Baldur's Gate 2 SoA: Shadows Within Ch19

Baldur's Gate 2 SoA: Shadows Within
Chapter 19: The Unexpected


After three days of travel from Windspear Hills to Athkatla, Ralis and his companions attended the funeral of Ajantis and the other knights at the Graveyard District that evening. The cremation of the bodies took place in the same building where Nalia's father was cremated. When it was Ajantis's turn to be cremated, Ralis couldn't ignore the pains of guilt that tormented him as he watched Ajantis's body be consumed by the fires. He wished he could turn back the hands of time and change what had been done. But he can't, he's not a god, he doesn't have that kind of power, and he felt unsure if any good or neutral aligned god or goddess would use that kind of power if they had it. Ralis reminded himself that he is not exactly a mortal, he is a child of Bhaal. Could it be possible that if he fully embraced his powers, he might be able to turn back the hands of time and prevent the deaths of Ajantis and his fellow knights?

No, Ralis shook the ideas out of his head. That's crazy talk. I should not unlock the full extent of my power as a Bhaalspawn, it is too dangerous... But he couldn't help wondering in the corners of his mind if he is only kidding himself...

When the time came for Anomen's knighthood ceremony, only Ralis, Mazzy, Valygar, Jaheira, Neera, Nalia, Althir, Jan, Abdel, Tashia, Aerie, Cernd, Haer'Dalis, Minsc, Rasaad and Yoshimo attended Anomen's ceremony. Dorn, Korgan, Viconia and Hexxat, however, remained at Arnise Hold, even during Ajantis's funeral. Anomen himself felt nervous. After all these weeks he looked forward to his knighthood ceremony without fear or doubt, but now, he feels both doubt and fear simultaneously, and it made his stomach churn and tingle with nervousness. Ralis and the others stood with Anomen outside the Radiant Heart, awaiting permission to enter. Ralis looked over at Anomen and noticed him looking down at his feet looking clearly troubled.

"I am not at ease, Ralis," Anomen moaned. "I don't know if I am worthy to be knighted."

"What, pray tell, makes you say this?" Ralis asked curiously.

At that moment, Anomen looked Ralis in his face.

"I have done something that I have never done in my life as a member of the Order. I evaluated myself, and I highly doubt that I am worthy of becoming a knight of the Order. You, however, are more capable for knighthood than I am," Anomen said.

Ralis and the others were stunned to hear Anomen speak with humility. In the past he always spoke with confidence.

"The only thing I always took to heart about being a knight is to fight bravely and to display military professionalism. But alas, my romanticized ideals of knighthood gave birth to my arrogance," Anomen said.

Ralis felt at a loss of words.

"You, Ralis have done more than fought bravely and displayed combat professionalism as the leader of this group. You treat your group as equals, something I have never done..." Anomen sighed.

At that moment, the doors opened, and there stood Sir Ryan Trawl.

"Sir Ryan Trawl, I am ready to be judged," Anomen announced with little confidence.

"Good. The Prelate awaits within, Squire Anomen. May Torm be with you on this day," Sir Ryan nodded in approval and stepped aside to allow Anomen and his companions entry.

"And also with you," Anomen nodded to Sir Ryan as he, Ralis and the others walked inside.

"I shall speak to you when the ceremony is over," Ryan told Anomen as he walked alongside them after he shut the doors.

Anomen felt his belly grow tingly and numb as if dozens of butterflies are fluttering about and their wings tickling the fleshy walls of his belly. He didn't like that feeling, he hoped he wouldn't start sweating either.

He and ralis and their companions followed Sir Ryan to the ceremony room which is on the third floor. When they reached the room, Anomen was shocked at how many junior and senior knights have gathered to witness the ceremony. Some knights he knew, some he had never met before. Some were former knights of the Order, who had retired to live their final years in peace like Keldorn had done. He couldn't see Keldorn anywhere, however. Anomen spotted Prelate Wessalen several feet ahead of the seated junior, senior and retired knights at both sides of the room. Wessalen is an elderly man, he has been a member of the Order for many decades. Some say that he is nearly 78 years old, but he appears to be 66.

Ralis and his companions took empty seats, leaving Anomen standing alone, as all the knights in the room, including Wessalen fixed their eyes on him. Anomen felt his heart jumping, and he tried his best to stay calm.

"Anomen Delryn, son of Cor and Moirala, do you stand before me pledged to the service of justice? Do you stand before me pledged to the service of righteousness?" Wessalen asked Anomen.

Anomen swallowed some spit, and somehow managed to calm himself that way, then bowed respectfully at Wessalen.

"Prelate of the Order, I so stand. I pledge my life to the service of justice and righteousness," he replied to the prelate in a calm, steady tone, then he approached Wessalen and Ryan, standing together.

"Anomen Delryn, do you stand before me seeking a knighthood of the Order?" Wessalen asked Anomen.

"I do so stand," Anomen said, feeling the fear evaporate from him as he remembered what it means to be a knight.

He thought back at what he did right and what he did wrong. He was wrong to rebuff Keldorn and Ralis when they had potential to remind him what it means to be a knight.

"Do you stand before me prepared to accept the judgement of Torm? Are your actions and those you travel with laid bare? Shall I judge you as I have been judged?" Wessalen continued.

"My past and my actions I lay bare before you," Anomen said, still approaching Wessalen and Ryan. "I ask that you judge me as you have been judged." He thought back to the time when Ralis saved him from falling down a cliff. A good, honorable knight is not only a powerful, unrelenting force of nature in the battlefield, but also kind in heart and soul, to his or her comrades and civilians. Anomen felt that even though he displayed no kindness whatsoever to Ralis and his companions in the past, feeling that he is superior over them, he felt that it is not too late, he can still redeem himself.

"May the spirit of Torm enter this chamber! May my judgement be unclouded. Welcome to this place, Anomen," Wesalen said after Anomen stood 4 feet away from him and Ryan. "Is there aught that you would say before we begin?"

"Thank you, Prelate," Anomen nodded respectfully at Wessalen. "I would say all my life I have dreamed of this day, and becoming a knight is the culmination of those dreams... But... I fear that my dreams had given rise to my brash, arrogant behavior recently. I must be honest, I have not always followed the ethics of the Order, and I once believed myself to be the superior, most righteous man in the group I have been traveling with..."

Anomen turned to face the crowd, and when his eyes locked on Ralis among them, he saw Keldorn seated behind him, wearing a beige tunic instead of his signature golden body armor, a sign that he has indeed retired, but is attending the ceremony to see the outcome of Anomen's journey to knighthood, and he was smiling, as if he knew what Anomen had to say. Anomen smiled, knowing that Keldorn and Ralis would be pleased to hear what he has to say to everyone.

"A wise paladin once told me that my lessons of being a knight are not over, that life is a school of sorts. Through my arrogance I didn't believe his words, but through recent events, I have come to realize that he is right. The leader of the group that I travel with has displayed the battle prowess and chivalry of a knight many times over, and I envied him for that, and as a result, I disrespected him and his companions multiple times, but now, I see that through my arrogance, I have been unwittingly shielding myself from the cold, bitter truth that I might not be ready to become a knight of the Order. And I would not have stayed on the righteous path if it were not for my comrade and friend, Ralis Rutela, who stood by my side through thick and thin. I couldn't ask for a better leader than him. I might be ready with this realization, or not, but if I am not ready, then it is for the best, because I have much to learn, I understand that now. Keldorn and Ralis taught me this at a time when I refused to heed their words," Anomen then turned around to face Wessalen. "I am prepared, Prelate. Judge me as you have been judged."

