younger man. A symbol of Helm was laying on the ground. The driving action in the picture was Talek’s sword that sliced over the man’s abdomen in a killing blow. Only two inks were used, red for the blood and black for everything else. Despite the colours the picture didn’t look sombre or moody. The Talek in the picture sported a victorious, satisfied grin.. It wasn’t very detailed, and clearly unfinished
Hopefully drawing this might make him feel a bit better - good way to let out pent up aggression without actually hurting anyone. Although he'd better make sure none of the locals see his sketchbook.
Talek looked at the pictures. “You know. I try, Khalid. I really try to ‘do it right.’, to follow everyone’s rules, to prove myself. To be good. And I thought that despite what everyone said, I wasn’t doing that bad. But now...” He put some flowpaper on the drawing to remove the excess ink. “...now I don’t know anymore.”
All you can do is to keep trying, Talek.Khalid suddenly looked nervous. “W... w... we just l... like to help people. The v...village is in s... serious trouble.”
Think maybe Khalid would do best to tell him the truth now - Talek's bound to find out eventually, and then he won't be happy that they didn't trust him with it before.
“And something else. What happened there was... was bad. But you’re not evil. That’s something you choose to be, not something that gets printed on you. Do you want to be evil?”
“No!” Talek immediately answered. “It’s just that everyone seems to treat me like I am.”
“What the others think isn’t important. We are what we choose to be. So... be good Talek. As long as you try to be good we can help you to avoid making mistakes.”
Khalid's good at understanding other people's problems - hopefully Talek will listen to his advice and will feel a bit better for this conversation.
Talek frowned but didn’t look too insulted. “That’s not true. I’ve got long hair and do I look like a girl?”
The child nodded. “Yeah, cuz you’ve got long hair.”
LOL! Talek walked into that one
.Talek got up and followed the halfling. “Bloody Amnish bitch. Did it look like I was gonna eat him or something?”
Saving the mines might make them think a bit more kindly of him, though. And maybe after talking to Gerald Talek might change his mind about not caring if everyone in the village starved to death.Talek nodded. “Yeah. It’s fear, but it’s good fear. And I want to find out about who killed Gorion. You know. It seems like I’ve stopped fleeing and I’m now chasing them.”
Wouldn't like to be Mulahey (or whatever his name is) when Talek catches up with him.
“Hey boy” Montaron shouted. “The guy with the best armour walks in front!”
I'd borrow a helmet then if I were you, Talek - a fire arrow in the eye wouldn't be a whole lot of fun.
“I’m coming.” Turning away from the light Talek followed Montaron into the shadows.
*cue ominous music*
Nice chapter
.
#10
Guest_Rand Al'Tor_*
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Posted 17 September 2003 - 08:33 AM
“Heya, it’s me Imoen.”
Immy in Talek's dream too? Or does she dreaming that dream in the same time?
Nah, it's just a dream Immy.
More and more people. The vines continued to grab at Talek, until he hardly could move forward at all. Talek snarled. “Stop slowing me down... Stop keeping me away from Imoen... I’m NOT losing her too...” The hand gripped the sword tighter. “...so get out of my way or I’ll...” He got his arm free out of a vine. “...KILL YOU!”
Probably the more he kills, the more vines there will be. This looks like some kind of test...
A test indeed. And Talek is failing it. OR passing it. Depends on who you're asking.
Talek moved to close the book, then shrugged and continued to draw. “Just drawing a bit. Just about done”
For some reason I dread to imagine that picture...
Yep, Talek's drawing book is definately not PG-13.
“Can I see it?” Khalid moved closer. Talek finished a stroke and sat back. Talek looked at the book. The picture Talek was working on depicted the Helmite priest and Talek. Talek seemed to have grabbed the priest by the back of the head and one of the man’s legs and arms was wounded, causing him to mor eor less supported by the younger man.
Maybe it's "to be more or less supported"?
You're right. Wrath of ye gods I butchered that sentence.
