Into the Chasm

[dragon wench]

Preamble
This project was born as a result of a conversation between AC and myself as we discussed BG2 fan fiction. Nobody here who knows either of us will be surprised to learn that it took little time before we had decided to collaborate on some fan fiction of our own These initial offerings are the beginning of our endeavours. First though, some provisos are in order. As anyone who is familiar with fan fiction will know, much of this type of writing is based on interpretation and individual creativity. This means that while we will essentially follow the plot everyone knows and loves, we will be taking some significant deviations; some will be minor, others will be pronounced. In other words, you *have* been forewarned. Finally, we would like to keep this story thread free of spam or any distraction, so we request that you do not post in it. However, if anyone wishes to ask questions or make comments by all means you are free to create a thread intended for that purpose Indeed, we will personally unleash Gwally upon you, should you commit the crime of spam, and then, may the deities have mercy on your souls.
With that out of the way, let the adventure begin!





"Ah, the child of Bhaal has awoken.... It is time for more...experiments." The voice, entirely devoid of emotion, penetrated into the haze of her mind. Kilyannamaia attempted to move, trying to block out the searing pain that traversed her body. It was not situated in a single place, rather, it accompanied every shift of muscle. Each breath came as a slender victory accompanied by blistering chill, a chill that extended ... grasped... into everything she was.

The precise and, by now, familiar sound of a key inserted into metal brought her further into awareness, away from the blurred oblivion that had become her sole respite. However, this time something was different; it pressed upon her, forcing a recollection from the night before. Within inescapable borders of memory the screams, terrified, yet somehow still defiant, were even closer... Imoen... Kilyannamaia jerked, ignoring the agony that moved with her. Before their captor reached her huddled form, a volley of sizzling missiles shot forth. The tall figure leapt back, he had not expected this. Instead of retaliating in kind, however, he smiled, a faint trace of satisfaction in otherwise empty eyes. "So... you are worthy of your heritage Bhaalchild... I am pleased."

Kilyannamaia , now fully conscious, turned her gaze, preparing to launch a second spell. He raised an eyebrow, and then with a lazy movement of his hands muttered an incantation of his own. Magic missiles bounced harmlessly off of a transparent sphere. The small elf trapped inside screamed with a feral rage, "Imoen! What have you done to Imoen?"

"Imoen?" His voice took on a bored tone. "That pathetic girl is hardly worth the gifts that bear her name." His thoughts turned to the more recent "experiment." He had hoped - no, not hoped - speculated as he would consider an esoteric scroll, that perhaps the girl's unwillingness might have elicited some small shred of what was no more. But, there had been nothing: the girl's desperate struggles had no more evoked sensation than her eventual forced submission.

These internal musings were suddenly interrupted by the sound of heavy, lumbering footsteps. Despite its massive size, the golem moved with surprising rapidity. "More intruders have entered the complex, master." The powerfully built mage started and glanced toward the direction his servant had indicated; a moment later, and he had vanished. Kilyannamaia wrestled with the fog that again threatened but, a great bellow, followed by a series of squeaks, roused the elf once more. As full awareness overcame Kilyannamaia she saw the door to her cage remained open. It was a slim chance, but one she had to take.

Though the pain was very nearly too much to bear, Kilyannamaia managed to stand up. Lurching in unsteady steps, she moved from the small prison cell... the only place she had known.. aside from that table... for .. she realized she did not know. Another roar pulled her into the direction of a voice that was dear; stumbling with every movement forward, the elf staggered toward a cage identical to her own.

Minsc 's rage at the bars containing him exploded, consuming him as he gazed at the shaking elf who now leaned against his cage. "Kilyanna! He has hurt you! Just like he hurt sweet Dynaheir! But...." And then he collapsed into heaving sobs." Though her ranger friend had left his sentence unfinished, Kilyannamaia knew with certainty that Minsc's witch had not survived. Yet, they did not have time to grieve just then, not while there was still a chance for the living.

"Minsc," she choked, "Imoen, do you know where she is? I think... I think... she is badly hurt..." This was the end for Minsc, exploding rage consumed him, and he lunged at the bars of his cage. They snapped like dry twigs in a storm of fury.
"Child! Quickly, we haven't much time!" Kilyannamaia managed to raise her head. Within the gloom she observed yet another cell, this one holding the woman who was as much mother as she was friend. Minsc lurched, still gripped by his berserker fury. A moment later, and Jaheira stepped through the new "doorway" of her cage. Her expression was one of grim urgency, "We must get Imoen, there is no time to lose." Motioning to Minsc, the druid commanded he pick up Kilyannamaia, who looked ready to collapse again.

Jaheira led the trio toward a final cage. Like the others, it was locked. The druid pulled at the bars in frustrated anger and looked hopefully at Minsc. But, the ranger's berserker state had passed as he ministered to the elf in his arms. "Boo says, Kilyanna needs rest and hot hamster cocoa." In different circumstances Jaheira might have smiled and suppressed a morbid curiosity as to the exact nature of "hot hamster cocoa."

The druid reached a decision; she had wanted to save her healing spells until she'd been able to examine Imoen, but one look at the quietly moaning figure inside the cage told her Imoen's wounds would never be healed by a few basic spells; hurt like this did not simply close over. Besides, Kilyannamaia needed healing just as badly. Shutting her eyes, Jaheira directed some necessary spells toward the elf still cradled in the giant ranger's arms.

