Chapter 12: The Consequences of Hate
It felt like a long time walking, but they had actually made it back to the village in fairly good time. It was much faster than yesterday, to be sure, as they did not depend on that crazed shaman’s poor directions. Jan personally thought that the shaman’s hut smelled like a wet dog that wandered through a berry patch. Smelly people always gave bad directions. In fact, it reminded him of the time Uncle Scratchy tried to tell those adventurers how to reach the Firewine Bridge in Baldur’s Gate. Of course, they were in Calimshan at the time, and Uncle Scratchy didn’t know a whit of the language and accidentally made some very obscene calimshite hand gestures that got them thrown out of the palace they were so nicely loitering in. The guards were so irate that they eventually had to escape through the sewer systems, which were not filled with rats so much as giant space ants who had a penchant for Calimshite guard flesh….ah, but those were the days…
And here they were, back in the smelly wet-dog tent of the shaman. He looked quite nervous after Vessa explained to him what he saw, and began rushing around the tent, searching for something.
“Oh dear, that could indeed be what is causing this trouble. I know how to destroy this totem, but you must take care that the witch does NOT witness the act! This is of utmost importance, and it must not be performed incorrectly,” he settled on an onyx stone, then used some kind of crushed berry paste to paint a rune upon it. Jan thought the berries were a silly idea. After all, turnips were much more potent when it came to spell reagents. He knew…oh, how he knew.
The shaman chanted something over the rock in a language Jan was unfamiliar with, and the rune became a purple symbol upon the rock.
“Here, use this, my Lady. Merely smash this rock upon the totem and the entire contraption will shatter. That should free us from this polluting corruption. I would like to thank you in advance, my Lady. You know not what a wonderful service you do here.”
“Um, yes, indeed. We shall go and do the deed at once, Shaman. I hope that this shall save your people.”
As they left, Jan couldn’t help but notice the satisfied smirk on the Shaman’s face. It was the same smirk he saw on Uncle Spanky’s face after he just tricked Uncle Scratchy into eating a turnip with blasting powder in it. Jan readied his crossbow just in case.
***
Jaheira had been scanning the surroundings as they traveled back to the mysterious totem, and a flash of light on metal caught her eye. She turned to see Solaufein running his hand through his foolishly unbound hair, and he was wearing a suspiciously familiar ring….
“Solaufein, may I see your hand? The one with the ring on it, please.” Jaheira said.
Solaufein looked at her quizzically, but extended his hand for her. Jaheira inspected the hand closely. Yes, it was as she thought.
“Hmm…Solaufein, I must admit, I am surprised,” Jaheira said.
“Surprised? How so?” was Solaufein’s reply.
“I believe that to be Vessa’s ring. Specifically, her ring of Free Action. Am I correct in that observation?”
“Yes, you are.”
Jaheira’s eyes widened, “I am surprised Vessa gave you that ring. It has been her only source of comfort as we've traveled along in forests or dungeons. Vessa has often told me that she would rather be eaten alive by angry Orcs than get caught in a spider's web. It means much to her, and she would not give it away lightly. However, I do not believe that this accurately represents the magnitude of her attachment to it. Perhaps you should know… Irenicus forced me to watch every single thing he did to Vessa, so I know her tortures intimately. At one point, he locked her in a coffin…full of spiders. He knew her greatest phobia and capitalized on it, magnifying it one thousand fold. Think on this, Solaufein.”
Solaufein closed his eyes, “By Eilistraee, I had no idea! Vessa gave me something that important to her? She gave me something so integral to her feelings of safety and she didn’t even tell me how much it meant to her?!”
Jaheira smiled slightly, “Perhaps the question should not be how precious the ring is to her, but how precious *you* are to her?”
“I…I am unsure as to how to return this kindness. There is nothing in my possession that could compensate. Perhaps my book of poetry, but…Vessa cannot read the tongue of the Drow.”
“Perhaps you could protect her as that ring once protected her.”
Solaufein gave Jaheira an odd look, “Jaheira, you should realize more than anyone else here that Vessa can protect herself. She doesn’t *need* me.”
“Solaufein, I have never seen Vessa so peaceful as when she was resting in your arms. She needs her friends, and she needs you. She has been thrown into a maelstrom of chaos, and her life has become one of wild scrambling for any sort of foothold. She needs someone she can depend upon, someone she can actually open up to and someone who won’t abandon her when she needs them the most. She needs someone she trusts, and she obviously trusts you. You can be that person, and I believe that you desire to be.”
