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Tide of Destiny - 135


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#1 Guest_Slide_*

Posted 22 October 2003 - 04:37 PM

Alright, alright! So some of you were happy because Haer'Dalis was supposedly gone two chapters ago but he popped up last time, and he's lingering here... well... live with it! He's ACTUALLY gone after this one. ;)

For now........ :wink:


-------------------

Chapter 135: On an Eve

Harrian pushed open the door to the butler’s room, having been roused from his eating of Anomen’s meal by the general hubbub going on. The door had opened and closed a few times, footsteps had been heard on the stairs, and then he’d noted the unmistakeable sounds of somebody packing. It looked as if the events which had been rising lately had finally come to their conclusion.

Haer’Dalis glanced up as he shoved a few gaudily-coloured shirts into his small pack, and gave the party leader a smile Harrian knew had been pasted on. “My raven! I had not expected you to be wandering the corridors at this late hour. Can I help you?” He turned his back on Harrian and moved to gather up some stacked piles of parchment – presumably scripts.

Harrian blinked, folding his arms across his chest and leaning casually against the door-frame. “What, exactly, are you doing?” he asked slowly, frowning a little.

“Departing.” Haer’Dalis straightened up, and hefted the pack onto his back. “Something I should have done a long time ago, my raven, and yet I only saw so now. My presence is no longer welcome, and there are other stages that this sparrow needs to view and act upon. My time here is done.”

Harrian scratched the back of his neck, suddenly aware that he needed a haircut after the time in the Underdark. “You’ve argued with Anomen, haven’t you,” he said, sighing, though he wasn’t entirely sure how the brusque Anomen could have won a battle of tongues with the quick-witted bard.

“No. Not at all.” Haer’Dalis smiled thinly, and shook his head. “I have spoken to Imoen… I see that Aerie is leaving… and I see that I no longer have a place with you, no longer have a part to play. There is nothing worse than a character who does not know when the curtain drops for him. My curtain has dropped.”

Harrian nodded. “Are you sure?” he said, straightening up. “You’ve been a valuable member of this party.” To his slight surprise, Harrian was actually finding that he was loath to bid the bard farewell. They had travelled together for the last two months – fought at each others’ side, drank and laughed with each other, and in this sombre business the tiefling had been one of the few specks of light-heartedness. Despite his infuriating nature, Harrian wasn’t entirely sure the party could function without him.

Haer’Dalis nodded slowly. “I am sure. There are places I need to go, people I need to see.” He started for the door, and Harrian let him past. “Though I shall regret not having the opportunity to record your greatness for posterity, my raven. It shall make a grand ballad, once the Tale of the Bhaalspawn is complete.”

Harrian smiled thinly. “You’re only the second bard I’ve ever travelled with. I think you’ll have inside knowledge that will make your retelling one of the more accurate.” He leaned forward to rest a hand on the tiefling’s shoulder. “But if it ever gets to the stage where I’m seven feet tall and can kill Irenicus with one cold glare as I wave my overly-large broadsword around, then we’re back to being hurled off buildings.” The thin, forced smile gave way for a cheery smirk.

Haer’Dalis gave a brief, light chuckle. “Fear not, my raven! Yours is a tale which does not need embellishing. I have no doubt that… you can be a hero without the prattling of we bards.”

“Once, I would have liked that. I set out from Candlekeep wanting to be a hero. Now I’m just here to…” Harrian’s voice trailed off, and he shrugged. “I don’t know. Survive. It’s all I’ve been doing for the last year. Heroes have to have some grand cause.”

“Heroes,” Haer’Dalis declared haughtily, “have to do something heroic. Stopping a war was fairly heroic, no? And much easier for bards to write.” He nodded slowly, more solemnly than Harrian had ever seen him do so, then smiled a surprisingly genuine smile. “I take my leave of you, Harrian Corias. I have no doubt that our paths shall meet again, but currently I have to go over the hills far away and see what I can see.”

And with that, he turned on his heel and started down the corridor. As Harrian stood still for a few moments, he heard Haer’Dalis walk down the stairs, approach the front door, and slam it shut behind him. He was… actually gone. It seemed hard to believe.