Kilyannamaia slowly sat up and took in the sight of Imoen moaning upon the floor of her cage. "We have to get her out of there," she spoke in a whispered sob. Jaheira levelled her a hard stare, "Clear your head Kilyanna, of course we must get her out. Do you have a Knock spell memorized?" Jaheira fervently hoped that Kilyannamaia actually had several unlocking spells at the ready, the mage's casting could be so unpredictable at times. Kilyannamaia nodded and confirmed Jaheira's fear, "I have one." Despite their grim circumstances, she grinned slightly at Jaheira, "It's okay, this spell has never went wrong before." Jaheira rolled her eyes and turned to Minsc, "See if you can find a key somewhere, we may need it." Kilyannamaia sat still and concentrated, it was an easy spell, and the unexpected surges that sometimes accompanied her magic had never stopped her from opening a lock. But, it had never been so critical for her casting to work as she wanted it to. Her breathing finally steadied, the elf voiced something of a quiet prayer to whichever deities might be listening and began to recite the necessary words that, she hoped, would open the door to her sister. A few moments passed and they heard a click. Kilyannamaia exhaled the breath she had not realized she'd been holding.

Wasting no time, Jaheira pushed her companions aside and made her way to Imoen. Kneeling, and cradling the young woman's head in her arms, she passed her hands over the tangled pink locks, and then, with extreme gentleness, examined the girl as much as she was able. The examination confirmed what Jaheira had guessed, and she motioned to Kilyannamaia. Laying a hand upon the elf's arm she murmured in a low voice, "It is as we thought." Kilyannamaia's eyes flashed, rage glittering in slanted emerald pools, "He will pay...." Jaheira nodded, feeling cold anger of her own at this desecration, "Yes, but now Imoen needs our help, we will also require your healing powers." Kilyannamaia frowned, knowing the powers her half-elven friend was referring to, those that had been granted by her father. She tried to avoid using the special magic that had been increasing in power since being forced to leave Candlekeep so long ago... However, this was not the time to balk at her heritage, just then only Imoen mattered.

[dragon wench]

Several long moments passed; finally Imoen stirred and tried to sit up. The two elvish women reached out to steady her, but were met with a low scream of fear and an intake of breath. "It's okay Immy... You are with friends now, he can't hurt you anymore," Kilyannamaia whispered. Imoen slumped, her once mischievous expression had been replaced by one of bleak emptiness; her voice hollow, she only said, "I just want to go home, I want to get out of here."
"We're working on it, Sis. Can you walk, or should we ask Minsc to carry you?"
"Minsc will carry little Imoen for as long as she wants him to!"
Kilyannamaia glanced uneasily at Jaheira, uncertain at how Imoen would react to the giant ranger's attentions. They need not have worried; the ghost of a smile appeared in Imoen's eyes, and it was obvious Imoen could not possibly fear the earnest, and almost childlike, concern Minsc exhibited.
"Okay, let's go then," gestured Kilyannamaia.
During his search for a key to Imoen's cage Minsc had uncovered a stash of assorted armour and weaponry. Kilyannamaia looked over the rather basic equipment Minsc showed them and sighed. "It's not our gear. That was probably sold, so this will have to do."
The party donned the ill-fitting equipment and cautiously moved toward a dim corridor to the west.

[Aqua-chan]

Yoshimo had been taught from a young age that fidgeting was unacceptable behavior. Ideally when one had to wait he was still with perfect posture. Picking nails or tapping feet would earn a learning child a quick - and stinging - reprimand across the knuckles. But just because he'd been raised that way didn't mean that it had stuck, however. The Kozakuran couldn't stop himself from pacing back and forth across the room, panicky and worried.

It was just as well Yoshimo had a natural knack for the roguish arts as rules were something he had always had trouble with. He didn't like boundaries, nor did he enjoy getting punished for overstepping said boundaries in the first place. At least being a bounty hunter offered him an occupation in which he could conveniently disregard the law as it suited him, but that was not to say it didn't get him into spots of trouble once in a while.

Take this situation, for example. He'd been commissioned by a wealthy (if somewhat unnerving) mage to keep an eye on a pair of evil Bhaalspawn in his lair. This was done in exchange for protection from the Shadow Thieves. At the time the deal seemed to favor Yoshimo due to Renal Bloodscalp regularly upping the price on the Kozakuran's head. He would have been a fool to pass up on the bargain. And had that not been enough to convince him, there was the matter of Tamoko. Irenicus had informed Yoshimo that this was the very same Bhaalspawn that had taken the life of his sister in the northern city of Baldur's Gate.

That sense of an opportunity not to be missed was what he'd felt before, anyway. Before knowing the depth of evil Irenicus had sunk to, before seeing the torture devices and bodies floating in suspended un-death in glass containers, before coming to understand that the two supposedly foul Bhaalspawn he was set to tail were two young women, defenseless in this prison complex. Now all Yoshimo thought about was how in Illmater's name he had gotten himself into this mess.

He reflected that had he been more wary at the time he would have wondered why this mage, somebody who was essentially a stranger, knew so much about him. However, he had been driven by the twin dictates of honour and vengeance; the demands of his culture, an ancient warrior code, and the deep pain of loss had all conspired to dull his normally finely tuned senses.

Maybe nothing would come of it, he reasoned. Really, what were the odds Kilyannamaia would break free of her cage, liberate all her comrades, escape Irenicus' omniscient presence and outmaneuver all the little beasties, Duergar and traps in the lair? Slim at best, surely. Yoshimo was relieved that he could convince himself that this looming nightmare might not happen at all. Bhaalspawn or not, no person could possibly deserve the painful scrutiny of Irenicus and Yoshimo was not keen on being the one to put someone in that position.

The whole idea would have been foolish anyway. Such an elaborate plan that would put Yoshimo in Kilyannamaia's company for weeks, possibly months, was undoubtedly doomed to failure. He was charismatic, but at any point the Kozakuran could make a misstep, say the wrong thing, and the entire façade would come crashing down.

He'd been staring straight down at the floor as he paced, so Yoshimo nearly tripped over the blasted imp that had planted itself right in his path. Just fast enough to catch himself, Yoshimo twisted awkwardly and the little monster flittered out of the way. He would have tossed the sharp end of a throwing knife at the nasty beast had it not been chattering away at his plight.

"Sneaky mask man," it called him. "Masking self, cover truth. Weave bad thread in now to destroy the fabric later!"

