Beloved Child 43

This chapter seems really short for some reason, it is the usual five pages… maybe I should make them longer… well… enjoy…

Erghh…. Parts of this story are getting weird…



Beloved Child 43

Groder leaned on the reeling and looked out over the wide blue expanse. They where close to Brynnlaw now, there was not even a plume of smoke on the horizon, no evidence that the black ship had ever existed. He supposed he should feel something other then relief that a pain in his neck might actually have been removed but he didn’t. The girl had been pretty, exciting and fun but the more he actually thought about it, the more he realized that it was all it was. There was no hole in his heart or anything of the like. He felt no need to chase after her and realized that he most likely could not even if he had wanted to.

He shrugged and turned away from the horizon. Havarian had wanted them to get ready to leave the ship. The captain had not asked any questions about Ganishuka and that was the way Groder preferred it. On his way to the cabin, he passed Haer`Dalis whom gave him a sweet toothy mile. Groder raised an eyebrow as he passed the bard. Once in the cabin, Groder grabbed his pack and inspected Azure Edge.

“Groder.” He turned as his name was called and saw both Jaheira and Viconia standing in the doorway.

“Do you want to talk about what the sorcerer said?” Groder asked. The two women remained quiet. “Of course you don’t… everyone likes their secrets. I like my own especially.” Then he raised a finger and a sly look passed over his face. “You want to talk about Hiranmayi.”

Then he laughed and the two women stared at him. One hand held over his face, Groder wheezed uncontrollably.

“I don’t know if I should be scared that you two get along so well these days.” He kept laughing. ”But loving that girl? No, I though that for a moment but no and here you both are to console me. I am sorry and I am touched, truly I am.”

He lazily waved a hand at them. Viconia smirked in a superior kind of manner.

“I continue to marvel at the care you show for us all.” Jaheira said dryly.

“Well, as we will soon be parting ways, I have to say it has been very pleasant.” Groder smiled insincerely.

“Oh yes, we all have to do it again sometime.” Viconia commented.

Sime appeared behind the two women.

“Are you all ready? We are juts pulling into port and Havarian wants us off.” The thief informed.

“Are we going back with this ship as well?” Jaheira turned to Sime and asked.

The thief nodded but looked slightly troubled.

“Yes, but I have heard that Havarian has had some sort of trouble with Desharik, the pirate that sort of runs Brynnlaw. I also don’t trust the man, we need to be watchful.”

**

A slow wind kicked up dust on Brynnlaw`s streets. The city consisted of dusty grey and white buildings that had seen too much sun and where stacked over each other on man made terraces. And over the terrace like city perched Spellhold like a crow on a slowly decaying corpse. Dark tiled roofs and towers rose in an unsymmetrical mishmash as if the building had begun imitating its residents. Sailors and pirates hung in clusters at the dockside, casting foul glances about them.

The party gathered on the dock beside the “Galante”. Sime had gathered the party around herself and was about to start explaining about the small hamlet when Havarian ever smiling walked up to them. The smile seemed more forced then usual.

“Well.” He said rubbing the back of his head. “I will be leaving you for the time being. The air here is hazardous to my health.”

“If you are trying…” Sime began and pulled out a dagger. But the air had already begun shimmering around the man and he blinked out of existence.

“Tch…” Sime snorted. “There will be hell to pay if he doesn’t come back.”

Groder sighed. “I suppose we can leave this island without him?” The boy asked.

“It may be hard to arrange something if it should come to that.” Jaheira said and the half-elf crossed her arms. “We do not have the authority of the shadow master standing beside us here.”

“Well, your problems are your own” Groder muttered and then looked at Sime. “Now before he interrupted us…”

“Yes.” Sime pointed at a house with a domed roof that rose in the north-western part of the town. “That is Deshariks home. The pirate runs Brynnlaw. He may be able to get you into Spellhold. There is a man named Sanik at the Vulgar Monkey that may know other ways.” Sime pointed at a depilated building that lay straight ahead and up a flight of stairs. Ironically enough a temple of Umberlee lay next to it.

“And what will you be doing during all this?” Jaheira asked resting her staff against her shoulder.

“Scouting out Spellhold and keeping my head down.” The assassin said. “I will be around when you get back.”

Sime bid the party farewell and disappeared into the town proper.

“Very well.” Groder said and waved in the direction of the Vulgar Monkey. “Shall we try that… place first?”

“It looks horrible.” Viconia commented and tossed her hair back with a hand. “It probably smells like it looks.”

“Console yourself, dear.” Haer`Dalis said theatrically and pointed at Spellhold. “We are going to that wondrous place after all.”

As they started walking down the dockside past ship after ship, most of which looked to be in poorer shape then the one they had arrived in. The dock turned to the right and at the end of it sat a more majestic looking ship. They paid little heed to the ships though as their destination was the towns only tavern.

“You look a little ill...” Nalia commented to Yoshimo as the gull’s circled and laughed overhead.