We may be actually gone tomorrow, if we don’t get some rest, Harrian told himself, frowning a little and heading further along the corridor. He stopped at Imoen’s door, and knocked lightly. There was no answer.

He’d last seen Anomen heading up to deliver her meal, so she was probably asleep. But then again, if she wasn’t… it wouldn’t hurt to check up on her. Tomorrow would be hardest for her more than anyone.

With all the subtlety his profession required, Harrian eased the creaky door open and poked his head through the gap. Then he smiled and stepped in discreetly to extinguish the single candle dimly lighting the room before walking out and closing the door behind him. Anomen and Imoen lay sprawled on top of the bed, curled up together, fast asleep and unaware of his presence.

It was just as well that they were both fully clothed, as Harrian really didn’t want to have to hit Anomen before a battle.

Aerie was apparently already asleep, so he lightly stepped down the stairs, hearing voices from the sitting room – quiet ones, hardly audible over the crashing of the rain upon the windows and the roof.
“Where to now, Boo?”

Reynald and Boo were, apparently, teaching Minsc how to play chess, Harrian discovered as he poked his head in. From the look of intense concentration on the Rashemani warrior’s face and the slight expression of horror on the Fallen Paladin’s, it seemed as if they were quite successful.

“Reynald, Minsc.” Their heads whipped around to look at Harrian as he stood in the doorway. “Make sure you get some sleep tonight. I know it’s quite early, but we have to be up just before dawn. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.”

Anyone else in the party would have probably cracked a joke at him playing a maternal role, but it would not have occurred to Minsc and Reynald was the newcomer, not feeling in a place to mock the party leader. They merely nodded.

“Once Minsc here has finished destroying the armies of darkness,” Reynald said dryly, gesturing hopelessly as a white castle took a black knight. “And you should, too. It is never wise for a party leader to be weary before leading his men into battle.”

“Don’t worry about me,” Harrian replied, intentionally evasively, before moving through the sitting room for the door at the far end. It led to the cellars – also known as their armoury and workshop – which was where he assumed he would find the final member of the group.

Indeed, Jaheira was perched on a bench down there, polishing Belm with a rag until it gleamed. Harrian made sure his step was light as he descended the stairs, and paused at the foot of them, merely watching her for a few moments. Her movements were florid, confident and efficient – as they were in all things – and even when apparently alone, her expression was stiff and emotionless. He knew Jaheira would not be one to allow inner thoughts to rule at a time like this.

“I think it’s only sunlight that kills them, not light reflected off a shining blade,” Harrian commented quietly, smiling slightly as he stepped towards her softly.

If she was surprised, she didn’t show any signs of it; merely set Belm down and turned to look at him. “A blade in poor condition is a tool unfit for any job,” she told him mock-sternly, a smile tugging at her lips. Harrian remembered getting that lecture from Khalid when they had first started out on the road and his guardians had taken it upon themselves to turn a cocky, irritating boy into someone who might actually stay alive out in the big wide world.

“Yes, but you’d think we were going on parade,” Harrian said, moving to sit next to her and gesturing to her gleaming set of chainmail that hung off the wall.

“Preparing equipment before battle… helps me focus my mind,” Jaheira said at last, giving him a slow, thoughtful look. “As ensuring everyone’s wellbeing seems to help focus you.” She reached out to grip his hand firmly.

“It’s easier to worry about everyone else rather than yourself. I know I can stay alive,” Harrian told her.

“And you can’t trust these other, seasoned warriors?” she asked.
He sighed. “This is the biggest battle we’ve been into since Sarevok. And there’s an even bigger one on the horizon if… when we find Irenicus. The party’s been lucky so far. I just… don’t want to lose anyone. Anyone.” He gave her a meaningful look for a moment, then shifted his glance away. “Haer’Dalis is gone.”

“So now there really is nobody in the party you’d like to see die,” Jaheira noted dryly, the smile appearing this time. She stood up and turned to face him, resting her hands on his shoulders. “You cannot guarantee that everyone shall live. Nobody can. All we have to do is believe that we will. If everyone makes sure that they survive, then we will all emerge alive.”

