In The Cards

Over the course of my travels I have fought many a monster, sparred with many an enemy and traded many an insult with people who want to use me, imprison me, enslave me, torture me or simply kill me. I'm able to deal with plenty of stress. But one of the things that always manage to get to me is being called 'child'. I really, really, really hate that. I can't help it if I look younger than I am. And I'm not immature. So there.

Excerpt from 'Ruminations Of A Master Bard'

For such a large inn the Friendly Arm seemed surprisingly neat and orderly. True, the one inn Zaerini had seen before was the small one back in Candlekeep, but she'd read plenty of books. In the stories there were always fights at inns, and immodest performers, not to mention mysterious and sinister strangers lurking in the corners. She actually felt a little disappointed. The common room of the Friendly Arm was warm and brightly lit, with several small, round oaken tables, and a couple of groups of large armchairs at the far side of the room that looked immensely inviting. Plenty of people were up and about, talking and drinking, but everything seemed very quiet and orderly. Apparently those guards she had met at the gate had known what they were talking about when they said that the Inn was neutral ground. She sighed. Adventuring wasn't at all as she had imagined it.

"Let's go get a room," she said. Imoen nodded, and the two girls made their way through the crowd. Behind the counter a gnome was sitting on a high stool, watching them with bright and glittering eyes. "Evening girls!" he said. "Good to see some more new faces. Second pair in the last three days, maybe the wind is changing. None too many travelers have been through lately, you see, what with the supposed troubles down south. I'm Bentley Mirrorshade, proprietor of this fine Inn. So what can I do for ya?"

"How 'bout some supper?" Imoen asked eagerly. "And a room. Do you have one with a nice view? Maybe a bath?"

"Just a second, Immy," Zaerini said. Something the innkeeper had said had caught her attention. "What troubles do you mean, sir?"

The gnome leaned forward on the counter. "Troubles down in Nashkel" he whispered in a conspiratorial voice. "The iron mine what supplies this part of the Sword Coast. Something's happened to it. The iron has gone bad of late. Brittle, like day-old ice. And let me tell ya, if you're in the middle of a fight it's not a good thing to have your sword break on ya."

The Nashkel mine again, Zaerini thought. That's where that disgusting mage and the ugly little halfling wanted me to go as well. Seems there must have been some truth to what they were saying. Interesting. She gave the sword at her hip a considering look. Better not to put too much faith in it, perhaps. She really would have to do something about those spell scrolls, though. Then she recalled what else Bentley had said.

"You mentioned other travelers," Zaerini said. "Another 'pair'. Who might they be? The customers here mostly seem to be farmers and guardsmen."

"They're right over there," the gnome said, nodding towards a corner a ways off. Two of those huge armchairs were standing there, and Rini could just make out the vague shapes of two people sitting in them. "Though I wouldn't talk to them much if I were you," Bentley Mirrorshade smirked. "He's not a bad sort, but that stutter of his will keep you up all night before he's had time to introduce himself. And her! Whew! That lady has a tongue that could be used to file iron!"

"Oh?" Zaerini said, raising her eyebrows. "Who are they?"

"Don't know much about them, except they're fighting folk. Adventurers, I'd say. They've stayed here once or twice before, though it's been some years since the last time. The fellow's name begins with a 'K', I remember that much."

"Really. Does 'Khalid' sound familiar to you?"

"Yes, yes of course. That's it. Khalid and Jaheira. You know them, then?"

"Not yet, I don't," Zaerini said, glancing towards the corner. "But something tells me I soon will."

As she approached the two strangers in the corner Zaerini felt she was in danger of staring like a yokel. The man was armed and had a sword at his side. He had a friendly and open face, if a bit nervous-looking. The woman more than compensated for that. Rini suspected that those slightly slanted eyes probably could strike a man dead at twenty paces, simply by glaring. Golden-brown hair framed a face that was handsome, perhaps even beautiful. It wasn't the frail, flower-like beauty of a princess in a storybook, but the beauty of a lioness basking in the sun, her kill close by. Her hands never strayed far from the quarterstaff leaning against her chair. Most importantly, both the man and the woman clearly were half-elves, their mixed features were obvious, though she looked a bit more elfin than he did. Zaerini had rarely seen another half-elf, and was intensely curious. Her own lightly pointed ears were hidden beneath her wild mane of short flame-red locks, and though her eyes were larger and more tilted than those of a human she knew that she could pass for either human or elf in a pinch. Part of both, yet fully a part of neither, she thought, a brief wave of regret washing over her. She had never met a full elf, but she knew that they felt as much or more contempt than many humans did for those of mixed blood. She wondered how these two had handled the hostility that they must have faced at times, and she felt sympathy. A feeling that rapidly evaporated as soon as the woman opened her mouth.

"Greetings, child," the woman said, giving Zaerini a hard stare. "You look familiar. In looks, but mostly in manners. That insolent stare could belong to nobody else. You are Gorion's child, Zaerini, are you not? I have seen you before, when you were a good bit younger. I hope you have outgrown your habit of biting people by now."