A symbol of Helm was laying on the ground. The driving action in the picture was Talek’s sword that sliced over the man’s abdomen in a killing blow. Only two inks were used, red for the blood and black for everything else. Despite the colours the picture didn’t look sombre or moody. The Talek in the picture sported a victorious, satisfied grin.. It wasn’t very detailed, and clearly unfinished
Well, at least Talek in the picture isn't jolly
Khalid looked as if someone had just punched him in the gut. His breathing quickened and his face paled until he got a hold of himself. “Talek...I... D...did you m...mean t... t...to kill him?”
“NO! I told you. I just wanted to shut him up and got carried away!”
Monty probably wouldn't ask that question. Who cares? The only important thing is to get away with it
Heh, you predicted it right.
“And something else. What happened there was... was bad. But you’re not evil. That’s something you choose to be, not something that gets printed on you. Do you want to be evil?”
“No!” Talek immediately answered. “It’s just that everyone seems to treat me like I am.”
Ironically, they call different things "evil", I think. And if Montaron would be here, he'd probably said that there is no such thing at all
He'd say that 'evil' is often what he would call 'practical'
“What the others think isn’t important. We are what we choose to be. So... be good Talek. As long as you try to be good we can help you to avoid making mistakes.”
Well, that's right, but don't forget the Zhents
Heh, not a good time to bring them up.
The child was quiet for a moment and seemed to consider those words. “You have long hair. Only girls have long hair!”
Talek frowned but didn’t look too insulted. “That’s not true. I’ve got long hair and do I look like a girl?”
The child nodded. “Yeah, cuz you’ve got long hair.”
LOL!
To use inenet lingo... OWNED!
Talek seemed at loss for words at that comment for a second and finally managed a weak “Yeah well... I’m not.”
“GERALD! Come here!” A voice sounded. A concerned looking woman ran towards the child and quickly scooted him of his feet. “You are in SUCH trouble!”
“But mommy...” The woman ignored the boy’s pleas, quickly darting a look backwards. Talek caught her eye as he glared at her retreating form with an expression of angering bordering on fury. Her face grew pale and she quickened her step.
Pity Xzar didn't comment
Yeah... a pity... really.
“So the bloody rumour mill made me into some kind of demon already. Great, just great.” Talek’s mood was down again.
So what? Talek did say he doesn't care about the town.
Talek doesn't care about the people, but he does care about what they're saying of him, which is of course the opposite of what you should do.
“Speakin of the rumour mill, they’ve found he corpse of the local village idiot in the fields somewhere with s crack in his skull. Ye wouldn’t know anything about that would you.”
Xzar still sulking? That's why he was silent
You should get angry at him everyday.
“Ye can quit fidgeting. The wizard told me. What? Ye think I’ll be pissed because ye helped some addled fool out of his misery? Just asking ye to clean up after yerself next time. If ye had bothered to toss the stiff in a ditch with some branches over him they wouldn’t have found him for a few days when we’re either dead or long gone, and they’d probably just assume one of the others threw a rock that was too big and bury him without too much fuss.”
Oh, Monty was just playing.
Just checking how good Talek is at hiding stuff like that. Answer: VERY bad.
Talek chuckled bitterly. “Figures, just when we’re going underground.” He looked beside him at Imoen. “Our very first dungeon. You scared?”
“A little...well okay a lot... But I’m looking forward to it too a bit. All the stories... And now it’s gonna become real.”
Wait till you hear miners talk about demons
Heh, yeah... demons... yip yip yip.
“Just remember not to step on anymore people Talek. You know I’m always on your side, and I know you try to keep your anger in check but...” She was interrupted.
"Step"? She refers to something? I didn't understand it.
He's not runnin but pursueing, so moen says that he shouldn't 'step' on anyone (kill anyone) during his pursuit.
Good chapter. Strange, but after that dream Talek somehow better copes with things.
Thanks. Mostly because of Khalid's help. HE managed to find some of the right buttons.
#11
Guest_Rand Al'Tor_*
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Posted 17 September 2003 - 09:08 AM
“Gorion, no! Stop! Don’t go! There’s an ambush waiting.” Talek started running behind the calmly walking mage. He had meant to yell, but the sound leaving his voice was too quiet to be heard. His hands reached out to grab Gorion’s shoulder and stop him, but despite the fact that he was running the distance between them wasn’t getting smaller. Gorion just kept walking straight ahead.
Nope. Slightly inspired by the dream sequence in Max Payne as well. MAN that was scary.