She paused to trace a finger along his jaw, stroking his goatee lightly when she reached it. He automatically tensed, used to Imoen teasing him and then tugging painfully at it, but there was no threat in Jaheira’s touch.
“So make sure that you’re worrying about yourself and not just everyone else,” she continued, her grey eyes sincerely locking with his dark ones. “You’re not cut out for open combat. Do what you do best, and let Anomen and the others – with our horde of paladins, of course – take the brunt of the battle.”

“I always do. I’ll be slashing away with the Equaliser and the Daystar at the back.” Harrian’s expression hardened a little. “But Bodhi shall fall. I shall see to it.”

“We will all see to it.” Jaheira regarded him for a few moments. “You’ve been telling everyone that they need to sleep tonight, haven’t you.”

“Yes…”

“Do you intend to follow your own advice?” Her eyes were calm, serious.

Harrian shifted. “Probably. You know I don’t always sleep well…”

Her hands moved to grasp his, and she pulled him to his feet. “You will sleep. I’ll see to it,” Jaheira told him solemnly. “It’s the only way I can be sure that you won’t be falling unconscious tomorrow and miss a vampire’s claws.”

Harrian smiled and shrugged in his practiced nonchalant way which he’d forgotten didn’t fool her. “I know how to stay alive.”

Jaheira pause, then shifted to look at him. “So just sleep to put my mind at ease.”

#2 Guest_Theodur_*

Posted 22 October 2003 - 05:48 PM

Alright, alright! So some of you were happy because Haer'Dalis was supposedly gone two chapters ago but he popped up last time, and he's lingering here... well... live with it! He's ACTUALLY gone after this one. :)


For now........ :wink:


Heh. Actually, now that Immy has told him that she doesn't care for him, I would not mind him staying. It's not so much about his presence as such, but what he was doing - that was really annoying me. :)

“Departing.” Haer’Dalis straightened up, and hefted the pack onto his back. “Something I should have done a long time ago, my raven, and yet I only saw so now. My presence is no longer welcome, and there are other stages that this sparrow needs to view and act upon. My time here is done.”


And I doubt they shall miss you in the battle, Haer. Though, leaving on the eve of such important battle doesn't really look that well.

Harrian scratched the back of his neck, suddenly aware that he needed a haircut after the time in the Underdark. “You’ve argued with Anomen, haven’t you,” he said, sighing, though he wasn’t entirely sure how the brusque Anomen could have won a battle of tongues with the quick-witted bard.


Gauntleted fist in Haer's face, first? :D :)

Harrian nodded. “Are you sure?” he said, straightening up. “You’ve been a valuable member of this party.” To his slight surprise, Harrian was actually finding that he was loath to bid the bard farewell. They had travelled together for the last two months – fought at each others’ side, drank and laughed with each other, and in this sombre business the tiefling had been one of the few specks of light-heartedness. Despite his infuriating nature, Harrian wasn’t entirely sure the party could function without him.


Ugh... you'll be surprised how well the party can function without him. :D Though, it must be awkward to part after such long time together, yes.

And with that, he turned on his heel and started down the corridor. As Harrian stood still for a few moments, he heard Haer’Dalis walk down the stairs, approach the front door, and slam it shut behind him. He was… actually gone. It seemed hard to believe.


Yeah... it feels so good that it's hard to believe... ;) :)

With all the subtlety his profession required, Harrian eased the creaky door open and poked his head through the gap. Then he smiled and stepped in discreetly to extinguish the single candle dimly lighting the room before walking out and closing the door behind him. Anomen and Imoen lay sprawled on top of the bed, curled up together, fast asleep and unaware of his presence.


It was just as well that they were both fully clothed, as Harrian really didn’t want to have to hit Anomen before a battle.


Yeeesh, what's his problem? A streak of over-protectiveness?

Reynald and Boo were, apparently, teaching Minsc how to play chess, Harrian discovered as he poked his head in. From the look of intense concentration on the Rashemani warrior’s face and the slight expression of horror on the Fallen Paladin’s, it seemed as if they were quite successful.


Theo: Ah, chess. A fine way to distract yourself from whatever worries on your mind. Gods bless Tethtoril for teaching the basics to me and fortune for sending me a decent opponent in shape of that Odesseiron fellow. :)

Indeed, Jaheira was perched on a bench down there, polishing Belm with a rag until it gleamed. Harrian made sure his step was light as he descended the stairs, and paused at the foot of them, merely watching her for a few moments. Her movements were florid, confident and efficient – as they were in all things – and even when apparently alone, her expression was stiff and emotionless. He knew Jaheira would not be one to allow inner thoughts to rule at a time like this.