Zaerini felt her cheeks turn hot at this. Embarrassment turned to resentment and resentment quickly turned to anger. "Mostly," she said. "I reserve the biting for people who insist on calling me 'child'. That right belonged to Gorion alone."

"H-he is not with you?" the man asked in a worried voice. "I am Khalid, and th-this is my wife. Jaheira." As he spoke the last word he give the woman a look of such utter adoration that Zaerini almost giggled. She swore to herself that she'd never let any man make her that silly.

"What has happened?" Jaheira asked. "We are old friends of Gorion. He would never let his only child wander the wilderness without him. And the other one must be Imoen. Infants, both of you. You are lucky to still be alive. Where is Gorion? Surely you are not reckless enough to run off without him?"

"Yes and no," Zaerini said, now feeling extremely angry. Her hands were trembling, and as she suddenly tasted blood she knew that she had bitten her own lower lip without even feeling the pain. "We sort of had to leave him behind. Seeing that he was murdered last night. Pity his 'old friends' weren't there to help us, or he might still be alive." She saw the other woman blanch a little at this remark and knew that she had scored a hit. Maybe it was a rather underhanded one, but she was too angry to care.

"Gorion? Dead?" Jaheira asked. "How? Explain at once!"

"Please, tell us," Khalid intervened. "If...if he has passed, we share your loss. Jaheira speaks bluntly, but we truly are old friends. W-we want to help."

Zaerini felt the burning heat inside her mind subside a little at that. Briefly she told her story, with Imoen cutting in now and then. "…and when we arrived here there was another assassin waiting for on the very steps of the Inn," she concluded. "One carrying this." She handed over the bounty notice to Jaheira. The woman had already read the note found on Gorion's body, more than once and with much frowning and humming.

"You are in great danger, Zaerini," Jaheira said, her green eyes thoughtful. "Not that it comes as a great surprise. Gorion often said that he worried for your safety, even at the expense of his own. He also wished that Khalid and I would become your guardians, if he should ever meet an untimely end. However, you are much older now, and the choice of your companions should be your own."

"We could t-travel with you until you get settled," Khalid agreed, "help you find your l-lot in life."

Jaheira nodded. "It would be a fitting last service to Gorion, though we should first go to Nashkel. Khalid and I...look into local concerns, and there are rumors of strange things happening at the mine. No doubt you have heard of the iron shortage? You would do well to help us. It affects everyone, including you. We are to meet the mayor of the town, Berrun Ghastkill."

Opposing thoughts rushed through Zaerini's mind, fighting like kittens over a piece of string. Khalid seemed nice, and they both looked like competent warriors, if not legendary ones. But could she get along with Jaheira? That was the question. The woman seemed to have made up her mind to treat Rini like a child with an attitude problem. On the other hand, Gorion had trusted these two. In the end that was what made her decide. "Gorion trusted you," she said. "And I trust him. Yes, I would like your company. With all the people out to kill me I can use some help." She gave Jaheira a pointed look. "But forget about the 'guardian' thing. I will be the one to make the decisions," she said. "Speaking of which, this is the third time I've heard Nashkel mentioned today. Since I don't know where Gorion would have taken me I might as well do as you ask. We will go there as soon as possible."

"E-excellent!" Khalid exclaimed. "We will see you both tomorrow then. W-we were just about to retire." He gave his wife a fond look.

"Yes," Jaheira said. "You should get some rest too. This is serious business, not to be taken lightly. We should be able to start early tomorrow."

"Maybe," Zaerini said. She was starting to feel irritated once more. "Unless I want to stay in bed all morning of course. I haven't actually slept very much for a couple of days."

"You should keep the accommodations simple," Jaheira said. "It would be foolish in the extreme to waste money on needless luxury."

"Oh, really?" Zaerini asked. Irritation was escalating into severe annoyance. "Well, when I want your advice on how to spend my money I will ask for it." She abruptly stood up and stalked over to the innkeeper. "I'd like to rent the best room you have for me and my friend," she said, taking care to speak in a voice loud enough that Jaheira couldn't fail to hear it. "How much is it?"

"Eight gold pieces," the gnome said. "But are you really sure that…"

"Of course I'm sure," Rini snapped. "Just give me the keys already." She then forced a smile onto her face. "I am sorry for my rudeness," she said. "I have a lot on my mind. A question for you, if you please. I am a bard, and I wonder if you think your guests would be up for some entertainment once I've had time to eat and refresh myself?"

"Oh, certainly," the gnome said. "Just come down later on, and we'll arrange it."

"Thank you," Zaerini said with a warm smile. She grabbed the keys and walked back to her companions, dangling the keys triumphantly under Jaheira's nose. The woman just snorted with disgust.

"We will see you tomorrow then," Rini said. "Unless you want to watch my performance, of course. Right now me and Immy are going to enjoy some needless luxury."