"So it shall be," Wessalen said.

Then Sir Ryan handed Wessalen a sword, then Wessalen gently placed the blade on the back of Anomen's head. Anomen could feel the cold steel touch the back of his neck.

"The judgement is clear. You have much to learn, Anomen Delryn, that much is true, but through your honesty and determination, you have proven yourself worthy. I dub thee Sir Anomen. Knight of the Order. Arise and give your oath," Wessalen said, then he removed the sword from Anomen's head.

Ralis gasped softly. Anomen did it. He is a knight now.

Anomen couldn't believe it either. He looked up at Wessalen and said: "Under witness of all gathered, I swear to uphold the honor of the Order for as long as I shall live. I pledge my dying breath to the service of good. In Helm's name, I thank thee, Prelate. I swear that I shall never falter 'neath the banner of Helm." Then he stood up.

"Go then, Sir Anomen, and serve the cause. You shall serve beneath the Paladin Ryan Trawl, a righteous man. May Torm bless thee." Wessalen replied.

"And also thee," Anomen said, then turned to face the crowd.

Everyone applauded and cheered, and Anomen couldn't help smiling as he looked upon the proud, approving faces of his fellow knights. He walked among them, shaking their hands until he approached Ralis.

"So, you've made it," Ralis said.

"Verily, I have, but the credit all goes to you, my comrade," Anomen said.

"Me?" Ralis pointed at himself incredulously.

"You were right about me, both you and Keldorn, I acted too brash. And I apologize for the times I have caused you undue stress, and uttering Gorion's name with no reverence. Do you forgive me?" Anomen asked.

"No," Ralis simply said.

"I... understand," Anomen said, feeling rather depressed.

"No you don't. I do not forgive you because you are not the same man anymore. The rude, arrogant Anomen I once knew is forever gone. You are Anomen born anew. This is a new beginning, for both of us," Ralis said.

Anomen felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders.

Then Keldorn approached them.

"Sir Anomen. You have improved greatly since I last saw you," he said.

"Sir Keldorn, I... I..." Anomen stuttered.

"Your fate has arrived. You are a squire no longer but have become a knight. Well done, young man," Keldorn placed a comforting hand on Anomen's right shoulder.

"My thanks, Sir Keldorn. You are a fine example of chivalry and honor. I feel I must apologize to you as well for being so rude in the past. The brashness of youth, as you said." Anomen said.

"Worry not, young knight. You are well along the righteous path now. Torm has forgiven all," Keldorn said with a warm smile.

"I thank thee, teacher... for all your help in the past," Anomen said.

Keldorn laughed. "Teacher, now, is it?"

"Aye, Keldorn... They say the best teachers are those with the patience to instruct the foolish... I know I have not always been the easiest of students."

"Nor I the wisest of instructors," Keldorn added.

"I suppose that is true. Thank you... for everything. And you too, Ralis," Anomen said. Then he looked down at Mazzy. "I haven't forgotten the rude, hurtful words I have spewed at you, Mazzy. Please forgive me for calling you a lowly halfling."

"Your apology is accepted, Sir Anomen. As a fellow knight, I will treat you with respect so long as you do the same to me," Mazzy said.

"Thank you, Mazzy. Your words mean a lot to me," Anomen felt so relieved to recieve forgiveness from his companions, it gave him hope that his past will never haunt his future.

"Hey, come on, Anomen, don't get all sentimental on us. Besides, didn't Sir Ryan say that he wanted to speak to you for some reason?" Ralis replied.

"Of course!" Anomen said, then he turned and left, returning to Sir Ryan who was speaking to Wessalen.

"Farewell, Ralis. Once again you've earned my respect, helping Anomen ascend to knighthood," Keldorn said.

"I didn't teach him anything, he taught himself these things during our adventures. He was a pain in the ass ot deal with, but I put up with him somehow," Ralis smiled.

"You indeed have the heart of a knight, my friend. That is why I respect you. I doubt we'll see each other again in the near future, so I guess this is goodbye," Keldorn said, then walked away, and Ralis watched him leave.

-----

Later that night, a celebration at Arnise Hold was being held for Anomen's completed journey to knighthood. Dorn didn't attend the party, he took off into the woods to find a hostile creature to kill, for exercise. Althir stayed, but he never interacted with anyone, just sat alone. Anomen sat in the banquet hall with everyone else, drinking ale and eating cake. Anomen sat at a table with Aerie and Jaheira.

"So, Anomen... how does it feel to become a knight?" Aerie asked him.

"It feels... To be honest, Aerie, I can't even describe how it feels. I feel blessed to have great comrades such as you and Ralis, supporting me even when I displayed my boorish behavior," Anomen replied then drank his ale.

Before Aerie could say anything else to Anomen, she heard Haer'Dalis call him.

"I hear the harlequin call for you, Aerie. Maybe he has something interesting to say to you," Anomen joked.

Aerie stood up out of her chair and approached Haer'Dalis, who stood a few feet in front of Ralis, Tashia and Valygar, who were speaking to each other, but Aerie couldn't hear what they were saying.

"I have been thinking, my mourning dove, of a role to compliment your first voyage onto the stage. And I do believe I have discovered it," Haer'Dalis said to her.

"Oh, have you, Haer'Dalis? And what manner of role shall I be subjected, then?" She replied with a smile.

Haer'Dalis placed both hands on his chest, and leaned back slightly for a second. "You wound me, fair one... I have deliberated over the choice for quite some time now. I have weighed carefully each play that canters through my head and chosen one that compliments you most fruitfully. 'Tis the lead of a Sigil play called "Tersis", written, if I remember, by a haggard tiefling gifted with the madness of true talent. You would play the goddess, herself... fallen from favor and bearing the slings of accusation and scorn with grace and confidence. With chin held high, she strides towards her former peers and dares to challenge the false verdict of the higher powers!"

Aerie liked the synopsis, but she couldn't see herself portraying an assertive goddess. "That... that sounds lovely, Haer'Dalis... but it's hardly me," she said.

Haer'Dalis smiled, raising a finger up as if he just got an idea. "Ah, but it is, my mourning dove." Then he placed his left arm around her neck, walking her around the banquet hall and gesturing with his right arm as if he were giving her an encouraging lecture as he spoke these next words. "You have suffered the cleansing torments, borne under the impossible strains... and I'll wager there's a steel in your heart you've yet to lay a claim to!"

Aerie started blushing and shaking her head gently in denial. "Oh, I don't think I ever could... I don't think you know me, really..."

"I know you better than you think, my dove. The true thespian reaches down into a dark well of waters within them ... a place where others dare not look. And you've a deep well, Aerie... be not afraid to dive within!" Haer'Dalis encouraged her.

"You've a pretty way with words, bard. Well... I think I'll disappoint you surely, but if you wish to teach me your play, I won't object to it," Aerie said, feeling that the tiefling is giving her way too much credit on her personality.

Haer'Dalis released his left arm around her, stopping near Hexxat and Neera who were speaking to each other and then turned their gaze towards Aerie and Haer'Dalis.