I dunno, my Jaheira likes to hum to herself when she thinks that she's alone. :)

“Preparing equipment before battle… helps me focus my mind,” Jaheira said at last, giving him a slow, thoughtful look. “As ensuring everyone’s wellbeing seems to help focus you.” She reached out to grip his hand firmly.


Ah, she is not made of steel and worries just like everyone else... though, how she maintain such composure, is something of a wonder.

He sighed. “This is the biggest battle we’ve been into since Sarevok. And there’s an even bigger one on the horizon if… when we find Irenicus. The party’s been lucky so far. I just… don’t want to lose anyone. Anyone.” He gave her a meaningful look for a moment, then shifted his glance away. “Haer’Dalis is gone.”


Well... either you want it or no, someone is going to die... :) luckily not permanently.

Her hands moved to grasp his, and she pulled him to his feet. “You will sleep. I’ll see to it,” Jaheira told him solemnly. “It’s the only way I can be sure that you won’t be falling unconscious tomorrow and miss a vampire’s claws.”


Just tire him out first, Jae, and he'll be sleeping like dead... :)

Jaheira pause, then shifted to look at him. “So just sleep to put my mind at ease.”


Let's just hope that Harrian can decipher those books quickly enough and gets his arse to the Amaunator's temple quickly. They did clear it out before... I hope? :) :)

#3 Guest_Slide_*

Posted 22 October 2003 - 06:52 PM

Heh. Actually, now that Immy has told him that she doesn't care for him, I would not mind him staying. It's not so much about his presence as such, but what he was doing - that was really annoying me. :)


'twas the plan. :) But no, it's time for him to leave. But for how long... who knows...

And I doubt they shall miss you in the battle, Haer. Though, leaving on the eve of such important battle doesn't really look that well.


Yes, Haer'Dalis had his uses, but battling wasn't so much one of them. There's a mild contrast here - Haer'Dalis scarpers before the fight, Aerie stays for the battle even though she has every intention of then leaving and hasn't even been with the party for as long. (of course, my Aerie is a good one. Not that I've ever pretended mine is anything but a very loose interpretation of the roots of the character - cannot STAND the Bioware version;))

Gauntleted fist in Haer's face, first? :P :)


Is possible. But I'm sure Haer's used to them, so I doubt it'd get him to leave. :)

Ugh... you'll be surprised how well the party can function without him. :( Though, it must be awkward to part after such long time together, yes.


And with Imoen being quite sulky, Haer'Dalis WAS the source of fun in the group.

Yeah... it feels so good that it's hard to believe... :wink: :)


Nah. :) Harrian didn't actually mind him too much - disliked what he was doing with Imoen, Aerie and Anomen, but he didn't take all the ballad-writing stuff too seriously. If Haer'Dalis had stuck around and hadn't continued with his shenanigans, it WOULD have probably been alright.

But I never enjoyed it anywhere near as much as I did when writing Haer'Dalis the Scoundrel. :D

Yeeesh, what's his problem? A streak of over-protectiveness?


Possibly. He wouldn't REALLY hit Anomen, but might pull a bit of Big Brother on him...

Besides, Anomen could hit back, harder.

Theo: Ah, chess. A fine way to distract yourself from whatever worries on your mind. Gods bless Tethtoril for teaching the basics to me and fortune for sending me a decent opponent in shape of that Odesseiron fellow. :D


Reynald: Aye, but you never tested your skills against Minsc, did you... or, I correct myself, his hamster...

I dunno, my Jaheira likes to hum to herself when she thinks that she's alone. :)


Harrian's mildly wrong. Jaheira CAN loosen up when alone, obviously, or she'd have probably had a breakdown by now. But right then, tension's a bit too much.

Ah, she is not made of steel and worries just like everyone else... though, how she maintain such composure, is something of a wonder.


The fears are ticking around in her head, clearly. Jaheira's just a lot more closed off, emotionally, than she once was - Harrian's helping her, but first he has to undo all of his bloody damage...