“You do not consider me her friend, Jaheira?” By this time that kitten of his had poked its head out of his pack, curious of the exchange.
“Do not play that game with me, Solaufein. I consider you more than her friend, and I believe that you do as well.”
“Anomen had attempted earlier to dissuade me from…caring for…Vessa. Are not you going to try the same?”
“Are you deaf, boy? Have I not been saying the opposite this entire time? You are supposed to have keen ears, use them for once! Vessa is seen only for what she is, not who she is, much as you are. What cares she for some stigma imposed upon her by heedless people whose opinions she doesn’t care about anyway? Trust me, it wouldn’t bother her in the least what they thought about her. She has always been shy and reserved, and she is content on her own. She doesn’t need the love and accolades of the many. All she needs is the friendship of the few…and the love of one.”
“Which brings me to another matter I wish to speak with you of,” Jaheira continued, “I realize that Drow culture does not put any emphasis on committed, meaningful relationships, but you must realize that ours does, and that and that sex is usually reserved for such relationships. For many surfacers, there is nothing “casual” about it. Many wish to reserve such activities until marriage. Vessa is one such surfacer. Do not hurt her. If you do hurt her, or abandon her like she has been abandoned so many times before....all of nature's fury will pale in comparison to mine own. Do I make myself clear, Solaufein?”
“Completely, Jaheira. It also warms my heart to know how much you care for her well-being. I admit, I know next to nothing about ‘marriage’. From what I gather out of my readings, it is a permanent union of some sort, correct? Weren’t you married?”
Jaheira took in a deep breath before she spoke, “I was married to a wonderful man. He was murdered in Irenicus' dungeon, and I miss him with every beat of my heart - but I would not trade one moment I had with him. Marriage is forever with surfacers, Solaufein. If this is not a commitment you feel you can make, that is the only way I would ask that you do not pursue this relationship with Vessa.”
Solaufein nodded his head gravely, "I hear you and understand your words, Jaheira."
Jaheira realized that men, even Solaufein, needed to take much time pondering such a commitment before they bound themselves to one woman. She left him to his musings, satisfied that he would not lead Vessa on.
***
Jaheira had given Solaufein plenty to brood upon, and brood he did, completely ignoring the squirming in his pack; he had grown used to the kitten resting within.
Jaheira spoke true when she said that Drow placed no stock in committed relationships. Such a thing was unheard of. In fact, Phaere was taken away and tortured for her lack of desire to throw him aside…
Solaufein thought back on his love for Phaere. Back in those happy days when she was still the woman he loved, he had thoughts for no person other than her. He had no desire for another love, and it never crossed his mind to toss her aside as she could have done him. He never set his sights to more than just the immediate moment with her, however. He had never actively pondered any sort of commitment. This was not because he did not want to commit; rather, it was because, subconsciously, he realized that there was little hope for such a bond to be formed in such an environment as theirs. His waking mind just did not want to see it, and so never looked beyond the now.
Vessa was another matter, however; ever more often she flitted through his mind, and his memories of Phaere lessened in frequency. Vessa’s image did not replace Phaere’s in his mind or in his heart. They were two distinct people, and one could not be the other. He realized that with Vessa, he did have a chance to forge a permanent bond. The question is, was he ready for such a commitment? To never lie with another besides her? He turned his gaze upon Vessa as she sent her familiar to scout high above them.
He couldn’t deny how he felt about her. He knew he wanted to be with her, as he had once wanted to be with Phaere. He would like to discuss the possibility of a future together with her, but…he didn’t even know if she loved him. Solaufein stopped in his tracks.
Wait…why would it even matter how she felt about me unless…Sweet Eilistraee! I love her! I truly love her… Though he may just have admitted it to himself, he felt he could not reveal his feelings to her, not yet. After all, she was missing her soul, a very integral part of her. She didn’t need any more emotional turmoil of any sort right now. It was not the time. Perhaps later, in the future, when feelings are more cemented and emotions are clearer, they could speak of such things. For now, however, he decided that he should simply be there and support her, as any friend, or ‘more-than-friend’, should do.