"That is all I ask, my dove... and this bard cannot wait to the results of this first act now unfolding," he said, then he left Aerie, heading to the nearest stairway to get to his room and find the script of Tersis for Aerie to read.

Meanwhile Yoshimo was with Mazzy, complimenting her on how bravely she fought Firkraag despite her diminutive size.

"Brave halfling lass! With the scurrying of little feet, you throw yourself into the fray. It is so cute to see the little ones fight. Like a fearless samurai you are, Mazzy," Yoshimo said to her in admiration.

But Mazzy, however, shook her head in disdain, frowning. "Honestly, Yoshimo, I am sick and tired of humans and large folk calling me cute!" She spat.

"I cannot help it! You are like a miniature prophet of doom," Yoshimo said, recalling when Mazzy jumped on Peanelian's back, charging towards Firkraag.

"Oh, shut up! I won't seem so cute if I break your legs," Mazzy scowled at him.

Yoshimo held up his hands at chest level, feigning innocence. "I meant no offense, Mazzy. You should be flattered! I don't think you are ugly..."

"If you wish to end this conversation without bruises, you will silence yourself now!" Mazzy demanded.

"Yes, mistress," Yoshimo said with a nod.

"And don't call me mistress!"

----

At that moment, one of the servants of the keep, Brandon, approached Ralis. "Excuse me, Lord Ralis, may I have a word with you?"

Ralis turned to Valygar. "I'll get back to you later on that," he told him, then turned his attention to Brandon. "Yes, Brandon? What is it?"

"There is a woman outside the keep requesting permission to enter and see Althirion De'Alselah. Captain Cernick is unsure about whether to let her inside or not," Brandon replied.

"If she is a friend of Althir, then she has permission to enter. Where is she?" Ralis asked.

"In the courtyard with Cernick. Follow me," Brandon led the way out of the banquet hall.

A couple minutes later, activity in the banquet hall began to cool down a little. Through the entire time, Althir sat alone, eating cake and drinking ale, alone. He didn't interact with anyone, nor did he want to. He has been a loner through his entire life. Why should today be any different?

He heard footsteps approaching him, but he never bothered to look up from eating his slice of cake until Ralis called him.

"Althir. There's someone here who has come to see you."

Althir looked up, and standing between Ralis and Captain Cernick stood... someone he has not seen in 40 years, since the day he stopped being known as the Assassin in Red. She is a young human, late 20's, long red hair and bright green eyes, just like how he remembered her.

"Althir! It's me!" she said.

Althir's mouth dropped open, and wet pieces of chewed cake fell out of his mouth landing near the edge of his dinner plate.

"Marala..." He whispered.

She rushed over to Althir and embraced him in a strong hug. Althir was caught off guard. She is real and touching him, he could feel the warmth of her body heat. Part of him wanted to wrap his hands around her body, but he didn't know what to do. He was surprised and confused.

"It has been so long! I can't believe you are still alive after all these years!" Marala looked into Althir's eyes, her own eyes teary with joy.

Ralis's companions, out of curiosity, approached the scene.

"Althir, who is this?" Ralis asked.

Althir was speechless to reply. He couldn't find the words to tell Ralis who she is. Marala stood up and turned to Ralis.

"My name is Marala De'Alselah. I am Althir's wife," she said.

Ralis and the others were shocked.

"What?! Althir! You never told us you were married!" Ralis exclaimed.

Althir turned his head away. "I... never... We never had the chance to..." he muttered.

Breaking out of his shocked confusion, he turned to face Marala.

"Marala, how can you be here? Right now? I saw what happened to you. You... You died, 40 years ago, when we battled Orcus, in his conquest to become the King of Darkness... He took your life away from me! Don't you remember?" Althir asked her, placing both hands on her shoulders and looking into her eyes intensely.

Marala looked down at the floor in sadness. "I... I remember that fateful day, Althir... I remember the death and destruction... I wish I could forget it all..." A few tears fell from her eyes.

"Then how can you possibly be here?" Althir asked.

Marala looked into his face and smiled. "Because fate has reunited us. That is enough," she said.

Then Ralis stepped forward. "Uh, I don't mean to interrupt, but what's going on here? If she died, how is she standing here?"

"It's a long story that I'll explain soon enough. Althir, will you introduce me to your friends?" Marala replied.

"Uh... of course... That's Ralis, and his friends..." Althir mumbled, but loud enough for Marala to hear him.

"A pleasure to meet you all," Marala said graciously and approached them, allowing Ralis to have a quick private talk.

"What's wrong with you, Althir? I expected you to be happy to be reunited with your wife, even under unexpected circumstances," he said.

Althir shook his head, chuckling. "Unexpected circumstances indeed. This is all an illusion," he said.

"Huh?" Ralis looked at him in confusion.

"Her return is all an illusion... So leave me to enjoy this illusion while I still can," Althir said with a small, dry smile and walked away.

Ralis couldn't understand what was going on in Althir's mind.

----

A couple minutes later, Aerie joined Haer'Dalis in his guest room to read her role in the play Tersis while everyone else left the banquet hall to mingle individually. Ralis and Viconia walked down a torch lit hallway alone on the third floor of Arnise Hold, talking to each other.

"What was life like before you were an adventurer? Didn't it seem simpler, less complicated?" She asked him.

"Yeah. It did, didn't it?" Ralis agreed, thinking back to the simple years of studying books, playing around with Abdel and Imoen, and staying away from them as often as possible when they got into mischief.

Viconia smiled. "It would be nice, wouldn't it, Ralis? To leave the insidious schemes and psychopathic madmen for others to battle and prevail over?"

"I suppose that would be something to think about. There are many things about this life that I would be glad to leave behind," Ralis said, his voice low as he seriously pondered over it.

"That is an offer worth bearing witness to. It merits serious consideration, Ralis," Viconia said.

They walked past Yoshimo then, before Ralis responded.

"But one must think about it carefully, Viconia," he advised her.

Viconia frowned with curiosity. "But what would we fill the days with? Adventuring is compelling, full of enticing treasures, untold exotica, and raging battles."

"Yes, but with that comes pain and a rootless existence," Ralis said as he and Viconia stopped outside the door to his bedroom, then he opened the door.

"But doing so would mean never returning to the other path. Something to ponder over, I think," Viconia said as she watched Ralis enter his room.

"Indeed," Ralis nodded, removing his damaged ankheg armor, and removing the gauntlets and boots.

As she watched him undress out of his body armor, a sudden thought came to her. She remembered the time on the night when Dorn killed Bollard Firejaw, she told Ralis that she cares nothing about marriage anymore. He knows she doesn't care about marriage, but does he have the same feelings?

"Hmm... I am wondering this: Do you ever entertain the notion of marriage?" Viconia asked him.

Ralis paused and looked back at her.

"Of course I have. Who doesn't?" He replied, then resumed removing his boots.

Then Viconia walked into the room. "I don't necessarily mean settling down, I mean a union witnessed by sacrament and ritual, such as is a custom among your kind. To commit to one person in all manner? It seems a bizarre internment to me, tantamount to slavery."

Ralis looked at her and shook his head. "You obviously don't understand the nature of marriage," he said, then walked to the wardrobe, opened it and pulled out a dark blue robe with white stripes and wrapped it around his body.