Well... either you want it or no, someone is going to die... :D luckily not permanently.


I don't know, I could be really evil... ;)

Just tire him out first, Jae, and he'll be sleeping like dead... :)


LOL! Harrian and Jaheira are not a sex-crazed as Theo and Jaheira...

...Probably only because Jaheira wants a full night's sleep before a battle. :D

Let's just hope that Harrian can decipher those books quickly enough and gets his arse to the Amaunator's temple quickly. They did clear it out before... I hope? :) :)


Yes, it was one of their quests they completed when sitting around waiting for Edwin to get the portal to the Underdark. I had considered them running into Mazzy and her (intact and successful) adventuring party having returned from the Umar Hills and her enlightening them, but then realised I'd already written Harrian wearing the Shadow Dragon scale.

Stupid thieves...



Cheers!

#4 Guest_Bjorn_*

Posted 22 October 2003 - 09:17 PM

Alright, alright! So some of you were happy because Haer'Dalis was supposedly gone two chapters ago but he popped up last time, and he's lingering here... well... live with it! He's ACTUALLY gone after this one. :)


Goodbye and good riddance :) .

For now........ :wink:


Bah! But at least Immy's seen through him now - that's the main thing.

Harrian nodded. “Are you sure?” he said, straightening up. “You’ve been a valuable member of this party.” To his slight surprise, Harrian was actually finding that he was loath to bid the bard farewell. They had travelled together for the last two months – fought at each others’ side, drank and laughed with each other, and in this sombre business the tiefling had been one of the few specks of light-heartedness. Despite his infuriating nature, Harrian wasn’t entirely sure the party could function without him.


Oh, I'm sure it can.

“Once, I would have liked that. I set out from Candlekeep wanting to be a hero. Now I’m just here to…” Harrian’s voice trailed off, and he shrugged. “I don’t know. Survive. It’s all I’ve been doing for the last year. Heroes have to have some grand cause.”


Well, saving Suldanessellar is a pretty grand cause, I'd say. And defeating Bodhi, for that matter. Think you probably get to be a hero whether you like it or not, Harrian.

With all the subtlety his profession required, Harrian eased the creaky door open and poked his head through the gap. Then he smiled and stepped in discreetly to extinguish the single candle dimly lighting the room before walking out and closing the door behind him. Anomen and Imoen lay sprawled on top of the bed, curled up together, fast asleep and unaware of his presence.


Aww!

It was just as well that they were both fully clothed, as Harrian really didn’t want to have to hit Anomen before a battle.


;) C'mon Harrian - if you wanted to hit someone, you should have hit Haer. Fine time to get all protective, just as Immy finally takes up with a decent bloke.

Reynald and Boo were, apparently, teaching Minsc how to play chess, Harrian discovered as he poked his head in. From the look of intense concentration on the Rashemani warrior’s face and the slight expression of horror on the Fallen Paladin’s, it seemed as if they were quite successful.


LOL!

Her hands moved to grasp his, and she pulled him to his feet. “You will sleep. I’ll see to it,” Jaheira told him solemnly. “It’s the only way I can be sure that you won’t be falling unconscious tomorrow and miss a vampire’s claws.”


:) Now she's the one worrying too much about other people, and not enough about herself.

Jaheira paused, then shifted to look at him. “So just sleep to put my mind at ease.”


Get some sleep tonight Harrian, because tomorrow night you're probably going to be in no mood for sleeping :) .

Nice chapter. Great to finally see the back of Haer, and I liked the conversation between Harrian and Jaheira - kind of sweet, but also kind of sad given what's going to happen next :) .

#5 Guest_Slide_*

Posted 22 October 2003 - 09:47 PM

Goodbye and good riddance :) .


Awww, but he's fun! So mad and... well... chaotic!

Bah! But at least Immy's seen through him now - that's the main thing.


Yeah. I do wonder how long she actually knew his true colours - she's not stupid, after all - but it was only now that she could finally do something about it.

Oh, I'm sure it can.


Well, with Immy getting better, I suppose, but if she weren't... well, it'd be a miserable bunch of adventurers saving things, wouldn't it!