The Kara-Turan flashed a small smile at her.

“Only getting my land legs back.” He said.

**

Before they had managed to step into the Vulgar Monkey, the party had already been accosted by one group of unwashed drunks. They did however apologize after Jaheira`s staff had told them that they where rude in its own blunt language.

The inside of the Vulgar Monkey looked about as good as its exterior. The large room that the tavern consisted of was dimly lit. A shoddy looking stair led upstairs. The furniture and the few carpets that covered the floor looked equally worn out. A bar dominated a section of the taverns left wall and a middle aged gangly man with an eye patch stood behind the bar. Despite the early hour the tavern was almost full. Sailors sat crammed around the tables, worn looking serving girls ran between them. The party drew suspicious looks from the men that where supposed to be guards and semi interested looks from the patrons. And most of them stared at the women. Some vulgar catcalls came but it soon quieted down.

“What will it be?” The man behind the bar asked dourly and in a manner which suggested that he really did not want to serve them anything.

“We are looking for a man named Sanik.” Groder said.

The man squinted with his good eye at them.

“Don’t want any trouble.” He simply stated.

A slimy looking young man slid up to them from down the bar. The man had a sort of odd medallion around his neck. It was shaped almost like a “G”. He looked them over quickly and then spoke in a gruff sort of voice.

“I am Chermy…” He licked his lips. “Sanik is not exactly a welcome topic here but you ladies are. You may want to know that Galvena`s feast hall is always looking for new… talent.” His eyes flickered up and down. “You could come with me and take a look.”

“He is talking about a brothel isn’t he?” Naila asked.

“Yes.” Jaheira said her voice hardening. She looked ready to hit the man with her staff.

“Ah…” Chermy sighed. “Some people like the cute innocent sort. But as I think about it I am not really asking you at all.” He made a motion with his hand and a few people dressed in leather armour stood. They all had the same “G” medallion around their necks. During the entire conversation, Groder had calmly brought forth Azure Edge and now drove it upwards into the man’s groin halting somewhere in the abdomen.

“Funny, I was not really asking about Sanik either.” The boy said and pulled the axe loose.

Chermy sank to the floor, a pool of gore beneath him. The men he had signalled sat down again apparently unwilling to fight. Nalia dragged Yoshimo with her outside. The barman looked over the counter. Groder smiled and then kicked away Chermy`s hand that was desperately gripping air. Viconia brought down her flail on the man`s head and he stopped moving.

“Umberlee`s ass… Galvena is going to have your heads for this.” He looked at the party and then at the men filing out. “I suppose you are adventurer types? Well, Sanik is fish bait so clear on out of here.”

“Right after you tell us how to get into Spellhold.” Groder said.

“The hell you wanna go there for? Anyways one of the wizards lives over by the stairs that lead up to the path to that place.” The barman responded.

“See, this was not so hard.” Groder chuckled.

**

Bodhi sat in the former coordinators office that had now belonged to Irenicus. She lounged watching her brother work. The vampire had spoken nothing of her meeting with Ganishuka and blamed her delayed arrival on some trivial errands. Irenicus had not asked any further questions merely changed some plans accordingly. She watched him bent over a book, furiously scribbling. There had been a scene like that long ago, before the queen, before the exile. They had been sitting in her brothers’ room just like this. He had been writing some report and she had been watching him. The past her smiled and asked:

**

“Are those for your classes, Jon? I heard you impressed the teachers again.”

Her brother looked up from the desk he was sitting at and put down the quill he held. Bluish, dark hair fell around his shoulders, long where hers was short. She had always thought that his face had a cute, pleasant look to it.

“They are not very hard to impress.” Jonaleth responded. “It is rather easy, what we are doing. Too easy even. I am so far ahead it is getting boring.” He smiled and then asked. “Mother said you quit the music lessons, is that why you are so gloomy tonight?”

“One word: Ertiih.” She waved a hand in annoyance. “I swear if he comes around here with his lute again, I will break it over his head.”

“I could always throw a few spells at him.” Jonaleth laughed softly. It made her smile as well.

“Thank you, my gallant knight.” Bodhi winked.

“What are you going to do instead?” He suddenly asked.

She shrugged and walked over to the desk, sitting down on it.

“Do you want to go riding tomorrow?” Jonaleth asked. “Maybe I could teach you some cantrips. Who knows, maybe you will have a knack for sorcery as well.”

Bodhi nodded.

“We can bring a basket with us and make a picnic out of it.” She said and then bent down. She kissed his cheek. Her brother blushed.

“Everyone should be blessed with a cute and reliable brother like you.” She purred.

Jonaleth kept blushing but looked Bodhi in the eyes.

“Well, it is only a brother’s duty to care for his pretty sister.” He said his eyes locked with hers.

“Just who has been caring for whom?” She playfully swatted at him. Jonaleth dodged playfully but Bodhi lost her balance and fell on her brother. The young mage caught her and she felt his hot breath against her face.

**

“Bodhi! Are you listening?”