"Variety is the spice of life. The drudgery of having the same partner... it would have to be a unique and special person, indeed." Viconia said as she watched Ralis put on his night robes.

"Why? How do the drow treat marriage?" Ralis asked out of curiosity.

"My people have a peculiar approach to the ceremony of marriage. we choose and discard mates freely, always with the possibility of renewal and change. Usually a decade, perhaps less, and its on to the next likely prospect. Marriage is a transient union, usually of gratification and indulgence." Viconia began explaining.

At that moment, Ralis sat down on his bed while Viconia continued speaking.

"The male is present only for servicing the female's needs, and for procreation or recreation, depending upon your disposition. From what I have seen, surface custom is not so different from ours. Of course, drow culture allows for "husbands" to be disposed of and replaced."

"Wait. Are you saying that dark elf women actually kill off their husbands?" Ralis asked with a quizzical frown.

"Yes, if they deserve it. Placing demands on the woman of the house is not done. To voice protest about the wishes of the matriarch is punishable by execution. I had four husbands during my life in the Underdark... before the fall of House DeVir," Viconia replied.

"Ah! So that's what you meant back then when you said that "four were enough"!" Ralis said in surprise.

"Yes. I killed each one of them. Three for sport and the fourth for infidelity with my younger sister. Of them all, my sister's betrayal was the most difficult to deal with. I didn't wish to, but punishment had to be administered. I caught them together and bound them where they lay. I soaked them with lamp oil and flammable moss and set them ablaze."

Ralis frowned. "Sounds like overkill to me. Did you have to administer such a cruel punishment, Viconia?"

"You misunderstand. To hesitate would have brought displeasure form Lolth. Such is the drow way." Viconia reasoned.

"So their deaths are a result of drow culture..." Ralis said, wondering sullenly about how cold and ruthless drow culture can get.

"Perhaps," Viconia shrugged indifferently. "I haven't devoted much thought into it, though I have noticed that the role of married males and females are reversed here on the surface."

Ralis frowned in confusion and stood up form his bed.

"What are you talking about? Men don't murder their wives," he said.

"So you say. I will leave you now. I am sure you have heard enough of drow customs," Viconia said, then turned her back on him and headed towards the open door.

Meanwhile, in Haer'Dalis's room on the second floor of Arnise Hold, Aerie approached Haer'Dalis with the script in her right hand, her face frowning with uncertainty. Haer'Dalis himself was sitting in a chair, waiting for Aerie to return to him after finishing reading her chosen role.

"You've perused the play, have you, my mourning dove? Why does your brow crinkle so, then?" He asked her.

"I've read the play, yes... but, Haer'Dalis, I still honestly don't think I can play this Tersis character," she said meekly, glancing down at the script in her hands, then at him.

Haer'Dalis stood up out of his chair. "And yet I hold in my surety that you can, fair Aerie. What makes you say that you cannot?"

Aerie held the script in both hands now, up to her chest level. "Well, the scene where the goddess confronts Lord Jhovan, the ruler of the gods. She chastises him rather... forcefully..."

"Aye, and...?" Haer'Dalis pressed for more clarification.

Aerie glanced down at the script and then at Haer'Dalis and giggled. "Oh, Haer'Dalis... I could never do that! The words would sound like a mouse were speaking them, coming from me. I've no such voice in me..."

Haer'Dalis gave Aerie a comforting smile to show he has faith in her. "You've the voice in you, my dove. You have but to cast about for it. Come, enact the passage for me," he said, sitting back down in his chair.

Aerie sighed. "... I... I'll try." Then she flipped through the pages until she came to the scene where Tersis speaks out defiantly against Lord Jhovan, and read Tersis's lines.

"..."H-Hold, my Lord... I-I will not... not be judged..." She glanced at Haer'Dalis and saw the disapproving frown on his face, which discouraged her further from reading the lines. "... No, no... It's just no use..." Aeire dropped her hands down from chest level in disappointment.

Haer'Dalis decided to give Aerie some tough encouragement, no sweet words this time. "Then you are a mouse, my Aerie. A frightened little mouse who refuses to come out of her hole. Be satisfied with your stash of stale cheese, if you will," he said harshly.

Aerie couldn't believe he said that. "Haer'Dalis!" She gasped. "What a cruel thing to say!"

"Enact the passage, then. You have the ability," Haer'Dalis urged, still glaring at her in icy disapproval.

"Fine," Aerie said. She didn't like the way Haer'Dalis is looking at her, it made her feel a little angry inside to be verbally insulted by him, but she brought her hands back up to chest level and read over Tersis's lines again. "H-hold, my Lord... I w-will... n-not... not be..." She spoke the lines, still meekly but with a bit more confidence before.

"Squeak, squeak. Is that a mouse this bard hears? You can do better than that, my dove," Haer'Dalis said.

"H-hold, my Lord! ...I will... n-not... not be... j-judged-" Aerie started over, still saying the lines softly, but with more volume than the previous time.

"What was that?" Haer'Dalis turned his right ear towards Aerie, placing his right hand behind his ears as if he is trying to hear more clearly. "Are you speaking to me, my dove? I am straining to hear you."

Aerie grew tired of Haer'Dalis's unwarranted interruptions and insults.

"Then stop interrupting me!" She yelled angrily.

Then Haer'Dalis jumped out of his chair, standing tall as possible before Aerie and leaning towards her with a glare that would have made her cower if she weren't so angry.

"Then speak, woman! I am the King of the Gods! Do you have something to tell me or don't you?!" He yelled in her face.

Aerie felt something like a fire ignite in her! A fire that gave her the strength and courage to stand up for herself! Without even looking at the script, she acted on impulse and retorted back at Haer'Dalis, yelling back into his face:

"Hold, my Lord! I will not be judged by the least of my brethren, nor shall I be judged by my King! I refuse to be silent! I am Tersis! And I WILL BE HEARD!"

Aerie's outburst startled Haer'Dalis so much, he fell back into his chair and almost tilted over. Silence fell between them for a few seconds, and as he watched Aerie breathing heavily, her shoulders rising and falling, he started laughing and applauded.

"Bravo, my dove! A most excellent wonder, to hear wandering, thundering talent to roll forth from such a delightful form! Bravo!"

Aerie started to smile. "I... I did, didn't I?! Th-thank you Haer'Dalis! That... that felt wonderful!" She exclaimed.

At that moment, Neera opened the door and peered in. "Hey! I heard yelling! Everything all right in here?" She asked.

"Everything is fine, my duck. The mourning dove and I are simply rehearsing for a play, that is all," Haer'Dalis replied.

"Oh... For a moment, I thought you two were having some kind of heated disagreement," Neera said.

"With my yelling, it did, didn't it?" Aerie giggled.

"Huh? That was YOU yelling, Aerie? Oh, wow... Good job," Neera gave Aerie a thumbs up. "You got a nice pair of lungs there. Who knew how much air you got in there, Aerie? ...Damn. Okay, that was corny. I'll just leave now." Neera pulled her head back and closed the door.

After she left, Aerie and Haer'Dalis started laughing.