***
Minsc was getting a little bit sore from all this tromping about. It was noon, and his armor was uncomfortably hot. He was proud of the cause, though. They had to smash the evil totem and the village would be saved! Vessa said he could do the honors when he asked to destroy it himself. It will be another swift kick to the tenders of Evil!!
However, all the pride in the world couldn’t stop the relentless tide of fatigue that was beginning to take its toll. He was a large man, and the fact that he was a large man currently encased in a large, heat-retaining metal sheath did nothing to reduce his discomfort. Perhaps he should wear less armor for long marches?
Minsc looked at his companions as he tossed nuts out for his woodland friends. Imoen seemed only mildly uncomfortable, clad in light mage-robes that seemed to gather shadows about her. Solaufein’s chainmail was as light as a shirt, and he didn’t seem to be sweating his insides out as Minsc was. Vessa was wearing the same light, green, leafy looking chainmail Solaufein was, and though her hair was very long, she had it bound into a myriad of braids and the heat didn’t seem to be affecting her much at all. Jan was….Jan. Boo said that perhaps it was impossible for Gnomes to react to climate. Jan certainly seemed the most unperturbed of all of them, in any case.
Finally, there was Anomen, he seemed just as irritable and hot as Minsc felt, and he looked just about ready to complain about it. However, they had made it to the totem just as he was about to open his mouth.
Now they were finally at the clearing, the first think Minsc wanted to do was to SMASH THE EVIL TOTEM.
“Minsc wishes to destroy the evil totem now! Let us go and save the werewolf-men!”
“Ha ha ha. Yes, Indeed, Minsc. Let us go!” Vessa said in reply.
All Minsc had to do was smash the totem using the magical rock with all of his mighty strength of justice. It was easy enough, and he was disappointed that he barely had to use any force at all. He did like the pretty red sparkles, though. The whole totem exploded in pretty red sparkles. So did the rock.
“Well, that was anticlimactic,” quipped Vessa as the sparkles died down in a disappointingly short time, “now, perhaps we should search the house? I assume it is vacant, as there was a lack of any sort of resistance to our totem destroying. Perhaps this woman had something to do with the missing children. Let us investigate.”
Wordlessly, they all crept into the house, and Minsc smacked his head on the low doorframe. Boo said that the woman must be short, and that Minsc should probably bend his head a bit more to avoid more injuries.
The house smelled funny, like old, drying plants. Boo could smell cats. Boo didn’t even need to say anything to Minsc, he could just tell by Boo’s shivering. He always shivered around cats. And Madame Nin before they heroically rescued the slaves. But mostly cats.
They had all split up to search the individual rooms (there was a surprising amount, and the dimensions of the outside of the cabin did not match the larger interior.) Minsc had volunteered to take what looked to be a cozy den of some sort. He looked under couches, in the fireplace, and even under a plate at one point.
“Little children…Little Children!! Come out, come out, wherever you are! It is we great heroes who have come to rescue you from the bad lady! Come out, children!” Minsc shouted as the started manipulating the stones around the fireplace as he had once seen Imoen do back in Nalia’s keep. He thought that if Imoen could press a random stone and have a secret doorway appear, then so could he! However, no amount of poking, smashing, or hitting could make a magical secret door appear. However, he did manage to make the mantle collapse. This made him feel slightly better.
“What happened?! Minsc, are you ok? Were you attacked?!” Shouted Vessa as she ran into the room, scimitars drawn, with the others rushing in behind her.
“Eheheheh….Minsc was just looking for secret passages, and I seem to have smashed this mantle, here. Boo says I should apologize for worrying you, so I am sorry.”
Vessa sighed tiredly and shook her head. “That is ok, Minsc. Just, please, do not scare us like that again.”
“I have not seen any sign of children, nor have I found any evidence to suggest their whereabouts,” began Anomen, “has anyone else had fairer luck?”
Everybody shook their heads at Anomen’s words. Minsc was disappointed. How he had wanted to save the children!! Boo told Minsc not to worry, though. He said that they would find the children because they were traveling with Vessa, and that is what Vessa did. Minsc was cheered by Boo’s explanation, and went, uncomplaining, along with the group.
They had just reached the doorway, and were about to head out, when a rather irate woman in flowing black robes and about as small as Vessa, simply appeared at the entrance. Just appeared. There was no sound, no lights, no smoke, nothing to warn anyone of her arrival. Minsc wanted more red sparkles.