Having heard quite enough Yoshimo took action by kicking the babbling creature back into the room of abysmal summons with more than ample force. It screeched something horrible as it tumbled away, sounds Yoshimo shut out by slamming the door closed once more. It didn't do much to spare him that growing sense of guilt that had reinstated itself in his stomach, though.

Kilyannamaia was probably still in the lower reaches, far, far away from freedom. Yoshimo inhaled deeply, trying to quell his anxious heart. This close to the exit all he had to worry about would probably be those cursed Shadow Thieves who had been slipping in, successfully causing a great deal of havoc. Here, near the imp portals the summoned hellions had taken care of most rogues, though some had slipped through. Yoshimo had lurked in the shadows, letting them by without harassment. He was a backup plan for handling Kilyannamaia's potential escape, not an instrument for defending the fort.

The portal he was meant to guard hummed loudly, breaking Yoshimo's concentration. It spat forth the slender figure with a delicate face and untamed brown hair that Yoshimo had seen briefly once before, and Kilyannamaia, disorientated from her trip through the portal, did not notice Yoshimo as he glared up to the ceiling, looking defeated, and mouthed the word 'Why?' to himself.

The bounty hunter quickly readjusted his demeanor to something a bit more fitting and far less suspicious. He established just the right stance, took on the perfect expression and cleared his throat so that his voice would betray no indication of his true motives.

Another figure, a half-giant in comparison to the fragile looking elf whom he followed, stumbled through the portal equally as ungraceful. That could possibly be attributed to the fact that he was balancing another, though. Leaning against him for support was a girl with disconcertingly pink hair that flashed against her ill-induced paleness. That was the other Bhaalspawn, Imoen. While the ranger struggled to regain his footing with the girl Yoshimo took to the act.

"So, there is sanity in all this madness," he began, boldly striding to the group while at the same time remaining cautious, standing out of arm's reach. This seemed a wise course of action, for at that moment another person materialized from the veil of the portal, and from her immediate stony glares Yoshimo knew he was already not trusted. Time to work on that. "If you are not in league with the evil that dwells in the place, Yoshimo begs your assistance."

[Aqua-chan]

"You… are also a prisoner?" asked Kilyannamaia tentatively, trying to feel the stranger out with her senses. Nothing had proven him utterly evil, but so far any creatures in this hellhole that had spoken to them had been neither friendly nor helpful. "How could you have been a prisoner? You never were in the cells with us." She also cast a glance at the finely-edged katana he carried at his belt. "And how is it you have been able to recover your gear?"

She's quick, Yoshimo noted. Thankfully, so was he. "There are other chambers along the way from which I managed to pick the door and stumble my way here; my equipment was stored in a chest nearby . Unfortunately, this seems to be about as far as I can go."

"Who are you that you've been imprisoned here?" demanded the taller of the two brunette women, this one clad in a plain suit of chain mail. She had single-handedly cut off his attempt to divert attention away from himself. She would probably be the hardest of the group to sway.

"Ah, my apologies. As I said, my name is Yoshimo, and I'm sure you all know that my profession leads me to cross some dangerous paths." He waited for them to draw their own conclusions. When all he got was four blank stares he thought he would try again. "Surely you've heard of me. I am Yoshimo," he pushed once more. Kilyannamaia raised an eyebrow.

"That's… nice?"

Feeling somewhat miffed the bounty hunter grumbled, "Well, you must be new to Amn. Or Athkatla, at least."

"I do not know what to make of the little man," Minsc was musing to Imoen, who still looked dazed and sickly. "See? Look at Boo; I've never seen his whiskers quiver so!"

Yoshimo was surprised to see the ranger holding up a rodent to his eye level. "Is that a rat?"

"So that's where you think we are? Amn?" Kilyannamaia drew him back to the matter at hand. She had good reason to want to move along: a thunderous noise of combat could be heard from somewhere up ahead, hints of the ongoing siege of the Shadow Thieves against Château Irenicus.

"Well, that is where I was when I was ambushed, though I do not know for how long I was unconscious. I could have been drugged before I was brought here, so there's no way to be sure."

A long, heavy silence fell over the group, worrying all involved. Yoshimo realized quickly why: they were weighing his story, looking for cause to be suspicious of the smooth talker. He would have to seal their confidence quickly or lose his chance altogether.

In a display of concern, both strategic and genuine, Yoshimo nodded towards Imoen and asked, "Is she injured?"

Again there was a pause. Kilyannamaia was still trying to determine Yoshimo's nature, and after a few moments of mulling the situation over the elf ceded him the benefit of the doubt. "She'll be better once we get her out of here. You said that something was keeping you from moving on?"

"Oh… Yes, in the next room there is a series of rather tiresome portals. Each one produces a different kind of beastie that attempts to rip me apart when I try to pass. I would say that destroying these portals will end the summons, but it is… ah, easier said than done, yes? A trial for one man, but an easy task for a well equipped group," he hinted with a distinct lack of subtlety.

"As most things are," that other woman snorted.

"Jaheira, please," Kilyannamaia attempted to reprimand her teammate for the attitude, but by the telling of how she shirked away from the druid's glare it was apparent who was really in charge, at least for the moment. "We're short of hands, but we're going to plough our way through this hell to find our last friend and get out of here. You can come with us, but you'll do as I say. And just be forewarned that I'm watching you. Agreed?"

She looked a little offset at his deep bow, but then figured that must have been a cultural thing. She'd never been to Amn but it was clear he was foreign even to this land.

"Your terms are more than fair," he said respectfully, finalizing the deal.

[dragon wench]

Kilyannamaia, uncertain about this new addition to the party, motioned to the spot beside her and indicated to Jaheira that she should take the lead, at least for now. She then turned to Minsc, “We will be doing battle in the next room, you should stay here with Imoen while we dispatch the creatures Yoshimo mentioned.”

“Minsc and Boo stand ready to spank Evil’s buttocks! Imoen will stay safe!

