In The Cards

Isn't it funny how supposedly intelligent people can be so completely unaware of their own emotions? Plenty of prime examples of that happen to be members of my own family. And yes, I've made that same mistake myself, as my familiar just kindly pointed out to me. Hey, nobody's perfect!

Excerpt from 'Ruminations Of A Master Bard'

Edwin Odesseiron felt very pleased with himself and his day so far. Humbling that smug Wychlaran had been immensely satisfying and the mere memory of her face as she awoke to find herself transformed into a man still was enough to infuse him with a warm glow of pride and happiness. Her outrage had been so very amusing, and the fact that she still hadn't figured out that the enchanted belt could only be removed by a skilled priest was even more so. Dynaheir had left Nashkel at nightfall, still in male form, with a very confused Minsc in tow. The ranger kept asking if Dynaheir was still a Witch now, and that enraged the ex-woman even more. And the duel itself had gone well. Quick reflexes and quicker thinking had won him the day, and he thought he could safely say that he had upheld the family honor.

Edwin smiled to himself, looking forward to going over the subtler aspects of the duel with his teacher at a later opportunity. For one moment he had spotted the assassin at some distance in the watching crowd, a safe way behind Zaerini and her friends. It had been a good thing to feel the unwavering support of his mentor, like an invisible hand on his shoulder. And this time I did everything right, he thought. He can't help but approve, especially of that final touch with the belt. Yes, I think he'll appreciate that even more than Zaerini did.

That thought brought the mage back to the present and the female sitting opposite him at the dinner table. She was licking chocolate cake off her spoon very, very slowly, with an ecstatic expression on her face. Edwin took the opportunity to study her more closely without her noticing. The half-elf could pass for either elf or human, depending on circumstances. Her slight build resembled that of an elf, but could as easily be taken for that of a slim human. The same contradiction was present in her face. Her features weren't as frail and ethereal as those of a full elf, her chin was firmer and no more than the slightest bit pointed, her nose was broader and her mouth wider, emulating those of a human. But the high cheekbones were those of an elf, as were the eyes. Larger than human eyes, a little tilted, and of the strangest color Edwin had ever seen. Golden eyes, sometimes shimmering like the metal itself in its purest form, sometimes filled with leaping flames or glittering like the orbs of some large predator, a great cat most likely. The Red Wizard wondered whether those fascinating eyes might be a mark of her peculiar heritage or simply a random trait. Whatever the case they were very interesting to watch, their expression shifting constantly and with quicksilver speed. Her hair was equally wild, a bouncing flame-red mass, cut just above shoulder-length and usually pulled forward to hide her pointed elven ears. It wouldn't surprise Edwin if she did that on purpose to mask her mixed blood. People could be so very small-minded about things like that, and that went for both humans and elves. It was still very nice hair though, even if it was a little unkempt.

As for race she could be a gnome or a half-orc for all I care, as long as she can carry a decent conversation, Edwin thought. And she could, a fact that he had been both pleased and surprised to discover. He had learnt long ago that few of the people he met were able to keep up with him intellectually, and so he usually didn't even bother with trying to accommodate them anymore. That made him value the ones that were able to match his pace even more. The redhead had a sharp and sometimes sarcastic wit, and she wielded it like a blade to get her own way. He could respect that. Annoying as she could be she could also be amusing when she wanted to, and her sense of humor wasn't that different from his own. Her company was actually quite bearable. What am I doing? Edwin thought with more than a little chagrin. She's the Mission! What does it matter what I think of her? I'm here strictly in a professional capacity, not to socialize. Calm. Cool. Collected. That's me. Totally committed. It's...it's just that I need to observe her closely and get to know her better in order to better manipulate her. Yes. That's it. And if I happen to notice that she happens to have nice hair that is also a strictly professional observation. Nothing else.

The wizard gave a small sigh of relief, pleased to have figured it all out. Zaerini was still enjoying her chocolate cake, the final treat of a very nice dinner arranged by the thoroughly terrorized Nashkel innkeeper who had almost emptied his stores entirely to satisfy the Red Wizard. The half-elf had been pleased, especially with the dessert that had made her grin widely. Her small and pink tongue darted in and out of her mouth with lightning-quick motions, savoring the treat as thoroughly as possible. Edwin found himself transfixed by the sight. In and out. In and out. Something told him that whoever dared come between the bard and the focus of her desire would come to regret it badly.

"You know", Zaerini said, "this was a very nice dinner." She watched her empty plate with some regret. "Pity there's no more cake. But at least we got a chance to talk in private. I liked that, and I think I've made up my mind. If you still want to join the group you're welcome to do so." She grinned. "Just don't try to doublecross me and we'll get along just fine."

"Oh. Good."

"As a matter of fact", the half-elf added, "I've got a round and pretty little something for you. Here you go." She deftly stuck her slim fingers inside her bodice, causing Edwin's eyes to boggle.