Well, saving Suldanessellar is a pretty grand cause, I'd say. And defeating Bodhi, for that matter. Think you probably get to be a hero whether you like it or not, Harrian.


Indeed. But the point he's making is that he rather happened to do those things 'on his way' as he focused on more personal things like getting his soul back. But yes, Harrian's doomed to be a hero. And I think, deep down, he kinda likes it. ;)

Aww!


I know. 'bout time. :)

:wink: C'mon Harrian - if you wanted to hit someone, you should have hit Haer. Fine time to get all protective, just as Immy finally takes up with a decent bloke.


Heh. Yeah, and he's going to trust Anomen ten thousand times more than Haery. But Haer'Dalis never got this close to Immy. :)

LOL!


Hey, never underestimate the advice of a miniature giant space hamster!

:) Now she's the one worrying too much about other people, and not enough about herself.


This is true. It would be too... I don't know. Painful? Predictable? To have Harrian agonising about HER keeping safe. Besides, he's rather convincing himself to live in the moment with his relationship with her - agonising about her wellbeing was one of the reasons his mind made up to keep her away for so long.

Get some sleep tonight Harrian, because tomorrow night you're probably going to be in no mood for sleeping :) .


No. He has quite a hard time coming up.

Nice chapter. Great to finally see the back of Haer, and I liked the conversation between Harrian and Jaheira - kind of sweet, but also kind of sad given what's going to happen next :) .


Yeah. There's not much sweetness left for them (though I'll probably have a sappy epilogue). The resurrection won't be 100% what you'll all expect - I doubt you'll be disappointed, but....... hell, wait and see for y'selves!!

Cheers!!

#6 Guest_Oryx_*

Posted 23 October 2003 - 08:16 PM

Alright, alright! So some of you were happy because Haer'Dalis was supposedly gone two chapters ago but he popped up last time, and he's lingering here... well... live with it! He's ACTUALLY gone after this one. :)


Onyx: I hate him, my scribe loves him. Ergo, scribe is sadist.

Oh c'mon. You wouldn't be much of a hero/paladin/chivalrant without other guys vying for world dominaton, mass mayhem, and/or your girl.

Onyx: Hey now. Keep the talent happy!

Jade: Wh-

Onyx: *ahem* Low-hanging fruit, anyone?

For now........ :shock:




-------------------


Chapter 135: On an Eve


(pssst....Subject Line sez 136)

Haer’Dalis glanced up as he shoved a few gaudily-coloured shirts into his small pack, and gave the party leader a smile Harrian knew had been pasted on. “My raven! I had not expected you to be wandering the corridors at this late hour. Can I help you?” He turned his back on Harrian and moved to gather up some stacked piles of parchment – presumably scripts.


Tide of Destiny - the story within the story?

“No. Not at all.” Haer’Dalis smiled thinly, and shook his head. “I have spoken to Imoen… I see that Aerie is leaving… and I see that I no longer have a place with you, no longer have a part to play. There is nothing worse than a character who does not know when the curtain drops for him. My curtain has dropped.”


Out out, brief candle...who struts and frets his hour upon the stage....hmmm, I used to know it.....sorry for butchering your countryman there

Harrian smiled thinly. “You’re only the second bard I’ve ever travelled with. I think you’ll have inside knowledge that will make your retelling one of the more accurate.” He leaned forward to rest a hand on the tiefling’s shoulder. “But if it ever gets to the stage where I’m seven feet tall and can kill Irenicus with one cold glare as I wave my overly-large broadsword around, then we’re back to being hurled off buildings.” The thin, forced smile gave way for a cheery smirk.


LOL

Haer’Dalis gave a brief, light chuckle. “Fear not, my raven! Yours is a tale which does not need embellishing. I have no doubt that… you can be a hero without the prattling of we bards.”


:D Well said.

“Once, I would have liked that. I set out from Candlekeep wanting to be a hero. Now I’m just here to…” Harrian’s voice trailed off, and he shrugged. “I don’t know. Survive. It’s all I’ve been doing for the last year. Heroes have to have some grand cause.”