It was the first time Yoshimo had heard Minsc speak, and he raised a questioning eyebrow at Kilyannamaia. “Is he...”
The elf, pushing a strand of wayward hair from fiery green eyes, gave him a hard stare. “Minsc is one of my oldest friends, I can trust him.” This less than subtle statement with its layered meaning left Yoshimo no doubt that he was very much under trial, and would be for some time to come.
Jaheira, meanwhile, had been quietly chanting, readying the small group for the battle that would occur momentarily. Realising that she needed to put up some magical protections, Kilyannamaia started to cast some spells of her own, fortunately without mishap. Although they were short Minsc’s sheer strength and Imoen’s casting, it did not take long to disable the portals from which scores of mephits streamed. Once the portals were destroyed the irritating little beasts vanished. Kilyannamaia poked her head through the door to the other room and gave Minsc a thumbs up. With that, the entire group proceeded into the area recently “vacated” by the mephits. This room was familiar --too familiar— and Kilyannamaia faltered as she took in the long tables and the gleaming knives placed upon them. And then, as they came closer, they saw the body.

Jaheira moaned; it was a sound of disbelief mingled with the horror of certainty.
"Kha...Khalid? Khalid! No...this...this is an illusion...a dream...a bad dream. Where are the mirrors...the switches to pull to...to show where he is hidden. Khalid...Damn...damn you...Damn you! I will have the heart of who has done this! I will tear their blackened heart from their...I will...I... no." The party stumbled forward, trying to absorb the dread of the sight before their eyes.
Her voice dry, nearly soundless, Kilyanna murmured something into the shadows that were suddenly much deeper than they had been only moments before.

"Shut up! No more words! Words are nothing!"
"A brave man has fallen here," said Minsc, holding little Boo towards Jaheira, "but that is no cause to hurl insults at the living. Here, Boo shall comfort you."
"Imbecile!" screamed Jaheira. "Affront to nature! What do you and your rodent know! What can you know!! No words! No more words!! Save your speeches, save your proverbs!! The only voice I wish to hear is...is dead!!
Kilyannamaia placed a hand on Jaheira’s arm, “There may be a way to restore him, should we not try?” Jaheira shrugged her hand away, “No... it is too late... he has been mutilated. We live in an age where sometimes the dead can be brought back, but this, this desecration... we cannot.” Jaheira drew a breath in a desperate attempt to steady herself.
“No more!!,” the druid sobbed. “No...No... Sil...Silvanus guide the light...to the source. Take this man to what he justly deserves. By...nature's will, what was given is returned, what was turmoil is now...is now peace. Khalid of my heart, let my love...my love guide the way.... We...we must hurry before we are noticed. We must get out of this...this grave...and seek the light above. Let us go."

Kilyannamaia bowed her head, “We will not disturb his body further. We will honor his loss with future deeds."

"That is the way of things. There will be...there will be payment for this crime, and I shall not rest until it is collected. When we are able, there will be.... Enough. I would leave this place."

Yoshimo was in turmoil, he knew better than to extend trite platitudes to the stricken druid, he would only be spurned. But, he longed to offer some words of comfort. His stomach churned at what he had seen, now even more acutely aware of the monster he was working for. Miserable, he stared at the ground, that he had no choice deepened his distress yet further.

As they continued a dark silence hung over the group. Even Minsc, normally one to intermittently bellow some interjection about fighting evil, was quiet. Only occasional squeaks from Boo, or a barely withheld sob punctuated the hush that weighed upon the party. A few skirmishes with more Duergar, an encounter with a Doppelganger , and a group of hostile Shadow Thieves were all handled with mute efficiency. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Yoshimo halted and pointed to a barely visible entrance. “There! If you look closely you can just see a door.” They all looked at where Yoshimo had indicated, though lacking the ability to see hidden doorways, it took a few minutes until they easily perceived what seemed to be an exit.

Pausing, Kilyannamaia placed her hand on the door. It was with a mixture of relief and uncertainty that she detected a slight draft, the scent of blossoms in spring air, and the obvious sounds of a raging battle. She faced the party, “This is the way out.” For the first time, Imoen showed signs of interest, even twisting herself from out of Minsc’s arms. “Can we go home now?” Her voice, though still dull, seemed a little brighter, and faint hope briefly lit her sunken eyes.

Kilyannamaia began to push at the door, suddenly desperate to escape the shadows and darkness. “Wait!” Jaheira bade them to stop. “There is a battle going on, and Irenicus is probably out there as well, we must prepare first.” With that, the party cast the necessary spells and opened the door.

[dragon wench]

Once they recovered from blinding sunlight and had gulped in great breaths of sweet spring air, they all noticed that a tall, muscular mage was addressing a group of hooded figures. This could only be Irenicus.

"You dare to attack me here?! Do you even know whom you face?! You will suffer! You will all suffer!" Without hesitating he blasted the area with a slew of spells. Bodies disintegrated, limbs, organs and heads scattering upon the rubble. A bloodied arm landed at Kilyannamaia’s feet. Repressing the gagging sound that had risen in her throat, she turned to face the mage.

"So godchild, you have escaped. You are more resourceful than I had thought."
"You're not going to torture us any longer," replied Imoen.
"Torture? Silly girl, you just don't understand what I'm doing, do you?"
"I don't care what you're doing! Let us go!"
"I won't let you leave, not when I'm so close to unlocking your power."
"We don't want anything from you!" Irenicus seemed hardly aware of Imoen’s uncontrolled anger, nor did he even notice her feeble attempts to hit him with the little magic she knew.
"Enough, I will no longer listen to the babbling of ignorant children."
Before he could continue, however, several cowled figures materialised.
"This is an unsanctioned use of magical energy! All involved will be held! This disturbance is over!"
Irenicus sneered at them, clearly undaunted. "Must I be interrupted at every turn! Enough of this!"
Several spells later, and still Irenicus stood unharmed.
"This mage's power is immense," said one of the mages "we must overcome him quickly."
"Enough," said Irenicus impatiently, "I haven't the time for this."
"You will cease your spellcasting and come with us,” stated one of the dark-robed mages, clearly attempting to assume command of a situation in which he had no power.
"Your pathetic magics are useless. Let this end.”
"Even if we fall," spoke a one mage with conviction, "Our numbers are many. You will be overwhelmed."
Irenicus halted his casting, and his expression altered, his eyes suddenly even colder in the bright sun. "You bore me mageling. You may take me in, but you WILL take the girl as well!"
"No!" cried Imoen. "I have done nothing wrong."