Talek sat up in his bed, breathing heavily. His tunic was soaked with sweat and he was shaking.
Poor guy - he's got enough problems already without having to deal with bad dreams as well.
Yep, especially since he has plenty to lose in the dreams.
“Can I see it?” Khalid moved closer. Talek finished a stroke and sat back. Talek looked at the book. The picture Talek was working on depicted the Helmite priest and Talek. Talek seemed to have grabbed the priest by the back of the head and one of the man’s legs and arms was wounded, causing him to more or less supported by the younger man. A symbol of Helm was laying on the ground. The driving action in the picture was Talek’s sword that sliced over the man’s abdomen in a killing blow. Only two inks were used, red for the blood and black for everything else. Despite the colours the picture didn’t look sombre or moody. The Talek in the picture sported a victorious, satisfied grin.. It wasn’t very detailed, and clearly unfinished
Hopefully drawing this might make him feel a bit better - good way to let out pent up aggression without actually hurting anyone. Although he'd better make sure none of the locals see his sketchbook.
Yep. Problem is that he hardly has to show the sketchbook. The way he looks at the people that 'star' in his drawings is plenty to make people uncomfortable.
Talek looked at the pictures. “You know. I try, Khalid. I really try to ‘do it right.’, to follow everyone’s rules, to prove myself. To be good. And I thought that despite what everyone said, I wasn’t doing that bad. But now...” He put some flowpaper on the drawing to remove the excess ink. “...now I don’t know anymore.”
Yep, but Talek is getting tired.
Khalid suddenly looked nervous. “W... w... we just l... like to help people. The v...village is in s... serious trouble.”
Think maybe Khalid would do best to tell him the truth now - Talek's bound to find out eventually, and then he won't be happy that they didn't trust him with it before.
True, of course the problem with that is that Talek is bad at keeping secrets. But yes, Talek won't like it when he has to find out from someone else.
“And something else. What happened there was... was bad. But you’re not evil. That’s something you choose to be, not something that gets printed on you. Do you want to be evil?”“No!” Talek immediately answered. “It’s just that everyone seems to treat me like I am.”
“What the others think isn’t important. We are what we choose to be. So... be good Talek. As long as you try to be good we can help you to avoid making mistakes.”
Khalid's good at understanding other people's problems - hopefully Talek will listen to his advice and will feel a bit better for this conversation.
He does. Doesn't actually feel good, but at least he's no longer semi-convinced he's evil.
Talek frowned but didn’t look too insulted. “That’s not true. I’ve got long hair and do I look like a girl?”The child nodded. “Yeah, cuz you’ve got long hair.”
LOL! Talek walked into that one
Verbally beaten by a 6 year old. But Talek doens't mind that.
Talek got up and followed the halfling. “Bloody Amnish bitch. Did it look like I was gonna eat him or something?”
My memory is drawing a blank right now. Who's this 'Gerald'?
Talek nodded. “Yeah. It’s fear, but it’s good fear. And I want to find out about who killed Gorion. You know. It seems like I’ve stopped fleeing and I’m now chasing them.”
Wouldn't like to be Mulahey (or whatever his name is) when Talek catches up with him.
Heh, nope. Talek's itching to take some frustration out.
“Hey boy” Montaron shouted. “The guy with the best armour walks in front!”
I'd borrow a helmet then if I were you, Talek - a fire arrow in the eye wouldn't be a whole lot of fun.
heh, might as well try to convince water to run uphill. Talek can be extremely stubborn.
“I’m coming.” Turning away from the light Talek followed Montaron into the shadows.
*cue ominous music*
Nice chapter
Thanks, next chapter is gonna be nice and violent.
#12
Guest_Bjorn_*
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Posted 17 September 2003 - 02:19 PM
[quote]
Saving the mines might make them think a bit more kindly of him, though. And maybe after talking to Gerald Talek might change his mind about not caring if everyone in the village starved to death. [/quote]
[/quote]
[quote]
My memory is drawing a blank right now. Who's this 'Gerald'?
[/quote]
I kind of figured it was the kid's name, since his mum shouts 'Gerald! Come here'.