The vampire queen was shaken from her reminiscence and looked up at Irenicus. His blue eyes were narrowed behind the fleshy mask he wore.

“I said that we are going to test the machine now.” He rose. “Fetch Imoen, we are already running late.”

The girl had been pretty, exciting and fun but the more he actually thought about it, the more he realized that it was all it was. There was no hole in his heart or anything of the like. He felt no need to chase after her and realized that he most likely could not even if he had wanted to.

This guy is just so romantic...

The captain had not asked any questions about Ganishuka and that was the way Groder preferred it.

He probably already got something else to worry about. I wonder what that could be?

“You want to talk about Hiranmayi.”

Then he laughed and the two women stared at him. One hand held over his face, Groder wheezed uncontrollably.

“I don’t know if I should be scared that you two get along so well these days.” He kept laughing. ”But loving that girl? No, I though that for a moment but no and here you both are to console me. I am sorry and I am touched, truly I am.”

Such caring! What more can a girl ask for in a boyfriend?

“I continue to marvel at the care you show for us all.” Jaheira said dryly.

“Well, as we will soon be parting ways, I have to say it has been very pleasant.” Groder smiled insincerely.

“Oh yes, we all have to do it again sometime.” Viconia commented.

Yay! next time, party at Melissan's!

A slow wind kicked up dust on Brynnlaw`s streets. The city consisted of dusty grey and white buildings that had seen too much sun and where stacked over each other on man made terraces. And over the terrace like city perched Spellhold like a crow on a slowly decaying corpse. Dark tiled roofs and towers rose in an unsymmetrical mishmash as if the building had begun imitating its residents. Sailors and pirates hung in clusters at the dockside, casting foul glances about them.

Not exactly Hawaii...

“And what will you be doing during all this?” Jaheira asked resting her staff against her shoulder.

“Scouting out Spellhold and keeping my head down.” The assassin said. “I will be around when you get back.”

These Shadow Thieves are always the risk-takers, uh?

“Very well.” Groder said and waved in the direction of the Vulgar Monkey. “Shall we try that… place first?”

“It looks horrible.” Viconia commented and tossed her hair back with a hand. “It probably smells like it looks.”

“Console yourself, dear.” Haer`Dalis said theatrically and pointed at Spellhold. “We are going to that wondrous place after all.”

I'm sure she's consoled, now...

“You look a little ill...” Nalia commented to Yoshimo as the gull’s circled and laughed overhead.

The Kara-Turan flashed a small smile at her.

“Only getting my land legs back.” He said.

Lies and betrayal...the ideal basis of any successful relationship!

Before they had managed to step into the Vulgar Monkey, the party had already been accosted by one group of unwashed drunks. They did however apologize after Jaheira`s staff had told them that they where rude in its own blunt language.

"You *thud!* shall not *thud!* annoy *thud!* honest *thud!* druids travelers *thud!**thud!**thud!*"

“I am Chermy…” He licked his lips. “Sanik is not exactly a welcome topic here but you ladies are. You may want to know that Galvena`s feast hall is always looking for new… talent.” His eyes flickered up and down. “You could come with me and take a look.”

“He is talking about a brothel isn’t he?” Naila asked.

Bright isn't she?

During the entire conversation, Groder had calmly brought forth Azure Edge and now drove it upwards into the man’s groin halting somewhere in the abdomen.

Faeryl: "A fitting end, he deserved no less. Could have chopped off a limb or two, though."

She watched him bent over a book, furiously scribbling. There had been a scene like that long ago, before the queen, before the exile. They had been sitting in her brothers’ room just like this.

Getting nostalgic, are we?

“We can bring a basket with us and make a picnic out of it.” She said and then bent down. She kissed his cheek. Her brother blushed.

Imoen: Aww that's so cute! Err...wait. Irenicus. Bodhi. Not cute, not cute at all! *stick out her tongue at them*.

“Everyone should be blessed with a cute and reliable brother like you.” She purred.

Jonaleth kept blushing but looked Bodhi in the eyes.

“Well, it is only a brother’s duty to care for his pretty sister.” He said his eyes locked with hers.

“Just who has been caring for whom?” She playfully swatted at him. Jonaleth dodged playfully but Bodhi lost her balance and fell on her brother. The young mage caught her and she felt his hot breath against her face.

Phaere: is this what you call 'brotherly love?'
Aerie: I-I don't think so...

“I said that we are going to test the machine now.” He rose. “Fetch Imoen, we are already running late."

Imoen: I've some sort of a bad feeling here...

There was no hole in his heart or anything of the like. He felt no need to chase after her and realized that he most likely could not even if he had wanted to.

He's so precious!
I'm amazed that he even thought to check for that hole!

“Do you want to talk about what the sorcerer said?” Groder asked. The two women remained quiet. “Of course you don’t… everyone likes their secrets. I like my own especially.”

Ooh. He's hitting low, and completely without a reason, at that.
(Does he have any secrets, btw?)