“Kilyanna! Help me, please!”

But the small party weakened and in shock, could only watch in complete dismay as Imoen, Irenicus, and the cowled mages vanished within seconds of a teleportation spell being cast.
The group stood in dazed silence, looking at the place where Imoen had stood only moments before. Perhaps because she had already been trying to come to terms with her grief, Jaheira was the first to find her bearings.
“It is both odd and worrying that he acquiesced as he did, and what does he want with Imoen?”
Minsc, less concerned with the machinations behind Irenicus’ actions let out a roar and brandished the lethal-looking Sword of Chaos they had received in exchange for procuring a Djinni’s freedom while still in the lower levels of Irenicus’ dungeon. “We must give chase, we must find this killer of Sweet Dynaheir, and Brave Khalid. Even now, he could be leering evilly over Imoen!”

This last line, uttered so unknowingly by Minsc, made Kilyannamaia shudder violently. Again, it was Jaheira that recovered her wits first. “No Minsc, much as I would like to find both Imoen and Irenicus, we cannot risk plunging headlong into an unknown situation. We need to rest, and we need to find allies." At this Yoshimo spoke up, finally feeling he could contribute something to the group. He turned to Minsc, “The druid is right, it would be foolhardy to follow just now, and we do need to find lodgings, and as I know Athkatla well, perhaps with this I can help.”

Kilyannamaia roused herself a little at Yoshimo’s offer. Though she did not yet trust him, it was true that he could provide useful information. “Okay then, are there any lodgings you can suggest, something not too expensive.” Though they had managed to collect a little over 3000 gold in their struggles to escape the prison complex, and that did not even include the sundry trinkets that cold be sold for a fair price, she was reluctant to spend too much at an inn. They would need new equipment and spell scrolls, as well as a sizable fund for any possible situation that might arise.
He bowed slightly, grateful to be of service. “There is an inn I know of, the Copper Coronet... it is in the slum district maybe a fifteen minute walk from here.” Jaheira opened her mouth to say something, but Kilyannamaia was quicker. Vivid green eyes sparked at Yoshimo, “We have each been through the Hells and back, we have lost comrades, my sister has been abducted by that... that...sadist, as if he hasn’t harmed her enough already! We are exhausted, and we need a place to stay where we do not have to watch our backs every second. And you, you want us to stay in some squalid, flea-infested rathole, somewhere in this city’s slums ?!?”

Yoshimo stepped back as though scalded. “I... I... I am sorry, I only mentioned the Copper Coronet because it is inexpensive, I meant no wrong.” Kilyannamaia’s temper subsided as quickly as it had flared. “No... it is I who must apologise, you were only trying to help,” she replied wearily.
At this point Jaheira interjected. “It is some time since I have been in Athkatla, but I seem to recall that there are a pair of inns in this area.” Grateful, Kilyannamaia nodded to her friend, “Lead on then.” They soon found themselves outside two inns, one, named The Mithrest Inn, looked distinctly upscale, and she suspected, ragged and filthy as they were, that they would find little welcome within. The establishment next door, however, appeared promising. The Den of the Seven Vales gave off a vague air of tarnished respectability. Something suggested that its proprietor had tried very hard to renovate what had once been a severely dilapidated building. However, despite such efforts, it was clear from the assorted comings and goings at the door that the inn attracted a varied clientele.

“This should do nicely,” stated Kilyannamaia, “It even looks as though we won’t especially stick out.” Yoshimo cleared his throat, obviously about to say something. Then, remembering the elf’s reaction to his suggestion of the Copper Coronet, he merely slunk into the shadows, indicating to Minsc that he should do the same. Minsc seemed confused, but perhaps because of his extreme exhaustion, he followed the rogue’s example without question. Kilyannamaia noticed that Jaheira could not hide a slight smirk as she observed the two men melt into near invisibility.

[Aqua-chan]

~*~*~

The innkeeper, an oversized but still respectable looking woman, adopted an excessively cheerful tone upon noticing Kilyannamaia's presence. The mage couldn't figure out just what about this woman intimidated Yoshimo so.

"'Ello!" she greeted the two women pleasantly, "Welcome to the Den of Seven Vales. You all are free to call me Patricia; I can tend to whatever you be needin'. Oh, I cannot begin to tell you what a joy it is to finally see some of the finer half around here."

Kilyannamaia looked down upon her robes which were… not particularly clean. "Well, miss, not sure if I'd classify us as part of the 'finer half', though I do take the compliment."

"Dear, I mean that in your bein' some strong looking young women. Seems like all I've had coming through here lately 'ave been the same lazy, drunken males. Would do away with all of their kind if I could."

Jaheira raised a curious eyebrow but did show the ghost of a smirk. Kilyannamaia wasn't sure how to respond so she weakly murmured, "Well, I suppose we need them to survive, right?"

"Not all of them," Patricia's voice suddenly turned heavy. Kilyannamaia looked at her with question, and the innkeeper nodded over to a table where a dark skinned mage was trying to reassure a sobbing, young serving girl. "Coupl'a louts that 'ave taken to the upper level been harassing my workers. Told the waitresses to just put up with the payin' brutes, but one crossed the line today an' made a grab at Adayla there."

Both mage and druid gasped indignantly. Jaheira's brow furrowed and she asked the obvious question, "Why have you not just thrown them out on the street?"

