Romancing Guide

8/10/2019 Romancing Guide

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ROMANCING GUIDE

BG2: Shadows of Amn

Version: 1.0

By Extremist with HUGE help from Slappy, 2001. No, no, this o! wo"l s"!# if there wasn$t Slappy$s slaps on my wrists

% so he is !oa"thor, &'( &' than#s Extremist.←Slappy$s !omment

No mail, for any )"estions *o to http:++www.sor!erers.net+ an post on So for"m- Howeer, if yo" on$t want to post /"t prefer to mail me, yo"$ll still hae to *o on that for"m an i* "p my mail aress from any threa poste within. :p

CONTENTS

ntro"!tion..............................................1

oman!es in *eneral................................2oman!in* N3s % profiles.....................4oman!in* N3s % ma5or aria/les........6

erie.............................................7

nomen......................................228aheira.........................................61Vi!onia........................................90

haere...................................................100Bohi....................................................101reas....................................................102

lle*al ss"es 3heats;..........................104<=......................................................1063reits..................................................107

INTRODUCTION

>he whole thin* a/o"t roman!es finally *ot on my neres. lways )"estions, enless )"estions. /et that most )"estions inSo for"m are a/o"t roman!es % not 'an*axx or <ir#raa* or anythin* else.

?hateer, always s"!!eee with roman!in*. neer *ot st"!# with a roman!e *lit!h or anythin* else. So mainlytho"*ht that people with )"estions a/o"t roman!es are ima*inin* thin*s or 5"st 5o#in*. B"t when yo" see fre)"ent

)"estions a/o"t the same thin* % the ol one !omes in min: @if somethin* is name /y people, there is a root of itA. No,$m not tal#in* a/o"t U<&. $m tal#in* a/o"t roman!e pro/lems.

&#, some thin*s in roman!es are not so !lear. B"t in the real life roman!es are !ompli!ate, so why o yo" expe!t that inthe *ame it will /e ifferent( >hat is the )"estion as#e myself. n ownloae existin* @roman!in* *"ieA fromSor!erer$s la!e http:++www.sor!erers.net+ ;.

Some fol#s say that the worst thin* is to !riti!ie eerythin*. B"t when starte to rea that other *"ie *ot pisse som"!h that e!ie to write a new *"ie. So if this text helps yo" in any way, on$t than# me, than# the a"thor of that other @*"ieA. f there werenCt him, wo"l neer write this. $ll pro/a/ly *et his lawyer on my ne!# for these wors, /"t thena*ain, $ll s"e him for e!eiin* the worl. ?hateer.n why o mention this @*"ieA( Be!a"se the answer on roman!in* )"estions in for"ms was mostly:

D Go *et that roman!in* *"ie-n then fol#s sai:D B"t !an$t fin an answer there :

1

http://www.sorcerers.net/






oman!es in *eneral

ROMANCES IN GENERAL important-;

oman!es are not somethin* yo" m"st o to finish the *ame. >hey are there only to reliee possi/le /oreom, or to spi!e"p the *ame a /it. *"ess roman!es are there also to ma#e the *ame more realisti!. mean, o"r heroes are of flesh an /loo, on$t tell me they are not intereste in loe.

nyway, if yo" thin# roman!in* is a lame iea, then stop reain* this text. >his is for all players who *ot st"!# in roman!esan for those who want to learn more on how it all wor#s in the *ame.

>he most important thin* a/o"t roman!es is that their pro*ress epens on the time yo" spen in front of yo"r 3. >he realtime % not in*ame time. /o"t eery 0 mins to an ho"r of playin*, the next roman!e ialo* will appear not exa!tly tr"e % epens on !hapters, lo!ations an N3 yo" are roman!in*;. So if yo" want a roman!e F& N&> r"sh thro"*h the *ame.?al# slowly an explore eerythin*. >he more time yo" spen % the more !han!e that yo"$ll s"!!essf"lly finish theroman!e. &'( won$t /e amae if yo" finishe the *ame within 20 or 0 in*ame ays. will 5"st say:

D ?hat an iiots, they misse so many thin*s...

o" see, there are *ame s"/)"ests relate to N3s an Stron*hols that also o!!"r if yo" "se eno"*h real time. >he moretime yo" spen, the more )"ests yo" *et. o" on$t li#e )"ests( o" want fi*ht, fi*ht an always fi*ht( >hen "ninstall BG2 % this *ame is not for yo". Get some <S or Fia/lo.

e*al *ame r"les on roman!es:1. >here are fo"r N3s aaila/le for roman!in*: erie, nomen, 8aheira an Vi!onia2. ny N3 yo"$re roman!in* m"st not /e left o"t of party I&E >HN >HEE; in*ame ays or yo"$ll r"in the

roman!e, ex!ept for 8aheria who sho"ln$t /e eer #i!#e o"t of the party, altho"*h she will leae the partytemporarily of their own will.

. <emale heroes !an roman!e &N nomen

4. Iale heroes !an hae more than one roman!e sim"ltaneo"sly % /"t at one point they m"st !hoose only one female N3

6. No homosex"al roman!esJ. a!ial lame; iss"es:

Fwares an Halfor!s !an$t *et any roman!eH"mans, Halfeles an Halflin*s !an roman!e anyone of the fo"r roman!in* N3s epenin* on *ener.

Iale Eles !an$t roman!e Vi!onia.Iale Gnomes !an roman!e erie &N. <emale Gnomes !an$t roman!e nomen.

7. No roman!in* in 3hapter 19. ?hen a roman!e is /ro#en /y "sin* a wron* ialo* option or "ner !ertain !ir!"mstan!es % no se!on !han!e is

possi/leK. f yo"$re roman!in* two or three females at the same time, the moment yo" !hoose one oer the others, the other

females stop roman!in*. >his means if yo" neer starte a roman!e with one of them an finish a roman!e withanother one % yo" a!t"ally 3N start another roman!e. B"t yo" hae to remoe the N3 yo" were roman!in* o"t of the party /efore yo" !an start another one. lso, if yo" are plannin* to try this, remem/er how lon* a roman!e ta#es. tis not ery pra!ti!al to try to !omplete two roman!es in the same *ame.

10. No roman!in* in "n*eons--- >here are some ialo*s that on$t follow this r"le an those are &N ialo*s that aretri**ere with ES> /"tton. See ialo*s for etails.

11. Besies "n*eons, erie, nomen an Vi!onia won$t roman!e in the open spa!e aro"n e$rnise hol 100;,

only 8aheira will.12. No roman!in* if hostiles are within si*ht, nor if any ne"tral !reat"re is 10 foot or !loser to the N3.1. emem/er that roman!e relate )"ests spawns; wo"lnCt ta#e pla!e in !hapters 4, 6 an 7. >his means i.e. if yo"

haen$t finishe with >erminsel$s se!on appearin* in !hapter J % 8aheira roman!e will neer *et to its proper enin*---

<or a list of all areas that are !onsiere "n*eons *o !he!# the Areas se!tion in this o!. Basi!ally, when insie a "n*eonthe roman!e is p"t on hol. f it seems to hae *one nowhere for a while % *o o"tsie. ?ithin the Areas se!tion yo"$ll alsofin a list of all areas that are mar#e as o"toors.

ll le*al *ame r"les !an /e !heate aro"n as yo" !an see in the Illegal Issues se!tion.

2



oman!es in *eneral

Generally ea!h loe ialo* that is not tri**ere /y the rest /"tton sho"l appear after a same amo"nt of real time has passe. &f !o"rse, if yo" are in "n*eon for all of that time, the ialo* will appear as soon as yo" exit the "n*eon. lso,some ialo*s will appear only when !ertain !reat"res are spo#en to. nyway, the timers are ifferent for ea!h N3 anthere is a @elayA timer that is "se when first timer expires. General timers in se!ons; are:

N3 Fialo*"e >imer Felay >imer

erie 200 0nomen J00 10

8aheira J00 0

Vi!onia 000 0

<or example:o" ha a loe ialo* with erie. >he next ialo* will ta#e pla!e after at least 200L0M20 se!ons of *ame r"nnin*.<or etails on these timin*s see Romancing NPCs – major variables se!tion.

final note on ialo*s:

>here is no s"!h thin* as !hoosin* E3> &NE ialo* to ma#e roman!e !ontin"e. Iost of the ialo* options won$t /rea# the roman!e nor will they hae any aerse !onse)"en!e. B"t >HEE E some; ialo*s that /rea# roman!e or

hae !ertain !onse)"en!es.Sin!e that is the !ase, won$t /other yo" with !omplete ialo*s % where a ialo* !hoi!e has a si*nifi!ant !onse)"en!e, hae shown the !onse)"en!e in /ra!#ets in /ol type. f a ialo* ens witho"t !onse)"en!es, there will /e no !omment in /ra!#ets.?hen say there @roman!e s!reweA that means no more roman!in* that N3- Een if he+she remains in the party or yo"*et he+she /a!# in the party later.

o"$ll also see that left in !ertain ialo*s /ole in /ra!#ets settin*s of !ertain aria/les an neer spea# a/o"t themlater. o" sho"ln$t /e worrie a/o"t that, wrote those /e!a"se $ll nee it in possi/le f"t"re reisions or /e!a"se $m nots"re what are those aria/les for. <or example, there is AnomenIgnore aria/le that is in!rease /y one in some o!!asions % /"t the *ame neer tests it-( t is a /"* or it is neer finishe or is left to /e "se in >hrone of Bhaal. ?hateer.f there are no !onse)"en!es in ialo*, won$t isplay that ialo*, &'(

@Spe!ialA ialo*s, for example when the roman!in* women t"rn their !laws on ea!h other or when a spe!ial roman!eDrelate !hara!ter t"rns "p, hae isplaye in f"ll.

Fis!laimer:

>his whole o!"ment is /ase on the offi!ially pat!he *ame toayCs pat!h ma#es the *ame ersion: 2.0.206;. ossi/leother pat!hes or "npat!he *ames !an res"lt in ifferent ialo*s, ifferent /"*s an ifferent options to !hoose.

Fi yo" *et /ore alreay with Smalltal#( es( Ie too.

>ime to !hoose yo"r loer an &N?F-



oman!in* N3s D profiles

ROMANCING NPCs PRO!ILES

Here are some etails on N3s yo" !an roman!e alon* with the info on how to *et the roman!e starte.

AERIE:>his roman!e is s"ppose to /e the most !ompli!ate /"t if yo" as# me, that is only tr"e if Haer$Falis is in yo"r party.

oman!e starts the ery moment yo" *et her o"t of the 3ir!"s >ent in ?a"#een$s promenae.>o #eep it rollin* yo" m"st neer mo!# her /e!a"se of her !onstant whinin*.

ANOMEN:

oman!e starts when yo" *et him in the party.

s lon* as yo" on$t spit on him, #ni*hts an the &rer he is a mem/er of, all will /e fine.>hin*s *et !ompli!ate when yo"$re s"pposin* to ai!e him whether to ta#e reen*e or not. Fon$t worry, the roman!e !anstill /e finishe whateer path yo" !hoose. &nly thin* yo" m"st /e aware is that at the /e*innin* of the *ame he is lawf"lne"tral an epenin* on the path yo" s"**est to him, he$ll /e!ome:1. lawf"l *oo % if he oesn$t *o for reen*e

2. !haoti! ne"tral % if he *oes for reen*e

"A#EIRA:

>his roman!e starts in two ways:1. ?hen yo" a!!ept Gaelan Bayle$s proposal to *ather 20.000 *p an exit his home.2. ?hen yo" on$t a!!epte Bayle$s proposal, /"t eent"ally pay him the pri!e anyway % an exit his home.

>his means, 8aheira roman!e !an a!t"ally /e elaye for the "ration of the whole of !hapter two--- >ho"*h that$s not aery *oo iea as it ta#es s"!h a lon* time to !omplete. eally yo" will start it as soon as possi/le. f yo" wante to *et the8aheira roman!e an also to wor# for Bohi /"t not for Gaelan Bayle, on$t sweat, a!!ept Gaelan$s proposal an later 5"st /etray him when Bohi sens her messen*er to *et yo".

>o #eep this roman!e rollin* yo" hae to follow two r"les:

1. lways spea# to her % neer say yo" hae neither time nor patien!e for tal#s.2. Neer % NF IEN NEVE, #i!# her o"t of party-

emem/er, if yo" #i!# 8aheira o"t of the party 5"st /e!a"se yo" !an N N 3H>E, N N 3SE, N N&33S&N % the roman!e *ets s!rewe, "nless she e!ies to leae the party /e!a"se of her own !a"ses % on$t worry, hae written in the *"ie where that happens. t least, it sho"l /e li#e that. B"t there is a /"*....

ast note: !!orin* to players this roman!e is the ri!hest of them all. No it is not, ass"re yo". >he only )"est that won$thappen when yo"$re not in a roman!e with her is the Banit atta!#. ll other )"ests !"rse, eiane, Fermin an>erminsel; will appear if yo" 5"st hae her in the party. B"t /e warne % reso$%&ng some of 'hose ()es's de*ends on +o)r

re*)'a'&on--- See ialo*s for etails. &ne more thin* yo" won$t see if yo"$re not roman!in* her is a!)"irin* a spe!ialitem... an item that has no p"rpose an is 5"st for e!oration m"st say loe that part-;. ?hateer, won$t isplay here

the )"est when 8aheira *ets !"rse /e!a"se it happens no matter if yo" are roman!in* her or not, an has no effe!t on the

roman!e "nless yo" let her ie...oh-;

,ICONIA:

o" start roman!in* her the ery moment yo" *et her in the party.

>his is the simplest roman!e, howeer that simpli!ity has a few ex!eptions.ll yo" m"st remem/er is not to offen her an she$ll *et !oo#e in no time- Oeil *rinO

4



oman!in* N3s % ma5or aria/les

ROMANCING NPCs MA"OR ,ARIABLES

?ithin the *ame there are a n"m/er of aria/les "se to monitor an !ontrol the roman!e. ny of yo" with a reasona/le"nerstanin* of 3s mi*ht li#e to #now a /it a/o"t what these aria/les o an how to a!!ess them !ertainly the n"m/er of posts we *et on the s"/5e!t s"**ests so;. So here is a /rief *"ie to the main ones. f yo" nee help on a!!essin* the

!onsole to type in !ommans please refer to the PowerQ"sers.txt$ file on yo"r 3F or in yo"r main *ame foler an loo# for the wors !heat an !onsole or 5"st rea the FAQ se!tion in this o!.

Chara-'erMa'-h

Before a roman!e !an start the *ame sets this aria/le to show if yo"r !hara!ter is !ompati/le with any of the possi/leroman!in* N3s from a spe!ies an *ener point of iew. >his happens only on!e at the ery start of the *ame % so een if

yo" "se "tilities to !han*e ra!e or *ener after the *ame starte, yo" wonCt *et this aria/le !han*e. o" !an !he!# thisaria/le "sin* these !ommans yo" will nee to a!!ess the !onsole to type these !ommans;:CLUAConso$e:Ge'G$o.a$/0,&-on&aMa'-h010GLOBAL0 D to fin o"t what al"e it has.CLUAConso$e:Se'G$o.a$/0,&-on&aMa'-h010GLOBAL0133 % to man"ally set the al"e.

3han*e the aria/le name to 8aheira, erie or nomen for their al"es.

>he two possi/le al"es of this aria/le ; are 0 for the roman!e !an$t happen or 1 for the roman!e is possi/le.f yo" want to oer!ome limitations for example if yo" want a warf to roman!e;, !he!# the Illegal Issues se!tion.

Chara-'erA-'&%eRoman-e

>his is ma5or roman!e aria/le. t shows the !"rrent roman!e state an yo" sho"l always !he!# it if thin*s seem to /e*oin* wron*. t !an /e a!!esse with the followin* !ommans i.e. for erie;:CLUAConso$e:Ge'G$o.a$/0Aer&eRoman-eA-'&%e010GLOBAL0 % to fin o"t what al"e it has.

CLUAConso$e:Se'G$o.a$/0Aer&eRoman-eA-'&%e010GLOBAL0133 % to man"ally set the al"e.

3han*e the aria/le name to 8aheira, Vi!onia or nomen for their al"es.

ossi/le al"es of this aria/le ; are:0 % roman!e was neer starte,1 % roman!e is pro*ressin*,2 % roman!e lies, N3 is finally in loe with yo",

% roman!e is ea for *oo.

Lo%eTa$4

>his is another important aria/le for mana*in* a roman!e. t shows how far the roman!e has pro*resse. o" will noti!e

in the etaile /rea#owns that follow that after ea!h ialo* the loetal# ratin* *ets !han*e to show that the roman!e has

moe on. So if yo" want to #eep an eye on thin*s this is the aria/le to !he!#.?hen a roman!e starts with a N3, his+her oe>al# ratin* is set to one. B"t /efore the roman!e starts at all, a !he!# ismae for N3 !ompati/ility. f this !he!# is faile, no !han*es are mae to the oe>al# ratin*.>here are two !ommans yo" nee to #now to a!!ess the aria/le:

CLUAConso$e:Ge'G$o.a$/0Lo%eTa$4010LOCALS0 while holin* the mo"se pointer oer a !hara!ter$s portrait. ressret"rn an the !onsole will show yo" their roman!e ratin*.CLUAConso$e:Se'G$o.a$/5Lo%eTa$4616LOCALS6133 whi!h sets yo"r loe tal# to a *ien ratin*, where is an"m/er. So if yo" really /low it or *et st"!# /y a /"* yo" mi*ht /e a/le to *et thin*s moin* a*ain;.

>he final tar*ets yo" are aimin* at for ea!h roman!e are:

8aheira 70Vi!onia 7J

erie 49nomenJ

6



oman!in* N3s % ma5or aria/les

Chara-'erRoman-e

>his aria/le is "se to !o"nt own the time to the next ialo* eent. n other wors it$s a !lo!# that meas"res real time passin* as yo" play the *ame.

ss"in* a !omman li#e this:

CLUAConso$e:Se'G$o.a$/5"ahe&raRoman-e616GLOBAL617or the name of the !hara!ter yo" are roman!in* will tri**er the next ialo* proiin* all other !onitions lo!ation meetin*!hara!ters et!; hae /een met. B"t #eep in min ialo* elays mentione in Romances in general se!tion. >hose ialo*elays !an /e a maxim"m of 0 se!ons an yo" 3N s#ip those elays if yo" want to /y simple iss"in* of "pper !omman twi!e.

Here is how it wor#s:- o" finishe one ialo* eent an the *ame in!reases roman!e ratin* oe>al# aria/le; /y one. fter this in!rease,

roman!e ratin* will always /e o not iisi/le /y 2;-- 3hara!teroman!e timer is set as it is shown in ta/le /elow D it is ifferent for ea!h N3;, i.e. for Vi!onia it is set to

000 se!ons. >his is what !all Fialo*"e >imer.- fter this timer expires, another timer is set. >his is what !all Felay timer an it "ses 3hara!teroman!e aria/le

a*ain. t is also ifferent for ea!h N3, i.e. for Vi!onia it is 0 se!ons.

-fter Felay >imer expire, roman!e ratin* is in!rease /y one. >his n"m/er ratin*; is always een iisi/le /y 2;-n now the *ame for!es next ialo* eent if yo"$re not in "n*eon, et!...;

Fo yo" see now why yo" sho"l iss"e that !omman twi!e for instant moin* on next ialo*(

N3 Fialo*"e >imer Felay >imer

erie 200 0

nomen J00 10

8aheira J00 0

Vi!onia 000 0

IMPORTANT:

A$$ roman-e ra'&ngs are shown w&'h&n d&a$ogs8 A' s'ar' of ea-h d&a$og 'here &s a $&ne:

LT = romance rating

A$$ roman-e ra'&ngs are shown &n odd %a$)es .e-a)se 'he game se's -er'a&n %ar&a.$es a--ord&ng 'o odd %a$)es so &f

+o) mess w&'h roman-e ra'&ng /Lo%eTa$4 %ar&a.$e ma4e s)re +o) se' &' on ODD %a$)e8

itional Note:

>he syntax for these !ommans is ery stri!t an easy to *et wron*. f yo" *et an error messa*e from the !onsole try a*ain

an ma#e s"re all !ommas an !apitals are in pla!e. lso, m"!#in* a/o"t with in*ame aria/le !an always lea to"nintene res"lts so ?S sae the *ame first an #eep that sae !opy for a lon* time 5"st in !aseR

J



erie

AERIE

?hen yo" hae her in the party an exit the 3ir!"s % a timer is set for 4 in*ame ays. f yo" onCt ta#e the lanes!ape )"est /y that time, a messen*er appears.o" hae to /e in th#atla &U>F&&S, /"t not at the 3ity Gates.

MESSENGER: Ex!"se me, miss... /"t yo" wo"l /e name erie, yes( >he yo"n* elen lass that was ="ayleCs apprenti!e

in the !ir!"s(

f ="ayle is ea, messen*er leaes her a letter. f ="ayle is alie, yo" are s"ppose to *o to 3ir!"s >ent to tal# to him.?hateer is the !ase, the letter or ="ayle will point yo" to *o to <ie <la*ons nn Bri*e Fistri!t; an tal# to aelis Shai.>his is not an o/li*atory )"est % howeer, erie will remin yo" on this )"est eery few ays. >o sole this )"est, yo"Cres"ppose to res!"e HaerCFalis from the Sewers in >emple Fistri!t.

I do no' ad%&se +o) 'o 4ee* haer9da$&s &n 'he *ar'+ wh&$e aer&e roman-e &s no' o%er >hat part haenCt isplaye herean Cm not aware of any possi/le /"*s within it. Iay/e in next ersions...

>M1

AERIE: Iy win*s hae /een !lippe...oh, wish yo" !o"l "nerstan how it feels to /e /o"n to the *ro"n, !haine anwei*hte li#e a misera/le prisoner of earth... EE99;

78 ?hat was it li#e to fly, erie(

AERIE: &h...itDitCs so har to es!ri/e. tCs the "ltimate freeom, to soar a/oe the !lo"s an /e!ome part of thewin, itself. remem/er "se to /e so happy. >he !lo"s are a spe!ial pla!e "p there, 3HNIET...itCs li#e alan of /illowin* white /ea"ty that yo" !an almost wal# "pon.

28 ?eCre all prisoners of the earth own here.

AERIE: &h, yDyes, #now... meant no offense to yo". 5"st remem/er what it was li#e...to effortlessly soar thro"*h the !lo"s li#e the /irs oerhea. >o /e tr"ly free. B"t s"ppose that pla!e is foreer enie to me, now.

t...it 5"st feels so slow an m"nane to wal# eerywhere. onCt #now how yo" !an stan it.78 o" *et "se to it...thereCs plenty of /ea"ty on the *ro"n, as well.

AERIE: s there( ll !an thin# of is how ma5esti! somethin* mi*ht loo# from "p hi*h. Cm sorry...yo"wo"l thin# /y now wo"l #now /etter than to well "pon it. Ex!"se me.

28 tCs no harship.

AERIE: Iay/e not for yo", /"t for me it is ery ifferent. was /orn to fly. B"t sho"l not well on it

so...yo" wo"l thin# after all this time ha learne /etter. Ex!"se me, please...;8 ?ell, wo"l start *ettin* "se to it if were yo".

AERIE: ... hae /een tryin* for many years to *et "se to it, 3HNIET. t is not an easy thin*, for one /orn to the s#ies. B"t.../"t yo" are ri*ht, of !o"rse. Ex!"se me.

;8 f yo"Cre *oin* to whine, o it somewhere else.

AERIE: DCm sorry, 3HNIET... inCt mean to /other yo". Cll tal# to some/oy else, instea. /roman-e

s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>M

AERIE: Hae yo"...hae yo" eer hear of my people( >he ariel( EE9K;78 >he win*e eles( Very little. tho"*ht they were all *one.

AERIE: Iost of "s were, a!!orin* to what remem/er my mother tellin* me. 'ille /y the ra*ons /efore the<irst <lowerin*. B"t some of "s still s"rie in isolate pla!es. Iy own people lie hi*h in the mo"ntains to the far so"th, in a pla!e !alle <aenyaDFail, separate from !onta!t with others. t is...was...a *ran an ma5esti! pla!e. Iy

memory is im, /"t wheneer the tho"*ht of it !rosses my min, my eyes still /l"r with tears.78 >ell me more a/o"t yo"r people, erie.

AERIE: &"r...o"r homes were open pla!es of mar/le pillars an istas from whi!h yo" !o"l wat!h theentire mo"ntain ran*e /elow. >here was no pla!e yo" !o"l not sprea yo"r win*s... ?e !herishe the winan the rains...we /reathe in life, 3HNIET, an lie in pea!e with ea!h other. >here were istin!t

so!ieties amon* "s, as remem/er. >here were...*reat aerial warriors who efene "s, possessin* *lassweapons that raiate in the s"nli*ht... n my own !lass p"rs"e art an #nowle*e, /"ilin* the *reat /"ilin*s an fillin* them with *lorio"s woners. t...it was... ... am sorry, 3HNIET, !an spea# of itno lon*er. thin# of my lost home an am remine of my poor "n!le ="ayle. t...it simply wren!hes myheart...

7



erie

28 ?ell, we sho"l really *et moin* on.AERIE: &h...of !o"rse, 3HNIET. inCt mean to /other yo".

;8 I"st yo" always /e so meloramati!( t ma#es me ill.

AERIE: ... m"st seem ery foolish to yo", s"ppose. will not /other yo" a*ain, 3HNIET.

/roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 really onCt hae time to is!"ss that ri*ht now, erie.

AERIE: &h...of !o"rse, 3HNIET. inCt mean to /other yo".