“I continue to marvel at the care you show for us all.” Jaheira said dryly.

What a great line!

“Yes.” Sime pointed at a house with a domed roof that rose in the north-western part of the town. “That is Deshariks home. The pirate runs Brynnlaw. He may be able to get you into Spellhold. There is a man named Sanik at the Vulgar Monkey that may know other ways.” Sime pointed at a depilated building that lay straight ahead and up a flight of stairs. Ironically enough a temple of Umberlee lay next to it.

Err. I may be slow, but why 'ironically enough'?

As they started walking down the dockside past ship after ship, most of which looked to be in poorer shape then the one they had arrived in. The dock turned to the right and at the end of it sat a more majestic looking ship. They paid little heed to the ships though as their destination was the towns only tavern.

In other words, they paid them no heed, but enough heed to take notice of the ship which will be their escape?

“You look a little ill...” Nalia commented to Yoshimo as the gull’s circled and laughed overhead.

The Kara-Turan flashed a small smile at her.

“Only getting my land legs back.” He said.

Ah. Hints.
I'm suddenly hoping against hope that the disenchantment of her life is all you're planning for Nalia. I.e. she won't lose her mind, or anything...

Some vulgar catcalls came but it soon quieted down.

...after the women looked at the callers. I liked the description.

“He is talking about a brothel isn’t he?” Naila asked.

I love how matter-of-fact it sounds.
But then, Nalia has been to the Coronet. Regularly, apparently.

During the entire conversation, Groder had calmly brought forth Azure Edge and now drove it upwards into the man’s groin halting somewhere in the abdomen.

Ooh. Now, he's really hitting low. Good!

“Funny, I was not really asking about Sanik either.” The boy said and pulled the axe loose.

Chermy sank to the floor, a pool of gore beneath him. The men he had signalled sat down again apparently unwilling to fight. Nalia dragged Yoshimo with her outside. The barman looked over the counter. Groder smiled and then kicked away Chermy`s hand that was desperately gripping air. Viconia brought down her flail on the man`s head and he stopped moving.

So vicious. I only don't understand Nalia here. And Yoshimo.

“Umberlee`s ass… Galvena is going to have your heads for this.”

No, after she sees the Slayer, she won't.

He looked at the party and then at the men filing out. “I suppose you are adventurer types? Well, Sanik is fish bait so clear on out of here.”

Poor Sanik.
Still. One quest down!

“Well, it is only a brother’s duty to care for his pretty sister.” He said his eyes locked with hers.

“Just who has been caring for whom?” She playfully swatted at him. Jonaleth dodged playfully but Bodhi lost her balance and fell on her brother. The young mage caught her and she felt his hot breath against her face.

Yerch.

Still, I love that scene. I absolutely love it. The playful swat is just that last bit which makes what's in the scene so completely, viscerally disgusting. (Well. To me, at least.)

“I said that we are going to test the machine now.” He rose. “Fetch Imoen, we are already running late.”

Poor, poor Imoen.

Groder leaned on the reeling and looked out over the wide blue expanse. They where close to Brynnlaw now, there was not even a plume of smoke on the horizon, no evidence that the black ship had ever existed. He supposed he should feel something other then relief that a pain in his neck might actually have been removed but he didn’t. The girl had been pretty, exciting and fun but the more he actually thought about it, the more he realized that it was all it was. There was no hole in his heart or anything of the like. He felt no need to chase after her and realized that he most likely could not even if he had wanted to.

Bah, for once I agree with Groder.

“Do you want to talk about what the sorcerer said?” Groder asked. The two women remained quiet. “Of course you don’t… everyone likes their secrets. I like my own especially.” Then he raised a finger and a sly look passed over his face. “You want to talk about Hiranmayi.”

I can’t seriously imagine Jaheira caring one way or the other…

“I don’t know if I should be scared that you two get along so well these days.” He kept laughing. ”But loving that girl? No, I though that for a moment but no and here you both are to console me. I am sorry and I am touched, truly I am.”

Don’t think there was any consoling planned, or at least I wouldn’t believe so. Groder likes to jump to assumptions though, it seems.

“Yes, but I have heard that Havarian has had some sort of trouble with Desharik, the pirate that sort of runs Brynnlaw. I also don’t trust the man, we need to be watchful.”

Oh he has no trouble at all with Desharik… he just sleeps with his wife.

“Well, your problems are your own” Groder muttered and then looked at Sime. “Now before he interrupted us…”

I think a hot looking chick like Jaheira is much more likely to get a passage on boat than a silly twat like you, Groder.

“Scouting out Spellhold and keeping my head down.” The assassin said. “I will be around when you get back.”

Will she be a vampire the next time we see her?

“I am Chermy…” He licked his lips. “Sanik is not exactly a welcome topic here but you ladies are. You may want to know that Galvena`s feast hall is always looking for new… talent.” His eyes flickered up and down. “You could come with me and take a look.”

Well… that is likely to happen. Right.