"What are you doing!" he choked.

"Just giving you a present", Zaerini said with a small frown. "I don't bite, you know. Here, give me your hand and we'll see how it fits." Before the wizard could react she had grabbed his hand and forced something onto one of his fingers. It was gold. It was round. It glowed with an inner light all its own, much like the mischievous eyes of the half-elf. "What's the matter, Eddie?" she said. "I thought you wanted the Ring of Wizardry? Don't tell me you've changed your mind."

"I…no. Of course I haven't." Edwin instinctively pulled the cowl of his robe forward to keep his burning cheeks from showing. For one second he had thought… What an utterly preposterous idea! And she had probably done it on purpose too. But the gift was a princely one. Already he could feel the magic of the Ring at work within his mind. He had always had an excellent memory, but now it felt expanded to immense proportions, new doors opening to new opportunities. This was a marvelous treasure indeed. And she had given it to him freely. Why? What could possibly possess her to do such a thing? "It…is beautiful", he said. "Just like y…er…like a powerful magical ring ought to be." By now he hardly had any idea what he was saying, or for that matter thinking. For some reason his powers of reasoning seemed to have shut down. And that wasn't entirely because of the gift itself, but rather because she had given it to him. Whatever that is supposed to mean, Edwin thought with a small frown. I certainly have no idea.

"You like it then?"

"Oh, yes! Very much", the mage hurriedly assured Zaerini. "But I don't understand. That ring would have fetched you a small fortune had you sold it. Why did you…" His voice trailed off as he struggled to phrase the question properly.

"Give it to you?" The bard looked thoughtful now. "I…don't know. It just seemed right somehow." She flashed him a quick smile. "I'm not proposing or anything if that's what has you looking like a fish on dry land."

"Rather a fish than chittering squirrel", Edwin automatically retorted, twisting the ring around to better study the design. But his heart wasn't really into the insult game right now. "You never answered my question."

"Yes, I did."

"No, you didn't."

Zaerini shrugged expressively. "I said I don't know", she said. "I guess I just figured that since you're a wizard you can make good use of it. Should help keep us all alive. That sounds logical, doesn't it? Perfectly logical. Yes, I'm sure that's what I had in mind."

"Perhaps…" Edwin said slowly, stroking his beard. It did, in a way. That was some relief. Wasn't it? So why did he feel as if he had just been turned upside-down and spun across the floor like a top? Well, at least the girl…no the woman in front of him looked almost as puzzled as he felt. Still, he didn't want to feel indebted to her. He hardly knew her. And then there was the Mission…

"Oh", Rini said as if she had suddenly remembered something. "There was this magical wand as well. Shoots lightning bolts it seems. I think we could both have some fun with that if you show me how to work it. I didn't want to try it out alone the first time, I've never used a wand before…"

"Hold on", Edwin interjected, looking her straight in the eyes. They really were a most remarkable color… "Such a gift deserves something in return. (I wouldn't want you to think you can buy my loyalties after all. I act as I please.)"

"Really? A present? For me? What is it?" Those eyes were practically sparkling now and the bard's melodious voice was equally eager as she leant forward across the table so that their hands almost touched.

"Er…", Edwin said as he felt his brain come to a screaming halt. "It's…it's…" He frantically tried to pull his thoughts together but it was suddenly strangely difficult to do so. What could he possibly give her anyway? It had to sound impressive. After all, I want her to trust me. So that I can carry out my assignment. Yes. That makes perfect sense. Perfect sense. It was at this point in time that Edwin's mouth decided that it had had enough of waiting for his brain to get its act together, and that it might just as well take over. "A year of my services as a wizard", it said. " I am sure you agree that my guidance will be far more valuable than any monetary sum or item of value." What are you doing?! Edwin's mind screamed. You can't just go and sign yourself up for a whole year! Have you gone insane?! Unfortunately it didn't have the time to take the offer back.

"That…that's great news", the bard said in a soft voice. She looked very serious now and her eyes were wide and impressed. "And a very generous gift. Sure you won't change your mind? I thought you just wanted temporary companions?"

Once again the commands of Edwin's brain were bypassed. This time his neck took charge and shook his head feebly. "I'm sure", his mouth croaked.

Zaerini smiled again. "Wow!" she said. "Wait till I tell the others." The smile turned wicked. "Jaheira will go spare!" She bounced to her feet, gave him a cheerful wave and bounded up the stairs. "Oh, Jaheeeiiira", she cried out in a sing-song voice. "I've got a surpriiiise for youuu…"

Left behind at the table Edwin sat staring morosely at the empty plates, feeling as if he had just been turned inside out by a hurricane, unable to understand what exactly had just happened. He was also trying to figure out a good way to inform his teacher of what he had done, one that wouldn't make him look like a complete and utter brainless fool. In this venture he was singularly unsuccessful.