-----

Meanwhile, on the roof of Arnise Hold, Nalia stood with Marala and Althir looking up at the night sky. Nalia was telling Marala how she and Ralis met Althir. She also told her what she thought about him. Nalia told Marala how Altihr set her up to be arrested by the man she resisted marriage from, Isaea Roenall, to get the evidence he needs to expose his illegal activities as a jewel smuggler and slave trader instead of informing Ralis or any of his companions about the plan.

"... I don't know what his problem is, but he seems to not know how to work as part of a group! How the hell could you marry someone like that?" Nalia asked Marala, glancing over at Althir who stood on one of the watchtowers. She could see his silhouette.

"I understand your grief and anger, Nalia, but please, don't bear a grudge on Althir. If you knew what his life is like, you would view him differently," Marala told her.

"So tell me. Why is he like this? Why is he the callous bastard that he is now?" Nalia asked.

Marala sighed and looked up at the moon.

"He's a difficult man to understand, but he has a heart of gold underneath. He just keeps it to himself all the time. Before the day I first met him in a small town, I heard rumors that a renegade mage killed two paladins. I knew something was wrong with that rumor, paladins don't get killed by mages easily, they are mage hunters generally. In the town I used to live in Teras, the people there don't warm up easily to newcomers, especially half or non-humans. But somehow, a small band of orcs managed to move into the town without any trouble. One of them got married to a human and had a half-orc son named Zai-no, who made friends easily, even with Althir a few years later, and Althir's sister Natiana made friends as well, but Althir... for some reason, he couldn't fit in with anyone. He rarely spoke to anyone, everyone kept their distance from him, and he kept their distance from them."

"If everyone stayed away from him, what made you want to get close to him?" Nalia asked.

"I wanted to see who he really is," Marala shrugged, looking up at Althir with Nalia on the watchtower. "I don't know what compelled me. He was a mystery no one wanted to unfold, so I took matters into my own hands. I saw him head off into the forest outside of town one day and I went in after him. Eventually I lost him and he ambushed me, pointing his sword at me. At that moment, I began to see why everyone feared him, because he is the only boy in Teras who has ever carried a weapon."

"What did you do?" Nalia asked.

"Instead of surrendering, I fought back. I delivered enough punches and kicks to his face and stomach to make him release his sword, and when I took his sword into my hands and pointed it at him. Instead of surrendering to me, he threw his green cloak into my face and tripped me! Then he pinned me to the ground, twisting my right arm until I shouted "Alright, alright, I give up!" Then he let me go, but he left his sword with me. He said: "Keep it. It's not meant for me," as he walked away from me, leaving me to walk back home, alone," Marala replied.

"That sounds like Althir, all right. Rough and callous," Nalia said, crossing her arms.

"Please, Nalia, understand he is like that for a reason. As weeks passed, I noticed that the people in my hometown always shunned Althir, accusing him of stealing bread or money. The next day I talked to him, I learned more about his pain. He asked me: "Why do you follow me?" I replied: "Because I can, so what?" Then he got angry at me and said: "You people hound and harass me everywhere I go! Can I have just one place where I don't have to worry about human eyes?! They are at peace when I am away from them. So you do the same and leave me in peace!" He was right. He was not welcome in the village like his sister. Then I asked him if he is lonely, and he said no, and then I asked him how does he know if he is lonely or not, and he replied telling me that sometimes it is better not to have friends so that no one can hurt you."

"How... How could he live like that?" Nalia asked Marala, stunned at the story.

"I have no idea either. He made it clear to me that he prefers to lock himself up in his own private hell rather than expose himself to the joys of friendship and family. But then again, after what had happened to me when we battled Orcus... I understand why." Marala said forlornly. "Anyway, the next day I ran off into the woods hoping to meet him, but he never showed up. In the evening, close to nightfall, I was attacked by a pack of wolves. I had the sword Althir let me have when I first met him, and I held my own until Althir saved me. A wolf had bitten my foot before he arrived, so after he killed them all, he carried me back to Teras."

"I'm guessing everyone didn't call Althir a hero when he brought you back," Nalia said grimly.

Marala shook her head. "Everyone was in an uproar about it. They were so mad, the mayor separated me from Althir, and 20 of the villagers ganged up on Althir, calling him insulting names and beating him to the ground, mercilessly..."

"Oh my..." Nalia's eyes widened.

"I pleaded for them to stop, but they didn't stop until my father, Edward, arrived and told them to stop. When they allowed Althir to stand up, his face and body all bruised, he said: "I go into your stores and get rid of the rats and roaches, and you call me a thief. I pay for tools and groceries I need, knowing that I pay triple the normal price, and I don't complain. I try to be helpful, and not once was I thanked. And now I risk my life to save someone precious to all of you, and this is the thanks I get?! Go to Hell, humans!" Then he ran off into the woods, never back home to his sister and mother, and we haven't heard form him in a month," Marala narrated.

Nalia felt terrible hearing Althir's past. What has Althir done to make the people of Marala's hometown despise him so? Is it because he's a half-elf? No, that can't be it, his sister has friends, so it must be something else.

"Terrible, isn't it?" Marala asked Nalia.

"Yes. To be honest, there are some aspects of his personality I find that I have in common. I work so hard to help the needy and unfortunate, and ask for nothing in return, but usually, the people I help rarely show gratitude, they are just downright rude whether you help them or not," Nalia admitted.

"It is a tragic fact of life, I know. Anyway, I noticed something strange when he was gone. When foods or tools went missing, they shop owners didn't have Althir to blame, so they blamed each other, they blamed one another for missing items. Can you believe it? With Althir gone, there was no unity in my hometown, no common enemy for them to unite against!" Marala continued.

"I believe it. People behave the same way over a few gold coins, fighting and killing each other for a few pieces of gold..." Nalia said.

"On the night Althir returned to Teras, I found him, and he was seriously injured. He didn't tell me who was the attacker, but I urged my father to take him into the house and heal him. Father was impressed at his condition he still managed to make it back from Athkatla."

"He knew where Althir went?" Nalia asked suspiciously.

"He learned it from Natiana, Althir's sister. He was making money as a mercenary in Athkatla and sending it back to her. Because of this, my father found that Althir is too dangerous to befriend, and told me as soon as he's healed, he will ask Althir to leave the house, and he told me I can no longer interact with him after that. And I asked him what if I choose to be affiliated with him, and he said that he won't stop me from doing so, but he urged me to understand that good intentions don't always lead to good results. When I spoke to Natiana about Althir to get to know him better, she told me the good things about him first, that cheese is his favorite food, he hates garlic, his favorite colors are gray and red, he admires the phoenix for its beauty and strength... then she told me the horrible things in his life. Natiana told me that she used to hear Althir scream at night sometimes, probably from nightmares or something, she said he doesn't get much rest, and there are scars all over his naked back," Marala said.

"Scars?" Nalia frowned.

Marala nodded. "Natiana told me she remembered it all vividly. Gulgon Remphite, their father, placed three items on the table, an iron, a belt and a boot. He would give Althir a choice of which item to be beaten with, and Althir would choose all three."

"What?!" Nalia was in shock. "Why?! Why would he make that kind of choice?!"

"I don't know, Nalia. I just don't know. There is nothing but pain and torment in his life. I can't help wondering to this very day if he'll ever have everlasting peace in his life." Marala replied.

"Well, you've returned to his life, so maybe there is hope for him yet," Nalia said, hoping to focus on the bright side.