"Tried. Told 'em to get out, but they out an' refused. Sent Alatelo-" she once again nodded towards the table, though this time likely towards the mage- "to maybe show off some magic t' make 'em go, but so far nothing."

"Say no more, Patricia. We'll give those curs a firm lesson in proper behavior for you."

"Oh, darlings, I couldn't ask such. I'm sure you can handle yourselves well enough, but there are four of them louts up there and I ain't no person to put people in danger needlessly. They'll leave when they get bored, I'm sure."

"It's alright, Patricia. Really, we're more formidable than we seem," Kilyannamaia said with a wink, then called over her shoulder, "Come out, boys."

Minsc instantly appeared at her side, looking happy that he no longer had to carefully watch his every movement and surroundings. Yoshimo did not follow suit.

Jaheira stood still a moment, listening to her environment intently. How she could hear his breath in the bustling inn was a curiosity, but once she pinned Yoshimo's location the druid swung her fist back and hit him squarely in his armored stomach. He huffed in surprise, breaking his cover.

"You!" Patricia bellowed at the sight of Yoshimo, whom looked as though he really wouldn't have minded sticking to the shadows. "I thought I told you that I didn't need your kind coming through here, cutting holes in my patrons' purses!"

"I've done no such thing," he said pitifully in his defense. She seemed not to hear him, but from the telling of how they had interacted in the past it was clear she probably never did.

"Is that brigand with you?" asked Patricia, looking to Kilyannamaia with hope that he wasn't. The mage shrugged haplessly.

"Alas, he is. ...But I assure you, miss, I'll keep a leash on these two while here in your establishment."

"You'd better. Especially him! I say, I catch you thieving one more time and it's to the guards with you!" she warned Yoshimo as the party turned and collectively wandered towards the staircase. Yoshimo grumbled something in his native tongue that would have gotten his knuckles slapped back home.

They ascended, everyone ready for battle. They really had hoped to avoid fighting after just fleeing Irenicus' prison, but it was speculated that maybe looking quick to draw blood would help encourage the rowdy bastards to leave. Almost immediately hopes of a simple resolution were dashed.

"Well, if you aren't a puny… eh…" the dwarf Mencar Pebblecrusher started, but decided to change his tone as the rather massive Minsc loomed fully into view, revealing that the only 'puny' thing about him was Boo. Suddenly a good deal of hot air had been deflated from the ornery adventurer and he stammered on his words.

The no-nonsense Jaheira had trailed in after the ranger, and just like the trouble causing dwarf before her she got straight to business. "Which of you blights on the land is responsible for harassing that child downstairs?" she demanded, furious.

"Har, har!" a human warrior across the room barked, almost drowning from his last gulp of ale, "Yon lass still talking about me, aye? Knew I 'ad left an impression on 'er!"

"Filth of civilization!" The half-elf drew the unintended scimitar from it's holder at her side and pointed it at the dreg with conviction. "If you and your vile fellow slugs have any sense in your heads you will apologize for your disgusting conduct and you will quickly leave this place. Am I understood?"

Yoshimo mulled over Jaheira's threat, knowing full well that she was not talking from the heart about the poor serving girl but that she was, in fact, referring to Imoen. Though no one had directly told him of what had happened to the abducted mage at Irenicus' hands he was able to reach his own conclusions. Once more, the turmoil at the pit of his stomach violently churned.

The formerly joyous band suddenly turned very hostile. The fighter's cheerful laugh dissipated in light of the orders, and quickly his hand traded the tankard for a blade. Standing up and wiping the corner of his mouth he growled at Jaheira, "Listen, missy. Don't know or care who yer are, but nobody in this world tells Smealuv Orcslicer where he does and don't go!"

"I'll change that," Jaheira replied nonchalantly, "Go to hell."

[Aqua-chan]

That was what set off the following brawl, Orcslicer and Pebblecrusher running towards Minsc and Jaheira with weapons raised and at the ready. More levelheaded, the northern adventurers waited for the ideal opportunity to counter the attacks wisely.

Yoshimo instead chose to hang back with Kilyannamaia, notching arrows to his bow with expertise. His place was out of the thick of combat, someplace safe from which he could pick off distracted foes one by one. That tactic looked necessary, for on the far side of the room was a red-clad mage with a mephit familiar. He didn't know a whole lot about the workings of magic, but Yoshimo did know that one could really hurt a mage by taking out his familiar. This particular imp had what was clearly a magical shield engulfing it, though, so Yoshimo traded in a plain wood arrow for a lightly enchanted one.

As the bounty hunter attacked the sorcerer's pet from a distance Jaheira parried Orcslicer's downward slash with ease, then flicked her wrist and threw his balance. His defenseless side quickly became a new sheathe for Jaheira's scimitar.

If it weren't armed combat one could probably find something comical about the largest member of Kilyannamaia's party having to lean down to do battle with the smallest member of Orcslicer's band. Mencar may have been a dwarf, but still there was something to his skill as a fighter. He successfully held Minsc off until his thief ally, Brennan, was able to sneak behind the giant and get him in the back with a dagger. Minsc wavered from the pain but refused to buckle.

Jaheira's foe down, she made a swipe at the rogue but missed. The agile human was quick to pull a purplish translucent vial from his waistband, consume it and vanish right before her eyes. Worried, the druid called back, "Kilyannamaia!"

The mage was already half way through chanting the incantation for a Detect Invisibility spell, quite aware the damage a thief could do to her friends… or to herself especially, should the man choose to plunge a knife into her back next.

After killing the mephit its master gave a painful jolt, feeling the magical bond being severed permanently. Recoiling from the shock, it hadn't dawned on the mage in time to put up some sort of shield to keep him from ending up like poor Pooky. Yoshimo got him in the shoulder first but then missed the second shot.

The mage retaliated by using that short period to send a Lightening Bolt Yoshimo's way, but the Kozakuran dove to the floor in order to avoid what could have been a rather nasty injury. It turned out to work well for his agenda: the bolt hit the wall behind him before bouncing back towards its caster. Yoshimo didn't look, but he could guess from the surprised screams of agony that the electrocution must have been unbearably painful.