Saving the mines might make them think a bit more kindly of him, though. And maybe after talking to Gerald Talek might change his mind about not caring if everyone in the village starved to death. [/quote][/quote]
[quote]
My memory is drawing a blank right now. Who's this 'Gerald'?
[/quote]
I kind of figured it was the kid's name, since his mum shouts 'Gerald! Come here'.
#14
Weyoun
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Posted 18 September 2003 - 11:29 PM
And then his speed froze again. Talek was hovering in mid air, completely motionless, as the huge, dark piece of iron reached Gorion. Talek clearly viewed how it split first the green mantle that gave Gorion his name. Saw how the steel divided the skin, broke through the aged collarbone with a quiet but disgusting noise, and kept going. Blood flowered out of the wound. Talek could see it coming towards his face, obscuring his vision.
What a damn lousy thing to go through.
Ulraunt looked down on Talek even though he was smaller. “Oh, you haven’t died yet? You’re hoping to cause more problems here, I assume.”
Someone ought to kick that Ulraunt in the groin for about twenty times.
Talek moved to close the book, then shrugged and continued to draw. “Just drawing a bit. Just about done”
“Can I see it?” Khalid moved closer. Talek finished a stroke and sat back. Talek looked at the book. The picture Talek was working on depicted the Helmite priest and Talek. Talek seemed to have grabbed the priest by the back of the head and one of the man’s legs and arms was wounded, causing him to mor eor less supported by the younger man. A symbol of Helm was laying on the ground. The driving action in the picture was Talek’s sword that sliced over the man’s abdomen in a killing blow. Only two inks were used, red for the blood and black for everything else. Despite the colours the picture didn’t look sombre or moody. The Talek in the picture sported a victorious, satisfied grin.. It wasn’t very detailed, and clearly unfinished
Gothic artist in the bud?
Khalid looked as if someone had just punched him in the gut. His breathing quickened and his face paled until he got a hold of himself. “Talek...I... D...did you m...mean t... t...to kill him?”
“NO! I told you. I just wanted to shut him up and got carried away!”
Ermmm...
Khalid seemed deep in thought for some time. Finally he spoke up, speaking the words hesitantly as if he had to pull them out. “Talek... did anyone see you do that?”
Talek answered. “Oh, Xzar did, but no one else. It was pretty far out of town.”
Khalid swallowed, looking earnestly at Talek. “Listen Talek. This is important. You must not speak to anyone about this. I’ll explain to Jaheira.”
Why doesn't he throw Talek off a cliff immediately. It would safe time, since Jaheira will perhaps try to do that when she finds out.
The child was quiet for a moment and seemed to consider those words. “You have long hair. Only girls have long hair!”
Talek frowned but didn’t look too insulted. “That’s not true. I’ve got long hair and do I look like a girl?”
The child nodded. “Yeah, cuz you’ve got long hair.”
*snicker* The kid has you there, Talek.
Talek nodded. “Yeah. It’s fear, but it’s good fear. And I want to find out about who killed Gorion. You know. It seems like I’ve stopped fleeing and I’m now chasing them.”
“Just remember not to step on anymore people Talek. You know I’m always on your side, and I know you try to keep your anger in check but...” She was interrupted.
“There. It is settled. We have access to the mines. Now let us go. We have wasted enough time.” Jaheira commanded. Imoen and the others followed. Talek was still staying by the entrance for a moment, looking at the light of he sun.
“Hey boy” Montaron shouted. “The guy with the best armour walks in front!”
LOL! Arrow fodder... How nice.
“I’m coming.” Turning away from the light Talek followed Montaron into the shadows.
Great stuff,
---Weyoun
TnT Enhanced Edition: http://www.fanfictio...rds-and-Tempers
---
Sith Warrior - Master, I can sense your anger.
Darth Baras - A blind, comotose lobotomy-patient could sense my anger!
---
"The New Age? It's just the old age stuck in a microwave oven for fifteen seconds" - James Randi
---
Sith Warrior - Master, I can sense your anger.
Darth Baras - A blind, comotose lobotomy-patient could sense my anger!