The woman ran her fingers through her chestnut hair and tapped her foot impatiently, “Would you kind people please enlighten me as to why you are so carelessly tromping about my residence?” her ocean eyes gleamed with annoyance as she pushed her spectacles up. Boo said that she was not one to take nonsense from anyone, so Minsc decided that it would be a bad idea to charge at her right now.
“Perhaps you would be so kind to enlighten *us* as to why you’ve been bewitching the lycanthropes in the village nearby?” Vessa said with evident sarcasm.
“Doing what to what? I’ve done no such thing, you silly girl! Is that why you’ve been tearing about my house, leaving scuff marks on my wooden floors with your terribly practical boots? I must say, while highly useful for an adventurer, those boots are no good for impressing…well….anyone. They make you look rather scruffy.”
Vessa looked stunned by what the crazy lady just said. “Wh-what? I am not a silly girl! And I will have *you* know that these boots are all the rage in Athkatla. They are stylish *and* comfortable! So there.”
“Don't worry about it, Vessa. We fashion pioneers are often misunderstood,” Jan chimed in, “In two years, everyone will be following what we're wearing now, but we will have moved on to some other glorious, turnip-filled, trend setting ensemble.”
The lady snorted, “Fashion pioneers? More like fashion victims. Tell me, did you get your entire wardrobe from a temple's donations for the poor?”
“WHAT?!” Vessa shouted, “well *excuse* me, Ms. I-wear-pretentious-flowing-black-robes! At least I do not look like somebody poked holes in a sack-cloth and stuck it over my head!”
Minsc heard some quiet snickering, and turned to see Solaufein trying desperately to squelch said laughter. Minsc himself was confused as to why Vessa was arguing clothing with this lady who might be the person that kidnapped the children.
Vessa must have heard the snickering as well, for she shot Solaufein a dirty look, which only made him explode into laughter.
“Just what do you find so funny, young man?” said the lady, turning her venomous gaze on the Drow, “It is not like you are dressed any better than your companion. Did you shop from the same refuse heap? Or perhaps you two swap between outfits? You look like you’d be good for each other, tackiness wise. I mean, not even your complexions match! You are far too dark to properly accent her eyes! And that hair! Certainly this girl would have sense enough to teach you how to care for it properly? It’s clumping together, for heaven’s sake! You look like a ratty pirate after six months on the high seas!”
“H-hey, you leave him out of this!” was Vessa’s clever rebuttal. “It is not his fault none of us bothered to show him the proper upkeep of one’s hair while adventuring on the surface. And your spectacles are greasy and smudged! Beat that, child-stealing lady!”
“I *told* you, I didn’t kidnap anyone, especially not children!! They get into the ingredients, you see…horrible cleanup afterwards. By the gods, I swear, you children are getting less and less intelligent with each generation! Look, just because a woman goes out on a five-year journey of growth and self-discovery and returns to her cabin in the woods does *not* mean she is out to kidnap children, or make houses out of gingerbread, or any such nonsense!! And for your information, your little sweetheart is about to go into convulsions over there. You might want to help him out with that. Perhaps you could untie the laces of that terribly outdated tunic of his a bit, it looks like it’s asphyxiating him with ugly.”
Minsc laughed to himself as Vessa blushed brightly. Boo knew how those two felt about each other, there was no denying it! “He-he is not really my sweetheart,” Vessa stuttered. “...I mean, I like him a lot, he's very nice and handsome....Um....”
***
Sola's laughter abruptly ceased upon hearing Vessa proclaim that he was not, in fact, her sweetheart. He wasn't sure what the word meant, but he was pretty sure that he didn't like that he wasn't hers.....
***
The woman raised an eyebrow at Vessa.
“Hey, wait! Why am I answering your questions? IT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS WHETHER HE IS MY SWEETHEART OR NOT! AND YOUR HAIR IS FRIZZY! Now, where are you keeping the children?!”
“Oooohhhh, good one, sis. What’re ya gonna say next? That her knees are crooked? You need some better material than that!” Imoen joined in.
“You know, this reminds me of the time my great-aunt Brunhilde--”
“GAH! NOT A GNOME, AS WELL!! SILENCE YOURSELF IN MY HOME, YOU DIMUNATIVE LITTLE BRAIN-ROTTER!” shouted the woman. Minsc decided that he liked her. Perhaps she knew of Jan’s evil Boo-stealing schemes and didn’t like him for it!