Chermy sank to the floor, a pool of gore beneath him. The men he had signalled sat down again apparently unwilling to fight. Nalia dragged Yoshimo with her outside. The barman looked over the counter. Groder smiled and then kicked away Chermy`s hand that was desperately gripping air. Viconia brought down her flail on the man`s head and he stopped moving.

Heh nice, they killed him even before learning how much of a bastard Chremy really was.

“Do you want to go riding tomorrow?” Jonaleth asked. “Maybe I could teach you some cantrips. Who knows, maybe you will have a knack for sorcery as well.”

That sounds like Bodhi, too whimsical to concentrate on one thing for long.

“Just who has been caring for whom?” She playfully swatted at him. Jonaleth dodged playfully but Bodhi lost her balance and fell on her brother. The young mage caught her and she felt his hot breath against her face.

Whee. Nicely incestuous. But it works… you know how those elves are.

The girl had been pretty, exciting and fun but the more he actually thought about it, the more he realized that it was all it was. There was no hole in his heart or anything of the like. He felt no need to chase after her and realized that he most likely could not even if he had wanted to.

This guy is just so romantic...

Oh yeah, every gals dream.

The captain had not asked any questions about Ganishuka and that was the way Groder preferred it.

He probably already got something else to worry about. I wonder what that could be?

Maybe next time, he won`t sleep with the pirates lover.

“You want to talk about Hiranmayi.”

Then he laughed and the two women stared at him. One hand held over his face, Groder wheezed uncontrollably.

“I don’t know if I should be scared that you two get along so well these days.” He kept laughing. ”But loving that girl? No, I though that for a moment but no and here you both are to console me. I am sorry and I am touched, truly I am.”

Such caring! What more can a girl ask for in a boyfriend?

Not boyfriend material this one... not yet anyway.

“I continue to marvel at the care you show for us all.” Jaheira said dryly.

“Well, as we will soon be parting ways, I have to say it has been very pleasant.” Groder smiled insincerely.

“Oh yes, we all have to do it again sometime.” Viconia commented.

Yay! next time, party at Melissan's!

Party starts at eight! It is a long ways off though...

A slow wind kicked up dust on Brynnlaw`s streets. The city consisted of dusty grey and white buildings that had seen too much sun and where stacked over each other on man made terraces. And over the terrace like city perched Spellhold like a crow on a slowly decaying corpse. Dark tiled roofs and towers rose in an unsymmetrical mishmash as if the building had begun imitating its residents. Sailors and pirates hung in clusters at the dockside, casting foul glances about them.

Not exactly Hawaii...

Nope, A pirate island it is.

“And what will you be doing during all this?” Jaheira asked resting her staff against her shoulder.

“Scouting out Spellhold and keeping my head down.” The assassin said. “I will be around when you get back.”

These Shadow Thieves are always the risk-takers, uh?

Well, it is thier job.

“Very well.” Groder said and waved in the direction of the Vulgar Monkey. “Shall we try that… place first?”

“It looks horrible.” Viconia commented and tossed her hair back with a hand. “It probably smells like it looks.”

“Console yourself, dear.” Haer`Dalis said theatrically and pointed at Spellhold. “We are going to that wondrous place after all.”

I'm sure she's consoled, now...

Who wouldn`t be? Spellhold most likely smells better anyways.

“You look a little ill...” Nalia commented to Yoshimo as the gull’s circled and laughed overhead.

The Kara-Turan flashed a small smile at her.

“Only getting my land legs back.” He said.

Lies and betrayal...the ideal basis of any successful relationship!

Mmm... Nalia is going to be unhappy.

Before they had managed to step into the Vulgar Monkey, the party had already been accosted by one group of unwashed drunks. They did however apologize after Jaheira`s staff had told them that they where rude in its own blunt language.

"You *thud!* shall not *thud!* annoy *thud!* honest *thud!* druids travelers *thud!**thud!**thud!*"

“I am Chermy…” He licked his lips. “Sanik is not exactly a welcome topic here but you ladies are. You may want to know that Galvena`s feast hall is always looking for new… talent.” His eyes flickered up and down. “You could come with me and take a look.”

“He is talking about a brothel isn’t he?” Naila asked.

Bright isn't she?

She is... but you know..

During the entire conversation, Groder had calmly brought forth Azure Edge and now drove it upwards into the man’s groin halting somewhere in the abdomen.

Faeryl: "A fitting end, he deserved no less. Could have chopped off a limb or two, though."

I say! That was violent of you.

She watched him bent over a book, furiously scribbling. There had been a scene like that long ago, before the queen, before the exile. They had been sitting in her brothers’ room just like this.

Getting nostalgic, are we?

Yes, she is. Dreaming back to happier days.

“We can bring a basket with us and make a picnic out of it.” She said and then bent down. She kissed his cheek. Her brother blushed.

Imoen: Aww that's so cute! Err...wait. Irenicus. Bodhi. Not cute, not cute at all! *stick out her tongue at them*.