Onyx: Oh, soooo how I feel, so accurately said.....*sheepishly hides boyhood Paladin Paraphenalia*

“Heroes,” Haer’Dalis declared haughtily, “have to do something heroic. Stopping a war was fairly heroic, no? And much easier for bards to write.” He nodded slowly, more solemnly than Harrian had ever seen him do so, then smiled a surprisingly genuine smile. “I take my leave of you, Harrian Corias. I have no doubt that our paths shall meet again, but currently I have to go over the hills far away and see what I can see.”


Quote that will have to header a chapter at some point; Black Hawn Down's "Nobody has to be a hero, sometimes it just turns out that way."

And with that, he turned on his heel and started down the corridor. As Harrian stood still for a few moments, he heard Haer’Dalis walk down the stairs, approach the front door, and slam it shut behind him. He was… actually gone. It seemed hard to believe.


It IS a weird moment. I think you captured it well. It's very anticlimatic. There's a moment before you really realize it.

Onyx: Leave ussss! (without the avariel) And never come back, ssssssssss!

Bad Smeagonyx!

Onyx: *coveting Aerie* Yesssssss...our precioussssss.....

With all the subtlety his profession required, Harrian eased the creaky door open and poked his head through the gap. Then he smiled and stepped in discreetly to extinguish the single candle dimly lighting the room before walking out and closing the door behind him. Anomen and Imoen lay sprawled on top of the bed, curled up together, fast asleep and unaware of his presence.


Candle a metaphor?

I say again, out out, brief candle...

It was just as well that they were both fully clothed, as Harrian really didn’t want to have to hit Anomen before a battle.


ROFL! Big bro!

Aerie was apparently already asleep, so he lightly stepped down the stairs, hearing voices from the sitting room – quiet ones, hardly audible over the crashing of the rain upon the windows and the roof.
“Where to now, Boo?”


Reynald and Boo were, apparently, teaching Minsc how to play chess, Harrian discovered as he poked his head in. From the look of intense concentration on the Rashemani warrior’s face and the slight expression of horror on the Fallen Paladin’s, it seemed as if they were quite successful.


ROFL!!!

“Once Minsc here has finished destroying the armies of darkness,” Reynald said dryly, gesturing hopelessly as a white castle took a black knight. “And you should, too. It is never wise for a party leader to be weary before leading his men into battle.”


LOL...wait, that is Minsc making the capture?

Oh, and btw....I catch it. White castle and black knight. Nicely done, Slide. :)

“Don’t worry about me,” Harrian replied, intentionally evasively, before moving through the sitting room for the door at the far end. It led to the cellars – also known as their armoury and workshop – which was where he assumed he would find the final member of the group.


Indeed, Jaheira was perched on a bench down there, polishing Belm with a rag until it gleamed. Harrian made sure his step was light as he descended the stairs, and paused at the foot of them, merely watching her for a few moments. Her movements were florid, confident and efficient – as they were in all things – and even when apparently alone, her expression was stiff and emotionless. He knew Jaheira would not be one to allow inner thoughts to rule at a time like this.


mmm, yeah, Belm!!! 5 attacks per round!!! Go go dual Jaheira!

“I think it’s only sunlight that kills them, not light reflected off a shining blade,” Harrian commented quietly, smiling slightly as he stepped towards her softly.


If she was surprised, she didn’t show any signs of it; merely set Belm down and turned to look at him. “A blade in poor condition is a tool unfit for any job,” she told him mock-sternly, a smile tugging at her lips. Harrian remembered getting that lecture from Khalid when they had first started out on the road and his guardians had taken it upon themselves to turn a cocky, irritating boy into someone who might actually stay alive out in the big wide world.


:D :) :)

“And you can’t trust these other, seasoned warriors?” she asked.
He sighed. “This is the biggest battle we’ve been into since Sarevok. And there’s an even bigger one on the horizon if… when we find Irenicus. The party’s been lucky so far. I just… don’t want to lose anyone. Anyone.” He gave her a meaningful look for a moment, then shifted his glance away. “Haer’Dalis is gone.”


Yeah, work it work it, H-man.

“So now there really is nobody in the party you’d like to see die,” Jaheira noted dryly, the smile appearing this time. She stood up and turned to face him, resting her hands on his shoulders. “You cannot guarantee that everyone shall live. Nobody can. All we have to do is believe that we will. If everyone makes sure that they survive, then we will all emerge alive.”