“Well, I was just saying…” began Jan once more.
“NO! You will say nothing!
Look, the shaman said you were the one causing this corruption, and what cause would he have to lie?” Vessa said with a glare.
The lady seemed to be genuinely surprised by this, “Shaman? What shaman?! That village isn’t supposed to have a shaman, they have a druid already! And for the last time I DO NOT HAVE ANY CHILDREN! How many times do I have to say that before it gets through your thick skull, you addle-pated young woman?”
“Oh, I will addle your pate, all right…” Vessa mumbled as she flexed her fingers.
“Addle my pate? That was…that was simply awful. Truly,” The odd woman chuckled. “Although I admit, my use of the term addle-pated was probably not the most inspired choice. Truce?” the woman offered her hand, “my name is Rowena, by the way.”
Vessa tried unsuccessfully to suppress a smile, then shook the proffered extremity. “Truce. And my name is Vessa. Now, tell me, um…that…that totem you had out there…it was not, er, important at all…was it?”
“Oh, you mean the totem I have outside, in that circle?” the lady said, “Well, yes, actually. I am a natural lycanthrope, just like the villagers nearby, whose children I’m assuming are the ones you believe me to have stolen. I fell under the influence of a fell curse on the full moon of my return to my home, and I resolved to protect both myself and the village from harm. I erect that particular totem near the full moon, and it is supposed to shield us all from the curse. However, the magic of the curse is so strong that the totem always ends up exploding, but at least it stops us from going to that human settlement nearby as the magic urges us to do. Thankfully, the full moon isn’t for a couple more days yet…I just wanted to have everything prepared ahead of time. I’m just glad I had the foresight to make the ingredients earlier. They take two weeks to properly enchant, you know. I don’t have any more supplies, and I’m going to need to go get some more…”
“Oh, truly? Eheh…um….well… we were sent here by the shaman of that village because he said there was a lycanthrope-proof magical barrier erected on the pathway to your house that he could not get through…he led us to believe that whatever was causing the trouble was coming from here…and when we saw you creating the totem, we went back and told the shaman…and then we sort of… well…destroyed it. Utterly,” Vessa said sheepishly.
“WHAT?!?! YOU INEPT, FOOLISH, INCOMPETENT, MORONIC, GULLIBLE FOOL!!!” shouted Rowena.
“Heh heh…looks like their truce is already broken,” said Anomen with amusement. “Hey, Jaheira, why haven’t you said anything yet? Usually you are the first to bring your opinion to the fray!”
“Contrary to what you might believe, cleric,” Jaheira replied, “I am not stupid. I am staying well away from this one, as should you.”
“THAT VILLAGE HASN’T EVEN HAD A SHAMAN IN YEARS!! Do you know nothing?! What need would they have for a shaman when they have a perfectly capable druid in the tribe?!”
“But…then…why would the shaman’s presence be tolerated if they had no desire for one? It was the chieftain that directed me to him!” Vessa protested.
“Hmmm…Perhaps you have a point. Very well, I shall refrain from turning you all into creatures of an amphibious nature. Now, missy, you destroyed my totem. This shaman told you to destroy my totem. This shaman also has suspect motives for being in the village to tell you to destroy my totem. Now you are going to do what?”
“Get you a new totem?” Vessa said sarcastically, an impish smile curling on her face.
“GO THERE AND PULL THE GUTS OUT OF THAT BLOODY SHAMAN, YOU SILLY GIRL! He’s got to be the one that’s started all this mess!”
“Hey! Wait just a minute here! Why don’t you come with us instead of acting all righteous and mighty while sitting on your high horse?” Imoen said.
“Because, you pink-headed ball of disgusting cheerfulness, I am no longer welcome in that village!”
“Oh, so you would have motive for sabotaging them, then!”
“NO! It’s…it’s not what you think. Look, I don’t want to talk about it, all right? Just go,” Rowena lowered her head.”
“Nope! I’m not goin’ anywhere until you tell us exactly why you’ve been banished!” Imoen said stubbornly. Minsc thought that Imoen was just being mean. Boo said that the lady was telling the truth! Why did Imoen need to know more?