>M6

AERIE: ...eeryone here seems too "nhappy an seere... am so "n"se to liin* this way. n the !ir!"s, we always were!heerf"l. &r, at least, Un!le ="ayle was etermine to /e. EEK0; He "se to say that a frown wo"l neer *etanythin* "sef"l one. thin# eeryone !o"l "se some !heerin* "p... what a/o"t yo", 3HNIET(

78 ?hateer. 8"st onCt *o t"rnin* anyone into a !hi!#en or anythin* foolish li#e that.

AERIE: *i**le-; !hi!#en( Now, that wo"l /e a neat tri!#- Cll hae to wor# on that, yo" silly man- Ha ha ha-/D&a$og)e '&mer &s se' for ;<== se-s

28 hae more serio"s thin*s to worry a/o"t, erie.AERIE: si*h; s"ppose thatCs tr"e. tCs too /a... ="ayle "se to *o o"t of his way to ma#e s"re la"*he. Een in

the worst of times. B"t s"ppose it !anCt /e helpe. /D&a$og)e '&mer &s se' for ;<== se-s;8 thin# thatCs the st"piest thin* Ce eer hear.

AERIE: &h. ... s"ppose it is... rather silly, after all. ="ayle was, still, a... a wonerf"l man. B"t... s"ppose yo"are not intereste... /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>8 Heh... yo"Cre pro/a/ly ri*ht. f only thin*s were so easy.AERIE: es, s"ppose yo"r... re!ent life wo"l leae little to la"*h a/o"t. &ne ay... one ay this will all /e oer for yo", 3HNIET. n then may/e we !an OallO la"*h. /D&a$og)e '&mer &s se' for ;<== se-s

>M7

AERIE: ... hae /een loo#in* at the s!ars...on my /a!#. >he st"mps that were...that were on!e my win*s. >hey onot...they o not ma#e me tr"ly homely, o they( m ...am "*ly to yo"( EEK1;

if Vi!onia roman!e is a!tie an she is in the party,ICC?: I"st yo" a!t so patheti!ally within the earshot of others( ?hat is it that yo" expe!t him to say( >hat he thin#syo"r s!ars a !hara!ter( re yo" tr"ly so witless( V3&N36;

AERIE: ... was tal#in* to him, not to yo"- o"Ce mae yo"r feelin*s on eerythin* apparent eno"*h- EEF;,ICC?: &h, i h"rt yo"r feelin*s( Hae s!arre o"r pre!io"s /"tterfly een worse, now(AERIE: Go away, Vi!onia. IDmay/e it is silly of me to as# yo" a/o"t my s!ars, 3HNIET. ... 5"st respe!t yo"r opinion.78 onCt thin# they ma#e yo" "*ly, erie. <ar from it. @@@@IND

28 t wo"l ta#e far more than a !o"ple of s!ars to hie all the other /ea"ty yo" possess, erie. @@@@IND

;8 hae no time to is!"ss yo"r anity, erie.AERIE: Vanity( ... s"ppose it is. >hat an my silly prie. ...Cll not /other yo" with s"!h nonsense a*ain,3HNIET. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>8 Vi!oniaCs ri*ht. ?hat am s"ppose to say( etCs 5"st #eep *oin*.AERIE: ?ell, if... if yo"Cre *oin* to listen to her, then fine. o" are ery !r"el, 3HNIET. o" eseresomeone li#e her, o/io"sly. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

if 8aheira roman!e is a!tie an she is in the party an if Vi!onia roman!e is ina!tie an she is not in"A#EIRA: Hae some /a!#/one, *irl. Fo not wilt li#e a flower an expe!t him to pi!# yo" "p. Hae some respe!t for yo"rself. 8HE6;

AERIE: was 5D5"st as#in* for his opinion... is that so /a, 8aheira( EEE1;

"A#EIRA: s"**est yo" for*et yo"r s!ars, !hil. ife has treate yo" harshly, /"t it will /e harsher, still, if yo" !annot *et

oer yo"r loss.AERIE: ... onCt #now. Iay/e it was silly of me to as# yo", 3HNIET. 5"st... respe!t yo"r opinion. hae noiea what loo# li#e... to men.78 onCt thin# yo"r s!ars ma#e yo" "*ly, erie. <ar from it. @@@@IND

28 t wo"l ta#e far more than a !o"ple of s!ars to hie all the other /ea"ty yo" possess, erie. @@@@IND

;8 hae no time to is!"ss yo"r anity, erie.

AERIE: Vanity( ... s"ppose it is. >hat an my silly prie. ...Cll not /other yo" with s"!h nonsense a*ain,3HNIET. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

9



erie

>8 8aheiraCs ri*ht. o" sho"l for*et a/o"t them an moe on.AERIE: ... may/e yo"Cre ri*ht. t was silly of me to /rin* it "p. Cll not /other yo" a*ain a/o"t anythin*. /roman-e


if there is no other roman!e an no Vi!onia an 8aheira in the party:

78 &f !o"rse yo"Cre not "*ly, erie. <ar from it. @@@@IND

28 t wo"l ta#e far more than a !o"ple of s!ars to hie all the other /ea"ty yo" possess, erie. @@@@IND;8 hae no time for s"!h foolish anity. eae me /e.

AERIE: Vanity( ... s"ppose it is. >hat an my silly prie. ...Cll not /other yo" with s"!h nonsense a*ain,3HNIET. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

@@@@IND

AERIE: Dreally( o" are...ery #in to say so, 3HNIET. ... s"ppose am too pro", that miss my white win*sso. ?hen was first enslae, was #ept in a small !a*e an p"t on isplay. ha no room to stan, m"!h less stret!h mywin*s. ... trie to warn my !aptor, pleae to him... .../"t my win*s withere an /e!ame /looy an isease. Until,finally, he was for!e to...to...saw them off. t was...it was so painf"l an horri- Ce felt li#e a *reat part of me has /eenmissin* eer sin!e. am in!omplete. ...o not feel /ea"tif"l, 3HNIET. Not anymore.

78 FonCt /e so har on yo"rself, erie...li#e sai, yo"Cre still a /ea"tif"l elf.AERIE: o"...yo" ma#e me /l"sh with s"!h !omments. t ma#es me woner if yo" are sin!ere,

3HNIET.../"t than# yo" nonetheless.28 o" pla!e too m"!h of yo"rself in yo"r win*s, erie. o" hae to loo# at the rest of yo"rself an fin /ea"ty in that,too.

AERIE: t is...ery har for me. B"t shall try to thin# as yo" say...an than# yo" for yo"r #in wors.

;8 si*h; f yo"Cre *oin* to whine oer eery little thin*, than 5"st o it )"ietly, alri*ht(AERIE: Dyes, 3HNIET. DCm sorry to /e s"!h a /other... /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>MK

AERIE: Hae tol yo" of how was !apt"re an enslae, initially( EEK2;78 No, yo" haenCt.

AERIE: t was...my fa"lt, really. was away from <aenyaDFail, flyin* 5"st for the *lory of it. ...spotte a lar*e

*ro"p of arme men assa"ltin* some h"mans on the *ro"n /elow. >hey were slaers, altho"*h inCt #now that atthe time. ?hen saw a h"man !hil !ryin* an esperately tryin* to r"n away from them, my heart !len!he with!on!ern. was istra"*ht. Iy mother ha always warne me to /e wary of o"tsiers.../"t i not hee her warnin*s this time. flew own to ai the !hil, swoopin* to !arry him away. >he !hil was s"rprise anfri*htene, an his str"**les slowe me...eno"*h so that a slaer str"!# me with an arrow. pl"mmete to the*ro"n an was #no!#e "n!ons!io"s. ?hen awo#e... was in my !a*e. was the prie of the slaers...to /e sol tothe hi*hest /ier. >hey were please to sell me to the !ir!"s for a *reat amo"nt of *ol... ... s"ppose... s"ppose

was *la to learn that the !hil es!ape, after all. He ran away after my fall. Hopef"lly, he s"rie...78 ?hat else !o"l yo" hae one( tCs not yo"r fa"lt it t"rne o"t as it i, erie.

AERIE: t is, tho"*h...it was foolish of me to isre*ar my tea!hin*s. n hae pai for it early. was /ereft of my home...an then my win*s, 3HNIET. @@@@UA?LE

28 >hat was no/le of yo", if foolish.

AERIE: es, it was. isre*are my tea!hin*s an hae pai for it. was ta#en from my home foreer

an /ereft of my win*s...a *reat an final p"nishment "pon me. @@@@UA?LE;8 o" were an iiot to ta#e s"!h a ris# for a !hil. s"ppose yo" pai for it, howeer.

AERIE: ... hae pai for it, 3HNIET. B"t sain* that !hil was all !o"l o- hope he lies,yet...an !annot /eliee that yo" wo"l /e so !r"el as to !ast that in my fa!e- /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s

&n *ar'+

28 No.../"t hae no time to hear the story now.AERIE: es... s"ppose now is not the time for tal#. <or*ie me.

@@@@UA?LE

if ="ayle is ea:

AERIE: >o /e /ereft of ="ayle, as well, is almost more than !an /ear. thin#, sometimes, that the *os p"nish me for my prie. Een Baeran , my eity, *ies me little !omfort.

if ="ayle is alie:AERIE: ... am *la that ="ayle yet lies. n...an hae fo"n yo", 3HNIET. erhaps the *os hae /e*"n tofor*ie my foolish prie.

K



erie

>M11

AERIE: miss my Un!le ="ayle. miss his presen!e early. EEK;

No ialo*s with !onse)"en!es.

>M1

AERIE: Hae yo" traele m"!h( hae /een oer m"!h of mn an >ethyr with the !ir!"s...altho"*h it was not alwaysthe most pleasant way to oya*e. EEK4;

f Vi!onia roman!e is a!tie an she is in the party:,ICC?: will tell yo" what wo"l ma#e this 5o"rney more pleasant. Not hain* to listen to the !onstant wimperin* of awo"ne oe. V3&N3J;

AERIE: was 5"st tryin* to tal# to someone a/o"t traelin*. ?hy m"st yo" /e so !r"el( EEFJ;

,ICC?: o" thin# yo" are the only one who has met harshness in this worl( Be *la that hain* yo"r win*s rippe from

yo"r /a!# is the extent of yo"r misery, fool-AERIE: o" are no martyr, Vi!onia, yo" onCt fool me- n... an am not intereste in Oyo"rO traels, was as#in*3HNIET a/o"t his-78 hae /een traelin* sin!e left 3anle#eep many, many months a*o. @@@@CONTINUE

28 am not intereste in is!"ssin* my traels, erie.

AERIE: s yo" wish, 3HNIET. t...it was only an errant wish for tal# an nothin* more.;8 Vi!oniaCs ri*ht... if yo" want to whine a/o"t yo"r iffi!"lties, o it somewhere else.

AERIE: ... am not whinin*, 3HNIET- #now that yo" hae not ha an easy time, /"t neither hae - I"styo"...m"st yo" /e so !r"el( /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

f 8aheira roman!e is a!tie an she is in the party /"t Vi!onia roman!e is ina!tie:

"A#EIRA: None of o"r traels hae /een oerly pleasant, !hil. f yo"r iew is that we are on some !arefree o"tin*, yo"are esperately in nee of !orre!tion. 8HE<J;

AERIE: neer sai that was what tho"*ht- n een if i, ... onCt thin# wo"l nee !orre!tion from s"!h a /itter,na**in* woman as yo"- EEE2;"A#EIRA: Bitter an na**in*, am ( Better that than a wieDeye oe with no sense to realie the "nierse oes notreole aro"n her. Experien!e will /rin* perspe!tie, ima*ine.

AERIE: es, well onCt nee the /enefit of Oyo"rO experien!e, 8aheira. was as#in* 3HNIET a/o"t his. ... 5"stwante to tal# a/o"t his traels, is all.78 hae /een traelin* sin!e left 3anle#eep many, many months a*o. @@@@CONTINUE

28 am not intereste in is!"ssin* my traels, erie.AERIE: s yo" wish, 3HNIET. t...it was only an errant wish for tal# an nothin* more.

;8 isten, erie... if yo" want to whine a/o"t yo"r iffi!"lties, o it somewhere else.


if Vi!onia an 8aheira are not roman!e an not in party:78 hae /een traelin* sin!e left 3anle#eep many, many months a*o. @@@@CONTINUE

28 Ce no wish to is!"ss my traels, erie.

AERIE: s yo" wish, 3HNIET. t...it was only an errant wish for tal# an nothin* more.;8 FonCt whine to me a/o"t the !ir!"s, erie...my traels hae not /een /y !hoi!e, either, an li#ely less pleasant thanyo"rs.


@@@@CONTINUE

AERIE: hae not /een that far north...the !ir!"s mainly mae its way aro"n mn an f"rther so"th. Ce /een toEshp"rta an I"rann, amon* other pla!es.../"t people are all the same. >hey *aw#e at me when was !a*e...pointe anwere !r"el. &n!e was o"t of my !a*e, the people were no #iner...if it were not for ="ayle, !o"l not hae stoo it. ...thin# am *la, finally, to /e traelin* away from the starin* an 5eerin* !rows. am away from pryin* eyes, oya*in*freely...on the *ro"n, at least. n...an am *la to /e traelin* with yo", 3HNIET. o" hae sae my life

an...mae me feel ery wel!ome.78 am *la yo" are here, erie. o"Ce proen yo"r worth more than on!e.

10



erie

AERIE: o"...yo" are ma#in* me /l"sh, 3HNIET. >hDthan# yo".28 wo"l hae it no other way, erie.

AERIE: Nor wo"l , 3HNIET. >han# yo", tr"ly.

;8 FonCt flatter yo"rself...yo"Cre here /e!a"se yo"Cre "sef"l an thatCs it.

AERIE: ... see. >hDthen shall eneao"r to remain "sef"l for yo", 3HNIET. >o trael with yo", if

nothin* else. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>8 si*h; s this !onstant meloramati! *"shin* *oin* to !ontin"e on m"!h( f so, yo"Cre *oin* to ma#e o"r traels )"ite"n/eara/le. /roman-e s-rewed

AERIE: see... see was mista#en. f my presen!e ma#es it so "n/eara/le for yo", 3HNIET, then perhaps sho"l leae...

78 es, thatCs pro/a/ly /est. tCll *ie me some pea!e, for on!e. /or

28 Fo as yo" li#e, it matters not to me.AERIE: Very well. GD*ooD/ye, then, 3HNIET. /she $ea%es 'he *ar'+ and goes 'o 'he C&r-)s

;8 No, onCt *o. o"Cre )"ite "sef"l, here.AERIE: ... see. >hDthen shall eneao"r to remain "sef"l for yo", 3HNIET. >o trael with yo", if nothin* else. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>8 No... apolo*ie, erie. meant nothin* /y it.

AERIE: >hen...then shall stay with yo". <or now. /NOT#ING #APPENS a .)g

>M16

AERIE: HHH-- HE IE- HE IE, EEESE-- EEK6;?OU: ?hat is it, erie( By the *os...yo"Cre ren!he with sweat- ?hatCs wron*(-AERIE: ... *asp; ... was hain* a ream. most reaf"l ni*htmare-- lease...please sit with me for /"t a short while...am sha#en to my ery !ore...

78 3ertainly. ?hat was the ream a/o"t(

AERIE: sh"er; ... was /a!# in the !ir!"s, after my owner ha e!ie that my win*s ha /e!ome too isease. ha /een layin* in my !a*e, sweatin* an elirio"s for ays... ...his men !ame an p"lle me o"t, an my win*s /"rne so- !o"l /arely !ry o"t, was so wea#- n...an they /e*an to saw off my win*s... ha!#in* at them withr"ste #nies- sh"er; s!reame an s!reame- >hey...ha!#e off...my win*s an then "se...tor!hes to seal mywo"ns. &h, 3HNIET...- so/-; &h, 3HNIET, ......-

78 tCs alri*ht, erie...that was a lon* time a*o. 3alm yo"rself... /or28 Shhh...!alm yo"rself. "nerstan.

AERIE: t...it felt li#e was there a*ain- !an... !an still feel my win*s /ein* torn from my /a!#... ...Cmsorry, 3HNIET. t was so lon* a*o, sho"l not still /e so torn. ... m"st resi*n myself to my fate.3ome...let "s !ontin"e on with yo"r 5o"rney...

;8 "ll yo"rself to*ether, erie. *row tire of yo"r !onstant tears-

AERIE: ... so/-; ... inCt mean to /other yo". lease for*ie me...it wonCt happen a*ain... /roman-e


28 Ce no time for this nonsense, erie. "ll yo"rself to*ether an stop /otherin* me.AERIE: ... so/-; ... inCt mean to /other yo". lease for*ie me...it wonCt happen a*ain... /roman-e s-rewed1

she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>M17

AERIE: hae /een thin#in*... shall neer fly a*ain, neer taste the freeom of my win*s, am s"re of it. ... onCt #now

if !an fa!e this wret!he existen!e on the *ro"n...- EEKJ;

if Vi!onia is roman!e an is in the party:,ICC?: ?ell, perhaps yo" will leap off the nearest !liff, then, an spare the rest of "s the wret!heness of yo"r !ompany.Some of "s hae /etter thin*s to o than listen to yo"r /ellya!hes. V3&N37;

AERIE: &h, yes, #now- Ce seen yo" siin* him "p li#e... li#e he is some pie!e of stea#- o" thin# the rest of "s onCt

#now( EEF7;,ICC?: ?hy sho"l !are( Fo yo" eny yo"r own intentions( >he Cwo"ne /irC yo" play, flo"nerin*, !ryin* to attra!t3HNIETCs attention. t is patheti!.AERIE: >hat... that has Onothin*O to o with it- ?hat... whatCs patheti! is that yo" a!t"ally thin# anyone wo"l /eintereste in a !ol, heartless, eil woman li#e yo"-

,ICC?: f 3HNIET shows yo" the sli*htest attention it is o"t of pity for a poor little oe. >he same !annot /e

sai for any maleCs interest in OmeO.

11



erie

AERIE: onCt !are- onCt !are- 3HNIET, !anCt stan this- !anCt stan OherO, an espe!ially !anCt stan /ein*st"!# on the *ro"n li#e some worm, oh Baeran, help me--@@@@CONTINUE

if 8aheira is /ein* roman!e an is in the party /"t Vi!onia is not near nor /ein* roman!e:

"A#EIRA: &h, !ome now, !hil. hae /een listenin* to yo"r simperin* for )"ite some time, an it /e*ins to *rate on the

neres. o" are in this *ro"p to help, as re!all... so p"ll yo"rself to*ether- 8HE<7;AERIE: am OnotO yo"r !hil- Cm oler than yo" are, more than li#ely- n... an the only thin* my Csimperin*C oes isistra!t yo" from those little loo#s yo" are always *iin* him- EEE;

"A#EIRA: ... o no s"!h thin*- o" are ma, *irl- &/io"sly a life of aent"rin* is too m"!h for yo".

AERIE: f... if a life of aent"re will t"rn me into an annoyin*, heartless woman reay to a/anon her ea h"s/anCs

memory so soon after his eath, then... then may/e yo"Cre ri*ht--"A#EIRA: o" !ross a line, erie. o" o not #now eno"*h a/o"t loe to )"estion my loe for 'hali. Iention his namea*ain an yo" shall re*ret it.AERIE: onCt !are- onCt !are- 3HNIET, !anCt stan this- !anCt stan OherO, an espe!ially !anCt stan /ein*st"!# on the *ro"n li#e some worm, oh Baeran, help me--

@@@@CONTINUE

if no 8aheira an Vi!onia

@@@@CONTINUE78 ife own here isnCt so wret!he, erie.

AERIE: B"t it S- t is, 3HNIET- How !o"l yo" "nerstan, when yo" haenCt flown in the !lo"s( >ofeel wei*htless an free- &hhh, how miss it-

78 ?ell, yo"r win*s are *one, now, arenCt they( o"Cre *oin* to hae to fin the stren*th to fa!e "p to it-@@@@STRENGT#

28 ?eCll fin a way to restore yo"r win*s, erie... promise yo" that. @@@@INGS

;8 ?ell, this !onstant whinin* isnCt *ettin* yo" anywhere, is it(- for one, am *ettin* si!# of it-

AERIE: How...how !o"l yo" /e so !r"el( so/-; ... hDhate this life... hate mDmyself...an hate yo"-8"st...5"st stay away from me...- 8"st stay away- /roman-e s-rewed1 she $ea%es 'he *ar'+ and goes 'o

C&r-)s

28 ?ell, yo"Cre *oin* to hae to a!!ept it, erie. o"Cre *oin* to hae to fin the stren*th to fa!e "p to it. @@@@STRENGT#

;8 FonCt say that...weCll fin some way to restore yo"r win*s, promise- @@@@INGS

>8 f yo" !ontin"e to a!t so wea# an ma"lin, then a*ree...yo"Cll neer s"rie.AERIE: How...how !o"l yo" /e so !r"el( so/-; ... hDhate this life... hate mDmyself...an hate yo"- 8"st...5"ststay away from me...- 8"st stay away- /roman-e s-rewed1 she $ea%es 'he *ar'+ and goes 'o C&r-)s

@@@@STRENGT#

AERIE: <in the stren*th(- <in the stren*th(- How !an yo" /e so !r"el as to !ast that at me(- ... am a mem/er of a pro" ra!e...my win*s were eerythin* to me- !an neer *o /a!# to <aenyaDail- !o"l not fa!e them witho"t my win*s-Here am, st"!# li#e an inse!t !rawlin* on the irt... n yo" tell me to simply /e stron*(- ?Dwell...what am s"ppose to /e stron* for(-- ... hate this existen!e...

@@@@INGS

AERIE: o" promise me(- o" promise(- >here is no way, 3HNIET- Fo yo" not thin# ="ayle wo"l hae fo"na way if one existe(- He trie an trie an trie- B"t my m"s!les will no lon*er s"pport win*s- >hey hae *rown too

wea# an am foreer /anishe to wal# on the *ro"n-- !an neer *o /a!# to <aenyaDail, neer loo# another of my #inin the eyes a*ain- !o"l not fa!e them witho"t my win*s- Dyo"r promises are empty- ... hDhate myself an this lDlife-

8"st...5"st stay away from me-

12



erie

>M1K

AERIE: ... am sorry for the way yelle at yo". sometimes feel...as if hae /een wei*hte own /y many stones.../"t sho"l not hae rea!te so to yo"r wors. EEK7;

78 tCs alri*ht, erie.../"t yo" are *oin* to hae to a!!ept yo"r fate an fin a way to eal with it.

AERIE: ... s"ppose yo" are !orre!t. B"t how !an ( >ell me how !an eer a!!ept this, 3HNIET(

78 o"Cre *oin* to hae to /e stron*. ?e all m"st fa!e life on the terms it allows for "s, erie.AERIE: Be stron*( ...Cll try, 3HNIET. 5"st... 5"st onCt #now if !an, /"t will try.

28 o"Ce *ot to fin another reason to lie, erie...somethin* else to hol onto.

AERIE: 5"st wish #new what that was. t was on!e so easy...why hae the *os p"nishe me so( shalltry, 3HNIET... will try to /e stron*. 5"st...onCt #now if !an.

;8 FonCt loo# to me for the answers... onCt hae them.AERIE: es... #now. m"st fin the answer on my own. Nothin*...nothin* !o"l ma#e me saer, thin#. will try to !arry on with yo", 3HNIET. 5"st... 5"st onCt #now if !an. B"t will try.

28 FonCt worry a/o"t it, erie. B"t we sho"l !ontin"e on, here.

AERIE: will try to !arry on with yo", 3HNIET. 5"st... 5"st onCt #now if !an. B"t will try.

;8 <or*et it...if yo" !anCt eal with yo"r pro/lems, Cm not a/o"t to let yo" ra* me into them.

AERIE: "nerstan, 3HNIET. will try...to eal with it as /est !an. 5"st onCt #now if am stron*eno"*h. lease for*ie me... /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>M21

AERIE: ?hy m"st we always /e fi*htin*( ll see is /looshe an /attle...an it rains me. Fo yo"...o yo" not yearnfor a life of pea!e an !ontemplation( EEK9;

78 ye, o. Nothin* wo"l please me more than to stop all this iolen!e.

AERIE: n yet it !ontin"es on an on. ... onCt #now how m"!h more of this !an ta#e. feel so empty insie...

28 Sometimes /attle is re)"ire, erie...it is not somethin* that hae a !hoi!e a/o"t.AERIE: None of "s has eer ha a !hoi!e, s"ppose. B"t see no *oo that !omes o"t of fi*htin* an !onstantstr"**le.78 <i*htin* has /ro"*ht me stren*th, erie...the stren*th to s"rie. o" !o"l "se the same.

AERIE: Stren*th...always yo" tal# of stren*th an /ein* stron*er. ... o not #now if hae yo"r stren*th,

3HNIET. am /e*innin* to thin# it is almost not worth it...28 s"ppose yo" are ri*ht, erie. t is pointless, sometimes thin#.

AERIE: n yet it !ontin"es on an on. ... onCt #now how m"!h more of this !an ta#e. feel so emptyinsie...

;8 o" hae a !hoi!e, erie...yo" !an always *o /a!# to the !ir!"s, if yo" wish.

AERIE: ...o not wish to *o /a!# to the !ir!"s, 3HNIET. >here is nothin* for me there. 5"st... 5"stwish ha yo"r stren*th...that it was easier to for*et what on!e was.