Of course not Imoen, of course not.

“Everyone should be blessed with a cute and reliable brother like you.” She purred.

Jonaleth kept blushing but looked Bodhi in the eyes.

“Well, it is only a brother’s duty to care for his pretty sister.” He said his eyes locked with hers.

“Just who has been caring for whom?” She playfully swatted at him. Jonaleth dodged playfully but Bodhi lost her balance and fell on her brother. The young mage caught her and she felt his hot breath against her face.

Phaere: is this what you call 'brotherly love?'

Aerie: I-I don't think so...

Hmm... The Drow should know a lot about that sort of "brotherly love".

“I said that we are going to test the machine now.” He rose. “Fetch Imoen, we are already running late."

Imoen: I've some sort of a bad feeling here...

Ah, Poor Imoen... She won`t be happy either.

There was no hole in his heart or anything of the like. He felt no need to chase after her and realized that he most likely could not even if he had wanted to.

He's so precious!

I'm amazed that he even thought to check for that hole!

Well, he did feel something but is turned out to be nothing of import.

“Do you want to talk about what the sorcerer said?” Groder asked. The two women remained quiet. “Of course you don’t… everyone likes their secrets. I like my own especially.”

Ooh. He's hitting low, and completely without a reason, at that.

(Does he have any secrets, btw?)

I don`t think he even knew that he did it too...

As for secrets, he does consider his reason for "why I rage at the world" a secret.

“I continue to marvel at the care you show for us all.” Jaheira said dryly.

What a great line!

Thank you.

“Yes.” Sime pointed at a house with a domed roof that rose in the north-western part of the town. “That is Deshariks home. The pirate runs Brynnlaw. He may be able to get you into Spellhold. There is a man named Sanik at the Vulgar Monkey that may know other ways.” Sime pointed at a depilated building that lay straight ahead and up a flight of stairs. Ironically enough a temple of Umberlee lay next to it.

Err. I may be slow, but why 'ironically enough'?

Well, it is a holy place even if it is dedicated to Umberlee.

As they started walking down the dockside past ship after ship, most of which looked to be in poorer shape then the one they had arrived in. The dock turned to the right and at the end of it sat a more majestic looking ship. They paid little heed to the ships though as their destination was the towns only tavern.

In other words, they paid them no heed, but enough heed to take notice of the ship which will be their escape?

Heh... It may not be thier escape even...

“You look a little ill...” Nalia commented to Yoshimo as the gull’s circled and laughed overhead.

The Kara-Turan flashed a small smile at her.

“Only getting my land legs back.” He said.

Ah. Hints.

I'm suddenly hoping against hope that the disenchantment of her life is all you're planning for Nalia. I.e. she won't lose her mind, or anything...

Well, Nalia won`t take it very well but nothing too drastic.

Some vulgar catcalls came but it soon quieted down.

...after the women looked at the callers. I liked the description.

Thanks.

“He is talking about a brothel isn’t he?” Naila asked.

I love how matter-of-fact it sounds.

But then, Nalia has been to the Coronet. Regularly, apparently.

Seems like the line can be read in diffrent ways. But I do imagine she would have seen alot of it at the Coronet.

During the entire conversation, Groder had calmly brought forth Azure Edge and now drove it upwards into the man’s groin halting somewhere in the abdomen.

Ooh. Now, he's really hitting low. Good!

With an axe even!

“Funny, I was not really asking about Sanik either.” The boy said and pulled the axe loose.

Chermy sank to the floor, a pool of gore beneath him. The men he had signalled sat down again apparently unwilling to fight. Nalia dragged Yoshimo with her outside. The barman looked over the counter. Groder smiled and then kicked away Chermy`s hand that was desperately gripping air. Viconia brought down her flail on the man`s head and he stopped moving.

So vicious. I only don't understand Nalia here. And Yoshimo.

Well, Nalia may be getting used to bloodshed but someone losing lots of his stomach on the floor is still a bit much.

“Umberlee`s ass… Galvena is going to have your heads for this.”

No, after she sees the Slayer, she won't.

Galvena is going to wish she did not get out of bed.

He looked at the party and then at the men filing out. “I suppose you are adventurer types? Well, Sanik is fish bait so clear on out of here.”

Poor Sanik.

Still. One quest down!

Yep, it is annoying quest so I did not want to write about it. Galvena will be around though.

“Well, it is only a brother’s duty to care for his pretty sister.” He said his eyes locked with hers.

“Just who has been caring for whom?” She playfully swatted at him. Jonaleth dodged playfully but Bodhi lost her balance and fell on her brother. The young mage caught her and she felt his hot breath against her face.

Yerch.

Still, I love that scene. I absolutely love it. The playful swat is just that last bit which makes what's in the scene so completely, viscerally disgusting. (Well. To me, at least.)

Thank you, I worried a bit about that scene. Glad you like and eh... were disgusted by it.

“I said that we are going to test the machine now.” He rose. “Fetch Imoen, we are already running late.”