“Very well. May you damn your ears once you hear my tale, cruel child. I was banished from the village seven years ago. Why was I banished? I loved an outsider, a non-lycanthrope. Not only did I love an outsider, a capital offence in that culture, but I also brought him to the village proper, the most forbidden of all forbidden actions. They…they found us together, one bloody night. My lover was-” her voice choked up and a crystal tear dropped from her eye, “my lover was devoured by wolves that night, and I…and I was branded with hot irons as a constant reminder of my ‘betrayal’,”
She unlaced the top of her robes and pulled the collar to one side. There, over her heart, was a wicked brand, the scar tissue thick and obvious. “There, happy now? If you must know more, that is why I left. I hid in the wilderness for two years, then got disgusted by it all and left…traveled the world, tried to see all that I could, tried to learn and experience all that I could…then I came back to where it all began. I came back, only to find that my former pack is being threatened by some wicked outside force. I want vengeance for them, and I would go and murder this shaman myself if I could…”
“Oh jeez…I’m so sorry, Rowena. I didn’t mean to bring all those bad memories up…I know what it’s like to have horrible memories…” said Imoen.
“But, my Lady, if these people abandoned you, and murdered the one you love, why do you wish to aid them?” Anomen said.
“They abandoned me, yes, but they are still the only family I have ever known…I want to protect them.” Rowena said.
“I…I can understand that well, my Lady. Pray forgive my questioning.”
“It’s all right. Now, please, go and save my people. I will never be able to look at them after what they have done to me, but I still desire their safety. I was foolish for bringing Cheylen there…I was reckless…”
“Do not worry, Rowena. We shall save your people, and put this shaman to rest beneath the earth, should he be the root cause of this problem,” Vessa assured Rowena. Minsc was happy that they were helping Rowena. She was so sad, but she cared so much about those people! Boo said that it made her a good woman.
Minsc followed the group, no longer caring about the hot sun, or his sore feet, or the trials that lie ahead. He was proud of his mission, and he wanted more than anything to rescue these good people.
***
Vessa allowed Jaheira to lead and her familiar to fly. She had been walking near Solaufein at the back of the group as they marched toward the village. Truthfully, she was looking for any excuse just to be near him, for she was too shy to be more direct. She had been lost in her own thoughts, however, and Solaufein startled her out of her reverie by speaking suddenly.
“Vessa…I would like to ask you…what is the meaning of the term ‘sweetheart’? There is no such term in my own tongue that I can recall.”
Vessa could feel the blush rising on her cheeks. He *would* ask her, wouldn’t he? “Uh…eh heh. Hmm…a simple way to explain it… if someone is your sweetheart, it means that they wish to pursue a romantic relationship with you, and you with them. I suppose it is a stage that has transcended friendship, but is still experimental in nature.”
Vessa could have sworn she saw Solaufein’s face fall slightly at this, “Oh…My Little Poet, I had thought...hoped that, perhaps, I was your sweetheart, then..."
“You….you *want* to be my sweetheart?!” Vessa took a step back in surprise.
Solaufein smiled gently down at her, “"I do indeed. And you are the sweetest of all hearts, My Little Poet.”
“O-oh. Th-then, I would l-like to be your s-sweetheart as well,” Vessa replied as she smiled shyly up at him.
As they walked together, a little closer than before, their hands bumped casually into each other. Solaufein’s hand enveloped hers, and he brushed his lips across the top. They walked together, hand-in-hand, for some time before Solaufein broke the comfortable silence.
“Vessa? What is wrong with my hair?”
***
Vessa flicked a long braid over her shoulder and scrutinized the trees once more. She was no ranger, but Dymphna had told her that they were being trailed. Vessa didn’t want to tip the mysterious followers off to her knowledge, however, and had remained quiet.
She felt Solaufein squeeze her hand, “What troubles you, my Little Poet? You seem uneasy.”
Vessa realized she still needed to act casual, so she leaned up, kissed him on the cheek, then quickly whispered in his ear exactly what she suspected.
Luckily, she had devised a sort of signal system with her party much earlier on in their adventuring, and a seemingly innocuous thing like, say, two pats and a shake on the shoulder could easily serve as a concealed warning.
The entire party was now tensed for a fight, but the unseen trackers didn’t show their hand yet. Vessa had a feeling they would be ambushed ahead in the path, where the trees grew thicker and provided a useful natural choke point. She would not allow her party to be put at such a risk while she could help it.