---
"The New Age? It's just the old age stuck in a microwave oven for fifteen seconds" - James Randi
#15
Guest_Rand Al'Tor_*
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Posted 19 September 2003 - 08:06 AM
And then his speed froze again. Talek was hovering in mid air, completely motionless, as the huge, dark piece of iron reached Gorion. Talek clearly viewed how it split first the green mantle that gave Gorion his name. Saw how the steel divided the skin, broke through the aged collarbone with a quiet but disgusting noise, and kept going. Blood flowered out of the wound. Talek could see it coming towards his face, obscuring his vision.
What a damn lousy thing to go through.
Yeah, and it's just the first of many.
Ulraunt looked down on Talek even though he was smaller. “Oh, you haven’t died yet? You’re hoping to cause more problems here, I assume.”
Someone ought to kick that Ulraunt in the groin for about twenty times.
If there's anything left there to hurt.
Talek moved to close the book, then shrugged and continued to draw. “Just drawing a bit. Just about done”“Can I see it?” Khalid moved closer. Talek finished a stroke and sat back. Talek looked at the book. The picture Talek was working on depicted the Helmite priest and Talek. Talek seemed to have grabbed the priest by the back of the head and one of the man’s legs and arms was wounded, causing him to mor eor less supported by the younger man. A symbol of Helm was laying on the ground. The driving action in the picture was Talek’s sword that sliced over the man’s abdomen in a killing blow. Only two inks were used, red for the blood and black for everything else. Despite the colours the picture didn’t look sombre or moody. The Talek in the picture sported a victorious, satisfied grin.. It wasn’t very detailed, and clearly unfinished
Gothic artist in the bud?
Nah, Talek would never be able to use words like 'anguished pangs of my tormented soul' without someone whispering the words.
Khalid looked as if someone had just punched him in the gut. His breathing quickened and his face paled until he got a hold of himself. “Talek...I... D...did you m...mean t... t...to kill him?”“NO! I told you. I just wanted to shut him up and got carried away!”
Ermmm...
Not THAT reassuring, but it's better then murder in cold blood, right?
Khalid seemed deep in thought for some time. Finally he spoke up, speaking the words hesitantly as if he had to pull them out. “Talek... did anyone see you do that?”Talek answered. “Oh, Xzar did, but no one else. It was pretty far out of town.”
Khalid swallowed, looking earnestly at Talek. “Listen Talek. This is important. You must not speak to anyone about this. I’ll explain to Jaheira.”
Why doesn't he throw Talek off a cliff immediately. It would safe time, since Jaheira will perhaps try to do that when she finds out.
Nah, but Talek might wish she had done.
The child was quiet for a moment and seemed to consider those words. “You have long hair. Only girls have long hair!”Talek frowned but didn’t look too insulted. “That’s not true. I’ve got long hair and do I look like a girl?”
The child nodded. “Yeah, cuz you’ve got long hair.”
*snicker* The kid has you there, Talek.
*sigh* The times I've been mistaken for a girl because of my hair....
Talek nodded. “Yeah. It’s fear, but it’s good fear. And I want to find out about who killed Gorion. You know. It seems like I’ve stopped fleeing and I’m now chasing them.”“Just remember not to step on anymore people Talek. You know I’m always on your side, and I know you try to keep your anger in check but...” She was interrupted.
“There. It is settled. We have access to the mines. Now let us go. We have wasted enough time.” Jaheira commanded. Imoen and the others followed. Talek was still staying by the entrance for a moment, looking at the light of he sun.
“Hey boy” Montaron shouted. “The guy with the best armour walks in front!”
LOL! Arrow fodder... How nice.
'Arrow fodder' That was the nickname for the warrior class wasn't it?
“I’m coming.” Turning away from the light Talek followed Montaron into the shadows.
Great stuff,
---Weyoun
Thanks, and thanks for reviewing.
#16
Laufey
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Transcendant
Posted 22 September 2003 - 06:49 PM
And then his speed froze again. Talek was hovering in mid air, completely motionless, as the huge, dark piece of iron reached Gorion. Talek clearly viewed how it split first the green mantle that gave Gorion his name. Saw how the steel divided the skin, broke through the aged collarbone with a quiet but disgusting noise, and kept going. Blood flowered out of the wound. Talek could see it coming towards his face, obscuring his vision.
Then he fell heavily on the ground. The armoured man had vanished. The only trace of Gorion was the giant pool of blood on the ground he was laying in. It had started raining again. Talek didn’t seem to care or notice that it was raining blood. The forest seemed darker then before.