Two hours later Zaerini was feeling very satisfied with her decision. She'd had a lovely bath and an excellent dinner in her room. And a very nice room it was too. There was a huge four-poster bed, almost as wide as it was long, with fluffy pillows and clean sheets. There was a table and a few comfortable chairs, soft carpets on the floor and a bookshelf in the corner.

"Pity we're not going to stay long," she said. "I could easily get used to this."

"Me too!" Imoen agreed. She was sitting on the bed, gently bouncing up and down.

"Still," Zaerini said, "if we want to be able to continue renting rooms like this one I suppose I'd better get to work."

"What are you gonna do?"

"No acting, I think. I'm only one person, after all. Music will be better, and some sleight of hand should go down well."

"Card tricks?" Imoen asked. "Are you really sure that's a good idea, Rini? After…after what happened last time, I mean."

Zaerini pulled out her Chaltar deck and gave it a long, hard look. "I think it'll be OK," she said. "But I've been thinking… I think I really should try to do another foretelling." She raised a hand to forestall Imoen's words of protest. "I know, I know. It wasn't very pleasant the last time. But the Knight of Swords did turn out to be real. And…so did Death. Maybe if I could do it again, it would be helpful. I could learn something important, even about Gorion's murderer." Her amber eyes were glittering with determination. "I have to try. Just keep an eye on me, and if it seems to go wrong you wake me up." She deftly shuffled the cards, let them flow through her fingers like running water, split the deck and let the two halves merge again as they leapt from hand to hand. Then she swiftly chose her cards and spread them out in front of her. "Show me what I need to know at this moment," she said in a thoughtful voice. "The present and the immediate and near future, and how to affect them to my benefit." She turned the cards over and studied them carefully.

In the centre lay the Bard, obviously representing herself. The Star and the Harp closely flanked it. Then came the Fool, twice. After that, Judgement coupled with Death. Further off and closer to the edge of the reading were the Wizard of Coin and the Rogue, still linked. In direct opposition to those two cards she could see the Wizard of Rods and Strength, and Judgement lay between them. Finally, the Death card once more, alone.

Rini stared at the cards, puzzling over their meaning. The Star and the Harp were close companions to her own Bard card. The Star was a smiling child, glowing brightly with white light, the Harp a stylised image. Something about the Star reminded her of Imoen. Perhaps it was the cheerful, innocent expression. Then perhaps the Harp represented her new companions? But they were obviously warriors, not musicians. She could make no sense of it.

Twice the Fool, capering side by side in different shades of motley. There were plenty of fools and madmen in the world, but it meant nothing to her at the moment.

Judgement and Death next. That hinted at her being forced to make an important decision fairly soon, probably in a matter of life and death. It didn't say what about, but at least she could be prepared.

And two different wizards in the future it seemed, and a choice to make between those two as well. She just hoped Xzar wasn't one of them, but the Fool seemed more suited to that one.

Then Zaerini turned her eyes to the Death card. The skull grinned at her, its empty eye-sockets were pulling at her, dragging her closer. Her vision narrowed to a black tunnel, with the skull waiting at the end of it, mouth open. She was rapidly spinning towards it, out of control. As she passed between its skeletal jaws she screamed - and then fell silent. She was floating. Floating in the darkness, looking down upon an immense field illuminated by a faint silver glow, coming from no discernible source. Black blades of grass swayed silently in time with a wind that could be seen, but not felt. Beneath her the Cards waited. But they were also moving, advancing towards each other, then pulling apart. She thought she could almost see patterns to their movements.

And now the Cards reared up, no longer cardboard, but ghostly images of people. The Bard was in the centre, a slim figure standing still as all the others spun around her. The Star was twinkling mischievously, its light bright, but the tune played by the Harp was one of war, stern and solemn.

The two Fools were trying to reach the Bard, but kept getting into each other's way, tripping each other up and falling over again. One was wearing golden jester's clothing, the other silver, and the one in silver was the bigger one.

Judgement stood facing Death, holding out her scales. They held what seemed to be gems…and a human skull.

The Wizard of Coins stood cautiously watching his opposition, not moving but seemingly ready to pounce. The Wizard of Rods was similarly wary, and for some reason Rini knew that this one was female. By her side Strength patrolled, a towering giant of a man. Behind the Wizard of Coin she could just barely glimpse the Rogue, the dark figure slipping in and out of the deep shadows as it moved, staying hidden more often than not. All of them were slowly drawing towards the tall figure of Judgement in their midst.

And then there was Death. The skull was laughing at her, a deep and satisfied chuckle. SO YOU HAVE FOUND YOUR WAY HERE, it said. VERY CLEVER OF YOU. BUT YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT I AM EVERYWHERE. IN THE END, YOU WILL SERVE ME. YOU ALL WILL.

The laughter was still ringing in her ears when Zaerini came out of her trance, the cards now lifeless once more. She had a feeling that no matter how soft the bed, her dreams this night would not be pleasant ones.