"That's an optimistic way of looking at things, Nalia. I'll do what I can," Marala smiled.

----

The next morning, Ralis woke up, knowing that Neera is eager to get to Purskul and pick up the shipment of gold and jewels and send them to Knocktor at the Wild Mage refugee camp.

After getting dressed and into his ankheg armor, he walked towards the door and opened it to find Edwin standing outside, arm raised and poised to knock on his door, but when Edwin saw that Ralis had already opened the door, he lowered his arm.

"Edwin? What the heck are you doing?" Ralis frowned with curiosity.

"I have made an incredible discovery, Ralis," Edwin whispered cautiously as if someone nearby might hear him.

"Incredible discovery? What is it?" Ralis frowned, scratching his head.

"I have learned the location of the Nether Scroll," Edwin said.

Ralis frowned. "And that is?" He pressed for more answers.

"It is a scroll that contains power, magic and spells above the 9th level. It is in a tomb a few miles southwest from Purskul. Take me there, I must obtain the Nether Scroll," Edwin said urgently.

Ralis crossed his arms. "And why should I trust you? You're a Red Wizard."

"I don't expect you to trust me. But understand how much of a threat the Cowled Wizards are. With that scroll, and my help, the Cowled Wizards will be nothing but menial obstacles before your path," Edwin said

Ralis frowned at him suspiciously, then Edwin gritted his teeth in frustration. "(Dammit, getting this jerk's approval is harder than cracking a whip against the back of a lazy oaf,)" Edwin whispered.

"I heard that," Ralis scowled, making Edwin gasp.

"Never mind what I said. Do we have a deal? I swear, my services with that scroll will be invaluable," Edwin said.

Ralis wrinkled his nose. "All right, but if you betray me, I'll have Valygar take you down. Do you understand me?"

Edwin nodded, then Ralis walked by him, walking down the hallway.

"(Fool, you and your ranger friend will be too powerless before me once I get my hands on the Nether Scroll!)" Edwin whispered to himself.

Ralis and Nalia had Ullric, Sam and Andrew ready three stagecoaches for transport to Purskul. Neera, Ralis, Aerie, Haer'Dalis, Abdel, Minsc and Hexxat sat in the front stagecoach with Andrew as the lancer. Hexxat however, slept in the coffin inside Dragomir's Respite, which is strapped around Ralis's belt. Yoshimo, Jaheira, Edwin, Marala, Althir, Valygar and Tashia sat in the second stagecoach with Sam as the lancer, and in the third stagecoach, Korgan, Rasaad, Mazzy, Jan, Anomen and Viconia were in that one with Ullric as the lancer. Nalia decided to stay behind at Arnise Hold and study tax reports, and nobody knew where Dorn went.

It was a long ride to Purskul. Since they left in the morning, they got to Crimmor by evening and didn't stop to rest. They traveled down Orc Road towards Purskul at night. Halfway there, they were waylaid by a small group of bandits, three humans, one half-elf who was the archer of the group, and half-elven woman, who was the only mage and female of the group. They were defeated almost too easily, they never expected to fight more than a dozen well armed adventurers, and the stagecoaches continued on their way. They got to Purskul somewhere around 2:00 a.m. in the morning, and rested at The Black Sheaf tavern. The tavern owners were surprised that there are adventurers coming in the tavern so early in the morning, because they were just cleaning up the bar. Since none of the shops are open at this time, everyone decided to rent a room even though they'll be renting them for just a few hours. Edwin, eager to leave town and find the tomb containing the Nether Scroll urged Ralis to prepare for the journey. Ralis decided to take Viconia and Korgan with him and Edwin to the tomb, wherever it is.

It took them an hour of wandering through the forests on the southwestern outskirts of Purskul, but they eventually found the tomb entrance. The entrance happened to be hidden underneath a large boulder which is surprisingly easy to lift up. Korgan found the entrance on a sudden hunch that the entrance is hidden from plain sight.

"Rasaad was right, you are an intelligent dwarf, Korgan," Ralis complimented him.

"Donnae ever doubt me, boy. Now let's find this damn Nether Scroll and be done with it," Korgan said, going down the stairs first, then Edwin followed, then Viconia, then Ralis.

As they walked down the stairs into dim light, Viconia said to Korgan: "Korgan, I'm interested in whether your clan has ever had any interaction with House DeVir. It seems to me, if memory serves, that our sphere of influence was quite close to your Bloodaxe clan's stronghold near Talthalra Wern'nt Szithla Har'oloth."

Korgan scowled, then turned around and started up at Viconia, stopping her in her tracks. "Nay speak that vile tongue to me, black skin. If it moves, I've killed it, but if it be drow, I've tortured it fer days first. As fer that house of yers, I burned it and relieved meself on the dead and embers. And the necklace of dark elf ears fetched me a king's ransom in Waterdeep," he said.

Choosing not to speak to him further, Viconia let him continue walking down the stairs. At the bottom, they walked down a torch lit corridor and found themselves in some kind of tomb. Ralis had a hunch that there are undead walking about, and he was right. The stench of zombies gave them away before they saw them. Thirteen zombies, moaning and groaning and lumbering towards them. Korgan attacked first, slicing up their bodies with his axe, Viconia bashed their skulls to a pulp with her +2 mace, and Edwin casted Chain Lightning at the zombies, the lightning bolt jumped from hitting one zombie to another in rapid succession. After all the zombies were dead, they moved on to the passageway out of the room, heading deeper into the tomb.

Viconia couldn't help wondering if Bhaal's taint in Ralis's blood is the reason why he is such a graceful and ruthless fighter. She had to admit that his power and grace is alluring to her.

"Ralis, can I speak to you for a moment?" She asked, causing everyone to stop in the middle of the corridor.

"What is it?" Ralis asked, turning around to look at her.

"I have been thinking about the divinity that flows in your veins..." Viconia said, her voice very seductive and alluring to Ralis's ears, especially when he looked into her eyes and how her dark skin contrasts beautifully with the semi dark environment around them. "Does it fire your ambitions, Ralis? Is there a lust within you superseding mere passion, a desire to lord over others as a conqueror and superior?"

"Ugh! We don't have time for this, Viconia!" Edwin groaned.

Korgan rolled his eyes in disgust. "Lad, donnae let that black skin make ye stiff betwixt yer legs," he warned Ralis.

Ralis ignored him. "No, Viconia, I have no interest in controlling the lives of others," Ralis said.

Viconia looked surprised to hear that briefly. She fantasized that Ralis is everything she wanted in a man, handsome and courageous with the blood of a god in his veins making him stronger than the average human, but here he has proven himself to be a man with no ambition!

"Ah, I see. As I thought, you are yet the reticent coward," Viconia said in a mild spiteful tone. "You remind me of the lowly dark elf males, crawling along the ground on your belly with eyes downcast."

Ralis was surprised and angry to hear Viconia say this.

"Come on, time is wasting," he said, leading the way and silently swearing at Viconia in his thoughts.

They found a few more rooms, and in each one, they had to fight a small group of zombies or ghouls. Neither one of them proved to be a challenge for the well armed adventurers. Eventually they came to the final room of the tomb, where a single large silver coffin lay.