;8 Str"**le an !om/at /rin* stren*th, erie...an hae neee all my stren*th 5"st to s"rie-AERIE: Stren*th...always yo" tal# of stren*th an /ein* stron*er. ... o not #now if hae yo"r stren*th,3HNIET. am /e*innin* to thin# it is almost not worth it...

>8 Iore whinin*, erie( lease #eep it to yo"rself, will yo"(

AERIE: si*h; will, 3HNIET. will stay so )"iet that yo" shall not een hear me...nor noti!e when am

finally *one, s"ppose, an moreCs the /etter when that happens. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>M2

AERIE: ...nee yo" to tell me what the worth of a life on the *ro"n is. s there anythin* to !ompare to the freeom of liin* in the !lo"s( EEKK;78 >here are many thin*s that are wonerf"l, /"t onCt #now if they are /etter than yo"r former life.

AERIE: No...they !anCt /e. Eerythin* of /ea"ty !an /e seen from the s#y. n there are so many pla!es yo" !annot*o if all yo" !an o is wal#.

78 ?ell, yo"Cre *oin* to hae to *et "se to it. @@@@C#OICE

28 tCs the way life is. B"t Cll /e here to show yo" the /etter parts.AERIE: re there /etter parts, 3HNIET( How wo"l re!o*nie them if is!oere them( ... 5"st onCt #now if !an wait for them to !ome alon*. 8"st...5"st i*nore me, 3HNIET. m"st seemery pitif"l an wret!he to moan so all the time. o" m"st espise me.

;8 eah, yeah, yeah. ife in the !lo"s is so m"!h /etter. >ell it to someone who !ares.

AERIE: 8"st...5"st i*nore me, 3HNIET. m"st seem ery pitif"l an wret!he to moan so all thetime. o" m"st espise me.

1



erie

28 >hereCs no point in yo"r m"sin*s, erie...this is the way thin*s are an thereCs no aoiin* them. @@@@C#OICE

;8 Cm not here to !onin!e yo", erie. <in someone else to /other.AERIE: onCt mean to /other yo", 3HNIET. am "se to remainin* in !a*es, ne*le!te. Cll...5"st #eep mytho"*hts to myself from now on. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

@@@@C#OICE

AERIE: es...Cll hae to *et "se to it. n "npleasant prospe!t, when a life looms oer yo" witho"t 5oy or freeom. ...onCt #now if !an, 3HNIET.78 >here is 5oy an freeom, erie. B"t yo" hae to sear!h for them.

AERIE: Sear!h for them( Cm not s"re wo"l een re!o*nie them. Nor o thin# !an *o on m"!h lon*er... 5"st!anCt...stan it any more. 8"st...5"st i*nore me, 3HNIET. m"st seem ery pitif"l an wret!he to moan so

all the time. o" m"st espise me.28 >hatCs too /a, isnCt it( >ime to /"!# "p.

AERIE: 8"st...5"st i*nore me, 3HNIET. m"st seem ery pitif"l an wret!he to moan so all the time. o"m"st espise me.

;8 Get oer yo"rself, alreay. Stop /ein* s"!h a !owar- !owar. Dyo"Cre li#ely ri*ht, /"t itCs still !r"el to say so. How yo" m"st espise my wea#ness an moanin*. ...Cll

not /other yo" any lon*er, 3HNIET... /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>M26

AERIE: ?DweCre stoppin*( so/-; &h...... 5"st feel li#e !ollapsin* here an yin*. 5"st...onCt thin# !an *o on.EE1; erhaps it is /etter an more fittin* if 5"st...5"st ie. i#e a /ir whose win*s are /ro#en, am "seless,3HNIET..."tterly "seless. Oso/-O

if Vi!onia is a!tie an in party:

,ICC?: nee yo" are. hae little iea why he een #eeps yo" a/o"t. V3&N39;AERIE: Sh"t "p, row- Sh"t "p- s if anyone wo"l listen to... to the opinions of some poisono"s serpent- Spen yo"r enom elsewhere, Vi!onia- He wonCt listen to yo"- EEF9;,ICC?: ?hat if he will( erhaps my !harms appeal more than yo"rs. o" mi*ht am"se for a few moments, /"t3HNIET eseres someone of i*or li#e me.

AERIE: No/oy eseres yo", 5"st li#e no/oy eseres some horri isease- o"Cre li#e some affli!tion that sho"l /e!"t off from the rest of the /oy-,ICC?: i#e yo"r win*s( &h, onCt *lare little *irl. o" hae nothin* to offer 3HNIET, no matter how esperateyo" play. o" !annot !ompete.AERIE: >here... there is more to loe an affe!tion than fre)"ent trips to the /eroom, Vi!onia- Cm s"re 3HNIETwo"lnCt !are for someone who has spent most of her life on her /a!#-

,ICC?: erhaps we sho"l as# him. ?hat of it, 3HNIET( o" onCt a!t"ally see anythin* in this !ripple, o yo"(

"t her in her pla!e, as it sho"l /e.78 'no!# it off, Vi!onia- o" onCt hol a !anle to erie when it !omes to /ea"ty in any form-

,ICC?: &/io"sly mistoo# yo" for somethin* other than a spineless worm. So /e it... sn"**le with the snielin*!ripple, if yo" are tr"ly so wea#. /,&-on&a roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 li#e erie. Cm not *oin* to p"t her in her pla!e, an neither will yo".

,ICC?: So /e it. 3rawl li#e some orphane p"ppy spen yo"r time with the !ripple if it pleases yo". o not #now

how misse this wea#ness within yo" earlier. /,&-on&a roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+AERIE: &h, 3HNIET... this... this is so em/arrassin*- ... inCt mean for it all to !ome o"t li#e this- Nothin* eer seems to *o ri*ht- @@@@CONTINUE

;8 may not /e intereste in erie, /"t onCt want to h"rt her feelin*s, Vi!onia.

,ICC?: ?hy not( She !ries an flaps a/o"t !onstantly li#e the wal#in* wo"ne as it is. ?hat more harm !o"l

yo" o(AERIE: &/io"sly yo" two... esere ea!h other, then. ... Cll 5"st *o an sleep elsewhere, then, an /e alone. o"are not the man mistoo# yo" for, 3HNIET. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+1 *ar'+ res's

>8 &f !o"rse onCt see anythin* in erie. tCs a trial 5"st hain* her aro"n, half the time.AERIE: ... how !o"l yo" /e so !r"el(- ... was only tryin* my /est, ... was only tryin* to win yo"r approal.Cm... Cll neer /e... oh, hae to *o- hae to leae-- /roman-e s-rewed1 she $ea%es 'he *ar'+ and goes 'o C&r-)s1

*ar'+ res's

14



erie

if 8aheira is a!tie an in party, /"t Vi!onia is not:"A#EIRA: f yo" !ontin"e to !ry in s"!h a fashion while we are attemptin* to help him on his )"est, then yo" are inee"seless. <or the last time: p"ll yo"rself to*ether, *irl- 8HE<9;

AERIE: Sh"t "p, 8aheira- o" thin# heCll /e somehow impresse /e!a"se... /e!a"se yo"Cre so mean( o" o nothin* /"t /oss people aro"n- No woner that 'hali was the only man who wo"l marry yo"- EEE4;

"A#EIRA: warne yo" /efore, *irl- o" #now nothin* of my 'hali an will not tolerate yo"r spea#in* of him--

AERIE: &r what(- o #now of yo"r 'hali- >hey say... they say he was a wea# man who yo" /osse aro"n- ?ell,3HNIET isnCt li#e that- He isnCt--"A#EIRA: neer sai he was- n will not hae a foolish *irl ispara*e my ea h"s/an re*arless of what yo" thin# my intentions towars 3HNIET are-

AERIE: B"t itCs yo" who are 5ealo"s, 8aheira- o"Cre !onstantly pi!#in* on me, *larin* at me- o" want 3HNIET

to yo"rself-"A#EIRA: o" are /ein* foolish. >his is o/io"sly some attempt to *ather 3HNIETCs attentions.3HNIET, s"**est yo" let the *irl own easy /efore more harm is one.78 thin# sheCs ri*ht. o"Cre the one whoCs 5ealo"s, 8aheira. 8"st !ool own... yo" an are only friens.

"A#EIRA: ... neer implie otherwise, 3HNIET. ?e hae simply /een thro"*h so m"!h, tho"*ht...well, it oes not matter. shall leae the *irl in yo"r hans, then. /"ahe&ra roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

AERIE: &h, 3HNIET... this... this is so em/arrassin*- ... inCt mean for it all to !ome o"t li#e this- Nothin* eer seems to *o ri*ht- @@@@CONTINUE

28 happen to li#e erie, 8aheira. Cll o no s"!h thin*."A#EIRA: si*h; >hen it is "p to yo" to help her, 3HNIET, if yo" hae s"!h feelin*s. shall stay o"t of it... an away from yo". &/io"sly o"r frienship "psets her. /"ahe&ra roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

AERIE: &h, 3HNIET... this... this is so em/arrassin*- ... inCt mean for it all to !ome o"t li#e this-

Nothin* eer seems to *o ri*ht- @@@@CONTINUE

;8 erhaps yo"Cre ri*ht. erie... yo" o #now that onCt hae any feelin*s li#e that for yo", ri*ht(AERIE: ... neer... inCt mean. &oooh, 5"st... 5"st leae me alone, 3HNIET. 8"st leae me alone. ... Cllsleep away from eeryone else... 5"st nee to /e alone. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+1 *ar'+ res's

>8 Easy( erie: /a!# off. 'hali oesnCt esere to /e atta!#e an neither oes 8aheira- >hatCs eno"*h o"t of yo"-

"A#EIRA: !h, 3HNIET... sai easy...

AERIE: ... how !o"l yo" /e so !r"el(- ... was only tryin* my /est, ... was only tryin* to win yo"r approal.Cm... Cll neer /e... oh, hae to *o- hae to leae-- /roman-e s-rewed1 she $ea%es 'he *ar'+ and goes 'o C&r-)s1

*ar'+ res's

if neither Vi!onia an 8aheira are in the party:

@@@@CONTINUE

AERIE: Ce....Ce ha eno"*h of this life- so/-; Dperhaps it wo"l /e /etter if ...5"st went /a!# to the !ir!"s...78 f all yo"Cre *oin* to o is whine an !omplain, then may/e yo" sho"l leae.

AERIE: Dyo" are so heartless- ... will *o- <or*ie me, Baeran, /"t !an o this no lon*er-- /she $ea%es 'he

*ar'+ for good1 roman-e rema&ns )n'o)-hed1 *ar'+ res's

28 erhaps it is time that yo" mae yo"r own way, erie. &/io"sly, this isnCt wor#in* o"t for yo".

AERIE: Dyes...for*ie me, 3HNIET... trie, really i. ...Cm 5"st not stron* eno"*h. GD*ooD/ye... /she

$ea%es 'he *ar'+ and goes 'o C&r-)s1 roman-e rema&ns )n'o)-hed1 *ar'+ res's

;8 "ll yo"rself to*ether, erie- o" haenCt een trie to fa!e this-AERIE: B"t hae, 3HNIET, hae- ... 5"st onCt hae the stren*th- Cm so "seless...78 <ine. f thatCs how yo"Cre *oin* to /e, then perhaps yo" sho"l fin yo"r own way.

AERIE: Dyes...for*ie me, 3HNIET... trie, really i. ...Cm 5"st not stron* eno"*h. GD*ooD /ye... /she $ea%es 'he *ar'+ and goes 'o C&r-)s1 roman-e rema&ns )n'o)-hed1 *ar'+ res's

28 o"Cre not "seless, erie- n yo" o hae the stren*th- o" 5"st hae to rea!h own an fin it-AERIE: so/-; ... !anCt-78 si*h; >hen *o. &/io"sly this isnCt wor#in* o"t for yo". Iay/e itCs /est if yo" fin yo"r own way.

AERIE: Dyes...for*ie me, 3HNIET... trie, really i. ...Cm 5"st not stron* eno"*h. GD*ooD/ye... /she $ea%es 'he *ar'+ and goes 'o C&r-)s1 roman-e rema&ns )n'o)-hed1 *ar'+ res's

28 es yo" !an- o" hae a !hoi!e, erie: either /e stron* an lie or lay own an ie- >hatCs yo"r !hoi!e-

Fo yo" ?N> to ie(AERIE: NDno...no, onCt want to ie. Iay/e...may/e will thin# on what yo" hae sai. et...let me 5"st sleep...for now. /*ar'+ res's

16





erie

AERIE: o" always isre*ar what am thin#in*, onCt yo"( &/io"sly, was mista#en a/o"t yo". Cll 5"st...#eepto myself, if itCs all the same to yo". /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

@@@@T#RILL

AERIE: &h, #now it m"st so"n stran*e to hear me say it.../"t if Cm *oin* to fa!e my life as it is, want to experien!e

eerythin* that !an. want to feel the thrill an fear of !om/at...to pit my ma*i! a*ainst o"r foes. want to /e awe an

terrifie...to feel eerythin* that my life has to offer me, *oo or /a. Foes that so"n stran*e, 3HNIET( Foes thatma#e me o(78 No oer than the rest of "s, erie.

AERIE: Goo...that ma#es me feel a little /etter. t is stran*e to /e thrille an yet shierin* at the same time... amfree, an am traelin*...an feel li#e am flyin*.

28 No... am *la to see the !han*e in yo", in fa!t.AERIE: >han# yo", 3HNIET... am *la of it, as well. ... am free...an traelin*...an /oth ex!ite annero"s at the same time. almost feel as if am flyin* a*ain.

;8 t ma#es yo" naie an foolish. o" haenCt a !l"e, o yo"(

AERIE: lways yo" m"st /e !r"el with yo"r wors. Naie, am ( ?ell, am not so st"pi as to !ontin"e playin*the fool. &/io"sly was mista#en a/o"t yo". /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>MK

AERIE: Hae yo" /een to ery many other pla!es /esies mn( EEJ;


>M41

AERIE: Ce /een wonerin*...o yo" hae any ai!e for me for !om/at( EE7;


>M4

AERIE: ... #now that it mi*ht /e iffi!"lt to forsee what is to happen in the f"t"re.../"t o yo" hae any plans( &n!e thisis all oer, mean... EE9;78 haenCt *ien it m"!h tho"*ht, a!t"ally.

AERIE: ?ell...o yo" see yo"rself traelin*( &r settlin* own( Fo yo"...o yo" see yo"rself with me(

78 honestly !o"lnCt say. nythin* !o"l happen. @@@@C#OOSE

28 wo"l prefer to /e with yo", erie...if the *os are willin*.AERIE: >hatCs...thatCs *oo. wo"l li#e to /e with yo", if the *os will it. >hDthan# yo",3HNIET... 5"st... 5"st wante to /e s"re that yo" felt the same for me.

;8 o"/t that weCll /e to*ether for lon*. Iy life is too !haoti!. @@@@C#OOSE

28 onCt #now... was thin#in* of settlin* own somewhere...

AERIE: o" want to settle own( Here in mn, perhaps( Fo yo"...o yo" see me in that pi!t"re(

78 tho"*ht yo" wante to trael, erie.AERIE: o.../"t also want to /e with yo". ...thin# want to /e with yo" more. o" are more ex!itin* anthrillin* than any woner of the lan that !o"l en!o"nter, thin#. @@@@C#OOSE

28 &f !o"rse see yo"...if yo" see yo"rself, that is.

AERIE: >hatCs...thatCs *oo. wo"l li#e to /e with yo", if the *os will it. >hDthan# yo",3HNIET... 5"st... 5"st wante to /e s"re that yo" felt the same for me.

;8 Nope... onCt see yo" there. Sorry.AERIE: h. So yo" en it with !r"el finality. ... s"ppose sho"l hae expe!te that from yo". was...hopin* for somethin* more, 3HNIET. s"ppose shall loo# elsewhere... /roman-e s-rewed1

she s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 Cm not s"re if it will eer /e oer. s"spe!t Cll always /e on the roa.

AERIE: es...yo" hae *oCs /loo in yo", Cm tol. ?hen yo"...when yo" trael, o yo" see me traelin* /esie

yo"(78 &f !o"rse o...if itCs possi/le.

AERIE: >hatCs...thatCs *oo. wo"l li#e to /e with yo", if the *os will it. >hDthan# yo",3HNIET... 5"st... 5"st wante to /e s"re that yo" felt the same for me.

17



erie

28 >hereCs no point in tal#in* a/o"t it, erie. Nothin* is s"re in my life...an hae lost too many people to startformin* new atta!hments.

AERIE: How ironi!...that yo" wo"l p"sh me to /e stron*, an yet /e too fri*htene to atta!h yo"rself tosomeone. ...was hopin* for more, s"ppose shall loo# elsewhere. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 No, onCt, really.

AERIE: h. So yo" en it with !r"el finality. ... s"ppose sho"l hae expe!te that from yo".

was...hopin* for somethin* more, 3HNIET. s"ppose shall loo# elsewhere... /roman-e s-rewed1she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>8 Cm not a/o"t to start tal#in* a/o"t this with yo", erie. @@@@C#OOSE

@@@@C#OOSE

AERIE: &h...onCt yo"...onCt yo" want to /e with me( n the...f"t"re, mean(78 &f !o"rse o...if itCs possi/le.

AERIE: >hatCs...thatCs *oo. wo"l li#e to /e with yo", if the *os will it. >hDthan# yo", 3HNIET... 5"st... 5"st wante to /e s"re that yo" felt the same for me.

28 >hereCs no point in tal#in* a/o"t it, erie. Nothin* is s"re in my life...an hae lost too many people to start formin*new atta!hments.

AERIE: How ironi!...that yo" wo"l p"sh me to /e stron*, an yet /e too fri*htene to atta!h yo"rself to someone....was hopin* for more, s"ppose shall loo# elsewhere. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 No, onCt, really.AERIE: h. So yo" en it with !r"el finality. ... s"ppose sho"l hae expe!te that from yo". was...hopin* for somethin* more, 3HNIET. s"ppose shall loo# elsewhere... /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>M46?hateer yo" !hoose: *ar'+ res's

AERIE: Iy loe...( ... #now that yo" are tire from the ayCs traels an that yo" wish to rest. ...wish to as# yo"somethin*, /efore yo" retire to yo"r /lan#ets... EEK;78 Very well...what is it that yo" wish( @@@@SE3HCRIME

28 Not now, erie...Cm too tire to is!"ss anythin*.

AERIE: lease, 3HNIET...the time is ri*ht an m"st spea# to yo" of this.

78 si*h; <ine. ?hat is it yo" wish( @@@@SE3HCRIME28 t will hae to wait, erie. Goo ni*ht.

AERIE: ... see my wishes hae no /earin* on yo"r moos. s...as yo" wish. will sleep /y myself toni*htan from here on. Goo ni*ht, 3HNIET. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

@@@@SE3HCRIME

AERIE: Here...!ome with me away from the eyes of the others. ?e will not /e ery far from them. simply wish pria!y.

Now that we are alone...let me spea# for a moment. o" hae le me to a tremeno"s is!oery, 3HNIET... haefo"n that o not nee win*s to fly. ...o not hae m"!h experien!e with loe, 3HNIET. ?ith yo"r "r*in*, hae /e!ome ea*er to experien!e many thin*s...an now wish to experien!e this. ... will show yo" my /oy,3HNIET...an hope it pleases yo". ?o"l yo"...wo"l yo" stay with me this ni*ht, 3HNIET( ?ill yo"show me what tr"e loe !onsists of(

78 How !o"l ref"se s"!h a sweet offer(

AERIE: 3D!ome !lose to me, then, 3HNIET. et me feel yo"r hans on my s#in...let "s lay to*ether so may experien!e yo"r loe an /e!ome a woman at last... /+o) ha%e se w&'h Aer&e

28 >his isnCt all loe is, erie. ?o"lnCt yo" rather wait "ntil the time is ri*ht(AERIE: ...onCt #now what loe is, 3HNIET. B"t...may/e it wo"l /e /etter to wait "ntil all of this is oer.>he tho"*ht of layin* with a man fri*htens me a little, m"st amit... Stay with me for the ni*ht, then,

3HNIET, an hol me to yo". ...onCt want to /e alone, an so esperately nee to /e near yo"...78 s yo" wish...that am more than willin* to o.

AERIE: o" are sweet to /e so patient with me, 3HNIET. et "s sleep, then.2. <or*et it, erie...Cm not intereste in someone who is so neey. @@@@DAMN

;8 Er... !anCt *et past those h"*e l"mps of s!ar tiss"e on yo"r sho"lers. Cm really not in the moo. @@@@DAMN

>8 Get lost, erie...Cm really not intereste in /ein* yo"r t"tor. @@@@DAMN

@@@@DAMN

AERIE: So yo" sen me away with...with yo"r !r"el wors. ... tho"*ht loe yo"...an yet yo" !"t me open witho"thesitation. ...sho"l hae #nown /etter, s"ppose. Very well, 3HNIET... shall *o an sleep /y myself an !onsolemyself that it is /etter that neer allowe one s"!h as yo" to to"!h me. ...shall not tro"/le yo" f"rther. /roman-e


19



erie

>M47

AERIE: So...yo" are awa#e at last( hae /een...wat!hin* yo" sleep for some time, now. t !alms me, wat!hin* yo"...anit *ae me time to thin#. EEB1;

if yo" hanCt sex with her:

AERIE: Ce /een...thin#in* a/o"t last ni*ht. o" were ri*ht, of !o"rse...it isnCt the ri*ht time to experien!e loe when we

are always in an*er of perishin*. was so ea*er to experien!e eerythin* new that ...i not thin#. >han# yo" for respe!tin* me. ... loe yo"...an want o"r first time to*ether to /e somethin* spe!ial.78 loe yo", too, erie...an a*ree.

AERIE: et "s *o, then an fin this reni!"s. &n!e this is oer, want to experien!e eerythin* with yo". ...neer tho"*ht wo"l fin somethin*... /etter than flyin*. >han# yo". /Aer&eRoman-eA-'&%e2

28 es, well...letCs 5"st !ontin"e o"r traels, shall we(

AERIE: &f !o"rse, 3HNIET. etCs...finish yo"r )"est, an then we !an see where we stan. n where we!an *o from there, yes( n...in !ase ie...or in !ase we part ways... 5"st wante to tell yo", 3HNIET, that neer tho"*ht wo"l fin somethin* /etter than flyin*. B"t hae...an than# yo". /Aer&eRoman-eA-'&%e2

;8 o"Cre o"t of yo"r min, erie.

AERIE: am( ha tho"*ht yo" ha !are for me. B"t...perhaps yo" #ept me away /e!a"se.../e!a"se yo" i not!are eno"*h for me. ha not tho"*ht of that. am too )"i!# to ass"me, 3HNIET...an hae m"!h to learn.

wish yo" wo"l hae /een *entler with me, /"t yo" hae ta"*ht me m"!h, an than# yo". et "s 5"st...!ontin"eon yo"r )"est. shall tro"/le yo" no f"rther...an will loo# to f"rther my experien!e elsewhere. /roman-e s-rewed1

she s'a+s &n *ar'+

if yo" ha sex with her:

AERIE: o"...hae mae a woman o"t of me, 3HNIET. loe yo" more eeply than !an say an !an only than#

yo" for what yo" hae one for me. B"t...at the same time... !annot help /"t thin# that thin*s nee to /e slowe. am sof"ll of emotion... want to experien!e too m"!h an am oin* it all too )"i!#ly. feel oer/alan!e, 3HNIET.="ayle wo"l neer approe of this, thin#. Iy heart !len!hes at the tho"*ht, /"t we m"st stop o"rseles from *oin* ownthis path. nee to...to fin o"t more a/o"t myself.../efore !an atta!h myself to another. ...hope yo" "nerstan.

78 o.../"t may/e yo" nee to fin yo"r own way, erie.

AERIE: f...if that is what yo" thin# sho"l o...then perhaps m"st. ... shall miss yo", 3HNIET. shallalways hol yo" ear in my heart. &ne ay we shall meet a*ain, 3HNIET...an ... hope that will /e reayto loe yo" then. <Dfarewell... /roman-e s-rewed1 she $ea%es 'he *ar'+1 $ea%es a$$ e()&*men'

28 f thatCs what yo" want, there is nothin* !an o.AERIE: &h, please onCt /e sa, 3HNIET. shall remain with yo" an fi*ht /y yo"r sie... this )"est of yo"rs is too important for me not to help yo" with it. &n!e itCs oer, Cll fin my own way in the worl for a while.n... an then perhaps one ay we will meet a*ain. n then weCll tal#. B"t, !ome...a new ay awaits "s,

3HNIET. et "s...let "s see what it hols. /Aer&eRoman-eA-'&%e2

;8 No, erie- loe yo"-AERIE: ... #now, 3HNIET. o" hae /een ery patient with me, an ery #in. B"t hae not fo"n myway in the worl, yet... yo" #now so m"!h more than o. @@@@SEL!

>8 No, onCt "nerstan- ?hy are yo" oin* this(-

AERIE: ... am oin* this /e!a"se m"st, 3HNIET. Iy life has neer /een my own... am fri*htene /y

the "nfamiliar an am "nfamiliar with most eerythin*. @@@@SEL!

@@@@SEL!

AERIE: nee to...fin o"t more a/o"t myself, 3HNIET... nee to /e!ome familar with an experien!eeerythin*.../"t slowly. n with yo" it will neer /e slow. ... am willin* to stay with yo", now. o"r )"est is too

important for me not to help yo", een if... if it will /e har, with yo" so !lose. n then, after, !an leae. ... o loeyo", 3HNIET, an hope yo" "nerstan. f yo" wo"l fin it too har... if yo" want me to *o now... will"nerstan.78 es, wo"l prefer it if yo" left, erie.