A fearsome sweep from Minsc with the Sword of Chaos ended Mencar's life in one bloody moment, leaving only a magically exposed rogue facing death from four adrenalin-pumped individuals. The thief stood between the warriors and the long-range combatants, leaving both Kilyannamaia and Yoshimo feeling very vulnerable.

"Madness," hissed the backstabbing rogue after he'd felt the wrath of Kilyannamaia's Acid Arrow strike his forearm. "I'll not die for a dead man's ridiculous pride!"

The thief began to take his leave of the battle, but quickly it became apparent to Yoshimo that he and Kilyannamaia were blocking the only exit. The rogue seemed to realize this too, but rather than take to the shadows and sneak away he simply charged the less armored of the pair, Kilyannamaia, sword at the ready.

The mage wasted no time in setting her hands into motion for performing the necessary gestures for a Stoneskin, but even the simple spell would have taken too long to cast. Yoshimo had already set an arrow and drawn it by the time she decided on what spell she would cast, and just as the attacker prepared to slash his blade across Kilyannamaia's chest Yoshimo planted the arrow just inches to the left of his jugular. The thief halted, stumbled over his own feet and collapsed to the floor with a dying gurgle.

Kilyannamaia stared at the freshly dead body angrily for a few moments, resentful of how the mercenary had actually made her fearful for her life. Yoshimo played the grace card and did not give her any smug looks. Still, she seemed to know he was expecting some sort of gratitude.

"I… Thank you," Kilyannamaia said simply, and Yoshimo courteously bowed and smiled. It took some effort to maintain his respectful aura when the Stoneskin abruptly hardened about her flesh, just a few moments too late to be effective. And, despite himself, Yoshimo could not help but also notice how the spell managed to outline the slight curves of the slender elf's graceful form. 'Stop that!' he told himself, his stomach muscles knotting once more.

Jaheira's forehead glimmered with sweat as she approached them, though otherwise she looked positively calm despite having played a major part in the battle. "Well, Kilyannamaia, you've gone an entire day without a magic surge. That must be a record for you."

"Don't jinx it," the elf said, "We still have a long night ahead of us."

[dragon wench]

Pale and still somewhat exhilarated by the fight, Kilyannamaia leaned against the banister, surveying the carnage they had just wrought. It unsettled the elf that she had taken so much pleasure in her frenzy of offensive casting. However, a hand on her shoulder returned Kilyannamaia to her surroundings. “We ought to gather up any gear that may be useful child, anything we can find will help.” Stifling a grimace at the thought of having to touch the bodies twisted awkwardly upon the floor, the mage nodded her assent. Jaheira gave her a worried look, and then motioned to Minsc and Yoshimo, since they would be most likely to carry any heavy armour or weaponry without buckling. Or, perhaps more to the point, she did not want Kilyannamaia handling the bloodied corpses just then, the druid had not missed the fervour with which her charge had engaged in battle.

Once they had stripped the now lifeless band of their equipment, the group descended to the lower level and approached Patricia. Tired, Kilyannamaia addressed the publican. “The group upstairs... we have rendered them indisposed.”

Patricia studied the exhausted elf, concern reflected in a kindly face. “Aye lass... I know ye have, we all heard yer fighting down here. I wish ye could have resolved this peacefully, but I knew, I did, that it would end in swords.” Again she gazed at the slender figure in front of her, “I’m right grateful to ye, I am, I’ll give ye the best rooms I have fer half rate fer as long as ye wish.” Kilyannamaia’s jaw dropped slightly, “It’s okay, we’ve taken their equipment as pay.” At this point Jaheira strode forward and smiled at the large woman, “Thank you, we appreciate your kindness.”

Smiling a little at the exchange, Patricia nodded, “Aye, it is set then, Alatelo will show you to yer rooms, and I’ll draw yer baths. Ye look like ye all need a hot bath, some dinner, and then some sleepin'. I’ll prepare fer ye some food anon.”

“Boo will like that! His fur gets all fluffy after a bath,” announced Minsc loudly, oblivious to the stares that resulted at this statement. Patricia looked as if to speak, but then thought the better of it. Minsc, however, took this as encouragement and held the hamster up, close enough so that she actually felt as though a set of beady, black eyes were scrutinizing her. Behind her, Kilyannamaia heard Jaheira let out a quiet groan. Fortunately, Patricia did not seem unduly alarmed, and even ventured to stroke the hamster’s silky coat. Minsc positively beamed, and resembled, for all the world, a young father out for that first walk with his newly born babe. Trying very hard to repress a giggle, Kilyannamaia looked about for Alatelo and reiterated Patricia’s promise that he show them their rooms.

The next several hours passed as something of a blur. Patricia had been good to her word and supplied the group with baths, luxuriously soft robes, and bowls of extremely tasty stew. She had even sent for their clothing and armour to be cleaned, though Kilyannamaia suspected, given the grimy state of their gear, this was as much in the publican’s interest as it was in their own.

Flopped back on her bed and luxuriating at the sensation of clean, soft covers, Kilyannamaia looked over to Jaheira. The druid had been silent for some time; when their eyes met, however, words were not necessary.

Deciding to give her friend as much privacy as shared accommodation could allow, the mage gathered together the equipment they had liberated from the gang of thugs recently dispatched, and padded out to the common room down the hallway. The mage’s lengthy nap had allowed her to memorise a number of identification spells, and these she used to divine the exact purpose and nature of the items in front of her. First she eyed an elegant white cloak; it would apparently shield an invisible wearer from scrying or any form of true sight. This, she mused, would be helpful when worn in conjunction with the ring of invisibility cupped in her palm. A few minutes later and Kilyannamaia had identified a lightly enchanted war hammer, a powerful, but cursed, sword, and a wand of lightening. The only remaining item was the set of glowing platemail. Unthinking, she once more began to weave the motions and words to the simple spell. A sudden brilliant, purple flash shook her absent-minded work, and it was with some shock that she stared down at the now bright, lavender armour. Kilyannamaia groaned and cursed Jaheira for her earlier comment. Closer examination of the piece, however, revealed that the armour had acquired some powerful protections. In addition to an enchantment that afforded greater resilience to damage, it also appeared to make its wearer resistant to charm, domination and similar magics. Grinning, the mage decided it would be the perfect gift for Minsc, and she was certain he would not object to its startling colour. “Now, if only Jaheira doesn’t remember its original appearance," she muttered distractedly to herself.