Ralis and Edwin cautiously approached the coffin, then they lifted the stone lid open with all their strength, dropping it, and revealing a long dead man inside named Nevaziah, holding a scroll in its folded hands.

"There it is," Edwin said, reaching for the scroll, but the eyelids of the mummified man snapped open before Edwin could touch the scroll!

"AH!" Edwin yelped in shock, pulling his hand back.

"A lich!" Ralis gasped.

Liches are undead mages who use very powerful magic spells to preserve their lives beyond the end of their body's lifespan, meaning they can live on in their decomposed body even when there are nothing but bones left. They are powerfully dangerous spell casters.

"Haaaaaa..." Nevaziah took a long, deep breath, then his rotten eyeballs turned to gaze at Ralis and Edwin standing over him.

"It... it cannot be! Have... the cowled ones... come for me? Have I been... found out... after so long?" Nevaziah wheezed.

"Cowled ones? Who are you talking about? The Cowled Wizards?" Ralis asked the lich.

"You... you are not of the Cowled Ones? That is... that is good. They... found me out... My pupils and I... practicing the arts... without their permission. We... we fled... so long ago. I... I escaped to this place... fled with my pupils... Before the Cowled Ones could take me... prisoner. We... took what books we could. It was... it was so long ago. How... how long now? I... I cannot remember. Are you... hunting for the Cowled Ones? Have you... come to destroy me?"

"Whoever these Cowled Ones are, I'm not hunting them, and I am not going to destroy you, even though you are a lich," Ralis said.

Nevaziah had no eyebrows, but Ralis could see his confusion.

"Lich? Lich? Is... is this what I am?" Nevaziah looked at his hands. He had no skin or meat on his hands, just bare bones, and yet he is still "alive". Then he put his hands to his chest and felt no heartbeat. "No... no... was I dying? I was... dying so long ago... I used the... magic to save myself... Just as I... have used it to... save my pupils... How... how long have my pulips... and I... been below?"

Ralis and Edwin said nothing in response.

"Do the... wizards... still hunt me? Is the... name of... Nevaziah still spoken in the world above?"

"I've never even heard of you," Ralis said.

"I... I have been forgotten? The name of... Nevaziah... Keeper of Wisdom... has been lost to the sands of time? It.. it is as if... I have been... in a dream... My.. my duty is long gone... I... I am dead, am I not? And... and all of my pupils as well... Oh... how long has it been? Hiding... hiding... in fear.. for centuries!" Nevaziah placed his hands on his forehead.

"It is the Year of The Gauntlet right now. A lot has passed," Ralis said.

"Thank you... for opening my eyes. The Keepers never came... to collect my wisdom... My pupils and I... have saved... They... they are long dead. What... what have you come here for?" Nevaziah asked.

Edwin grew impatient. "Enough of this banal prattle! I wish the Nether Scroll, you senile lich! If you cannot profit from its power, then I shall! Give it to me at once!" He ordered.

"The... Nether Scroll...?" Nevaziah looked down at the scroll sitting on his chest down at the rib cage level over his old, tattered robes. "I... I have this... most sacred scroll... here with me. It is... most dangerous wisdom... Others must be... protected form it... lest they be destroyed. I... I have used it sparingly... but... not sparingly enough... What... what makes you think you are strong enough for it... wizard...? It must be destroyed... with the other knowledge... I cannot let you have it!" Nevaziah prepared to tear the scroll in half with his hands!

"No! NO!" Edwin immediately reached out with both of his hands and grabbed Nevaziah's bony wrists, preventing his right hand from coming in contact with the scroll! "You are a fool, lich! If you won't use the scroll to its full extent, then I will!" Edwin snarled.

"NEVER!" Nevaziah snarled, and when Edwin released his left hand from holding the lich's right wrist to try to pull the scroll out of his hands, Nevaziah pulled his arm back and punched Edwin in the face, sending him reeling!

Standing up out of his coffin, the lich placed the scroll in his tattered robes and casted the Blur spell on himself just when Edwin retaliated casting Melf's Acid Arrow at him. The acid arrow hit the lich in the chest a split second before the Blur spell activated. Ralis and Korgan came at the lich swinging their weapons while Viconia stood back and tried to cast Miscast Magic on the lich, but Nevaziah was too busy ducking and dodging Ralis's swords and Korgan's ax to try to cast a spell.

"Good, good! Keep him busy!" Edwin said, realizing that Nevaziah has no chance to cast his magic spells while dodging.

Edwin next tried to cast Chromatic Orb at the lich, but the spell proved ineffective, but somehow Ralis's swords and Korgan's ax are effective. Korgan swung his axe at the lich's legs as he was bust trying to dodge the swings of Ralis's swords, and suddenly Nevaziah couldn't feel his right leg anymore and toppled over. After he tollpled over, Ralis ceased attacking, but Korgan didn't let up. He ruthlessly chopped Nevaziah's ribs into pieces, then fractured his skull, ending the life of the lich permanently.

"Well done, Korgan. Very well done indeed," Edwin congratulated Korgan as he walked over to the body of the lich to check his pockets.

Edwin rummaged through the dirty, rotten robes until he found the scroll, and stood up, holding it in his hands.

"This is it. This must be it. This has to be it! The just and unjust alike will all fear the overwhelming power of Edwin Odesseiron and his Nether Scroll!" Edwin gloated.

Ralis knew that Edwin is only after the Nether Scroll for his personal reasons, but he wanted to make sure he would keep his promise aobut using his newfound power to help overwhelm the Cowled Wizards should they create resistance in the rescue of Imoen.

"Edwin, if you want that scroll, you better swear to use your new power to help me," Ralis warned him.

Edwin grinned. "(Yes... yes, this will be a great help,)" he whispered at first. "Of course, I shall put it to the best use of the group. Mark my words. (Yes, mark them well.) But you'll not see or touch the scroll, it's mine!" Edwin said.

Ralis shook his head and sighed. "(What an ass.) Let's get out of here." He led the way out of the tomb.

----

When they came back to the Black Sheaf in Purskul, it was at the break of dawn, and the citizens of Purskul slowly began to stir in the streets.

Edwin spent the next 2 hours at the bar of the tavern, reading over the nether scroll carefully. Ralis told his companions where he and Viconia, Korgan and Edwin had been, and what Edwin wanted to find. Everyone sat near Edwin as he read the Nether Scroll carefully, however, Valygar tried to discourage Edwin from reading the scroll, and Neera wanted to kick Ralis's ass for letting Edwin get the scroll.

"You're playing with fire, Edwin. It's best that you be rid of it," he would say, and Edwin would reply: "Do not bother me! These are powerful spells, and I must learn them carefully."

When Minsc went to the restroom to relieve himself, Edwin had an announcement to his group mates.

"I believe I found something rather... eh, interesting," Edwin said, frowning.

"What?" Ralis asked, leaning over the table sitting between Marala and Haer'Dalis.

"I have another revelation in my... er... our Nether Scroll. A spell of transformation both basic and sophisticated. It is not unlike the transformation of mage to lich... but it must be more... much, much more..." Edwin rubbed his chin in thought, gazing down at the scroll's instructions.

"Is it dangerous?" Marala asked Edwin.

"Not unless you have the wit and wisdom to use it," Edwin smiled with confidence at Marala. "I've prepared for this moment all my life, and lifetimes before! Be prepared to cower and flee! nothing will stand in my way after this!" He exclaimed.