Poor, poor Imoen.

And Groder is going to be so nice to her...

Groder leaned on the reeling and looked out over the wide blue expanse. They where close to Brynnlaw now, there was not even a plume of smoke on the horizon, no evidence that the black ship had ever existed. He supposed he should feel something other then relief that a pain in his neck might actually have been removed but he didn’t. The girl had been pretty, exciting and fun but the more he actually thought about it, the more he realized that it was all it was. There was no hole in his heart or anything of the like. He felt no need to chase after her and realized that he most likely could not even if he had wanted to.

Bah, for once I agree with Groder.

I am sure he is glad to hear it.

“Do you want to talk about what the sorcerer said?” Groder asked. The two women remained quiet. “Of course you don’t… everyone likes their secrets. I like my own especially.” Then he raised a finger and a sly look passed over his face. “You want to talk about Hiranmayi.”

I can’t seriously imagine Jaheira caring one way or the other…

It may the very last vestiges of the "Gorion`s ward" thing. Groder will totally piss her off after the Underdark so don`t worry.

“I don’t know if I should be scared that you two get along so well these days.” He kept laughing. ”But loving that girl? No, I though that for a moment but no and here you both are to console me. I am sorry and I am touched, truly I am.”

Don’t think there was any consoling planned, or at least I wouldn’t believe so. Groder likes to jump to assumptions though, it seems.

Well, they where going to talk about something but Groder jumped the gun.

“Yes, but I have heard that Havarian has had some sort of trouble with Desharik, the pirate that sort of runs Brynnlaw. I also don’t trust the man, we need to be watchful.”

Oh he has no trouble at all with Desharik… he just sleeps with his wife.

Heh... Oh, that Havarian...

“Well, your problems are your own” Groder muttered and then looked at Sime. “Now before he interrupted us…”

I think a hot looking chick like Jaheira is much more likely to get a passage on boat than a silly twat like you, Groder.

Yep, It seems that Jaheira holds all the cards!

“Scouting out Spellhold and keeping my head down.” The assassin said. “I will be around when you get back.”

Will she be a vampire the next time we see her?

Oh right... maybe they should see her again... (Kinda forgot about Sime)

“I am Chermy…” He licked his lips. “Sanik is not exactly a welcome topic here but you ladies are. You may want to know that Galvena`s feast hall is always looking for new… talent.” His eyes flickered up and down. “You could come with me and take a look.”

Well… that is likely to happen. Right.

Well, there could be some astronomical probability... nah...

Chermy sank to the floor, a pool of gore beneath him. The men he had signalled sat down again apparently unwilling to fight. Nalia dragged Yoshimo with her outside. The barman looked over the counter. Groder smiled and then kicked away Chermy`s hand that was desperately gripping air. Viconia brought down her flail on the man`s head and he stopped moving.

Heh nice, they killed him even before learning how much of a bastard Chremy really was.

I think he proved himself a bastard already.

“Do you want to go riding tomorrow?” Jonaleth asked. “Maybe I could teach you some cantrips. Who knows, maybe you will have a knack for sorcery as well.”

That sounds like Bodhi, too whimsical to concentrate on one thing for long.

I figured that she would not stick to one thing for too long.

“Just who has been caring for whom?” She playfully swatted at him. Jonaleth dodged playfully but Bodhi lost her balance and fell on her brother. The young mage caught her and she felt his hot breath against her face.

Whee. Nicely incestuous. But it works… you know how those elves are.

Thank you. And I do...

Groder leaned on the reeling and looked out over the wide blue expanse. They where close to Brynnlaw now, there was not even a plume of smoke on the horizon, no evidence that the black ship had ever existed. He supposed he should feel something other then relief that a pain in his neck might actually have been removed but he didn’t. The girl had been pretty, exciting and fun but the more he actually thought about it, the more he realized that it was all it was. There was no hole in his heart or anything of the like. He felt no need to chase after her and realized that he most likely could not even if he had wanted to.

Ah, such a noble heart

“Do you want to talk about what the sorcerer said?” Groder asked. The two women remained quiet. “Of course you don’t… everyone likes their secrets. I like my own especially.” Then he raised a finger and a sly look passed over his face. “You want to talk about Hiranmayi.”

Then he laughed and the two women stared at him. One hand held over his face, Groder wheezed uncontrollably.

“I don’t know if I should be scared that you two get along so well these days.” He kept laughing. ”But loving that girl? No, I though that for a moment but no and here you both are to console me. I am sorry and I am touched, truly I am.”

Hiranmayi:

“I continue to marvel at the care you show for us all.” Jaheira said dryly.

Personally, I marvel that she cares for him at all!

A slow wind kicked up dust on Brynnlaw`s streets. The city consisted of dusty grey and white buildings that had seen too much sun and where stacked over each other on man made terraces. And over the terrace like city perched Spellhold like a crow on a slowly decaying corpse. Dark tiled roofs and towers rose in an unsymmetrical mishmash as if the building had begun imitating its residents. Sailors and pirates hung in clusters at the dockside, casting foul glances about them.