Wow...this nightmare was really frightening, and you did a fine job of bringing the eerie atmosphere of the game Bhaal dreams to life.
“Heya, it’s me Imoen.”
Talek got up to a standing position. He was covered in blood while Imoen’s pink suit looked as if it had just been washed. “Imoen... Gorion... he...”
“I know Talek... I know...” Imoen smiled sadly. “But we’ve got to go on. We can’t stay here.” she beckoned him to follow. Talek quickly started running, relieved that he caught up with her. He kept his sword in his hand as he stayed right behind her. Imoen walked into a small path, going uphill, that was flanked by thorny vines. many of them crossed the path.
The narrow path of virtue, I take it...
“Are you sure we should take this path?” Talek asked. “Looks dangerous.” Imoen just smiled and walked over the vines.
Talek shrugged and followed, when one of the vines suddenly grabbed his foot.
And it is repelling Talek, it is not as simple as him rejecting it.
“What are you doing here monster?” The old voice of the cleric appeared. He was standing next to Talek where a tree had bene only moments ago. “Still hiding your true nature?”
Awww...I feel so sorry for Talek.
He really wants to be good, but not only his nature, the world around him constantly works against him. The sword cut through a thorny vine, unleashing a stream of blood . The apearances screamed. The surviving vines suddenly moved faster, and new vines appeared. Talek screamed as he cut furiously at the vines. Imoen was trying to yell something at him but her voice was drowned out by the screams. Talek fought for every centimetre he moved closer, but the more vines he killed, the more there seemed to grow. They had stopped trying to bind him, now merely springing up between him and Imoen. Talek’s sword flashed, but he could see less and less of Imoen, until finally he was stabbing futilely at a wall of solid branches.
“Imoen! IMOEN!” Talek yelled at the wall in vain, until he saw something else. Another path, downhill, clearly open was next to where the thorny path had been. It looked extremely inviting.
And here is the broader, easier path of murder.
“IMOEN! I’m gonna take another road. We’ll meet where they come together.”
Ah, I love the irony in this sentence. It is literally true, they *will* meet where the paths join again, as they are both Bhaalspawn. And it also forshadows Talek's eventual separation from Imoen by Irenicus.
He waited for an answer, but he couldn’t hear anything. Without another thought he ran down the other path. He seemed to grow stronger with every step, running faster and faster. Suddenly he stopped and listened. There had been an echo in his footsteps. As if someone was running in pace with him. Now that he stopped, he heard nothing. He started running again and the echo followed. He stopped and it was silent. He made a step. Another footstep followed a fraction of a moment later. Talek scowled and kept his sword ready. He turned around and saw...
Sarevok? The Slayer?
“Can I see it?” Khalid moved closer. Talek finished a stroke and sat back. Talek looked at the book. The picture Talek was working on depicted the Helmite priest and Talek. Talek seemed to have grabbed the priest by the back of the head and one of the man’s legs and arms was wounded, causing him to mor eor less supported by the younger man. A symbol of Helm was laying on the ground. The driving action in the picture was Talek’s sword that sliced over the man’s abdomen in a killing blow. Only two inks were used, red for the blood and black for everything else. Despite the colours the picture didn’t look sombre or moody. The Talek in the picture sported a victorious, satisfied grin.. It wasn’t very detailed, and clearly unfinished
It is actually a very sensible approach of dealing with his rage, I think. Far better to destroy paper enemies than to cut down innocent bystanders.
Talek closed the book. “Too late for that.” Khalid’s eyes widened. “Yesterday, after I left the temple, I was... pretty pissed off. And then some guy, I think he was screwed up in the head, started talking to me. I told him to sod off but he just kept talking. I lost it and I started punching him. I guess I’m not used to iron gauntlets but... after the fifth punch or something... he was dead.” He kept staring at the book. “I killed him.”
Khalid looked as if someone had just punched him in the gut. His breathing quickened and his face paled until he got a hold of himself. “Talek...I... D...did you m...mean t... t...to kill him?”
Poor Khalid...trying to guide Talek isn't an easy task.
“No!” Talek immediately answered. “It’s just that everyone seems to treat me like I am.”