A snort from the shadows jerked Kilyannamaia from her examination of the armour. She looked up to see Yoshimo walking lightly towards her. “That was quite the display of magic, does it happen often?”
“Er... sometimes, though it is unpredictable, and not always as beneficial as this was.” Yoshimo grinned broadly, it was apparent he found the image of Minsc wearing lavender armour as amusing as she did.

[dragon wench]

The moment of shared humour passed, they both began to feel slightly uncomfortable. It was Yoshimo who broke the silence with the sincere gesture he had intended to convey since first entering the common room. “I.... I am deeply sorry for the loss of your sister, it.... it should not have happened like that.... none of it,” he murmured, his voice betraying obvious concern. If there is anything I can do...” Kilyannamaia met his gaze. Though still suspicious, she was grateful. “Thank you,” she whispered, unable to say more. Her hands shaking, she lifted the haversack she had brought to the common room and started to place the identified items within. As she did, though, something small fell out; they were the acorns Irenicus’ captive dryads had requested they return to a place called The Windspear Hills. Holding the hard and highly polished nuts in her hand acted as a visceral reminder of Imoen’s reaction to the sylvan dryads... “So beautiful...” Imoen had whispered, her voice barely audible in the gloom.
And then the dryads, so very perceptive in their response, “He has touched you... just as he has touched us... what is it he hopes to find?”
“Yes, what does he hope to find?” muttered Kilyannamaia, angry tears beginning to pool.

Feeling awkward and useless, Yoshimo gazed in silence at the delicate elf. Yet, something told him that Kilyannamaia was far less fragile than she appeared. He recalled her display of anger when he had proposed they stay at the Copper Coronet, and he also remembered the way she had questioned him when they first met, not to mention the quickness with which she had reminded him that Minsc, unlike himself, was a trusted friend. Not for the first time since they’d met, he found himself discretely glancing at those intense green eyes, they seemed to hold a barely contained fire. Though she had been leaning on her druid friend for support, after weeks of torture, it was clear to Yoshimo that Kilyannamaia would emerge as the group’s obvious and capable leader.

At that moment, however, Kilyannamaia felt anything but capable, and she swayed a little as she stood up. Quick on his feet, Yoshimo extended his arm out, offering assistance should she require it. “I’m not completely helpless!” she snapped, suddenly frustrated at the way her present weakness made her appear vulnerable.

“You idiot,” Yoshimo cursed silently to himself. It seemed that no matter what he did, he was unable to overcome the distance at which she held him. This was new to Yoshimo, he was a charismatic man with a natural charm, and he’d always had a unique ability to move easily in any social situation; even beautiful women rarely resisted his easy smile. No, doubt, he thought with bitterness, this was exactly why Irenicus had recruited him for the task at hand. Yet Kilyannamaia was different, she seemed oblivious to his effortless grace and normally winning manner.

“I... my apologies.. I know you are not helpless, you are not helpless at all. But, you have been through a lot and looked as though you might fall, I only wished to offer my assistance should you need it.” His tone was deferential, and he hoped it would dissolve –at least a little— the icy expression with which she regarded him. A wave of exhaustion passed through the elf at that moment, reminding her that she had been through a lot. The past 24 hours were a blur of pain and loss, and catching her reflection in a nearby mirror she understood why Yoshimo had acted as he did. Her face, normally a healthy tan, was drained of colour; she was not just pale, her skin had actually taken on a bloodless --almost translucent-- hue. The dark waves and curls framing her face hung limp, and her sharp, angular bone structure only accentuated the pallor she projected. For the second time that day Kilyannamaia realised she owed Yoshimo an apology. He accepted it with a quiet nod, and once more offered his arm. This time, still unsteady on her feet, she took it, and found herself glad for the escort to her room.

The lanterns had been snuffed out, and Jaheira, tightly curled within her covers appeared to be asleep. But, the tension of her posture suggested otherwise. Kilyannamaia suspected that it would be a long time before either of them would ever be able to find comfort in sleep. However, extreme fatigue had taken its toll; as the night deepened, both women eventually fell into a dreamless lack of consciousness.

Sunlight was filtering through shuttered slats; Kilyannamaia stirred, for a moment unsure of her bearings. Instead of waking on a hard floor in darkness, unable to discern if it was day or night, she felt soft bedding and blissful, golden warmth, and then she remembered... After a night’s rest, however, she felt a renewed strength, and a sense of hope. Since their arrival at the Seven Vales, they had secured good accommodations at a discounted price, and their fight with the gang of mercenaries had yielded some decent equipment. Jaheira had already went downstairs, and the insistent rumbling in Kilyannamaia’s stomach bade her to do the same. She dressed quickly, happy to feel the cleaned robes against her skin. Looking down at herself, though, she knew they would soon need replacing.

The entire party had already descended for breakfast. Jaheira was engaged in an intense discussion with their hostess, and Kilyannamaia heard the words “Copper Coronet” mentioned with loathing. Minsc, on the other hand, seemed considerably cheered by rest in these new surroundings and was happily feeding Boo the remains of his ample breakfast. The final member of the group seemed to have withdrawn into his own thoughts; Yoshimo looked pale, and it was apparent he had slept little.

Just as the elf was considering Yoshimo’s troubled silence, Jaheira strode purposefully to the table, in the one hand bearing a large platter of food, and in the other news of a possible opportunity.