AERIE: f...if that is what yo" thin# sho"l o...then perhaps m"st. ... shall miss yo", 3HNIET. shallalways hol yo" ear in my heart. &ne ay we shall meet a*ain, 3HNIET...an ... hope that will /e reay

to loe yo" then. <Dfarewell... /roman-e s-rewed1 she $ea%es 'he *ar'+1 $ea%es a$$ e()&*men'

28 No...please stay, erie.

AERIE: >hen let "s !ontin"e. new ay awaits "s.

>M49 % the en of roman!e

1K



erie

20



erie

Poss&.$e -onse()en-es from Phaere9s sed)-'&on % see Phaere se!tion:

I! PhaereInn)endo7

AERIE: 3HNIET( ?hDwhat are yo" oin*( ?hy are yo" tal#in* to her li#e that( o" onCt... yo" onCt really li#e

that row in that, that way, o yo"(

78 o" arenCt 5ealo"s, erie, are yo"(AERIE: ?ell... may/e a little. SheCs ery /ea"tif"l, for a row. B"t theyCre eil, 3HNIET, yo" hae to #nowthat- n... an the way yo" were tal#in* to her, tho"*ht may/e...

78 tCs 5"st a ploy, erie, nothin* more.

AERIE: &h. ... onCt thin# the row !an /e manip"late li#e that, 3HNIET. n... an really

onCt li#e it. lease onCt p"sh it too far, please(28 ?ell, may/e. tCs none of yo"r /"siness, anyway.

AERIE: o" wo"l...( ?ith someone so eil an espi!a/le( *"ess yo"Cre not the person tho"*ht yo"were, 3HNIET. *"ess... *"ess Cll 5"st stay o"t of yo"r /"siness. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n

*ar'+

28 No, no... itCs 5"st a ploy.

AERIE: &h. ... onCt thin# the row !an /e manip"late li#e that, 3HNIET. n... an really onCt li#eit. lease onCt p"sh it too far, please(

;8 onCt #now. Iay/e. tCs none of yo"r /"siness.AERIE: o" wo"l...( ?ith someone so eil an espi!a/le( *"ess yo"Cre not the person tho"*ht yo" were,3HNIET. *"ess... *"ess Cll 5"st stay o"t of yo"r /"siness. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

I! PhaereInn)endo2

AERIE: o"... yo" let that row woman... to"!h yo", inCt yo"( o" let s"!h an eil thin*... all oer yo"( 5"st... 5"st!anCt "nerstan why yo" wo"l allow s"!h a thin* to happen- FDonCt /other sayin* anythin*... onCt want to hear it- ... 5"st onCt thin# yo"Cre the person tho"*ht yo" were, 3HNIET. C... li#e to /e alone for a while. /roman-e


I! PhaereInn)endo;

AERIE: o"... yo" werenCt in her room for ery lon*. Not lon* eno"*h to... well, mean... yo" o/io"sly *ot away fromher. >hatCs... thatCs a relief. was /e*innin* to woner. /no -onse()en-es

O'her *oss&.$e -onse()en-es:

− f yo" let her hae too m"!h time to !hat with HaerCFalis.

− See V3&N se!tion, >M16

21



nomen

ANOMEN

>M1

ANOMEN: prithee, my lay...it fills me with no small amo"nt of woner that yo" hae not as#e me of my 5o"rneys ere

we met( ?e hae traele a short while, an yet we #now next to nothin* of ea!h other. N&IENJ7;78 am not intereste in hearin* of yo"r traels, nomen.

ANOMEN: am intereste in hearin* somethin* of yo"rs, howeer, my lay. hae /een tol a little of yo"r eesin the Swor 3oast, al/eit they o so"n )"ite fan!if"l an exa**erate.78 No more than yo"r tales o, nomen.

ANOMEN: s"spe!t a taint of sar!asm in yo"r oi!e, my lay. o not is!o"nt yo"r ees entirely... haeseen yo" in a!tion an yo" are )"ite impressie, o not mis"nerstan me. erhaps another time,3HNIET, when yo" are less s"spi!io"s of me, yo" mi*ht relent an tell me more of yo"r former

!ompanions an a tale or two from yo"r time in the north.28 ?ell, most stories o *row with the tellin*, nomen. Iy story is no more ex!eptional than anyone elseCs.@@@@TIME

;8 ass"re yo", whateer yo" hae hear is li#ely tr"e. @@@@DEEDS

28 n thatCs exa!tly the way li#e it.

ANOMEN: s yo" wish, my lay. C>is is!on!ertin* to me that yo" wish to remain so se!retie an mysterio"s, /"tnot !ompletely "nexpe!te from a woman.

;8 lri*ht, then...tell me of yo"r 5o"rneys, if yo" wish.ANOMEN: >here is pre!io"s little to tell, altho"*h my few aent"res hae /een *lorio"s, inee. >he path to#ni*hthoo is a lon* one, howeer...hen!e the nee for my traels. B"t a few of my ees hae rea!he the ears of /ars. Battle is !ommonpla!e eno"*h thro"*ho"t mn, an the &rer has fiele its army many times in re!entyears. Iost re!ently, howeer...let me thin#... was with o"r men when the or!s !ame own into the &mml"r Hills

on!e a*ain. n *reat n"m/ers, they are a for!e to fear.../"t inii"ally, they are no mat!h for a warrior. , myself,was a/le to fi*ht thro"*h many of them alone an ta#e the hea of one of their fo"l !hieftans.78 >hat so"ns ery impressie. @@@@INTEREST

28 >hat harly so"ns li#ely.

ANOMEN: o" wo"n me, fair lay. may fo!"s on my ees more than those of some of my /rothersDinDarms, /"t they are the tr"th. s there reason for yo" to o"/t me so(

78 No, s"ppose not.ANOMEN: >han wo"l than# yo" to *ie me the /enefit of the o"/t. o" on!e tol me yo" were afor!e ri*hteo"s, an hae allowe the possi/ility no matter my o!!asional o"/ts. apolo*ie if amnot as !harmin* as some /&f e$dorn &s &n 'he *ar'+1 he sa+s 5-harm&ng as e$dorn6. ha to fi*htfor my pla!e as a s)"ire witho"t the /enefit of a patron father an the wealth that *oes with it.

@@@@INTEREST

28 >here may /e some tr"th in yo"r tales, nomen, /"t the tr"th is in the essen!e only. !annot ima*ineanyone a!!omplishin* the feats yo" es!ri/e.

ANOMEN: Iy prowess is tr"e, ear lay. &ne m"st perform *reat feats to attain #ni*hthoo in the&rer, an am no liar. Hae *ien yo" reason to treat me so harshly( erhaps spea# too m"!h of myself. C>is a anity that will /e my ownfall. o not /lame yo" if yo" are "nintereste in myhistory. @@@@INTEREST /-$&**ed f&rs' *ar' of h&s mono$og)e

;8 o"r tales hae the rin* of selfDimportan!e an an oer/lown ima*ination, nomen.

ANOMEN: !annot ima*ine why yo" in5"re me so. hae one nothin* /"t sere yo"r !a"sefaithf"lly. f this is what yo" tr"ly thin#, then wo"l prefer to rie in silen!e. /roman-e s-rewed1 he

s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 hae little patien!e for s"!h foolishness an lies, nomen.

ANOMEN: o" wo"n me, lay. hae *one to *reat pains to proe my worth to the #ni*hts, performin*

feats *reater than those of orinary men. o not exa**erate. Hae *ien yo" reason to treat me so harshly(erhaps spea# too m"!h of myself. C>is a anity that will /e my ownfall. o not /lame yo" if yo" are"nintereste in my history. @@@@INTEREST /-$&**ed f&rs' *ar' of h&s mono$og)e

>8 Sorry, nomen, this is no time to spea#.

ANOMEN: ye, perhaps yo" are ri*ht, my lay. >he /roaenin* of o"r a!)"aintan!e will hae to /e moe toanother time, it seems. /AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ7

22



nomen

@@@@INTEREST

ANOMEN: ye, it has /een a str"**le to proe my worth to the &rer. wish nothin* more than to rie into /attle with the!rest of the aiant Heart flyin* oer my hea. B"t spea# too m"!h of my own ees. &ne wo"l thin# me preo!!"piewith prie. wo"l not /lame yo" were yo" not intereste in hearin* tales of my prowess, tr"ly. am intereste in hearin*somethin* of yo"rs, howeer, my lay. hae /een tol a little of yo"r ees in the Swor 3oast, al/eit they o so"n )"ite

fan!if"l an exa**erate.

78 No more than yo"r tales o, nomen.ANOMEN: s"spe!t a taint of sar!asm in yo"r oi!e, my lay. o not is!o"nt yo"r ees entirely... hae seenyo" in a!tion an yo" are )"ite impressie, o not mis"nerstan me. erhaps another time, 3HNIET, whenyo" are less s"spi!io"s of me, yo" mi*ht relent an tell me more of yo"r former !ompanions an a tale or two fromyo"r time in the north.

28 ?ell, most stories o *row with the tellin*, nomen. Iy story is no more ex!eptional than anyone elseCs.ANOMEN: ye, that has a rin* of tr"th. i not thin# that yo" tr"ly stoppe a war in the north on yo"r own,s#ille as yo" mi*ht /e. "mor /rin*s exa**eration, am tol. @@@@TIME

;8 ass"re yo", whateer yo" hae hear is li#ely tr"e. @@@@DEEDS

@@@@TIME

ANOMEN: ye, that has a rin* of tr"th. i not thin# that yo" tr"ly stoppe a war in the north on yo"r own, s#ille asyo" mi*ht /e. "mor /rin*s exa**eration, am tol.

78 !t"ally, that part is tr"e. i stop a war with mn seeral months a*o. @@@@DEEDS28 !t"ally, i stop a war with mn seeral months a*o.../"t inCt o it on my own, of !o"rse.

ANOMEN: ?ell, of !o"rse yo" ha fellow !ompanions who aie yo" then as now. n to*ether yo" performeees as *reat as those hope to a!!omplish in yo"r seri!e. wonro"s thin*, inee. erhaps yo" will tell me

more, 3HNIET, as we wal#... wo"l hear more of these former !ompanions of yo"rs an yo"r aliant talesof the Swor 3oast.

;8 o" spea# the tr"th, as always.ANOMEN: s"spe!t a taint of sar!asm in yo"r oi!e, my lay. o not is!o"nt yo"r ees entirely... hae seenyo" in a!tion an yo" are )"ite impressie, o not mis"nerstan me. erhaps another time, 3HNIET, whenyo" are less s"spi!io"s of me, yo" mi*ht relent an tell me more of yo"r former !ompanions an a tale or two from

yo"r time in the north.

@@@@DEEDS

ANOMEN: Hmph. fin it har to /eliee that one woman alone !o"l hae performe s"!h ees. erhaps yo" are notaware of the s!ope of the tales that hae /een tol.

78 o" fin it har to /eliee that hae one s"!h thin*s...or is it solely /e!a"se am a woman(

ANOMEN: s"spe!t a taint of sar!asm in yo"r oi!e, my lay. o not is!o"nt yo"r ees entirely... hae seenyo" in a!tion an yo" are )"ite impressie, o not mis"nerstan me. erhaps another time, 3HNIET, whenyo" are less s"spi!io"s of me, yo" mi*ht relent an tell me more of yo"r former !ompanions an a tale or two fromyo"r time in the north.

28 inCt o it alone, nomen, /"t my life has /een nothin* /"t an*er an aent"re sin!e left 3anle#eep.

ANOMEN: ?ell, of !o"rse yo" ha fellow !ompanions who aie yo" then as now. n to*ether yo" performe

ees as *reat as those hope to a!!omplish in yo"r seri!e. wonro"s thin*, inee. erhaps yo" will tell memore, 3HNIET, as we wal#... wo"l hear more of these former !ompanions of yo"rs an yo"r aliant talesof the Swor 3oast.

;8 erhaps yo"Cre ri*ht...the tales hae pro/ally *rown lar*er as time has passe.

ANOMEN: Iay/e. ltho"*h #now that yo" are !apa/le of impressie feats, yo"rself, my lay. hae /een /ewilere /y yo"r !ompeten!y while in a!tion. C>is most wonro"s, for a woman. B"t mean no !riti!ism /y it.

hae ha little experien!e with the fairer sex in my time an li#ely spea# as a /l"nt tool. erhaps some other timeyo" will tell me more of yo"r own feats.

>8 o"Cll #eep yo"r ins"ltin* !omments to yo"rself, priest, or yo"Cll lose yo"r ton*"e.ANOMEN: mean no ins"lt, my lay. hae little eno"*h experien!e with the fairer sex, li#ely spea# as a /l"nttool. hae witnesse yo"r prowess with my own eyes. erhaps another time, 3HNIET, when yo" are lesss"spi!io"s of me, yo" mi*ht relent an tell me more of yo"r former !ompanions an a tale or two from yo"r time in

the north.

2



nomen

>M

ANOMEN: How m"!h o yo" #now of my &rer of the Iost aiant Heart( N&IENJ9;

78 Not ery m"!h, Cm afrai.

ANOMEN: >hen yo" sho"l /e mae aware of it, !ertainly. t is the *reatest for!e for ri*hteo"sness in <aer"n...an

army of #ni*hts an palains reay to !om/at eil whereer it may /e fo"n. @@@@ORDER

28 little.ANOMEN: o" hae hear of it( >hat is *oo. hae always /een in awe of the &rer, eer sin!e was a !hil...afor!e of ri*hteo"s #ni*hts an palains in a /rotherhoo of arms. @@@@ORDER

;8 ll #now is that it is f"ll of arro*ant an pompo"s #ni*hts li#e yo"rself.

ANOMEN: ... apolo*ie most h"m/ly, my lay, if hae *ien offense. i not mean to !ome a!ross as s"!h an

oer/earin* lo"t. shall refrain from /otherin* yo" f"rther. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

>8 onCt !are to is!"ss this ri*ht now, nomen.ANOMEN: h. o" are a )"iet one, 3HNIET, it seems. ?ell, Cll not ra* yo"r ton*"e alon* the *ro"n.et "s !ontin"e o"r 5o"rney )"ietly, then. /AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ7

@@@@ORDER

ANOMEN: ?e exist to sere, /"t we follow no !ommans yet those of o"r hearts an o"r !ons!ien!e. C>is a rare thin* that!an stan "p to the f"ll array of the &rerCs armies, my lay. o not "nerstan why the &rer oes not ta#e !ontrol of the

3o"n!il, personally. t !o"l o far more to t"rn this into a fair an e)"ita/le lan, onCt yo" thin#(

if 'elorn is in the party

ELDORN: si*h; &n!e a*ain, nomen, yo" follow prie rather than yo"r hea. >he &rer remains free of !orr"ption

/e!a"se we onCt ta#e part in the politi!s yo" mention. f we allowe aministration to !onfli!t with o"r ri*hteo"s hearts,where wo"l we /e( Een the 3o"n!il has its pla!e in this lan, s"rely yo" #now that.ANOMEN: hae lon* sin!e passe the time when neee a #ni*ht of the &rer to answer my eery tho"*ht, Sir 'elorn. hae hear many express the iea yo" repeat, an isa*ree with it. >here is far too m"!h ine)"ity an in5"sti!efor the !ommon man...the &rer !o"l o m"!h to erai!ate s"!h hopeless existen!es. ?hat o yo" thin#, my lay(

78 a*ree with 'elorn. o"r &rer m"st remain seperate to maintain its p"rity.

ANOMEN: Hmph. o"Cre entitle to yo"r opinion, my lay, /"t thin# there is more that !an /e one to fi*ht !haosthan simply !om/attin* the most o/io"s eils with a swor.ELDORN: >he &rer has its pla!e, nomen...an *oernment is not it. o"r ision is flawe, an yo" wo"l o

well to thin# most !aref"lly /efore yo" o anythin* rash.ANOMEN: erhaps, Sir 'elorn. shall poner yo"r wors, /"t still /eliee the flaw exists in those who o notthin# of new ways to !om/at !haos.

28 thin# yo"Cre ri*ht...thereCs a lot more the &rer !o"l o.ANOMEN: ye, yo" see the ri*ht of it, thin#. t is somethin* shall #eep in min on!e pass the >est...the &rer m"st /e!ome more a!tie /eyon simply !om/attin* the most o/io"s eils.ELDORN: >he &rer has its pla!e, nomen...an *oernment is not it. o"r ision is flawe, an yo" wo"l owell to thin# most !aref"lly /efore yo" o anythin* rash.

ANOMEN: erhaps, Sir 'elorn. shall poner yo"r wors, /"t still /eliee the flaw exists in those who o not

thin# of new ways to !om/at !haos.;8 hae no opinion on the matter.

ANOMEN: o" are a forei*ner an a wanerer, tr"e.../"t s"rely, my lay, yo" m"st thin# that eil !an /e fo"*htwith more than 5"st a swor.

ELDORN: 3HNIET shows wisom, *oo nomen, in remainin* silent on a matter with whi!h she is notwellDinforme. o" wo"l o well to follow her example.

ANOMEN: hae tho"*ht well on the matter, Sir 'elorn, an o not nee yo"r *"ian!e. et "s ret"rn o"r attention to o"r traels.

>8 thin# yo"Cre an iiot, nomen.ANOMEN: n iiot, am ( f yo"Ce s"!h a low opinion of me, than shall simply remain silent...an wat!h yo"most !aref"lly. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

if 'elorn isn$t in the partyANOMEN: mean...thin# of all the s"fferin* yo"r aera*e !ommoner m"st en"re. >he h"n*er, the ine)"ity anin5"sti!es...the re/ellions in the so"th. ll thin*s of !haos. S"rely these thin*s wo"l not o!!"r with the &rer pla!e in!omman...a for!e of tr"e *ooness an honest /rotherhoo( t /affles me why more people onCt see it.

78 a*ree...there is a lot more that the &rer !o"l o.

ANOMEN: ye, yo" see the ri*ht of it, thin#. t is somethin* shall #eep in min on!e pass the >est...the &rer m"st /e!ome more a!tie /eyon simply !om/attin* the most o/io"s eils.

28 isa*ree...the &rer sho"l remain seperate from s"!h thin*s.

24



nomen

ANOMEN: ye, yo" see the ri*ht of it, thin#. t is somethin* shall #eep in min on!e pass the >est...the &rer m"st /e!ome more a!tie /eyon simply !om/attin* the most o/io"s eils.

;8 hae no opinion on the matter.

ANOMEN: o" are a forei*ner an a wanerer, tr"e.../"t s"rely, my lay, yo" m"st thin# that eil !an /e fo"*htwith more than 5"st a swor.

>8 o"Cre an iiot, nomen. tCs no woner yo" haenCt /e!ome a #ni*ht, yet.

ANOMEN: n iiot, am ( f yo"Ce s"!h a low opinion of me, than shall simply remain silent...an wat!h yo"most !aref"lly. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

>M6

ANOMEN: "nerstan that Gorion was ery m"!h li#e a father to yo". ?hat was yo"r relationship with him li#e(N&IENJK;

78 He was a #in an patient man, an a *reat mentor. /or

28 Gorion was a *oo man who meant well. shall miss him.ANOMEN: h, see. m"st amit, my lay, that am rather 5ealo"s of yo". Iy own father, or 3or, is nothin*li#e yo"r Gorion an he an i not hae a *oo relationship. @@@@COR

;8 &"r relationship was nothin* spe!ial, nomen, an am *la to hae moe on.ANOMEN: h, see. >hen yo"r relationship with Gorion was not so spe!ial, after all. s"spe!t that it was still

/etter than mine with my father. t least Gorion wante yo" there, yes( @@@@COR

>8 o not wish to is!"ss Gorion with yo", nomen.ANOMEN: thin# "nerstan. o not wish to intr"e on yo"r memories, 3HNIET. Iy own relationshipwith my father left plenty to /e esire. @@@@COR

@@@@COR

ANOMEN: f or 3or was not eep into his !"ps, he was emanin* that "phol the family honor...or tellin* me what aworthless son ha /e!ome. He was erisie of my !hoi!e to 5oin the &rer. He wante me to ta#e oer his mer!antile /"siness...somethin* tr"ly ha no stoma!h for. wo"l hae *ien m"!h for my father to /e my mentor.../"t, instea, en"re his a/"se "ntil was a/le to s)"ire for the &rer. fle as )"i!#ly as was a/le to.

78 ?hy are yo" tellin* me this( @@@@MOIRA

28 >hatCs horri/le, nomen. o" m"st /e *la to /e away from him. @@@@MOIRA;8 o" sho"l hae stoo "p to him. wo"l hae.

ANOMEN: thin# yo" mi*ht hae at that. !o"l not... 5"st neer !o"l stan "p to him. He raises his oi!e ans"enly am a little /oy hiin* in the pantry on!e a*ain. @@@@MOIRA

>8 see no nee to en"re this whinin* oer yo"r father. Get a /a!#/one, nomen.

ANOMEN: ?hinin*, is it( simply mean to tal# an yo" wo"n me so !as"ally( Very well, then... shallhen!eforth #eep my tho"*hts to myself an away from yo"r /ar/e ton*"e. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

@@@@MOIRA

ANOMEN: ... s"ppose am tellin* yo" this /e!a"se yo" remin me a little of my sister, Ioira. She is yo"n* anetermine... miss her....perhaps the only thin* of my family miss. re*ret a/anonin* her to her fate, alone with or3or.../"t there was...little !o"l o. She... am s"re she... No. Neer min. o not wish to spea# f"rther a/o"t this,

3HNIET...ex!"se me.

>M7

ANOMEN: ... wish to apolo*ie for so a/r"ptly enin* o"r !onersation yesteray. meant no offense /y it.N&IEN70;78 >here was no offense ta#en, nomen.

ANOMEN: am *la to hear of it. ... thin# of my sister, sometimes, alone in the manor with my father. <rom thelast letter re!eie, it seeme as if she was /earin* "p well. @@@@SISTER

28 ?at!h yo"relf, then, nomen.ANOMEN: shall try. Iy sister "se to !"rse my temper an the ar*"ments that wo"l *et into with <ather /e!a"se of it. f we were eer !iil, it was only "e to IoiraCs interention. woner, sometimes, what has /e!omeof her...alone in that mansion with my father. <rom the last letters hae re!eie, she seems to /e /earin* "p fairlywell. @@@@SISTER

;8 >his is not a *oo time to spea# of s"!h thin*s...let "s 5"st !ontin"e on.

ANOMEN: es...yes, of !o"rse, my lay. t pains me that yo" are always so silent, /"t will a/ie /y yo"r wishes./AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ7

26



nomen

@@@@SISTER

ANOMEN: thin# she was merely tryin* to ease my *"ilt, tho"*h. t !annot /e easy for her, an wish that !o"l ta#eher away an sen her somewhere where she wo"l /e happy.

78 ?hy onCt yo", then(

ANOMEN: >he &rer oes not pay well, my lay. n een ha the wealth, Ioira wo"l ref"se to *o anywhere.

She stays to ta#e !are of him, een at his r"n#en worst. @@@@IMOEN28 ?hy o remin yo" of her(

ANOMEN: >here is a sense of her in yo"r /earin*, my lay. Ioira !an /e st"//orn... she ref"ses to leae o"r fatherCs sie een at his r"n#en worst, stayin* to ta#e !are of him. @@@@IMOEN

;8 tire of yo"r !onstant whinin*...letCs 5"st !ontin"e on.

ANOMEN: f am s"!h a /"ren an a !a"sti! presen!e to yo", my lay, perhaps yo" wo"l prefer it if so"*ht myaent"res elsewhere. Ce no wish to ist"r/ yo"...nor to /e ins"lte.78 <ine, leae. onCt !are.

ANOMEN: ha not tho"*ht yo" so tho"*htless, my lay. So /e it. shall ret"rn to that fo"l inn an see# my fort"nes with other, more amena/le, !ompanions. /roman-e s-rewed1 he re')rns 'o Co**er Corone'

28 No, yo" onCt hae to leae, nomen. 8"st #eep )"iet.

ANOMEN: o" are a !r"el woman, 3HNIET. So /e it. shall !ontin"e on, for now, an /e silent./roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 Cm sorry, nomen... inCt mean to ins"lt yo". lease for*ie me.ANOMEN: Very well, 3HNIET. am as )"i!# to for*ie as am to *ie offense. et "s !ontin"e on,as yo" s"**este.

@@@@IMOEN

ANOMEN: Sin!e o"r mother ie, thin# she !an harly ima*ine oin* anythin* else. hope that ol /astar oes nottreat her too harshly. am tol that yo" hae somethin* of a sister, as well, my lay. moen, /eliee the name is. o" are!lose to her(

KKKKKd&a$og -on'&n)es a--ord&ng 'o a-'&%e -ha*'er1 -hoose an+'h&ng K 'here are no -onse()en-es

>MK

ANOMEN: si*h; Spea#in* of my father has left me plenty of time to thin#. erhaps too m"!h. t is as if an ill win has /lown a!ross my so"l. N&IEN71;78 ?hy( ?hat are yo" thin#in* of( @@@@PAST

28 Ce no time for yo"r melan!holy, nomen.

ANOMEN: o" sta/ at me with yo"r wors when simply tho"*ht to fin !omfort in spea#in* to another. erhapsyo" wo"l prefer if left yo"r !ompany-

78 onCt !are what yo" o, nomen. eae if yo" m"st.ANOMEN: >hen shall. hae no esire to /e rii!"le. i#ely will fin /etter !ompanions amon* the ratsat the fo"l inn where met yo". <arewell, 3HNIET. /roman-e s-rewed1 he $ea%es 'he *ar'+

28 No, onCt *o. 8"st #eep )"iet.

ANOMEN: o"Ce left me little !hoi!e, my lay. So /e it...so lon* as yo" remain a for!e for ri*hteo"sness,

shall remain /y yo"r sie, silent. <or now. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 No, Cm sorry, nomen. meant nothin* /y it. lease...tell me what yo" were thin#in* of, if yo" still wish to.ANOMEN: ?ell...as yo" wish. hae often /een a!!"se of a worrisome ton*"e an a )"i!# temper, myself. a!!ept yo"r apolo*y, my lay. @@@@PAST

;8 >his is no time for reminis!in*, nomen. et "s !ontin"e on.