“What the others think isn’t important. We are what we choose to be. So... be good Talek. As long as you try to be good we can help you to avoid making mistakes.”
I hope he'll succeed...but I'm worried about him.
The child was quiet for a moment and seemed to consider those words. “You have long hair. Only girls have long hair!”
Talek frowned but didn’t look too insulted. “That’s not true. I’ve got long hair and do I look like a girl?”
The child nodded. “Yeah, cuz you’ve got long hair.”
LOL! The typical snotty little BG kid, I see.
Montaron shrugged. “Can be expected if the local priest has yelled on the street that ye’re a slobbering beast from the Abyss. It’s all over town. One of the new adventurers is ‘bad news’ and for once it ain’t me or the wizard.”
“So the bloody rumour mill made me into some kind of demon already. Great, just great.” Talek’s mood was down again.
Imagine having a worse reputation than Xzar...
“There. It is settled. We have access to the mines. Now let us go. We have wasted enough time.” Jaheira commanded. Imoen and the others followed. Talek was still staying by the entrance for a moment, looking at the light of he sun.
“Hey boy” Montaron shouted. “The guy with the best armour walks in front!”
“I’m coming.” Turning away from the light Talek followed Montaron into the shadows.
And this sentence, also, is both literally and symbolically true. Gave me little shivers down my back, actually.
Rogues do it from behind.
#17
Guest_Rand Al'Tor_*
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Posted 22 September 2003 - 09:54 PM
And then his speed froze again. Talek was hovering in mid air, completely motionless, as the huge, dark piece of iron reached Gorion. Talek clearly viewed how it split first the green mantle that gave Gorion his name. Saw how the steel divided the skin, broke through the aged collarbone with a quiet but disgusting noise, and kept going. Blood flowered out of the wound. Talek could see it coming towards his face, obscuring his vision.Then he fell heavily on the ground. The armoured man had vanished. The only trace of Gorion was the giant pool of blood on the ground he was laying in. It had started raining again. Talek didn’t seem to care or notice that it was raining blood. The forest seemed darker then before.
Wow...this nightmare was really frightening, and you did a fine job of bringing the eerie atmosphere of the game Bhaal dreams to life.
Thanks, it's one of those parts I had in mind long before I got there.
“Heya, it’s me Imoen.”Talek got up to a standing position. He was covered in blood while Imoen’s pink suit looked as if it had just been washed. “Imoen... Gorion... he...”
“I know Talek... I know...” Imoen smiled sadly. “But we’ve got to go on. We can’t stay here.” she beckoned him to follow. Talek quickly started running, relieved that he caught up with her. He kept his sword in his hand as he stayed right behind her. Imoen walked into a small path, going uphill, that was flanked by thorny vines. many of them crossed the path.
The narrow path of virtue, I take it..
Yep...
“Are you sure we should take this path?” Talek asked. “Looks dangerous.” Imoen just smiled and walked over the vines.Talek shrugged and followed, when one of the vines suddenly grabbed his foot.
And it is repelling Talek, it is not as simple as him rejecting it.
True, although he chooses it mostly becasue he wants to follow Imoen.
“What are you doing here monster?” The old voice of the cleric appeared. He was standing next to Talek where a tree had bene only moments ago. “Still hiding your true nature?”
Awww...I feel so sorry for Talek.
Yeah, when you've got a hot temper and all the sense of diplomacy of a Thayvian Red wizard, you don't have much friends in repelling the Bhaalspawn.
The sword cut through a thorny vine, unleashing a stream of blood . The apearances screamed. The surviving vines suddenly moved faster, and new vines appeared. Talek screamed as he cut furiously at the vines. Imoen was trying to yell something at him but her voice was drowned out by the screams. Talek fought for every centimetre he moved closer, but the more vines he killed, the more there seemed to grow. They had stopped trying to bind him, now merely springing up between him and Imoen. Talek’s sword flashed, but he could see less and less of Imoen, until finally he was stabbing futilely at a wall of solid branches.“Imoen! IMOEN!” Talek yelled at the wall in vain, until he saw something else. Another path, downhill, clearly open was next to where the thorny path had been. It looked extremely inviting.
And here is the broader, easier path of murder.