Such a charming place.

“You look a little ill...” Nalia commented to Yoshimo as the gull’s circled and laughed overhead.

The Kara-Turan flashed a small smile at her.

“Only getting my land legs back.” He said.

If only

“I am Chermy…” He licked his lips. “Sanik is not exactly a welcome topic here but you ladies are. You may want to know that Galvena`s feast hall is always looking for new… talent.” His eyes flickered up and down. “You could come with me and take a look.”

“Ah…” Chermy sighed. “Some people like the cute innocent sort. But as I think about it I am not really asking you at all.” He made a motion with his hand and a few people dressed in leather armour stood. They all had the same “G” medallion around their necks. During the entire conversation, Groder had calmly brought forth Azure Edge and now drove it upwards into the man’s groin halting somewhere in the abdomen.

Yay!

“Umberlee`s ass… Galvena is going to have your heads for this.” He looked at the party and then at the men filing out. “I suppose you are adventurer types? Well, Sanik is fish bait so clear on out of here.”

Dead already, eh?

“Well, it is only a brother’s duty to care for his pretty sister.” He said his eyes locked with hers.

“Just who has been caring for whom?” She playfully swatted at him. Jonaleth dodged playfully but Bodhi lost her balance and fell on her brother. The young mage caught her and she felt his hot breath against her face.

Those two are almost creepier with their souls than without!

“I said that we are going to test the machine now.” He rose. “Fetch Imoen, we are already running late.”

Groder leaned on the reeling and looked out over the wide blue expanse. They where close to Brynnlaw now, there was not even a plume of smoke on the horizon, no evidence that the black ship had ever existed. He supposed he should feel something other then relief that a pain in his neck might actually have been removed but he didn’t. The girl had been pretty, exciting and fun but the more he actually thought about it, the more he realized that it was all it was. There was no hole in his heart or anything of the like. He felt no need to chase after her and realized that he most likely could not even if he had wanted to.

Ah, such a noble heart

Paladin material, I have always said!

“Do you want to talk about what the sorcerer said?” Groder asked. The two women remained quiet. “Of course you don’t… everyone likes their secrets. I like my own especially.” Then he raised a finger and a sly look passed over his face. “You want to talk about Hiranmayi.”

Then he laughed and the two women stared at him. One hand held over his face, Groder wheezed uncontrollably.

“I don’t know if I should be scared that you two get along so well these days.” He kept laughing. ”But loving that girl? No, I though that for a moment but no and here you both are to console me. I am sorry and I am touched, truly I am.”

Hiranmayi:

Yes, I imagine her reaction would be poor. She does understand him somewhat though.

“I continue to marvel at the care you show for us all.” Jaheira said dryly.

Personally, I marvel that she cares for him at all!

He will make her really mad after the underdark!

A slow wind kicked up dust on Brynnlaw`s streets. The city consisted of dusty grey and white buildings that had seen too much sun and where stacked over each other on man made terraces. And over the terrace like city perched Spellhold like a crow on a slowly decaying corpse. Dark tiled roofs and towers rose in an unsymmetrical mishmash as if the building had begun imitating its residents. Sailors and pirates hung in clusters at the dockside, casting foul glances about them.

Such a charming place.

Yep, a vacation spot!

“You look a little ill...” Nalia commented to Yoshimo as the gull’s circled and laughed overhead.

The Kara-Turan flashed a small smile at her.

“Only getting my land legs back.” He said.

If only

Aye, if only...

“I am Chermy…” He licked his lips. “Sanik is not exactly a welcome topic here but you ladies are. You may want to know that Galvena`s feast hall is always looking for new… talent.” His eyes flickered up and down. “You could come with me and take a look.”

Ah come on! Is he not suave?

“Ah…” Chermy sighed. “Some people like the cute innocent sort. But as I think about it I am not really asking you at all.” He made a motion with his hand and a few people dressed in leather armour stood. They all had the same “G” medallion around their necks. During the entire conversation, Groder had calmly brought forth Azure Edge and now drove it upwards into the man’s groin halting somewhere in the abdomen.

Yay!

He deserved it

“Umberlee`s ass… Galvena is going to have your heads for this.” He looked at the party and then at the men filing out. “I suppose you are adventurer types? Well, Sanik is fish bait so clear on out of here.”

Dead already, eh?

Yep, I dislike that quest...

“Well, it is only a brother’s duty to care for his pretty sister.” He said his eyes locked with hers.

“Just who has been caring for whom?” She playfully swatted at him. Jonaleth dodged playfully but Bodhi lost her balance and fell on her brother. The young mage caught her and she felt his hot breath against her face.

Those two are almost creepier with their souls than without!

Heh... Maybe they are.

“I said that we are going to test the machine now.” He rose. “Fetch Imoen, we are already running late.”

And she has to deal with Groder later.