ANOMEN: si*h; s...as yo" wish, my lay. was hopin* to spea# to another for a moment, /"t Ce no esire to

/"ren yo". /AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ7

@@@@PAST

ANOMEN: spea# of memories that are /est p"t asie, 3HNIET, lest they fester at my heart. fin, sometimes,howeer, that !annot. remem/er when first a!hiee the ran# of s)"ire. t ha /een a iffi!"lt tas#...my father haref"se to /e my patron, so was no /etter off than a !ommoner wo"l /e. Iost #ni*hts wo"l not ta#e me in, sin!e ha

no !oin to pay for my e)"ipment. ha to proe myself. #ni*ht /y the name of Sir Blethyn too# pity on me an ha mes)"ire. was pro" "rin* the !eremony, an happy.../"t it was not to last. Iy father, or 3or, st"m/le into the &rerCs

hea)"arters...he was filthy r"n# an f"ll of ra*e. He /e*an sho"tin* at the #ni*hts...at Sir yan >rawl, no less...that ha /een stolen from him. >hat was a worthless an wea# son who sho"l not /e in the &rer. Sir yan >rawl tol him that ha proen myself.../"t the ol /astar wo"l hear none of it. >hey were finally for!e to ra* him o"t of the hea)"arters,

2J



nomen

#i!#in* an s!reamin*. eae it to or 3or to stain the one moment of p"re pleas"re was a/le to steal "rin* my time inthe &rer, the one thin* ha a!hiee espite all of his opposition. Bah-78 o" sho"l not let yo"r father eat away at yo" li#e this, nomen.

ANOMEN: C>is iffi!"lt, my lay. Sin!e the eath of my mother, my father has /een a !an!er in my so"l...a for!ea*ainst whi!h hae str"**le for years to proe myself. @@@@#INE

28 >hatCs awf"l- Cm sorry that happene li#e that.

ANOMEN: s am . Sin!e my motherCs eath, my father has /een the for!e a*ainst whi!h hae always str"**leto proe myself...an inisi/le !an!er whi!h !annot an)"ish. @@@@#INE

;8 re yo" finishe whinin*( 3an we !ontin"e on, here(

ANOMEN: ...yes, am finishe my whinin*, my lay. Iy...apolo*ies...for /"renin* yo" with my ar# tho"*hts. shall refrain in the f"t"re. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

@@@@#INE

ANOMEN: h, /"t listen to me. ?hat a patheti! #ni*ht m"st seem, /l"//erin* li#e a /oy to yo" oer s"!h a thin* as myfatherCs isapproal. o" m"st thin# me a fool, my lay.

78 No, onCt thin# yo" a fool, nomen. /or

28 FonCt /e rii!"lo"s, nomen. o"Ce oer!ome many o/sta!les...yo" sho"l /e pro" of yo"r a!!omplishments.

ANOMEN: o" are #in to say so, my lay. >han# yo".;8 thin# yo" sho"l haren yo"rself, nomen. f yo" !annot *et oer s"!h a small thin* as that, yo" will neer a!hiee

what yo" want.ANOMEN: es... sho"l haren myself. s"ppose yo" are !orre!t. et "s...!ontin"e on o"r 5o"rney, here, my lay.

/roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

>8 /it of a fool, yes.

ANOMEN: h, see. apolo*ie for /"renin* yo" with my foolish tho"*hts, then. shall refrain in the f"t"re./roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

>M11

ANOMEN: Hae tol yo" how /e!ame a priest( N&IEN72;78 No, /"t C li#e to hear the tale. @@@@TALE

28 No, an Ce no interest in hearin* a/o"t it.

ANOMEN: s yo" wish. erhaps shall tell yo" of it some other time. /AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ7;8 tho"*ht yo" were tryin* to /e!ome a #ni*ht.

ANOMEN: am. B"t that is not the way it has always /een, my lay. &ne oes not show "p yo"n* an pennilessan /e*in a !areer to #ni*hthoo strai*ht away...not within the &rer. @@@@TALE

@@@@TALE

ANOMEN: s Ce sai /efore, approa!he the &rer witho"t the /enefit of my fatherCs sponsorship. Iost yo"n* lors

!ome to the &rer with patrons payin* for their armor an s"!h. ha possession of not een a swor, an the #ni*htDtrainers wo"l not a!!ept me witho"t my fatherCs permission. Iy mother, howeer, was a follower of Helm an #nown toSir yan >rawl. She...petitione the 'ni*htD3ommaner on my /ehalf, /e**in* him not to t"rn me away. So Sir yan>rawl allowe me to enter as a noitiate to Helm. traine as a !leri! an learne my swor arts from the *"arians of thetemple...an was a/le to eent"ally s)"ire. lon* roa it has /een for me, 3HNIET.../"t am please to sere in

the &rer "ner HelmCs name. n tr"st that Helm is please with me, as well.

KKKKKd&a$og -on'&n)es regard&ng +o)r -$ass and re*)'a'&on ARNING: +o) w&$$ s-rew +o)r roman-e &f +o) -a$$ h&mA !OOL1 a$$ o'her -ho&-es are safe8

>M1

ANOMEN: Iy lay... feel most terri/le a/o"t my /"rst of temper the preio"s ay. ?o"l...wo"l yo" allow me theopport"nity to apolo*ie an try to explain( N&IEN7;

78 Very well... will listen to what yo" hae to say.

ANOMEN: am most than#f"l, 3HNIET. Sometimes, yo" see...my eal for 5"sti!e an alo"r !an /e!ometoo m"!h. >here is an an*er in my heart that ...!annot seem to !ontrol. @@@@IN"USTICE

28 o" !an apolo*ie, /"t onCt want an explanation.ANOMEN: B"t m"st. n apolo*y alone is not eno"*h...this harsh eal oerta#es me at times. >here...there is anan*er insie me that !annot seem to !ontrol, 3HNIET... @@@@IN"USTICE

;8 <or*et it, nomen, Cm not intereste in hearin* yo"r apolo*ies.

ANOMEN: lease, my lay...yo" m"st hear me thro"*h. llow me to explain my a!tions or yo" shall leae me tofeel tr"ly "nworthy-

27



nomen

78 <ine. Cll listen.ANOMEN: am most than#f"l, 3HNIET. Sometimes, yo" see...my eal for 5"sti!e an alo"r !an /e!ome too m"!h. >here is an an*er in my heart that ...!annot seem to !ontrol. @@@@IN"USTICE

28 >hatCs too /a, yo" sho"l hae tho"*ht of that earlier.

ANOMEN: o" are !orre!t, of !o"rse. was a fool to let my an*er oerta#e me.../"t ha hope yo" mi*ht

/e a/le to is!ern my tr"e intentions. shall leae yo" /e, then, my lay. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n

*ar'+>8 nomen, this is not the appropriate time to tal# a/o"t this.

ANOMEN: ... see. lease...a!!ept my most h"m/le apolo*y, then, an we !an...!ontin"e on, an shall remainsilent. /AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ7

@@@@IN"USTICE

ANOMEN: see in5"sti!es eerywhere, my lay, an...an wish to o nothin* /"t stri#e o"t a*ainst them. B"t een when o... #eep on stri#in* o"t...the hate an an*er only *rows... ?hen spo#e to yo" of fi*htin* a*ainst eil... /e!ame an*ry, /"t it...it was more an*er at my own ina/ility to...to /e as *oo an lawf"l as mi*ht wish to /e. am sorry,3HNIET, tr"ly am. am "nworthy of my ows.

78 a!!ept yo"r apolo*y, nomen.

ANOMEN: am *la that yo" are so #in to me. Not many hae *ien me the /enefit of the o"/t, my lay, an onot /eliee that o not appre!iate it. @@@@REMIND

28 Eeryone feels at least a little as yo" o, nomen... am s"re een the most no/le palain feels an*er an hate.ANOMEN: ...o not thin# that is tr"e. >he palains in the &rer spea# only of !ontentment...an hae none of that. B"t than# yo" for yo"r #in wors, re*arless. @@@@REMIND

;8 o" are not "nworthy...yo" 5"st nee to strie harer to a!hiee selfD!ontrol, nomen.

ANOMEN: s"ppose yo" are !orre!t, my lay. m"st...str"**le...to !ontin"e my /attle a*ainst eil. n m"ststr"**le to a!hiee this !ontentment that others spea# of. erhaps a time will !ome when s"!h a thin* will !omenat"rally to me, o not #now. >he >est will /e the final ar/iter of it.

>8 !annot /eliee how wea# an patheti! yo" are. Stop !ryin* oer yo"r feelin*s an *et a /a!#/one, will yo"(

ANOMEN: o"...yo" wo"n me, my lay. ha tho"*ht to fin a sympatheti! so"l to !onfess my sin...yo" are far less li#e my ear Ioira then tho"*ht. Very well, then. shall /"ren yo" no f"rther with my wea#nesses. et "s

!ontin"e o"r 5o"rney in silen!e, an will earn my a!!olaes with my s#ill at arms, instea. /roman-e s-rewed1 he

s'a+s &n *ar'+

@@@@REMINDANOMEN: *ain yo" remin me of my sister, Ioira. She, too, has a e!ent so"l an a /eneolent heart. o" sho"l meether sometime, 3HNIET... tr"ly thin# yo" wo"l li#e ea!h other.

Now yo" m"st *o &U>F&&S, /"t N&> in these areas:Umar Hills, eCrnise Hol, >emple "ins, Fr"i Groe, Unerar# Exit an <orest of >ethir.

f fie in*ame ays haen$t passe yet sin!e the moment nomen 5oine the party, 5"st rest.

<i*hter name >erl will approa!h with these wors:TERL: nomen Felryn, son of 3or, !ome as the /earer of ire news. o"r father re)"ests yo"r presen!e at his estate.

ANOMEN: Fire news, say yo"( ?hat reason wo"l hae to ret"rn to my father(

TERL: o"r sister is ea. Iost fo"lly m"rere, /y all a!!o"nts.

ANOMEN: o"r sister is ea. Iost fo"lly m"rere, /y all a!!o"nts.TERL: am tr"ly sorry, mClor. erhaps yo" sho"l ret"rn to yo"r home as yo"r father has re)"este.ANOMEN: ye, an ri*ht )"i!#. 3HNIET, ma#e haste- ?e m"st hea for my fathers home in the GoernmentFistri!t of th#atla-

78 s lon* as lea this *ro"p we will o no s"!h thin*. o" !an o nothin* for her so let "s !ontin"e on o"r present )"est.

ANOMEN: f yo" fin al"e in oin* that whi!h is ri*hteo"s, yo" will *o to my home. Fo not an shall leae yo"to the eil that en*"lfs yo". @@@@CAUTION

28 mo"rn for the loss of yo"r sister nomen. am tr"ly sorry. ?e shall ma#e o"r way to yo"r fatherCs ho"se with all haste.ANOMEN: m"st is!oer the tr"th a/o"t this m"rer. et "s *o.

;8 >ho"*h am saene to hear of yo"r sisterCs "ntimely emise, hae other thin*s that m"st loo# to first.

ANOMEN: o"r answer oes not s"ffi!e. o" will a!!ompany me to is!oer the tr"th a/o"t my sisterCs m"rer.

<ail at this an shall leae yo" to the ar#ness that en*"lfs yo". @@@@CAUTION

29



nomen

@@@@CAUTION

78 Very well. ?e shall ma#e o"r way to yo"r fatherCs home with all haste.ANOMEN: m"st is!oer the tr"th a/o"t this m"rer. et "s *o.

28 Fo what yo" will. !are not.

ANOMEN: >his is one of the few times that a!t"ally re)"ire !ompany an yo" a/anon me. <alse frien- !ast

yo" from my memory- o" are nothin* to me an shall remain nothin* eermore. /Anomen $ea%es 'he *ar'+ for

good

Note: if nomen is "ner an inisi/ility effe!t or s"!h, >erl will wait "ntil nomen /e!omes isi/le.

f yo" on$t moe to his ho"se in Goernment Fistri!t 1001; within two ays of in*ame time, he will !omplain an

*ie yo" three; more ays to *o with him. BUG----

t sho"l /e that if yo" on$t !ome to nomen$s home in those ays, he leaes the party for *oo8

Howeer, this won$t happen, an it !an /e E&>EF. He will !omplain a*ain, eery three ays of in*ame timethat pass, /"t won$t leae the party "nless yo" tell him to. >his is not !han*e within the offi!ial pat!h. See theBUGS se!tion if yo" want to ma#e an UN&<<3 pat!h for this.

?hen yo" *et to his home, yo"$ll spea# to his father, 3or Felryn.

COR: >he proi*al son ret"rns. Heir to his motherCs foolishness as always. How far hae yo" roame, son, r"nnin* awayfrom me( 3&02;

ANOMEN: Spea# not of my mother, r"n#ar. o" were neer worthy of /ein* her h"s/an. N&IENB4;

et was, an yo"r father as well. Neer for*et that, /oy- o"r mother wo"l still /e alie if yo" !hilren werenCt s"!h ahanf"l.ANOMEN: Sh"t yo"r mo"th, father. ?eCe ha this !onersation /efore an Ce not the patien!e to listen to it a*ain.o" will listen to what eer !hoose to tell yo", nomen. espe!t yo"r father, #ni*htlin*. am still the man of this familyan yo" will o/ey me-

ANOMEN: es, father... lost my temper an apolo*ie.

t too# yo" lon* eno"*h to *et here. t wo"lnCt h"rt yo" to !ome an see yo"r father now an a*ain.ANOMEN: <ather, where is Ioira, yo"r a"*hter( ?hat happene to her(iot /oy- SheCs ea- I"rere /y the 3alimshite fiens-

ANOMEN: How i this happen(How o yo" thin#( t was Saer# the 3alimshite. t was not eno"*h for him to ta#e my /"siness he ha to ta#e my Ioiratoo.

ANOMEN: B"t why wo"l he #ill her( She has nothin* to o with yo"r enmity.Fo yo" "nerstan nothin*( He #ille her /e!a"se he !o"l- <or years em/arrasse him amon*st the mer!hants, "ner!"this pri!es an stole his !"stomers. ?hen my /"siness faile he ha a monopoly on the 3alimshan shippin* ro"tes. Hewo"l not /e happy "ntil ha nothin*. By the en, Ioira was all that ha, an now heCs ta#en her too.

ANOMEN: ?here were the *"ars( ?hy was she not prote!te(>he *"ars left months a*o. ha no money to pay them with. Soon will lose my ho"se as well. Saer# has ta#en all of it...

all of yo"r motherCs an sisterCs thin*s...ANOMEN: He inCt ta#e it, father. &U lost it... yo" lost it... lost it /e!a"se yo" a/anone yo"r family. f yo" hanCt r"n away, Ioira wo"l still /e alie. o" sho"l hae /een hereto prote!t her- >o sae her from the /ri*ans-

ANOMEN: Cm sorry. ... i not #now...o" sho"l hae /een here, nomen. Neer for*et that- t is too late to sae her /"t yo"r wor# is not yet finishe, nomen.

ANOMEN: ?hat !an /e one( Ioira is ea.She !an /e aen*e, nomen. o" m"st #ill Saer# an his son. t is the only way that IoiraCs spirit !an /e at rest. s for yo"r friens, they wo"l o well to help yo" for Saer# the 3alimshite is a ery wealthy man an his *ol shall /e their rewar.

ANOMEN: m"st see IoiraCs remains first, father. t will ta#e /"t a moment.Go then. She was !leanse on the pyre an her ashes are #ept in an "rn /y the pool. t was the pla!e that Ioira loe most

of all.ANOMEN: 3HNIET, !ome with me to IoiraCs "rn. wo"l spea# with yo".78 Very well, shall follow yo".

ANOMEN: >his way.

28 wo"l rather not !ome with yo". 3remate remains ma#e me painf"lly aware of my mortality. tCs )"ite epressin*,

really.ANOMEN: t is imperatie that spea# with yo". lease !ome to my sisters remains with me.78 Very well, shall follow yo".

ANOMEN: >his way.

2K



nomen

28 will not !ome with yo".ANOMEN: f yo" offer no assistan!e then yo"r are na"*ht /"t a hinran!e. eae my home for yo" are nolon*er wel!ome here. /Anomen $ea%es 'he *ar'+ for good

o"Cll now /e for!e to s"**est to nomen what to o:

ANOMEN: am well worrie /y what has *one on in this pla!e. >ho"*h the !hoi!e seems !lear an ri*ht am hesistant tota#e it. N&IEN7;/&f e$dorn1 "ahe&ra or M&ns- are &n *ar'+1 'he+$$ share some of 'he&r 'ho)gh's here

ANOMEN: S"rely if Saer# #ille my sister m"st aen*e her m"rer. et #illin* for the p"rpose of reen*e is m"rer /ythe tenets of the &rer. #now not what sho"l o.

78 o"r father is !orre!t...yo"r sisterCs m"rer !annot *o "np"nishe. Saer# is !learly eil, an is it not eery #ni*htCsresponsi/ility to estroy eil(

ANOMEN: Fo yo" not thin# that the #illin* of Saer# !o"l /e !onsiere a reen*e m"rer /y the &rer(78 Saer# is no less eil than a *ho"l or emon, an eseres what yo" will *ie him. @@@@NORE,ENGE

28 erhaps it !o"l /"t wo"l yo" /e willin* to let yo"r sisterCs #iller *o free so that yo" !an 5oin the &rer(

ANOMEN: erhaps yo" spea# the tr"th yet fin myself loath to !ast off the ows that hae mae to the

&rer so easily. t is exa!tly in these #ins of sit"ations that my mettle is to /e tr"ly teste. t is not so m"!hto 5oin the &rer as it is to o what hae sworn to o.

78 a*ree that yo" are /o"n /y yo"r ows /"t the honor of yo"r family an yo"r sisterCs memory m"st !omefirst. Saer# m"st ie for what he has one. @@@@NORE,ENGE

28 Cm s"re that many of the &rer hae fa!e iffi!"lt !hoi!es an yet hae !hosen to #eep their ows. Fonot ta#e a mission of reen*e. @@@@T#OUG#TS

;8 wonCt try to mislea yo". t will most li#ely /e seen as a !rime /y the &rer.ANOMEN: ?hat path shall !hoose( f !hoose en*ean!e, shall aen*e my sisterCs m"rer /"t /eamne /y the a!t. f !hoose to #eep my ows, will ishonor my family. ?hat shall o(78 Cm s"re that many of the &rer hae fa!e iffi!"lt !hoi!es an yet hae !hosen to #eep their ows. Fonot ta#e a mission of reen*e. @@@@NORE,ENGE

28 >he #iller of yo"r sister m"st not es!ape 5"sti!e. 'ill Saer# an honor yo"r family an the memory of yo"r

sister. @@@@RE,ENGE

2. Fo not let these tho"*hts of en*ean!e !lo" yo"r 5"*ement. 'illin* for reen*e is m"rer. Saer# m"st /e /ro"*ht to 5"sti!e, an yo" m"st /e the one to ens"re that it is one.

ANOMEN: ?hat yo" say hols tr"th yet, as my father says, am honorD/o"n to to fin my sisterCs #iller an ta#ehis life.

78 f that is how yo" feel, we will help yo" fin this m"rerer. @@@@RE,ENGE

28 o" are honorD/o"n to the ows yo" mae to the &rer. >he path yo" are !onsierin* is eil, nomen...o notta#e it. @@@@NORE,ENGE

;8 >he answer is o/io"s. Eerythin* that is wron* with this sit"ation is the pro"!t of this man Saer#Cs s!hemin*...yo"r fatherCs poerty an sisterCs eath /oth. Saer#Cs life shall s"rely /e forefeit for that of yo"r sisterCs, an his wealth will /e!ome yo"r fatherCs. @@@@RE,ENGE

@@@@RE,ENGE

ANOMEN: So shall it /e. ?e shall set thin*s ari*ht an ri this worl of an eil man. 3ome, 3HNIET, m"stret"rn to my father. /AnomenDe-&de2

if 'elorn is in the party heCll !omment after thisELDORN: n the en, yo"r a!tions are yo"r own !hoi!e, nomen. pray that yo" will ta#e the path that yo" #now is the

ri*ht one.

@@@@NORE,ENGE

ANOMEN: ye. >his is ri*ht. feel it in my /ones. Ce lie "ner the /itterness of my fatherCs spirit my entire life. t hastainte me to the point where am willin* to parta#e in it. He !an #eep his hatre an rown his sorrows as he has alwaysone. et the )"estion of my sisterCs m"rer remains. /AnomenDe-&de;

78 >his is a matter that is /est hanle /y the lo!al a"thorities.ANOMEN: ?e shall ta#e this matter /efore the ma*istrate. Iy fatherCs reen*e /e amne- hae sworn to "pholthe law an "nli#e him, shall o so. 3ome, let "s ret"rn to my father. He may yet /e !onin!e to follow the lawf"l path. t is not my pla!e to ta#e reen*e. S"!h an a!t wo"l lea to !haos.

28 >o /e honest, Cm not s"re that tr"st yo"r fatherCs ersion of eents. ll that he spea#s of seems to /e !olore /y his

hatre of Saer#.ANOMEN: >hey hae always /een mortal enemies. f my sister was inee m"rere then the ma*istrate wo"lhae inesti*ate. Iy fatherCs reen*e /e amne- hae sworn to "phol the law an "nli#e him, shall o so.

0



nomen

3ome, let "s ret"rn to my father. He may yet /e !onin!e to follow the lawf"l path. t is not my pla!e to ta#ereen*e. S"!h an a!t wo"l lea to !haos.

Now epenin* on nomenCs !hoi!e % 3or spea#s:

if AnomenDe-&de;

COR: o" hae seen the lifeless ashes of yo"r sister, nomen. et not this terri/le a!t *o "np"nishe- Gir thy heart withri*hteo"s an*er an slay thy sisterCs m"rerer-ANOMEN: Nay, father. t is time for this foolishness to en. N&IENB6; /Par'+3P7===

COR: ?hat o yo" mean to say, nomen(

ANOMEN: &nly that #illin* Saer# in en*ean!e wo"l /e m"rer as s"rely as my sisterCs eath was.

COR: >he estr"!tion of eil is neer !onsiere to /e m"rer. Fo not these #ni*hts that yo" see# to 5oin ta#e s"!hmissions themseles(ANOMEN: Not in the manner that yo" s"**est. ?e m"st ta#e these !har*es to the ma*istrate. >his is the only way to enthis !ir!le of iolen!e that yo" hae trappe "s within.

COR: o" fool /oy- >he ma*istrate will o nothin*. She is a pawn of Saer#-

ANOMEN: Bylanna an"lin is a *oo an no/le woman. o" sai this yo"rself /efore yo" slippe into the fo"l !l"t!h of

the rin#.COR: o" ishonor IoiraCs memory- o" wo"l allow the #iller of yo"r sister to *o free( o" are espi!a/le- o" are an

inse!t-ANOMEN: will not allow him to *o free- He shall /e ta#en /efore the !o"rts if he is inee the one who m"rere mysister.

COR: How !an yo" o"/t s"!h a thin*, /oy( Saer# is the #iller-

ANOMEN: Fo yo" hae proof, father(COR: >he proof lies in that fa!t that he has ta#en eerythin* else from me- 'illin* Ioira wo"l !omplete my efeat.ANOMEN: ye, now see. S"!h has always /een the !ase in this ho"sehol. >his is a/o"t yo" an only yo". o"r a"*hterCs eath means nothin* /eyon how it affe!ts yo"r prie an yo"r !omfort.

COR: Boy, yo"Ce fallen in with eil- Step /a!# from the line an honor yo"r family /efore itCs too late.

ANOMEN: will not, father. s"**est no eil. s"**est the lawf"l path.

COR: *ain say, o/ey me, nomen-ANOMEN: hae o/eye yo" all my life an re!eie na"*ht /"t /itterness in ret"rn. Iy frien an shall ta#e thismatter to the ma*istrate, as the law re)"ires.

COR: f yo" step o"t that oor then yo" m"st neer !ome within a*ain.ANOMEN: FonCt o this, father...