Yep. And it's not like Talek is used to getting invitations.
“IMOEN! I’m gonna take another road. We’ll meet where they come together.”
Ah, I love the irony in this sentence. It is literally true, they *will* meet where the paths join again, as they are both Bhaalspawn. And it also forshadows Talek's eventual separation from Imoen by Irenicus.
Yeah, though there's other things that play as well.
He waited for an answer, but he couldn’t hear anything. Without another thought he ran down the other path. He seemed to grow stronger with every step, running faster and faster. Suddenly he stopped and listened. There had been an echo in his footsteps. As if someone was running in pace with him. Now that he stopped, he heard nothing. He started running again and the echo followed. He stopped and it was silent. He made a step. Another footstep followed a fraction of a moment later. Talek scowled and kept his sword ready. He turned around and saw...
Sarevok? The Slayer?
Something scary...
“Can I see it?” Khalid moved closer. Talek finished a stroke and sat back. Talek looked at the book. The picture Talek was working on depicted the Helmite priest and Talek. Talek seemed to have grabbed the priest by the back of the head and one of the man’s legs and arms was wounded, causing him to mor eor less supported by the younger man. A symbol of Helm was laying on the ground. The driving action in the picture was Talek’s sword that sliced over the man’s abdomen in a killing blow. Only two inks were used, red for the blood and black for everything else. Despite the colours the picture didn’t look sombre or moody. The Talek in the picture sported a victorious, satisfied grin.. It wasn’t very detailed, and clearly unfinished
It is actually a very sensible approach of dealing with his rage, I think. Far better to destroy paper enemies than to cut down innocent bystanders.
Yep, but in the meantime, Talek has tasted real blood. And each thrill for Talek is a small victory for Bhaal.
Talek closed the book. “Too late for that.” Khalid’s eyes widened. “Yesterday, after I left the temple, I was... pretty pissed off. And then some guy, I think he was screwed up in the head, started talking to me. I told him to sod off but he just kept talking. I lost it and I started punching him. I guess I’m not used to iron gauntlets but... after the fifth punch or something... he was dead.” He kept staring at the book. “I killed him.”Khalid looked as if someone had just punched him in the gut. His breathing quickened and his face paled until he got a hold of himself. “Talek...I... D...did you m...mean t... t...to kill him?”
Poor Khalid...trying to guide Talek isn't an easy task.
Yep, it's hard on the consciience.
“No!” Talek immediately answered. “It’s just that everyone seems to treat me like I am.”“What the others think isn’t important. We are what we choose to be. So... be good Talek. As long as you try to be good we can help you to avoid making mistakes.”
I hope he'll succeed...but I'm worried about him.
Things don't look good eh?
The child was quiet for a moment and seemed to consider those words. “You have long hair. Only girls have long hair!”Talek frowned but didn’t look too insulted. “That’s not true. I’ve got long hair and do I look like a girl?”
The child nodded. “Yeah, cuz you’ve got long hair.”
LOL! The typical snotty little BG kid, I see.
Heh...yeah, but Bhaal has a LONG way to go before Talek would even raise his voice at a child.
Montaron shrugged. “Can be expected if the local priest has yelled on the street that ye’re a slobbering beast from the Abyss. It’s all over town. One of the new adventurers is ‘bad news’ and for once it ain’t me or the wizard.”“So the bloody rumour mill made me into some kind of demon already. Great, just great.” Talek’s mood was down again.
Imagine having a worse reputation than Xzar...
Yeah, Talek has 'Nashkel' with 'Beregrost' and 'Candlekeep' in his list with 'places that bloody hate me' So far that's three out of three places.
“There. It is settled. We have access to the mines. Now let us go. We have wasted enough time.” Jaheira commanded. Imoen and the others followed. Talek was still staying by the entrance for a moment, looking at the light of he sun.“Hey boy” Montaron shouted. “The guy with the best armour walks in front!”
“I’m coming.” Turning away from the light Talek followed Montaron into the shadows.
And this sentence, also, is both literally and symbolically true. Gave me little shivers down my back, actually.
oooh... glad I get an effect. Thanks for reading and reviewing. And I promise I'll hurry for the next chapter (been a bit ill, and school has started)
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