“I believe we should rest here for a while. We have been walking for a long time, and I do not know about you, but I am rather tired.”
That should serve to annoy them, at the very least. She thought.
Good planning, Vessa. Dymphna replied to her mistress’ ruminations.
The one who seems to be the leader is looking rather irritated. I believe…yes, he has the pointed ears, I can see him better now he’s stopped. So do his companions. They have wicked bows, and the arrows glow with enchantment. Thankfully the enchantment seems generic, so there will be no burning clothes, burning blood, or freezing flesh to worry about.
Yes, so instead of my leg melting off by acid, I will just get shot between the eyes by some magical mithril arrow. But wait…you said they were elves? Why would *elves* be stalking us? We are in league with Elhan, arrogant prat that he is.
Perhaps they didn’t appreciate the tone your voice held when you spoke to their leader? I have heard elves can be very particular about that sort of thing.
Well…he was being an ass! I do *not* appreciate having people in my mind, Irenicus was enough, thank you very much! Making the mistake of mentioning Irenicus began to bring back horrible memories, but they were quickly dashed away as the first of the arrows whistled past her head. She managed to dodge, agilely springing to the side, and swung around to see where the shot was fired from. She readied her hands for the casting even as she searched out her assailant.
Clear line of sight, clear line of sight…an arm, a leg, a nostril, anything will do! Aha! She could see part of his face among the boughs, and wasted no time casting her spell. Glowing orbs of magic shot from her fingertips and screamed towards the elf in the trees, zipping about the branches and blasting him in the chest.
Stunned by the force of the impact, the elf dropped from the trees. He recovered enough to land gracefully on his feet, and wasted no time in drawing his sword and springing for Vessa, rage burning bright in his eyes.
“What are you doing?!” Vessa shouted as she parried his blow, “we work with Elhan! Why do you attack us?” Vessa kept dodging, dodging and weaving. She was thankful for the training she had received in her childhood, a different fighting style than what the soldiers were drilled with back at Candlekeep. No, this was far more fluid than anything the guards were taught. It was centered on agility, and keeping your opponent off-balance. A person could still be deadly even without the strength normally associated with a warrior with this style, and that made her feel very grateful indeed. However, if he managed to pin her into a small area, she would be in trouble...
She didn’t know how the others were faring as she fought defensively. She could hear the shriek of magic and the sharp, stinging breath of arrows, but the sound loudest to her was the clang of sword against sword.
“Listen! We are not the enemy! We work to aid Suldanessallar! Why do you attack?!” Vessa said once more.
“Foul one! You lie! You *dare* call yourself an elf? You fraternize with DROW! This makes you just as evil as one of them, if not worse! You betray your own people!” The elf spat.
“What?! Solaufein has rebelled against his people! He-” Vessa was cut off by a vicious slash she managed to dodge, but it still left a rather nasty, painful gash across her forehead. Vessa knew there was a danger of the blood blinding her as it oozed down her face, and her mind raced to find a way to end this battle quickly -- and hopefully peacefully.
“Silence your licentious tongue, whore of a Drow! You’ve spoiled yourself with filth!”
“HOW DARE YOU?! Damn you, and damn your blind arrogance! Solaufein is far better than that, and you are not fit to lick his boots clean!” Vessa screamed. Now she was out for blood, and the hilt of her sword collided with his nose. Vessa smiled in grim satisfaction as she heard the crunch of breaking cartilage. “Solaufein is NOT your enemy! You are a harlot of your own hate!”
She could hear the dull thud of a staff colliding with armor, and knew Jaheira was nearby. If she could just get closer…
Suddenly she heard a wet ‘thunk’ as more arrows flew, a masculine groan, and the thump of a body collapsing to the ground. Her spine turned to ice; she instinctively knew that it was not an assailant that fell.
She parried once more, and wiped her face against her sleeve to clear away the stinging blood in her eyes. The fury was still there in his eyes, and the broken nose hadn’t slowed him down as much as she had hoped.
There is no way this will end peacefully. Vessa thought to herself.
Another thump, this time the sound of wood against bone, and another thud as somebody collapsed. Vessa did not have to worry about parrying further attacks, as her assailant was so absorbed in causing her grievous bodily injury that he did not notice the druid behind him until after her own blade was pressed against his neck.