COR: Sh"t yo"r mo"th- f yo" leae now yo" are foreer /anishe from this pla!e. o" will /e !ast from this family an

/e!ome a nameless o*, not fit to !ower at my feet. 3&09;ANOMEN: Ce /een !owerin* at yo"r feet for all my life. Goo/ye, father. erhaps shall see yo" a*ain /efore yo" rin# yo"rself to eath. N&IENB9;COR: o" are nothin*, /oy- Nothin*-

ANOMEN: 3ome, 3HNIET, let "s leae... we sho"l *o an see the ma*istrate in the 3o"n!il of Six /"ilin* ansee if anythin* !an /e one, espite fatherCs enom. /AnomenDe-&de>

if AnomenDe-&de2

COR: o" hae seen the *rae of yo"r sister, nomen. et this terri/le a!t, not *o "np"nishe- Gir thy heart withri*hteo"s an*er an slay thy sisterCs m"rerer- 3&0J;

ANOMEN: So shall it /e one, father. Saer# will ie for his ees. ?here mi*ht we fin him( N&IENBJ;COR: >he o* h"les in his mansion in the Bri*e Fistri!t plottin* f"rther ini*nities for me. t is a h"*e ho"se in the

!enter, illD*otten /y the /astar, no o"/t. n, here... hae pro!"re a #ey for the pla!e from one of his serants. >a#e it,nomen. Go... *o an aen*e o"r Ioira. et 5"sti!e /e one. et"rn to me when yo" hae a!!omplishe yo"r tas#. o"r friens may #eep what treas"re they fin within Saer#Cs ho"se an shall honor their names foreer more. /&$$Saer47

f yo"r !hoi!e was not to ta#e reen*e, /rin* nomen to Goernment Fistri!t to 3o"n!il of Six an tal# to Bylanna:1002;

if AnomenDe-&de>

B?LANNA: Goo /"siness, my friens. s there a"*ht that !an help yo" with(ANOMEN: es, honora/le ma*istrate. am see#in* information on the m"rer of my sister, Ioira Felryn.

B?LANNA: h...yo" m"st /e the son of or 3or. nomen, is it( am afrai that there is ery little !an tell yo"

re*arin* yo"r sisterCs eath.ANOMEN: ?hat o yo" mean( S"rely yo" hae fo"n eien!e to lin# Saer# to her m"rer( >he man will /e /ro"*ht /efore the !o"rts to meet 5"sti!e, will he not(

1



nomen

B?LANNA: >here is ins"ffi!ient eien!e to !onne!t Saer# <arrah to the m"rer. >he only other person in yo"r fatherCsestate at the time was #ille, as well.ANOMEN: es, my father...!annot affor aitional *"ars an serants, it seems. B"t...is there nothin* yo" !an o(S"rely yo" #now that Saer# is responsi/le-

B?LANNA: #now of yo"r familyCs fe" with the mer!hant, /"t a motie is not eno"*h witho"t witnesses or eien!e.

>he r"le of law m"st preail...s"rely yo" "nerstan.

ANOMEN: No- >here m"st /e somethin* that !an /e one- IoiraCs m"rer !annot *o "nanswere-B?LANNA: nswere( >a#e en*ean!e on the mer!hant an he replies in #in, an the fe" !ontin"es "na/ate. s it nottime for this hatre to /e p"t to rest(

ANOMEN: ... o not #now.

78 ?ell, o. o"r sisterCs m"rer !annot *o "naen*e, nomen. f the !o"rts !annot eal with him, then yo" m"st.

ANOMEN: es...yes- t is as yo" say, 3HNIET- 3ome...let "s *o to Saer#Cs emesne an shall fin 5"sti!efor my sister- /AnomenDe-&de2

28 >his Saer# may /e inno!ent, nomen. o" !annot ta#e en*ean!e on one who mi*ht /e inno!ent...yo" are a #ni*ht, after all, first an foremost.

ANOMEN: es, yo" are li#ely !orre!t in this, my frien. t wren!hes my heart that IoiraCs eath sho"l *o"np"nishe, /"t there is little that !an /e one. sho"l not ta#e en*ean!e "pon a man my father /eliees is *"ilty

only /e!a"se of his prie. t !o"l 5"st as easily hae /een a... a /"r*lar, perhaps. n if it is this Saer#, the *os will p"nish him een if the !o"rts will not. wish !o"l ret"rn to my father an !onin!e him that this is the /est way,

/"t am s"re he will not een see me. He is a st"//orn, ile man. erhaps, in time, he shall see the tr"th of thismatter. t least... that is my hope. hhhh, 3HNIET... let "s !ontin"e on yo"r )"est an leae this /ehin "s.t leaes an ashen taste in my mo"th that wo"l sooner for*et. /Par'+ 3P ==

Note: o"Cll pro/a/ly hear some !omments from party mem/ers on this.

f yo"r !hoi!e was to ta#e reen*e, /rin* nomen to Saer#Cs Estate at Bri*e Fistri!t "pstairs 0606;. o"Cll fin Saer# <arrah an his !hilren S"rayah an "sef.

SAER: ?hat is the meanin* of all this !ommotion(- ?hat is *oin* on, here(- SE'01;

SURA?A#: <Dfather( hear some noise...( SU01;ANOMEN: see at last the serpent slithers o"t of hiin* to reeal himself- 3ome, then, fien an prepare to ealtri*hteo"s en*ean!e-

SAER: ?hat is this( h... see that ol liar 3or has finally sent his whelp to eal with me, eh(ANOMEN: o" will not spea# my fatherCs name-

?USE!: >his is nomen( &h, !an #ill him, father( lease(

SAER: &f !o"rse yo" !an, "sef. will ta#e whateer opport"nity !an to stri#e at 3orCs heart, an this one has all /"tfallen into o"r laps.ANOMEN: So yo" amit it- o" amit to yo"r part in IoiraCs m"rer-SAER: amit to nothin*- hae alreay !"t o"t yo"r fatherCs heart an so"l /y stealin* eery last pie!e of /"siness hehas- hae r"ine him an /eat him own li#e the m"#rah o* that he is- n here yo" *ie me the opport"nity to stri#e athim a*ain- His son...th"nerin* into my home... it wo"l only /e ri*ht to efen o"rseles, no(

ANOMEN: 3alimshite emon- #now that yo" m"rere my poor, inno!ent sister- will see yo" ea an rottin* for thatee, swear-SAER: h, yes, we all #now the worth of the ow of a Felryn. hope the *irl rots in her *rae, /oy. t is all yo" an yo"r family esere-

ANOMEN: o" spit "pon her memory(- Very well, emon... shall tea!h yo" the pain of losin* one so ear-

SURA?A#: <ather- Help me-SAER: S"rayah- No- Stop- VDery well, Felryn...yo" hae mae yo"r point- ... /e* yo" not to harm this inno!entflower of my ho"se-ANOMEN: n i Ioira /e* for her life /efore it was ta#en( ?as she any less inno!ent than this *irl( ?as she, too, partof yo"r )"arrel with my father( thin# not- o" shall pay for that !rime with e)"al meas"re-

SURA?A#: iiyeee-- /Anomen 4&$$s S)ra+ah1 Re*)'a'&onK2

?USE!: Nooo-- o" ile o*- shall !"t o"t yo"r /la!# heart for this-SAER: Iy a"*hter- o" wish war /etween "s, whelp( Very well- GUFS--

<GH>---

Note: yo" !anCt #ill "s"f % heCll es!ape. o" wonCt meet him a*ain in So.

2



nomen

?hen it is all oer, nomen spea#s:ANOMEN: >here. t is one. want to hear no reprisements, either. t was my e!ision an mine alone. et "s ret"rn to myfather an tell him what has o!!"rre. N&IENJ;

et"rn to his father an tal# to him:

COR: Hae yo" one what yo" m"st o( s Saer# ea(ANOMEN: t...it is one, father. >he m"rerer is ea an pray that IoiraCs spirit rests easy /e!a"se of it./Par'+3P7===

COR: Iy son- Iy son- o" hae *rown stron* in yo"r a/sen!e. erhaps this #ni*hthoo yo" see# is the tr"e path, after all. am pro". o" hae restore o"r honor an o"r fort"ne. 3&07;

ANOMEN: >han# yo", father. N&IENB7;COR: o" i ery well inee, /oy. ?ill yo" ret"rn to stay with me now(ANOMEN: sho"l li#e to, /"t my "ties !all me. m"st ret"rn to the roa.COR: erhaps it is for the /est. ?ith Saer# ea, !an on!e a*ain res"me my shipments to 3alimshan. m"st *et *oin*,son. Iy ol employees m"st /e fo"n an reinstate. shall sen for yo" when thin*s hae /een set ari*ht, nomen. Goo /ye, son.

ANOMEN: Goo /ye, father./Cor $ea%es for good

>M16

if Saer# is ea an his a"*hter;ANOMEN: ... hae one somethin* most heino"s. >his #illin* of Saer# an his...his a"*hter... am not s"re that haeone the ri*ht thin*. N&IEN74; >he whole /"siness has left the taste of ashes in my mo"th. hae efene myfamilyCs honor, /"t !annot help feelin* that hae also /etraye the tenets of my &rer. o"...yo" s"**este that ta#e

this !o"rse of a!tion, my lay. nee yo"r reass"ran!e that there was nothin* else that !o"l /e one...please.78 Saer# was not *oin* to /e /ro"*ht to 5"sti!e, nomen, an yo" #now that he was responsi/le for yo"r sisterCs eath. Sheha to /e aen*e-

ANOMEN: es...yes, yo" spea# the tr"th, an am *la to hear it. >hat monster wo"l neer hae pai as hesho"l hae for IoiraCs eath- @@@@MURDER

28 o" ha to "phol yo"r familyCs honor, nomen...nothin* is more important than that.ANOMEN: es, s"ppose yo" are !orre!t. #now not how m"!h honor my father has, /"t hae a "ty to myfamily that !annot i*nore. ...ha to o it for Ioira, if nothin* else. @@@@MURDER

;8 Saer# was an eil man, an his family were a!!ompli!es. o" #now they ha to /e p"nishe.ANOMEN: es, Saer# ha to /e estroye. am..."n!omforta/le with the tho"*ht of hain* #ille his a"*hter, /"tit was his a!tions that for!e me to those extremes. @@@@MURDER

>8 !annot s"pport what yo" i, nomen. o" too# yo"r en*ean!e too far, thin#.

ANOMEN: >oo far( i only what ha to...an what yo" s"**este- f ...if #ille the *irl, it was only /e!a"seSaer# for!e my han. t was his fa"lt- ...ha a "ty to prote!t my family...to aen*e my sisterCs eath. Saer#...hato "nerstan what he ha one. ...i my /est, 3HNIET...an now yo" a/anon me... no lon*er #nowwhat sho"l o. ...shall hae to thin# on this. et "s...wal# on, for now. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

8 Now is not the time to is!"ss s"!h matters, nomen. o" m"st !ome to terms with this on yo"r own.

ANOMEN: shall try, my lay. ha hope to re!eie yo"r *oo !o"n!il a*ain as i to resole my !onfli!t,

/efore. erhaps...perhaps another time. /AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ7

@@@@MURDER

ANOMEN: e*arless of what my father i "rin* his lon* fe" with Saer#, it was Saer# who m"rere an inno!ent.n that for!e myself to /e!ome inole. B"t...still, my lay...it oes not sit well with me that *ae into my *reat hate

so easily. Nor that en5oye it so m"!h. than# yo" for spea#in* with me of it, tho"*h.

if Saer# is alieANOMEN: Iy an*er has /"ilt to the point when am sha#in* with p"re ra*e- ... m"st spea# to yo". m"st *ain somereass"ran!e- N&IEN76; Iy father...that r"e, r"n#en /astar- He has !ast me o"t of the family when was only oin*what m"st- !annot ta#e en*ean!e when there is no proof, an he #nows it- n yet...my heart !ries o"t for en*ean!e-

>hat my sister sho"l lie m"rere an the m"rerer la"*hs, "nto"!he...- am so f"ll of hate !an /arely !ontrol it-lease, my lay...yo" are the one t"rne to for *"ian!e when was torn. Fi o the ri*ht thin*( Sho"l the i!tates of

honor tr"ly oer!ome "ty an 5"sti!e(-78 &f !o"rse, nomen...how wo"l yo" feel if yo" #ille Saer# an fo"n him to /e inno!ent after the fa!t(

ANOMEN: ye...aye, that wo"l /e a stain to my honor s"rely !o"l not /ear. B"t still feel so helpless.S"rely...s"rely Saer# will pay, eent"ally for what he has one. @@@@#ONOR



nomen

28 t is not yo"r pla!e to see# 5"sti!e...that is the "ty of the law. o" i all yo" !o"l.ANOMEN: ye, /"t it feels so wron* that the law will fin noDone *"ilty of my sisterCs m"rer. feel helpless,wat!hin* as my family has /een /eaten own an an)"ishe most !r"elly. @@@@#ONOR

;8 o" m"st learn to !ontrol this an*er, nomen. o" #new this was the ri*ht path...an it is the way of the &rer, as well.

ANOMEN: #now what yo" say is tr"e, my lay. B"t my sister lies !ol an "naen*e, an the m"rerer la"*hs

free. S"rely the *os will...ma#e him pay. si*h; #now !annot. @@@@#ONOR

>8 !annot answer yo". >his is for yo" to fi*"re o"t.ANOMEN: B"t yo" were the one who aise me- How !an rest when #now that there was no other !o"rse thanfor me to aen*e my sister- >he m"rerer is free, an my heart !ries o"t for his /loo- n my father t"rns meaway, as well. Iy family tr"ly is estroye, now, an what wo"l the &rer say of that( Fo nothin*. n now yo"a/anon me, as well. ... will hae to thin# on this. t was...the path of honor, an sho"l /e !ontent. B"t.../"t...

si*h; No. will not spea# to yo" of this. et "s moe on, now. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

8 >his is not the time for "s to is!"ss this, nomen. o" will hae to !ome to terms with this, yo"rself.ANOMEN: shall try, my lay. ha hope to re!eie yo"r *oo !o"n!il a*ain as i to resole my !onfli!t, /efore. erhaps...perhaps another time. /AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ7

@@@@#ONOR

ANOMEN: feel a little /etter, now, my lay. Iy than#s for yo"r !onsolement. Nothin*, howeer, will ta#e away this /"rnin* pain in my heart. si*h; et "s 5"st moe on.

>M17

ANOMEN: Iy lay( Ii*ht /en yo"r ear for a moment( N&IEN7J;78 3ertainly, nomen, what wo"l yo" li#e( /or

28 f yo" m"st.

ANOMEN: hae /een thin#in* m"!h on my >est, as of late. t will i!tate my entire f"t"re, as the &rer will

e!ie whether or not will /e allowe into their ran#s. t is eerythin* hae strie for...after years spent proin*myself. ...onCt #now what wo"l o if faile the >est... n, yet, s"enly am )"ite s"re that will fail it. t ismy heart that will /etray me. feel faithless an worthless in my so"l...an they will #now of it. ?hat o yo" thin#,my lay( m really so terri/le( hae trie so har, an yet it all seems to !ome to na"*ht. Fo yo"...o yo" thin# will fail the >est, as well(

1. No, onCt thin# yo" will fail, nomen. o" worry too m"!h.ANOMEN: o"...yo" tr"ly thin# so, my lay( t is a pleas"re to hear yo" say s"!h, /"t somehow o"/t itwill /e so simple. Een if yo" are 5"st reass"rin* me, o than# yo" for it. @@@@#MMM

28 o" may...an yo" sho"l /e prepare for s"!h an eent"ality.ANOMEN: ye, m"st always /e prepare. <or fail"re. >hat is what !omes to me most nat"rally, s"ppose.f pass the >est, perhaps it will /e /e!a"se the &rer is /lin. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

@@@@#MMM

;8 o" m"st /e !onfiant that yo" follow the ri*ht path, nomen. f yo" follow yo"r !ons!ien!e, how !an theyref"se yo"(

ANOMEN: Be!a"se o not #now my own !ons!ien!e, my lay. wo"l not t"rn to others for *"ian!e if i.../"t o than# yo" h"m/ly for yo"r !o"n!il. o" are most #in. @@@@#MMM

>8 hae nothin* to say, nomen. !annot help yo".

ANOMEN: s"ppose that is expe!te...o" !annot !o"nsel my heart, !an yo"( simply wish that #new

what my own !ons!ien!e i!tate. worthy #ni*ht wo"l #now, yes( @@@@#MMM8 onCt see how yo" thin# yo" !o"l pass.

ANOMEN: No( >here is nothin* that yo" see that is worthy in me( Harsh wors, /"t li#ely tr"e. lwaysm"st /e prepare for fail"re, as that is all eer seem to a!hiee. o" hae mae it plain for me, my lay.s plain as yo"r thinlyDis*"ise !ontempt for my heart. will pass or fail the >est, s"ppose.../"t it will /e

no than#s to yo". /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 >his really isnCt the time, nomen.ANOMEN: si*h; ?hen is it the time, then( Iy heart rens in two with worry an yo" hae not een a min"te for me. s yo" wish, my lay. /AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ7

@@@@#MMM

ANOMEN: aahh...the >est will !ome for me soon eno"*h, s"ppose. n o"/t there is m"!h more !an o /etweennow an then to re!tify my failin*s. ?hat will !ome will !ome.

>M1K

4



nomen

ANOMEN: hae !ome to "nerstan a few thin*s of yo"r past, an hae a )"estion, if mi*ht /e permitte to pose it...N&IEN77;78 Go ahea an as#. /or

28 ?hat exa!tly hae yo" hear(

ANOMEN: hae /een tol a few thin*s of yo"r traels in the north an in Bal"rCs Gate in parti!"lar. o"r

aent"res are...impressie, my lay. >he e)"al of any *reat heroine. Iost in parti!"lar, howeer, hae /een tol

of yo"r efeat of the man Sareo# an the r"in of his plans for stirrin* war an strife in the area. >his man,Sareo#... am tol he was yo"r /rother. s this tr"e(78 Not exa!tly, no. inCt !onsier him any relatie of mine. @@@@SARE,O

28 ?ell...he was my halfD/rother, more or less. ?e...ha the same father. @@@@SARE,O

;8 He was my /rother in that am a !hil of the *o, Bhaal, an so was he...if thatCs what yo" mean.

@@@@SARE,O

>8 am not a/o"t to is!"ss Sareo# with yo". #ille him an estroye his plans an thatCs the en of it.ANOMEN: &f !o"rse, 3HNIET. will not /other yo" with it, then./AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ7

;8 Cm not intereste in is!"ssin* my past with yo".

ANOMEN: h, see. meant no offense, my lay. s"ppose we all hae thin*s in o"r past that we o not wish all

to #now of. lease for*ie my intr"sion. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

>8 Now is not the time, nomen.

ANOMEN: &f !o"rse, 3HNIET. will not /other yo" with it, then. /AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ7

@@@@SARE,O

KKKKK'hese d&a$ogs w&$$ -on'&n)e de*end&ng on +o)r a$&gnmen'1 wha'e%er +o) -hoose from here has no -onse()en-es

>M21

epenin* on rep"tation ialo* will start with one of these:

ANOMEN: Iy lay, hae /een ponerin* yo"r sit"ation for some time...this matter of yo"r pe!"liar herita*e...an finmyself fille with amiration an woner for yo", tr"ly. N&IEN79;

ANOMEN: Iy lay, hae /een ponerin* yo"r sit"ation for some time...this matter of yo"r pe!"liar herita*e...an finmyself fille with )"estions that am almost loathe to as#. N&IEN7K;

ha'e%er &s 'he -ase1 &' w&$$ end w&'h fo)r -ho&-es8

Conse()en-es -ome &f +o) 'e$$ h&m 'o s'o* a-'&ng me$odrama'&- or 'ha' +o)9re no' -omfor'a.$e d&s-)ss&ng &' &f +o)

do 'ha' roman-e w&$$ .e s-rewed1 .)' he s'a+s &n *ar'+8

>M2

ANOMEN: ... am tr"ly sorry, my lay. as#e a )"estion of yo", an my response to yo"r answer was nothin* short of reprehensi/le. lease...please for*ie me. N&IEN90;78 Very well, nomen. s"ppose !an "nerstan yo"r sit"ation. /or

28 &f !o"rse...it is no tro"/le.ANOMEN: o" m"st thin# me ery o to spea# a/o"t my feelin*s an "r*es in s"!h plain ways, /"t in the &rer it is paramo"nt to !ontrol these thin*s. >hey hae /een part of my trainin*. n the more that time passes, the more

feel that am not worthy to 5oin the &rer. Iy ra*e *ets so o"t of !ontrol, often, that it shames me. ?hat will the&rer thin#( si*h; wish ha yo"r stren*th of resole, my lay. Sometimes thin# it wo"l /e so m"!h easier to 5"st *ie "p on my ream an spare myself the worry. @@@@RESOL,E

;8 <or*et it, nomen. Ce re!eie eno"*h a/"se from yo"...an more than eno"*h apolo*ies.

ANOMEN: ye, perhaps that is so. hae a/"se o"r frienship /aly, an yo" m"st thin# me a ery stran*e sort tospea# so plainly a/o"t my "r*es an feelin*s. C>is the trainin* of the &rer, my lay. m"st wat!h my eery ee,

my eery tho"*ht, in the /attle to #eep myself p"re. n it is a /attle fear am losin*. ha simply tho"*ht thatyo" were a #inre sort, 3HNIET. see a similar str"**le in yo"...an tho"*ht that, as a frien, yo" mi*ht"nerstan me a little.78 erhaps was hasty, then. o wish to /e yo"r frien, nomen.

ANOMEN: am *la to hear that, my lay. see within yo" one who *oes thro"*h a similar str"**le as o...altho"*h yo" o not !omplain a/o"t it half as m"!h as . si*h; wish ha yo"r stren*th of resole, my

lay. Sometimes thin# it wo"l /e so m"!h easier to 5"st *ie "p on my ream an spare myself the worry.@@@@RESOL,E

6



nomen

28 'inre or not, Ce no nee to hear yo"r !onstant whinin*.ANOMEN: >hen yo" shall not, isappointe as am. ha tho"*ht yo" a frien an a #inre spirit. see was wron*. et "s moe on, then, an shall remain silent. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 <ine, fine. etCs 5"st !ontin"e on...weCe no time for this !hitD!hat.

ANOMEN: Dyes...than# yo" for yo"r "nerstanin*, s"ppose. simply wish we ha more time to spea#.

Iore important matters press, howeer...let "s !ontin"e yo"r 5o"rney. /AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ7

>8 <ine, fine.../"t letCs *et moin*. ?e haenCt time for !hitD!hat ri*ht now.ANOMEN: Dyes...than# yo" for yo"r "nerstanin*, s"ppose. simply wish we ha more time to spea#. Ioreimportant matters press, howeer...let "s !ontin"e yo"r 5o"rney. /AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ7

@@@@RESOL,E

if Saer# is ea78 8oinin* the &rer is important to yo", nomen...yo" sho"l remain i*ilant an steel yo"rself.

ANOMEN: o" tell me this now, my lay( t was yo"r s"**estion that see# en*ean!e on Saer# an his family.How i*ilant o seem, with his familyCs /loo on my hans( appre!iate yo"r assistan!e, /"t it is most !onf"sin*. shall...try to remain i*ilant, as yo" s"**est, /"t thin# will nee to wor# it o"t for myself. lease leae me /e.

>his is somethin* that re)"ires my own tho"*hts. shall /other yo" no f"rther. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n

*ar'+

28 o" sho"l not worry a/o"t these thin*s so m"!h, nomen. Nothin* is worth that m"!h a*oniin*.ANOMEN: Imm. o"r iew of the &rerCs tenets are o/io"s. o" aise me to o my "ty /y my family...an 5"sti!e was /ro"*ht to Saer# an his family, as it sho"l hae /een. erhaps the &rer is not all hae alwaystho"*ht it to /e. erhaps yo" are ri*ht to aise me to worry less...no o"/t wo"l /e happier. shall thin# on this.

C>is a new tho"*ht that eseres exploration. >han# yo", 3HNIET...yo"r #in wors *laen me more than !an say. o"r ai!e means m"!h...yo" are a...a ar# flame, my lay, that am rawn to almost a*ainst my will.B"t Ctis a most pleas"rea/le experien!e. o" hae /een #in espite my own /oorishness. erhaps one ay...we willspea# of other thin*s. ... thin# wo"l li#e that.

;8 Iay/e yo" sho"l 5"st *ie "p, then.

ANOMEN: >his is the ai!e re!eie from yo", my lay( >o simply *ie "p( No matter my worth to the &rer or

the &rerCs esereness of my oath( t seems that yo" #now little of me, after all. ha tho"*ht yo" a #inrespirit. erhaps...perhaps was wron*. si*h; et "s 5"st...!ontin"e an shall hanle my pro/lems myself. /roman-e

s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

>8 hae nothin* to say a/o"t it, nomen. >his is somethin* yo"Cll hae to resole yo"rself.ANOMEN: ye, whi!h is no less than expe!te. lways m"st str"**le on my own. o" are wise, my lay...asalways. ha simply hope for...for more. et "s 5"st...moe on, then, an !ontin"e yo"r )"est. t will not /e lon*

now, anyway, /efore my >est !omes an my )"estions will /e answere for myself./AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ7

if Saer# is alie

78 8oinin* the &rer is important to yo", nomen...yo" sho"l remain i*ilant an steel yo"rself.

ANOMEN: ye. o"r ai!e has always /een !onstant, pointin* me /a!# towars the *oo. Saer# is alie, whi!h is

sa /"t is the lawf"l !o"rse. n...an the &rer is my ream. shall try to remain i*ilant, my lay. hae !omethis far alreay, it will not /e m"!h lon*er, now. >han# yo", 3HNIET...yo"r #in wors *laen me morethan !an say. o"r ai!e means m"!h...yo" are a...a ar# flame, my lay, that am rawn to almost a*ainst mywill. B"t Ctis a most pleas"rea/le experien!e. o" hae /een #in espite my own /oorishness. erhaps one ay...we

will spea# of other thin*s. ... thin# wo"l li#e that.28 o" sho"l not worry a/o"t these thin*s so m"!h, nomen. Nothin* is worth that m"!h a*oniin*.