I...!!!!! *hushes self*

“Do you intend to follow your own advice?” Her eyes were calm, serious.


Maybe....not just yet.... :)

Harrian shifted. “Probably. You know I don’t always sleep well…”


Onyx: Tsk tsk. Read between the lines, my friend (sorta like where all these comments of mine are. Cool, huh?)

Jaheira pause, then shifted to look at him. “So just sleep to put my mind at ease.”



aww

#7 Guest_Slide_*

Posted 23 October 2003 - 08:46 PM

Onyx: I hate him, my scribe loves him. Ergo, scribe is sadist.


Anomen: Yes... I have rather noticed this recently.

Oh c'mon. You wouldn't be much of a hero/paladin/chivalrant without other guys vying for world dominaton, mass mayhem, and/or your girl.


Exactly. Heroes need their challenges, and it's nice to have a challenge which strikes a little closer to home than the distant big bad guy!

(pssst....Subject Line sez 136)


Eeek! No it doesn't! *hides 'Edited' message*

Tide of Destiny - the story within the story?


I'm going to miss the chance to write that. :) But it's pretty obvious what to get in an epilogue, hmm?

Nuts. That's another chapter to write...

Out out, brief candle...who struts and frets his hour upon the stage....hmmm, I used to know it.....sorry for butchering your countryman there


Ahh, it's alright, I'm overdosed on Shakespeare today anyway. Went to Northampton to watch an excellent production of Othello - really well done. But no more!!

:) Well said.


Like it or not, Harrian's a hero.

Onyx: Oh, soooo how I feel, so accurately said.....*sheepishly hides boyhood Paladin Paraphenalia*


Harrian was, quite frankly, a little berk when he left Candlekeep, and it was only the outside world that shifted him from being a slightly Chaotic Neutral self-obsessed idiot. He did a lot of growing up. Part of that was realising that heroism isn't all that much fun.

Quote that will have to header a chapter at some point; Black Hawn Down's "Nobody has to be a hero, sometimes it just turns out that way."


Indeed. Hate the film, though. :)

It IS a weird moment. I think you captured it well. It's very anticlimatic. There's a moment before you really realize it.


Especially as it's so abrupt. I mean, Harrian was expecting a show-down at some point - and was probably a bit negligent in not bashing heads together considering how serious times were getting and how disruptive the clashes within the party were becoming - but it's just all of a sudden happened, rather explosion-free. It's rather disconcerting for someone you've been effectively living with to just pack up one evening in a few minutes and leave.

Onyx: Leave ussss! (without the avariel) And never come back, ssssssssss!

Bad Smeagonyx!

Onyx: *coveting Aerie* Yesssssss...our precioussssss.....


LOL!

Candle a metaphor?


Pehaps. *invokes aura of mystery*

I say again, out out, brief candle...


:D

ROFL! Big bro!


Indeed. :) But better Ano than Haer!

ROFL!!!


Don't underestimate the hamster.

LOL...wait, that is Minsc making the capture?


Yes... should have been more specific there. Tried to imply it.

Oh, and btw....I catch it. White castle and black knight. Nicely done, Slide. :)


I do love chess symbolism. :) However clumsy.

mmm, yeah, Belm!!! 5 attacks per round!!! Go go dual Jaheira!


I always have Jaheira dual-classing. Drizzt's got nothing on her!! :)

In fact, when Harrian's dual-classing also, I have a rather ambidexterity-happy party! Even if he usually goes with the simpler single-hand wielding. I don't know WHY I focus so much on each individual party member's fighting style. Maybe I am a powergamer at heart. :)

:D :D :)


Yeah. Still not sure what I'm going to write next, but unless it's Throne of Bhaal, I'm guaranteed Khalid. (yay!)

Yeah, work it work it, H-man.


Having progressed from little berk, he's quite a good leader. :D

I...!!!!! *hushes self*


I got out the Hammer of Subtlety here!

Maybe....not just yet.... :shock:


Men! All alike... :P

Onyx: Tsk tsk. Read between the lines, my friend (sorta like where all these comments of mine are. Cool, huh?)


Pre-battle Harrian is obtuse. ;)

aww


I know. Jaheira, worry about yourself, foolish woman!!! :?

Cheers!!




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