"If you try anything funny, I'll be sure my wild magic turns you to a spider so I can stomp you flat," Neera sneered, crossing her arms, then cast a hateful glare and Ralis.

"Edwin, be careful with this. I need a powerful mage to combat the Cowled Wizards when we find out where they are, but don't bite more than you can chew," Ralis warned him.

Edwin laughed. "Do not make me laugh! I've been casting level seven spells when you were but a mere, insignificant seed! Now, to power!"

Edwin began chanting the word components, pronouncing each word carefully, and doing the correct hand gestures. Ralis and the others stood back as multicolored lights, like bright, giant fireflies began to circle around Edwin. After the spell was complete, Edwin began to change shape! Right before the eyes of Ralis and the others, Edwin's body shape, visible under his robed became more narrow and slender, his face became more round and feminine, his facial hair quickly receded into his face, and... and his chest began to swell up, growing larger to the point where his nipples stretch out under the fabric. Everyone looked at him in surprise. Edwin wondered why everyone is looking at him in shock. He looked down at his hands and saw that nothing has changed.

"What! Nothing! This is shameful and revolting! What are you pie-eyed fools gawking at?! Staring at me with a plebian vandal's charm! This is beyond treachery!" he said, and he noticed that his voice sounds very different. He sounded like a woman.

"Uh... Edwin? You're a woman now," Marala said, stifling laughter.

However, everyone else couldn't hold it in, and they all burst out laughing, except Valygar, who facepalmed his head to the table. Althir however, smiled for a few seconds, then laughed with everyone else.

"What?! This is blasphemy! An affront against nature and order!" Edwin shouted.

Her voice as a woman sounds similar to Jaheira's voice, only a few notches higher in pitch.

Anomen, Jaheira, Neera, Althir, Haer'Dalis, Ralis, Marala, Jan, Yoshimo, Abdel and Korgan were laughing so hard, they were crying.

"Hey Edwin! Nice rack!" Ralis said, giggling.

Frowning in outrage, Edwin crossed her arms over her breasts and turned her torso away. "Wh-what?! How dare you, scoundrel! Gawking at my mantle!" Then she noticed how plump and soft they are. They felt like small soft pillows attached to her chest. "(Hey, they aren't that bad, come to think of it,)" Edwin whispered to herself, slowly liking how they feel. "... Wait a moment. What happened to my..." Edwin then placed both of her hands down to her nether regions, where the male reproductive organs should be, but to her horror, she felt nothing, they are completely gone. "Oh no. No. NO!" She exclaimed, horrified, prompting more laughter from Ralis and the others.

Neera laughed so hard she fell out her chair.

Edwin felt angry and embarrassed. Even worse, the Nether Scroll is gone, dissolved into useless powder on the table! Edwin chose to ignore the laughs of her companions and endure her misfortune... for what its worth.

"Woman or not, my spell throwing is unparalleled and will bring the wrath of cleansing hellfire upon you should the mood move me!" Edwin declared.

At that moment, Minsc returned from the restroom. He found most of his companions laughing at the comely young woman who is dressed like Edwin but is obviously to Edwin.

"What? Where is Edwin?" He asked.

"Edwin? Oh, um... he's not here anymore," Abdel said, grinning wide.

Minsc frowned in confusion, then looked at Boo for advice. Boo squeaked with uncertainty to Minsc.

"Boo does not understand. It is not as though the scoundrel will be missed, but where has Edwin gone, and who is this woman who wears his clothes?" Minsc sat down near Edwin to get a better look at her.

Edwin stared at him in rage. "I will not be scrutinized for the sake of your rodent! Mind your own concerns, you stone-headed oaf!" She exclaimed.

Minsc leaned back in surprise, his eyes wide. "Such temperament! Fire in her belly and not afraid to spit in the eye! It reminds me of the fighting women of my homeland! Ah, sweet lady, you bring me tears," Minsc said admiringly.

"Oh my gods...!" Ralis wiped a tear from his eye.

"Tears indeed! Stand away lest I bring you a fireball as well! (Such suffering I must endure! The pain behind my eyes grow steadily!)" Edwin growled.

"Come on, we have to get going, the trade shops should be open by now," Neera said, then they all left the tavern.

As they walked down the streets of Purskul together, Edwin found that Minsc could not take his eyes off her.

"What?! Why do you stare at me so, barbarian?!"

"You bear handsome features, though they are familiar, too. Edwin's sister, perhaps? Aye, Boo sees the resemblance. You are far his superior in your manner, though," Minsc said.

"I AM Edwin you fool! Can you not comprehend this?!" Edwin shouted into Minsc's face.

"I don't do well with the philosophical. You are Edwin? Ah, like Minsc is Boo and Boo is Minsc because we carry each other within. do you like hamsters? Boo likes you," Minsc said as he held Boo out at Edwin.

Edwin's face grimaced, she refused to look at Boo. "If you do not wish to be the proud owner of a very small rug, you will get that hamster away from me," she growled somewhat calmly, suppressing her anger.

Minsc placed Boo back on his shoulder. "I see more and more of Edwin in your tone, though you are still better than he."

Edwin looked at Minsc and said in her thoughts: (I will kill ALL of them. Slowly. With ... with HOT pokey things and... and coals and... and prods. Yesss, prods. Many, many prods,) she started smiling at the thought.

"I think she warms to our company, Boo. See how she looks longingly?" Minsc said, and Boo squeaked in agreement.

Edwin shook her head in frustration and walked over to Aerie. She could hear Anomen, Jaheira, Hexxat and Abdel snickering behind him as he approached Aerie walking next to Ralis.

"Psst... Aerie!" Edwin tapped her shoulder.

Aerie looked back.

"Edwin! You scared me, imagine that... Oh, you wouldn't believe how silly you look... Now what... what do you want?" Aerie asked her almost sarcastically in the beginning.

"You are a wizard and healer! Can you not peel this wretched skin? (She has driven me to it; I will debase myself if I must.) Please, Aerie, I am... on my knees!" Edwin pleaded.

Aerie giggled. "No you're not. You're standing just like the rest of us! ... And honestly, what is there to heal? Next time... you'll be more careful how you word your wishes, won't you?"

Edwin shook her head in frustration. "Blasted Netherese sense of humor! No doubt this is why they went extinct so long ago! Shut up! Shut up, I say!"

Aerie left Edwin alone, and Edwin lagged behind. She feared that she'll forever be a woman as she walked on, looking down at the ground, but her view of her feet and the ground were partially obscured by her ample bosom, which is fortunately fully covered by her Red Wizard robes, cleavage and all, otherwise she would attract a lot of unwanted attention.

"I once knew a Red Wizard of Thay who dreamed of lichdom someday. He said he knew how to do it, but he still managed to screw it up in the funniest way," Haer'Dalis said in a song he made up on a whim from behind Edwin.

Edwin's eyes widened, recognizing the voice came from Haer'Dalis. "(Thank the gods he is not a better poet. This is one tale we would rather not see in immortalized print!)"

They went to the shop, they picked up the shipment of jewels and gold, and carried them back to the stagecoaches. The stagecoach carrying Neera and Abdel, with Sam as the lancer, continued on to Trademeet while the rest headed back to Arnise Hold.