ANOMEN: am not to worry oer 5oinin* the &rer( <ine ai!e, now that sit an re*ret not payin* my "ty tomy family. Saer# sits alie...on yo"r ai!e, mi*ht a. appre!iate yo"r assistan!e, 3HNIET, /"t it ismost !onf"sin*. erhaps the &rer is not worth s"!h a*ony...it is somethin* m"st eote some tho"*ht to on myown. lease leae me /e. >his is somethin* that re)"ires my own tho"*hts. shall /other yo" no f"rther. /roman-e


;8 Iay/e yo" sho"l 5"st *ie "p, then.

ANOMEN: >his is the ai!e re!eie from yo", my lay( >o simply *ie "p( No matter my worth to the &rer or the &rerCs esereness of my oath( t seems that yo" #now little of me, after all. ha tho"*ht yo" a #inrespirit. erhaps...perhaps was wron*. si*h; et "s 5"st...!ontin"e an shall hanle my pro/lems myself. /roman-e


>8 hae nothin* to say a/o"t it, nomen. >his is somethin* yo"Cll hae to resole yo"rself.

ANOMEN: ye, whi!h is no less than expe!te. lways m"st str"**le on my own. o" are wise, my lay...asalways. ha simply hope for...for more. et "s 5"st...moe on, then, an !ontin"e yo"r )"est. t will not /e lon*now, anyway, /efore my >est !omes an my )"estions will /e answere for myself./AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ7

J



nomen

>M26

ANOMEN: Iy >est is !omin* ery soon, my lay. will nee to *o to the hea)"arters of the &rer an spea# to yan>rawl. ... am not loo#in* forwar to the 5"*ement shall re!eie there.

78 ?hy not( re they not fair(ANOMEN: >hey are fair, my lay. am not "nsettle /y the !han!e they will ma#e the wron* e!ision... am"nsettle /y the !han!e that they will ma#e the ri*ht one. @@@@CONCERN

28 thin# "nerstan. @@@@CONCERN

;8 Cm tire of hearin* a/o"t yo"r >est, nomen. >al# to someone who !ares.ANOMEN: ha tho"*ht that to /e yo", my lay. &/io"sly was mista#en. Iy apolo*ies for offenin* yo"./roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

>8 >his is not a *oo time to spea#, nomen.

ANOMEN: &f !o"rse, my lay. shall #eep my own !o"nsel, then, so we !an !ontin"e yo"r 5o"rney.

/AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ71 Anomenn&gh'2= se-s &ngame '&mer

@@@@CONCERN

ANOMEN: ...hae /een thin#in* on what we hae spo#en of. hae st"ie to 5oin the &rer as lon* as !an remem/er,

an s"enly am "ns"re if sho"l een want to. ?hat if am a!!epte into the &rer an fin hae no tr"e pla!e init( n what if am ref"se...an is!oer the f"t"re has no pla!e for me( here !omes more text that epens if Saer# is

ea or not;.78 Cm s"re eerythin* will wor# o"t as it sho"l, nomen.

ANOMEN: hope that yo" are ri*ht, my lay. hae epene on yo"r !o"nsel "p "ntil this point, an it hasalways /een *oo. Still, am tro"/le within. et "s *o to the &rerCs hea)"arters in the >emple Fistri!t as soon as possi/le, 3HNIET. #now it is time, an wo"l /e *la to hae it all oer with. /Anomenn&gh'==

se-s &ngame '&mer

28 erhaps yo"Cre ri*ht. wo"lnCt want to /e in yo"r shoes.ANOMEN: o" 5est with me, my lay. thin# yo" wo"l o far /etter in my position. o" are a stron* woman. ,on the other han, am too s"ps!epti/le to my own esires. et "s *o to the &rerCs hea)"arters in the >empleFistri!t as soon as possi/le, 3HNIET. #now it is time, an wo"l /e *la to hae it all oer with.

;8 etCs 5"st moe on, nomen.

ANOMEN: si*h; &f !o"rse, 3HNIET. B"t we m"st ma#e a eto"r as soon as possi/le to the &rerCshea)"arters in th#atla. #now it is time for the >est. /AnomenIgnoreAnomenIgnoreJ71 Anomenn&gh'2=

se-s &ngame '&mer

fter Anomenn&gh' timer expires, Sir yan >rawl will appear yo" y"st nee to /e anywhere o"toors at th#atla;.

SIR R?AN: S)"ire nomen, a wor if yo" please. '02;ANOMEN: How may /e of assistan!e( N&IENBK;

SIR R?AN: am Sir yan >rawl, a alain of the &rer of the Iost aiant Heart. n >ormCs name *reet thee.

ANOMEN: *reet thee also. >he time has !ome(SIR R?AN: nee it has. n the name of the relate, the !o"n!il re)"ests yo"r ret"rn to the Hi*h Hall.ANOMEN: shall ret"rn an stan in HelmCs li*ht to /e 5"*e for my ees an stren*th of arms.

SIR R?AN: So shall it /e. n >ormCs name /less thee, nomen.ANOMEN: n also thee.

SIR R?AN: shall see yo" at the Hi*h Hall, nomen. Goo l"!#-

ANOMEN: Iy than#s, Sir >rawl. loo# forwar to o"r next meetin*./AnomenTr&a$7>>== &ngame '&mer

nomen will !omplain >?3E if yo" onCt !ome with him to aiant Heart, an after se!on !omplaint heCll *o there onhis own. F& N&> E> > HEN- wonCt p"t the !omplaint ialo*s here % yo" are s"ppose to *o an spea# to Sir yan >rawl in >emple Fistri!t.

ANOMEN: Sir yan >rawl- hae arrie an am prepare to /e 8"*e. N&IEN;SIR R?AN: Ex!ellent, S)"ire nomen. >he relate waits within. Iay >orm /e with yo" on this ay.ANOMEN: n also with yo".

SIR R?AN: Step insie the hall. shall spea# with yo" when yo" are finishe. o"r party may a!!ompany yo" if yo" wish.

ANOMEN: o wish it. 3HNIET, follow me an o/sere the 8"*ement.

new !"ts!ene is starte.

7



nomen

PRELATE ESSALEN: nomen Felryn, son of 3or an Ioirala, o yo" stan /efore me ple*e to the seri!e of 5"sti!e( Fo yo" stan /efore me ple*e to the seri!e of ri*hteo"sness( E01;

ANOMEN: relate of the &rer, so stan. ple*e my life to the seri!e of 5"sti!e an ri*hteo"sness.

PRELATE ESSALEN: nomen Felryn, o yo" stan /efore me see#in* a #ni*hthoo of the &rer(

ANOMEN: o so stan.

PRELATE ESSALEN: Fo yo" stan /efore me prepare to a!!ept the 8"*ement of >orm( re yo"r a!tions an thoseyo" trael with lai /are( Shall 5"*e yo" as hae /een 5"*e(ANOMEN: Iy past an my a!tions lay /are /efore yo". as# that yo" 5"*e me as yo" hae /een 5"*e.

PRELATE ESSALEN: Iay the spirit of >orm enter this !ham/er- Iay my 8"*ement /e "n!lo"e. ?el!ome to this pla!e, nomen. s there a"*ht that yo" wo"l say /efore we /e*in(

ANOMEN: >han# yo", relate. wo"l say that all of my life hae reame of this ay, an /e!omin* a #ni*ht is the!"lmination of those reams. 8"*e me as yo" hae /een 5"*e.

if nomen haenCt #ille Saer#

PRELATE ESSALEN: So shall it /e. >he 8"*ement is !lear. nomen Felryn, yo" hae proen yo"rself worthy. "/thee Sir nomen. 'ni*ht of the &rer, arise an *ie yo"r oath.

ANOMEN: Uner witness of all *athere, swear to "phol the honor of the &rer for as lon* as shall lie. ple*e myyin* /reath to the seri!e of *oo. n HelmCs name, than# thee, relate. swear that shall neer falter Cneath the /anner

of Helm.PRELATE ESSALEN: Go then, Sir nomen, an sere the !a"se. o" shall sere /eneath the alain yan >rawl, ari*hteo"s man. Iay >orm /less thee.

ANOMEN: n also thee. 3HNIET, m"st spea# with Sir yan >rawl now.

/AnomenIsn&gh'71 Par'+3P7====1 Anomen3P====1 Anomen .e-omes Lawf)$ Good1 Anomen ge's S&r '&'$e

if nomen #ille Saer# PRELATE ESSALEN: >he 5"*ement is !lear. o" o!!asionally !hoose the ri*hteo"s path, /"t hae not satisfie o"r re)"irements. o" are !ast from this &rer.

ANOMEN: o" !annot o this- am not an eil man- str"**le aily in the )"est for *ooness.

PRELATE ESSALEN: o" hae slain a man in reen*e. By #illin* Saer# yo" hae !ommite an "nfor*iea/le sin.3onsier yo"rself l"!#y to /e a/le to leae with yo"r life.ANOMEN: o" /astar- hae slae away for yo" all of these years an this is the than#s that *et( spit at yo"r feet,

yo" fool-PRELATE ESSALEN: s sai, yo" may leae now, nomen.

SIR R?AN: Fo as the relate s"**ests, nomen. o" hae worn o"t yo"r wel!ome an m"st no lon*er taint this pla!e

with yo"r presen!e.ANOMEN: s shall- o" are the one who is "nworthy. 3ome, 3HNIET. t is time to exit this iper pit. Ce notaste for these petty politi!s any lon*er- Fo*s one an all-/AnomenIsNo'n&gh'71 Par'+3P===1 Anomen .e-omes Chao'&- Ne)'ra$

oman!e !ontin"es ifferently re*arin* if nomen /e!ame a #ni*ht or not.

9



nomen if not #ni*ht;

I! ANOMEN IS NOT NIG#T

>M27

ANOMEN: hae /een thin#in* a/o"t Sir yan >rawl an the &rer, an hae e!ie am well ri of them- !annot /eliee waste so m"!h of my life on s"!h i*norant fools- N&IEN92; ll the wor# an trainin*, !o"ntless times

proin* myself oer an a*ain, only to is!oer that a life of enial an *oo ees was not for me- feel !heate, my lay.B"t, then a*ain, also feel as if my /"ren has anishe. Iy !hains hae /een lifte, an !an finally experien!e the thin*s

in life that hae always enie myself- Fo yo" "nerstan me, 3HNIET( Goo foo, wine an women-ent"rin* witho"t the nee to proe myself- am free- Ha ha- /AnomenRoman-eA-'&%e2

78 So"ns li#e yo" hae so"r *rapes.ANOMEN: Hm, perhaps yo" are ri*ht, my lay. C>is iffi!"lt to lose een the worst of #inships after s"!h a lon*asso!iation. B"t o feel /etter than in a lon* while. @@@@C#ANGE

28 >hatCs *oo to see...yo" !o"l "se a little freeom, thin#.

ANOMEN: ye, !o"l at that- >oo lon* has this poor #ni*ht frowne an *rowle...Ce eno"*h of it, to tell thetr"th. lon* to la"*h an o as li#e...an, /y Helm, shall- @@@@C#ANGE

;8 re yo" s"re yo" wonCt miss the &rer at all(ANOMEN: Iiss that !are of neCer oCs an shanCts( Iiss the peanti! le!t"res an #ni*hts loo#in* own their noses at me( Iiss the !onstant /a*erin* of *ooness an law( ?ell...perhaps a little. hae /een part of the &rer

too lon* to shr"* it off. B"t #now what is /etter for my heart. feel li*hter than hae sin!e...sin!e eer, s"ppose.@@@@C#ANGE

>8 Goo for yo". Now letCs *et *oin*.ANOMEN: So )"i!# to moe onwars, my lay( #now there is m"!h that is "r*ent, /"t hae yo" no esire to stopan loo# a/o"t yo"( >he /l"e s#ies an fra*rant flowers await "s- Ha- B"t wonCt #eep a /ea"tif"l woman waitin*for me to )"it my !hilish *ain* a/o"t. Ce no nee to lin*er an loo# at pretty thin*s so lon* as am traellin*with yo", my lay. ?hy o yo" loo# at me so( C>is tr"e an fairly sai. o"Ce the *ra!e of a paintin* an a

!onfien!e to win any man. et "s *o, then, an !omplete yo"r )"est postDhaste.

@@@@C#ANGE

ANOMEN: oo# at me, then, an tell me tr"ly, my lay: am not /etter this way( Unfettere an reay to experien!e life( reay smile an a la"*h on my heart(

78 No, li#e yo" /etter /efore.

ANOMEN: h, then yo"Cll /e waitin* a lon* time for him. >he stiff /ran!h stans here no lon*er. !annot ima*inethe appeal of my worrisome ol self, /"t then #now the min of a lay not. Ce !ome to this point partly from yo"r own ai!e, 3HNIET. o" o not li#e it( <air eno"*h... o, an Ctis more than eno"*h for me. /roman-e


28 es, this is m"!h /etter.

ANOMEN: ?ell sai an m"!h appre!iate /y this formerly o"r #ni*ht, my lay- C>is a *ran thin* to /e

!omplimente /y a /ea"tif"l lay, epe!ially one with yo"r *ra!e. >hereCs m"!h C li#e to see an o.../"t for now, itwill s"ffi!e to #eep the !ompany of s"!h a *ran woman as yo"rself. 3ome, let "s !omplete yo"r )"est postDhaste.

;8 onCt hae an opinion either way.ANOMEN: No opinion, eh( Shall an!e a 5i* for yo", my lay( erhaps some flowers pi!#e from the fiel to please yo" an ma#e yo" la"*h( hae /e!ome what am partly at yo"r "r*in*, 3HNIET. am a free!reat"re, now, an one that will win yo" away from yo"r Cno opinionC with a smile. >hereCs m"!h C li#e to see an

o.../"t for now, it will s"ffi!e to #eep the !ompany of s"!h a *ran woman as yo"rself. 3ome, let "s !omplete yo"r

)"est postDhaste.

>M2K

ANOMEN: Iy lay... hae /een wat!hin* yo" most intently these past few ho"rs an hae !ome to a !on!l"sion a/o"tyo". ?o"l yo" li#e to hear my tho"*hts( N&IEN9;

No ialo*s with !onse)"en!es

K




>M1>ri**ers with rest /"tton no matter the area.

ANOMEN: ?hile the others retire to their sa!#s, mi*ht pers"ae yo" to !ome with me somewhere away from their ears(Iy wors are for yo"rs alone. N&IEN94;

78 Very well, will *o with yo".

ANOMEN: 3ome asie, then, an let "s tal# in earnest. ... spo#e to yo" earlier of my feelin*s for yo",3HNIET. f yo" tho"*ht that was /ein* fa!etio"s, then apolo*ie. @@@@TAL

28 s yo" wish.../"t no f"nny /"siness.

ANOMEN: 3ome with me, then, for !onsier nothin* hae to say or offer to /e f"nny. f yo" !onsier meflippant, then apolo*ie...my yearnin* for yo" is /oth tr"e an honest. @@@@TAL

;8 am tire, nomen... wish only to sleep.ANOMEN: >here is time eno"*h for all of "s to sleep, my lay. B"t the time for an em/ra!e !omes selom eno"*hto those who fa!e eath on a momentCs noti!e. lease re!onsier, 3HNIET. !annot stan alone a momentlon*er, loo#in* "pon yo" witho"t to"!hin*...!ome asie with me an let me spea# plainly of these thin*s.

@@@@ACCEPT

4. <or*et it. Go somewhere /y yo"rself if yo" want to /e alone.

ANOMEN: o not wish to /e alone, my lay... wish to /e with yo"- <or ones s"!h as we, the time for solit"ean loe !omes so selom...o not t"rn me asie, 3HNIET, /e* of yo". @@@@ACCEPT

@@@@ACCEPT

78 Very well, will *o with yo".

ANOMEN: 3ome asie, then, an let "s tal# in earnest. ... spo#e to yo" earlier of my feelin*s for yo",

3HNIET. f yo" tho"*ht that was /ein* fa!etio"s, then apolo*ie. @@@@TAL

28 <ine.../"t no f"nny /"siness.ANOMEN: 3ome with me, then, for !onsier nothin* hae to say or offer to /e f"nny. f yo" !onsier meflippant, then apolo*ie...my yearnin* for yo" is /oth tr"e an honest. @@@@TAL

;8 <or*et it... sai wasnCt intereste an meant it.

ANOMEN: >hat saens me, for my feelin*s were tr"ly meant. f yo" !annot !on!eie of passion with me,

howeer, Cll not for!e it "pon yo", nor /other yo" f"rther. shall fin another, 3HNIET. &ne ay, perhaps...an hope she will /e as /ea"tif"l an all"rin* as yo". /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+1 BUT NO

REST

@@@@TAL

ANOMEN: Nothin* wo"l ma#e me happier than to please yo"...an to lay with yo" toni*ht. hae reamt a/o"t thismoment, my lay, an /eliee the moment is ri*ht. Here...in this pla!e. et me remoe my t"ni! an yo" may *ae "ponmy /oy, hone thro"*h years of exertion...an yo" may e!ie for yo"rself if am worthy of yo".78 o" are, nomen... /or

28 Say no more, nomen. o" neenCt exert yo"rself so 5"st to warm my /e...

ANOMEN: Gla am to hear it, my loe. Neer has a moment /een more anti!ipate. et me hol yo" ti*ht

thro"*h the ni*ht, then, as show yo" how *entle a man may /e... /AnomenRoman-eA-'&%e21 *ar'+ res's

;8 !ame here to tal#, not to spen the ni*ht.ANOMEN: >his is tal#, my lay...this is me tellin* yo" of my esire an my loe. want to listen to yo"r heart/eatan want yo" to feel mine. want to experien!e passion, 3HNIET, an want to experien!e it with yo".

lease o not eny me this... o not thin# !o"l stan it.78 >hatCs too /a. Cm *oin* /a!# to rest.

ANOMEN: >hat saens me, for my feelin*s were tr"ly meant. f yo" !annot !on!eie of passion with me,howeer, Cll not for!e it "pon yo", nor /other yo" f"rther. shall fin another, 3HNIET. &ne ay, perhaps...an hope she will /e as /ea"tif"l an all"rin* as yo". /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 Very well, then, nomen...yo"Ce won me oer.

ANOMEN: Gla am to hear it, my loe. Neer has a moment /een more anti!ipate. et me hol yo" ti*htthro"*h the ni*ht, then, as show yo" how *entle a man may /e... /AnomenRoman-eA-'&%e21 *ar'+ res's

>8 <or*et it, nomen. Cm not fallin* for a few lines.ANOMEN: >hese are not ClinesC, my lay. >hese are feelin*s honestly expresse. B"t if yo" !annot !on!eie of it,then Cll not /other yo" f"rther. shall fin another, 3HNIET. &ne ay, perhaps...an hope she will /e as /ea"tif"l an all"rin* as yo". /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

40




>M

ANOMEN: Hmmm. hae /een thin#in*. am still a little /itter at /ein* re5e!te /y the &rer.../"t, in many ways, haeneer felt so happy. s that not o( N&IEN96;


>M6

>ri**ers with rest /"tton no matter the area.

ANOMEN: ?e are to rest, now, are we( >hat is *oo. 3ome, my lay... wish to spea# with yo" for a moment away fromthe ears of others. N&IEN9J; ...hae somethin* m"st say to yo", 3HNIET. o not wish yo" to thin# meflippant or la!#in* in sin!erity... mean this most honestly, what will say. loe yo". profo"n e!laration, #now, /"tneer hae felt its li#e. o" hae /een patient an yet stron*. o" hae set the re!ent !o"rse of my life, an am the /etter

for it. Iy...my life is f"ll of !haos, now, an wish for there to /e one thin* that is permanent. So offer my heart to yo",alon* with my seri!e an my !ompanionship. wish to remain with yo" "ntil fate tears "s apart, an een then will /raeeath itself to /e to*ether with yo". ?ill yo" hae me, 3HNIET( ?ill yo" a!!ept my heart(78 will a!!ept it *laly, nomen.

ANOMEN: Iost wonro"s o!!asion- will sho"t my loe to the heaens themseles- shall /e yo"r faithf"lserant an yo"r loer...let nothin* else !ome /etween "s. /Ter$ w&$$ s*awn af'er 2 &ngame da+s1 *ar'+ res's

28 f that is what it will ta#e to #eep yo" at my sie, a!!ept.ANOMEN: ... hope that means that hae some meas"re of affe!tion from yo", as well. f that is so, then a*reeto yo"r a!!eptan!e. shall /e yo"r faithf"l serant for as lon* as fate allows. /Ter$ w&$$ s*awn af'er 2 &ngame da+s1

*ar'+ res's

;8 Feath may ta#e either of "s at any moment, nomen. !annot a!!ept yo"r ple*e.

ANOMEN: es. es, yo" tell the tr"th of it. t matters not, my loe... shall remain at yo"r sie "ntil this )"est of

yo"rs is !omplete. n...perhaps then yo"r min will hae !han*e its !o"rse. /Ter$ w&$$ s*awn af'er 2 &ngame

da+s1 *ar'+ res's

>8 No, nomen... o not loe yo".ANOMEN: hhhh...the tr"th /"rns my so"l, to hear s"!h wors from yo"r lips- B"t.../etter to hae it sai, now,than to s"ffer at len*th. >"rne away from the &rer an my loe, /oth...Ctis my fate, it seems. shall say it only one

more time, then... loe yo", 3HNIET. loe yo" faithf"lly an tr"ly, an that shall neer en. n...an shall /other yo" no more. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+1 *ar'+ res's

8 FonCt /e rii!"lo"s. o" are o"t of yo"r min, fool, if yo" thin# wo"l eer a!!ept s"!h a ple*e.ANOMEN: am o"t of my min, yes. &"t of my min with loe an aoration. n, yet, to /e s!orne so /yyo"...it /"rns my so"l to hear s"!h. ... tho"*ht that there was more /etween "s. &r perhaps yo" mean to rie meaway, am "ns"re. f so...yo" are s"!!essf"l in yo"r plan. ... !annot stay, for loe yo" still an !annot remain inyo"r si*ht #nowin* that yo" s!orn me so. <arewell, then, my loe...yo" will see me not a*ain. /roman-e s-rewed1

he $ea%es 'he *ar'+1 *ar'+ res's

>erl will spawn if yo"Cre o"toors an not in areas Fr"i Groe1K00;, Unerar# Exit 2600; an <orest of >ethir 2J00;.

/Roman-ePar'!o)r7

ANOMEN: ?ait, now...who approa!hes, here( N&IENK2;

TERL: nomen Felryn, son of or 3or... hae fo"n yo", at last. hae /een loo#in* for yo" for )"ite some time.

ANOMEN: ?ell, yo" hae fo"n me now, messen*er. &"t with yo"r news.TERL: hae a letter for yo"...it is from yo"r father, or 3or.ANOMEN: >he r"n#en /astar sens yo" to tra!# me own simply to elier a letter( t m"st /e ar# news, then. Han itoer, /oy.

TERL: ye...yo"r father /ae me to tra!# yo" own whereer yo" mi*ht /e. ?ith *oo *ol, as well. Here is theletter...an shall leae yo", then, my !ommission one.

ANOMEN: es, yes, as yo" wish. Now, as for this letter... ...no...no, HelmCs mer!y, no-?OU: ?hat is it, nomen( ?hatCs wron*(ANOMEN: Iy...my father writes, here: ...the a"thorities hae fo"n IoiraCs m"rerers...a pair of is*r"ntle wor#erswho were on!e "ner my employ... ...not finin* anythin* of worth, they emane al"a/les from yo"r sister an #illeher when she !o"l pro"!e nothin*. >he men hae /een !a"*ht an !onfesse all... ... hear that yo" hae faile the &rer,so this sho"l !ome as no /"ren to yo". o"r assistan!e with Saer# has restore my /"siness, re*arless, so s"ppose

sho"l than# yo"... .../"t, my fort"nes restore, !annot affor to hae a s!analo"s son han*in* a/o"t. m"rerer an a

41




fail"re...so hae e!lare that yo" are no lon*er my son... ...it is not that am "n*ratef"l, /"t it 5"st will not o to haemyself asso!iate with s"!h a patheti! persona*e. Ba for /"siness, yo" see. e*ars...or 3or Felryn...ANOMEN: ... lost eerythin* wor#e towars to perform my "ty for my family...at his insisten!e...an he isownsme- He isowns me--

78 >hatCs terri/le- feel so awf"l for yo"-

ANOMEN: o"...feel awf"l... @@@@BREA7

28 <or*et him, nomen. HeCs not worth yo"r an*er.ANOMEN: Not...not worth my an*er... @@@@BREA7

;8 o" m"st *o an ta#e en*ean!e on him immeiately-

ANOMEN: ...en*ean!e... @@@@BREA7

@@@@BREA7

ANOMEN: N&-- am not a/o"t to listen to yo"- hhh, fo"lsome wen!h- ... hae m"rere an inno!ent man an hisa"*hter-- lost the &rer-- n &< > > &U UGNG-- o" are the one that has p"she me own this path-... !annot /eliee hae one all of this-- <or yo"-- <or my father--

78 o" /lame me(- ?hy are yo" oin* this(-

ANOMEN: ... am oin* what m"st, 3HNIET. loe yo"...an hae lost eerythin*. o"...yo" i what

yo" tho"*ht ri*ht... for*ie yo", my loe. B"t.../"t my father... @@@@BREA2

28 nomen, i not mean for this to happen-

ANOMEN: ye, /"t it is happenin* anyway. s it m"st, for hae lost eerythin*. o"...yo" for*ie, for yo"meant well. B"t my father.. @@@@BREA2

;8 Fo not /lame me for what yo" hae one, nomen- i not p"sh yo" into this-

ANOMEN: ye...aye, yo" are ri*ht in that. o" meant well, an are not responsi/le for my heart. !annot /lame

yo", my loe. B"t...my father... @@@@BREA2

>8 Fo not t"rn yo"r an*er on me, nomen, or yo"Cll re*ret it-ANOMEN: ye...yo" o not esere my an*er. ?hat yo" i...yo" meant well /y me, at least. !annot /lame yo",my loe. B"t...my father... @@@@BREA2

@@@@BREA2

ANOMEN: ...my father an hae a re!#onin* that will not /e stoppe. Him o not for*ie, nor will eer. am sorry,3HNIET, /"t m"st *o to th#atla, now... ... m"st *o an atone for what hae one. n my father will atonewith me. <are...fare yo" well...

/Anomen $ea%es 'he *ar'+

o" hae fo"r ays of in*ame time to *et nomen in his home or all is lost- f yo" onCt mana*e /y that time % nomen

will #ill his father an himself too.

So when yo" *et there, nomen 5"st starts to spea# to his father:

ANOMEN: >his is the en, <ather. o"r tho"*htless !r"elty estroye Iother...it estroye Ioira...an it estroye me. shall atone for my eil a!ts, an so shall yo"- N&IENK;

COR: am no priest, my former son...yo"Cll not /e seein* me /ow /efore any altars- Best /e on yo"r way /efore *etan*ry- 3&0K;ANOMEN: o"Cll atone, father, whether yo" li#e it or not. shall #ill yo"...we shall ie to*ether an en this maness as itsho"l /e ene-

COR: o"...yo" wo"l #ill me(- Bah- o"Cre too wea# to *o thro"*h with s"!h an a!t-ANOMEN: t is no a!t. repare yo"rself, father, for ...what(- 3HNIET( ?hat are yo" oin* here(-

78 !ame to stop yo", nomen. o" !annot #ill yo"r father. @@@@REASONS

28 !ame to see what yo" intene to o.ANOMEN: o" hae seen, then. n yo" #now. Fo yo" inten to stop me(78 es, o. o" m"st not o this. @@@@REASONS

28 No, o as yo" will.

ANOMEN: Very well, then. ... ha no wish for yo" to see this, /"t it matters not. am atonin* for what

hae one...an father...as sai /efore...prepare yo"rself- /Anomen 4&$$s Cor

;8 !t"ally, inten to help yo".ANOMEN: inten to o this myself. o not want yo" to irty yo"r hans, my loe.../"t will not stopwhateer yo" inten. s sai /efore, then, father...prepare yo"rself- /Anomen 4&$$s Cor

;8 !ame to help yo".

ANOMEN: inten to o this myself. o not want yo" to irty yo"r hans, my loe.../"t will not stop whateer yo" inten. s sai /efore, then, father...prepare yo"rself- /Anomen 4&$$s Cor

@@@@REASONS

42




ANOMEN: ?hy not, my loe(- >ell me why he sho"l not ie-78 He is not responsi/le for what happene to yo", nomen. n yo" #now it.

ANOMEN: ye...aye, yo" spea# the ri*ht of it. <ather is not responsi/le solely for what hae one...it has always /een ... @@@@E,IL

28 >his will ta#e yo" f"rther own the path towar eil, nomen...o not o it.

ANOMEN: ye. ye, yo" spea# the ri*ht of it. o not wish to *o own this path, no matter what my father has

one to me. B"t... may hae no !hoi!e, my loe. @@@@E,IL;8 tCs time for all this hate to en, nomen...an yo" hae to /e the one to stop it-

ANOMEN: ... !annot, my loe. Iy heart oerflows with ra*e, an it always has. !annot lie with this...an thereis only one way to )"en!h it, one way to atone. am sorry... /Anomen 4&$$s Cor

>8 Be!a"se loe yo" an onCt want yo" to o this to yo"rself-

ANOMEN: ye... loe yo", too. B"t it is alreay one. >here is a hate in my heart, an only one way to )"en!h it,to atone for what hae one. ... am sorry, my loe... /Anomen 4&$$s Cor

@@@@E,IL

ANOMEN: >here is an eil in my heart, hae always #nown this an spo#e of it to yo". Hate an an*er, twiste an /la!#...an ... !annot !ontrol it. B"t...nor !an lie with it... ?hat !an o, 3HNIET( How am s"ppose to *o

on with what hae one, with this in my heart( How will #now it will not oer!ome me one ay(-78 Be!a"se loe yo" an will /e there with yo". @@@@?ES

28 Be!a"se yo" will /e stron*er, then.../e!a"se we will /e to*ether.ANOMEN: >o*ether. >o*ether, yes.../"t o yo" loe me, 3HNIET( m only yo"r !ompanion, or will hae yo"r stren*th to raw on(

78 o loe yo", nomen. @@@@?ES

28 No... o not loe yo" in that way.ANOMEN: >hen what is one is one. hae always loe yo", 3HNIET, /"t it ens here. ... amsorry... /Anomen 4&$$s Cor

;8 !annot spea# for yo", nomen. t is yo"r str"**le.

ANOMEN: >hen what is one is one. hae always loe yo", 3HNIET, /"t it ens here. ... am sorry...

/Anomen 4&$$s Cor

@@@@?ES

ANOMEN: >hen...then that is eno"*h for me. will lie on the hope that yo"r loe...will one ay )"en!h my hate. than#

yo", 3HNIET, for...for stoppin* me.COR: Bah- always #new yo" were too m"!h of a pansy to *o thro"*h with itwas ri*ht to isown yo" as i...wea# an patheti!, yo" are, sin!e a /oy, een-

ANOMEN: !o"l hae /een more, father, ha yo" !are. ... always loe yo". n still o.COR: o"...(ANOMEN: ye. n still o. ?e are so m"!h ali#e, yo" an . Iore than yo" will eer #now. ?e...!o"l hae /een som"!h more. Go, then. Go an ten to yo"r petty s!hemes, Cll hae no more of it. erhaps one ay, if yo" fin some shre of enli*htenment...perhaps, then, weCll spea# a*ain.

COR: ...aye...perhaps... leaes;

ANOMEN: am sorry, my loe, for all of this ist"r/an!e. o" hae a )"est to atten to...an inten to /e there to assistyo". Now...an foreer more... /Anomen o&ns 'he *ar'+

f yo" faile to stop nomen an he #ille 3or, he spea#s:

ANOMEN: t is one. Iy father is ea. N&IENK4; 3HNIET. ... o loe yo", as hae sai so many times.

t is tr"e. B"t...it is not eno"*h. Not eno"*h to ass"a*e my ar# so"l. !annot stay here, after what hae one. n !annot stay with yo". ...m"st *o elsewhere. am sorry...tr"ly sorry. <are yo" well, my loe. /roman-e s-rewed1 he $ea%es

'he *ar'+ and g&%es a$$ e()&*men'

>MJ % the en of roman!e

4



nomen if #ni*ht;

I! ANOMEN IS NIG#T

>M27

SIR ANOMEN: *lorio"s ay it is, my lay- hae a!hiee my ream, an owe m"!h of that to yo"r assistan!e an

!o"nsel. ... am most *ratef"l to yo" for it. N&IEN97;

?hateer yo" !hoose: AnomenRoman-eA-'&%e2

>M2K

SIR ANOMEN: o" see this flower hae pi!#e, here( C>is a rare fin...a !rimson rhoelia, if am not mista#en.N&IEN99;78 ?hat of it( @@@@!LOER

28 tCs a pretty eno"*h flower. @@@@!LOER

;8 Fo yo" always *o aro"n pi!#in* flowers, nomen(

SIR ANOMEN: Not normally, no. n yo" may stare at me oly, if yo" wish, o not min. hae *rown

a!!"stome as of late to oin* many o thin*s. S"!h as finin* this rhoelia. @@@@!LOER

@@@@!LOER

SIR ANOMEN: C>is a most stately flower, my lay. ts !olor has the most fiery temperament, yet its aroma is sweet. t isthe flower of loers, yet it is also the flower of en*ean!e an warriors. t remine me of yo", my lay. Bea"tif"l to loo#

"pon, yet with a powerf"l nat"re. fin myself rawn to its s!ent, *iin* myself oer almost to istra!tion.78 o" are )"ite the flatterer, nomen.

SIR ANOMEN: Nonsense, my lay. <lattery wo"l imply that was exa**eratin*. fin, instea, that this flower is /"t a pale imitation of the attra!tion yo" hol for me. @@@@!LATTER

28 isli#e /ein* !ompare to a simple flower.

SIR ANOMEN: n ri*htly yo" sho"l /e. t is /"t a pale !omparison to yo"r tr"e /ea"ty, an possesses not a

tenth of yo"r merits.../"t it is the !losest to yo" that hae fo"n. @@@@!LATTER

;8 Fo not /e an iiot, nomen. am no flower, an yo"r poetry fills the area with an aroma far more powerf"l than any

plant.SIR ANOMEN: ... was not tryin* to /e an iiot, as yo" say, my lay. was see#in* to spea# pretty wors to yo",as pretty wors #now well. B"t if am...if am /ein* foolish, then shall esist. lease for*ie me for oersteppin* my /o"ns, my lay. ... meant no harm. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

@@@@!LATTER

SIR ANOMEN: o" may fin what say forwar. n if yo" fin it "nwel!ome, shall esist. B"t hae is!oere myfeelin*s for yo" to hae *rown /eyon that of mere frienship or allian!e. hae sai many times how *ratef"l am, /"t hae neer tol yo" that was attra!te to yo" from the start...yo"r heart an yo"r /ri*ht so"l, not to mention yo"r /ea"ty.Fo...o my wors offen yo", my lay( Hae oersteppe myself(

78 No, ta#e no offense. rather li#e it.SIR ANOMEN: am please. #now little in the way of pretty women s"!h as yo"rself. Iy experien!e /ein* th"s,Cll express myself as /est am a/le, an /e thrille /y yo"r response. 3ome, then, *oo lay. et "s !ontin"e onyo"r )"est...we !an tal# more at a later time an shall /e free to !omplement yo" at yo"r leis"re.

28 ta#e no offense, nomen, /"t rarely tolerate s"!h foolishness.

SIR ANOMEN: was hopin* not to appear foolish, my lay. #now little as to the faor of a pretty woman. Iy

experien!e /ein* th"s, try to express myself as /est as am a/le. Fo not tease me, tho"*h... mean well an amhonest when spea# of yo", my lay. B"t shall p"sh no more...let "s !ontin"e o"r traels...we !an spea# more later of it.

;8 o" hae, an Cll hae no more of it.

SIR ANOMEN: ... see. t was not my intent to offen yo", my lay. shall /other yo" no more with my sorry!o"rtin*, then. lease...please for*ie me. /roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+

44



nomen if #ni*ht;

>M1>ri**ers with rest /"tton no matter the area.

SIR ANOMEN: Ii*ht /e a/le to raw yo" away from the others for a while as they prepare to sleep( hae somethin*to spea# to yo" of, an Ctis for yo"r ears only. N&IEN9K;

78 Very well, shall *o with yo".@@@@CAPTAIN

28 Cll *o with yo", nomen...so lon* as thereCs no f"nny /"siness.SIR ANOMEN: fin nothin* f"nny in what wish to spea# to yo" of, my lay. 'now that all say !omes from myheart an is not meant to /e friolo"s nor flippant. @@@@CAPTAIN

;8 <or*et it, nomen... 5"st want to sleep.

SIR ANOMEN: >here is time eno"*h for sleep, is there not( ?e hae little eno"*h time in o"r an*ero"s lies to

steal a moment for o"rseles...!an not pers"ae yo" to !onsier what say(78 Very well, nomen. will *o with yo". @@@@CAPTAIN

28 <ine. B"t nothin* f"nny.SIR ANOMEN: fin nothin* f"nny in what wish to spea# to yo" of, my lay. 'now that all say !omesfrom my heart an is not meant to /e friolo"s nor flippant. @@@@CAPTAIN

;8 No, nomen... sai no an meant it.

SIR ANOMEN: s yo" wish, my lay. erhaps the time is not ri*ht or...perhaps yo" o not feel the same as. wish no answer, 5"st yet. am !ontent to remain at yo"r sie, a follower an !ompanion. /*ar'+ res's

@@@@CAPTAIN

SIR ANOMEN: Now that we are alone, wish to tell yo" my aoration of yo" is sin!ere. hae met no one li#e yo" /efore, my lay, an s"spe!t that will meet no one li#e yo" a*ain. o" hae /e!ome the !aptain of my so"l, an hae

#ept me on the path of ri*hteo"sness an *oo...an aie me in a!hiein* a ream ha nearly tho"*ht to /e impossi/le.... wish to /e!ome !loser to yo", 3HNIET. wish to feel yo" in my arms, to !aress yo"r s#in an lay with yo" inthe ni*ht. m /ein* too forwar with yo", my lay( ?o"l yo" fin a poor #ni*ht s"!h as an a!!epta/le loer( ...wo"lnot /e offene if yo" i not, yearn only to /e with yo".

78 o" are not /ein* too forwar, nomen... wish to /e with yo", as well.

SIR ANOMEN: am *la to hear it, my loe. 3ome to me, then... shall remoe my tooDworn armor an we !an lay

to*ether for the ee...an shall show yo" the loe that hol for yo"... /AnomenRoman-eA-'&%e21 *ar'+ res's

28 hae no o/5e!tions, so lon* as yo" stay with me.SIR ANOMEN: wo"l yearn to hear wors of re!ipro!ation.../"t shall a!!ept yo"r a*reement, for now. hope,

in time, yo" will feel the same passion for me that o for yo". <or now, howeer, shall /e !ontent to show yo" passion...let me remoe my worn armor an we may lay to*ether, an will /e !ontent for a time, with yo"... /*ar'+

res's

;8 !ame here to tal#, nomen, nothin* more.SIR ANOMEN: >his is tal#, my lay...this is me tellin* yo" of my esire an my loe. want to listen to yo"r heart/eat an want yo" to feel mine. want to show yo" the epth of the passion feel for yo", my lay. f yo"...if yo" tr"ly o not wish it, howeer, will "nerstan.

78 Very well, nomen...show me yo"r passion, if yo" wish.

SIR ANOMEN: wo"l yearn to hear wors of re!ipro!ation.../"t shall a!!ept yo"r a*reement, for now.

hope, in time, yo" will feel the same passion for me that o for yo". <or now, howeer, shall /e !ontent toshow yo" passion...let me remoe my worn armor an we may lay to*ether, an will /e !ontent for a time,with yo"... /*ar'+ res's

28 o not wish it. wo"l prefer to *o /a!# to the !amp, now.

SIR ANOMEN: s yo" wish, my lay. erhaps the time is not ri*ht or...perhaps yo" o not feel the same as. wish no answer, 5"st yet. am !ontent to remain at yo"r sie, a follower an !ompanion. /*ar'+ res's

;8 FonCt /e a fool, nomen. sai no, an meant it...an resent hain* to tell yo" twi!e-SIR ANOMEN: ... meant no offense. only wishe to express myself, an seem to hae one a poor 5o/of it. shall /other yo" no f"rther, then, with my !l"msy an inexperien!e efforts. /roman-e s-rewed1 he

s'a+s &n *ar'+1 *ar'+ res's

>8 <or*et it, nomen...Ce no interest in this.

SIR ANOMEN: s yo" wish, my lay. erhaps the time is not ri*ht or...perhaps yo" o not feel the same as .

wish no answer, 5"st yet. am !ontent to remain at yo"r sie, a follower an !ompanion. /*ar'+ res's

46



nomen if #ni*ht;

>M

SIR ANOMEN: hae /een thin#in* of many thin*s, now, as we trael. m"st amit that hae neer felt happier anmore !ontent...an yet a wee# a*o wo"l not hae tho"*ht this een possi/le. N&IENK0;


>M6>ri**ers with rest /"tton no matter the area.?hateer yo" !hoose: Ter$ w&$$ s*awn af'er a' $eas' ; &ngame da+s

SIR ANOMEN: ?e are *oin* to rest here, are we( >hen let "s away to a se!l"e !orner for a moment. am ea*er to

express somethin* to yo" that hae /een m"llin* oer all ay. N&IENK1; ?hen first met yo", my lay...there aremany thin*s that went thro"*h my hea. >he possi/ility that yo" were not what yo" seeme, for instan!e. B"t what wasmost stri#in* was the immeia!y with whi!h yo" affli!te my heart. i*nore it, enie it..."ntil re!ently. n now it!ons"mes my eery wa#in* moment. am !ompletely in loe with yo", 3HNIET. follow yo" into /attle, tr"st

yo"r wisom witho"t reseration an wo"l, witho"t hesitation, *ie my life to prote!t yo". >here is so m"!h !haos inyo"r...in o"r...life, fin myself yearnin* for somethin* that is permanent. ...wo"l not as# yo" to promise anythin* yo"

!o"l not *ie, my lay. >here is eath waitin* aro"n eery !orner for "s, #now. ll as#, then, is that yo" a!!ept me asyo"r serant...that, in the ays to !ome, we shall str"**le to remain to*ether... >hat we shall not a/anon ea!h other. f !ontin"e to remain with yo", my loe... !o"l not /ear o"r partin*. f...yo" !annot see that for "s...please...tell me now...78 loe yo", too, nomen...an o not want "s to part, either.

SIR ANOMEN: >hat yo" say this...pleases me more than !an express. S"enly hae the esire to sho"t my loeto the heaens, themseles. B"t shall refrain...for now, at least. et "s ret"rn to the others, then, an spen the ni*ht

to*ether...an when we awa#e we shall !ontin"e on yo"r )"est. /*ar'+ res's

28 o not #now what the f"t"re will /rin*, nomen.../"t o not want yo" to leae me.SIR ANOMEN: ha hope that yo"r affe!tion wo"l rial mine, /"t it wo"l /e too m"!h. am *la toremain...an will /ear "p "ner the possi/ility that yo" may *row to loe me, yet. will proe myself worthy toyo", my loe. et "s...let "s ret"rn to the others so that we may !ontin"e on yo"r )"est tomorrow. /*ar'+ res's

;8 >he f"t"re is too "n!ertain, an hae too m"!h else that m"st o. !annot a!!ept yo"r ple*e.SIR ANOMEN: ye, yo" spea# the tr"th of it. >his #ni*ht shall remain at yo"r sie, re*arless, /e!a"se he loesyo" yet... shall prote!t yo" re*arless of yo"r esire. n shall /ear the hope that, one ay, yo" shall !han*e yo"r min. et "s ret"rn to the others, then, an rest as we sho"l. >omorrow, we !an !ontin"e the 5o"rney anew. /*ar'+

res's

>8 am sorry, nomen, /"t o not loe yo".

SIR ANOMEN: hhhh, to hear the wors from yo"r lips /"rns my heart- B"t yo" are a mer!if"l lay, Ctis tr"e.

Better to tell me now an /e )"i!# with it. shall tell yo" only on!e more then, an shall /e silent afterwars...loe yo". n now shall /other yo" no more. et "s...let "s ret"rn to the others so that we mi*ht *et o"r rest./roman-e s-rewed1 he s'a+s &n *ar'+1 *ar'+ res's

8 FonCt /e rii!"lo"s, nomen- o" m"st /e o"t of yo"r min to tal# li#e this-

SIR ANOMEN: ... am o"t of my min. am o"t of my min with loe an with passion. o" o!!"py it

!ompletely, an to hear yo" s!orn me so h"rts...h"rts me more than !an /ear. >hat yo" hae le me this far saens

me... tr"ste yo", my lay. tr"ste yo" an *ae yo" my heart, an yo" hae a/"se it. ?as ...was so"nworthy( B"t yo" hae spo#en yo"r will an shall not isre*ar it. B"t...nor !an stay. shall say this only on!emore, then, an then shall /e on my way.... loe yo". n now shall /other yo" no more. ... am sorry, my loe,that...that this i not wor# o"t /etween "s. <are yo" well... /roman-e s-rewed1 he $ea%es 'he *ar'+1 *ar'+ res's

>erl will spawn if yo"Cre o"toors an not in areas Fr"i Groe1K00;, Unerar# Exit 2600; an <orest of >ethir 2J00;.

/Roman-ePar'!o)r7

SIR ANOMEN: ?ait...one approa!hes, an his appearan!e seems familiar to me... N&IENK6;TERL: Sir nomen, the former son of or 3or... hae fo"n yo", at last. hae /een loo#in* for yo" for )"ite sometime.

SIR ANOMEN: h, yes...yo" are the messen*er who /ro"*ht me tiin*s of my sister. C>is not more *rim news yo" /ear, isit(

TERL: ye, /eliee so. hae a letter for yo", here, from the Ia*istrate Bylanna an"lin.SIR ANOMEN: letter( o" !ame all this way to elier me a letter(

4J



nomen if #ni*ht;

TERL: i. >he ma*istrate /ae me to fin yo", whereer yo" were, so that her news mi*ht rea!h yo" /efore r"mor i. prithee, sir, ta#e the letter an is!har*e me of my "ty.SIR ANOMEN: Very well...*ie me yo"r missie then, an /e *one with my than#s. Now, as for this letter... ...no...no,HelmCs mer!y, no-

?OU: ?hat is it, nomen, whatCs wron*(

SIR ANOMEN: >he...the Ia*istrate...she writes: ...it is my re*ret to inform yo" that yo"r father, or 3or, was #ille in

an attempt to ta#e en*ean!e of the mer!hant, Saer#, on his own... ...yo"r father was rea!tin* to re!ent eien!e "n!oere proin* that Saer# <arrah was, inee, responsi/le for the hirin* of the men that #ille yo"r sister, Ioira... ...as a mem/er of the &rer of the Iost aiant Heart, tr"st that yo" will not ta#e en*ean!e into yo"r own hans. >he law will eal withSaer# <arrah... ... *riee for the loss of yo"r family, an will o eerythin* in my power to see that 5"sti!e is one. hopethis letter fins yo" /efore r"mor oes. Sin!erely, Bylanna an"lin.

SIR ANOMEN: >hat...that mer!hant was responsi/le for IoiraCs eath, after all...an father...he too# it "pon himself tota#e en*ean!e. n...he is ea...all /e!a"se of Saer#...78 >hatCs terri/le, nomen. feel sorry for yo".

SIR ANOMEN: ...yo"...yo" feel sorry... @@@@BREA7

28 o" sho"l for*et a/o"t Saer#, nomen. et the law eal with him.

SIR ANOMEN: ...for*et...a/o"t Saer#... @@@@BREA7

;8 o" m"st *o an ta#e en*ean!e on Saer#, nomen- 8"sti!e m"st /e one-SIR ANOMEN: ...5"sti!e.../e one... @@@@BREA7

@@@@BREA7

SIR ANOMEN: ...nay- spea# of Saer#Cs inolement in this isaster, an yet for*et a/o"t yo"rs- t was yo" who p"sheme not to aen*e my sister when ha the !han!e- a/anone my family when they neee me, an now they are

estroye- Festroye !ompletely- t the hans of an eil man who wishe nothin* other than to r"in my father- >&Fyo" that Saer# was responsi/le, 3HNIET- n...an yo" ha me t"rn it oer to the law- >he law- Saer# has som"!h *ol that the law will neer to"!h him- aaah, !annot /eliee hae one this- <or the &rer, for yo"- t"rne my /a!# on my family, on my "ty...an loo# what has happene-

78 o"Cre /lamin* me( ?hy are yo" oin* this(-

SIR ANOMEN: ... am oin* what m"st. &f all the ows spo#e, none of them !an !ompare to the twistin* in

my heart, now. Iy father...ea...oin* what sho"l hae one... @@@@BREA2

28 neer meant for this to happen, nomen-SIR ANOMEN: ye, /"t it is happenin* anyway. spo#e ows to the &rer, /"t they mean nothin*, now, to the

twistin* of my heart. Iy r"n#en father...ea for oin* what was my "ty... @@@@BREA2;8 Fo not try to /lame me, nomen. o" are responsi/le for yo"r own a!tions-

SIR ANOMEN: ye. ye, yo" spea# the ri*ht of it. C>was my own e!ision an it was wron*. Now m"st see# to

ma#e it ri*ht. Iy father is ea /e!a"se faile my "ty. @@@@BREA2

>8 Fo not attempt to /lame me or yo"Cll re*ret it-SIR ANOMEN: re*ret m"!h, an now m"st a!t on it no matter my ows. Iy father is ea /e!a"se i not omy "ty...ea /e!a"se of an eil manCs esire for wealth. @@@@BREA2

@@@@BREA2

SIR ANOMEN: o"...yo" !an for*ie, at least, my loe. ?hat yo" i...yo" meant well /y me. B"t Saer#...Saer# !annot for*ie. >he law will not proie 5"sti!e on one as ri!h as he. ?e hae a !onfrontation that is ineita/le, he an . shir#e my "ty on!e, an will not o it a*ain. ... m"st leae yo", 3HNIET, an o what sho"l hae lon* a*o.>he &rer an eerythin* else /e amne, Saer# will ie when fin him. <are...fare yo" well, then, my loe. ... am sorry

to o this to yo"...

o" hae fo"r in*ame ays to *o pi!# "p nomen in Saer#Cs Estate at Bri*e istri!t. f yo" fail, nomen will #ill Saer#,an yo" fin o"t that Saer# is N&> )"ilty after all.

So, *et yo"r /"tt there, an fin nomen "pstairs:

SIR ANOMEN: Saer#- t is , nomen Felryn, son of or 3or an /rother of Ioira- o" will pay for yo"r !rimes

a*ainst my family- N&IENKJ;SAER: Hah- o" shall ie li#e a mewlin* ass, then, 5"st as yo"r father i- SE'02;SIR ANOMEN: am no misera/le r"n#, fool. Nor am an inno!ent *irl. By all that is holy yo" shall pay for what yo"hae one with yo"r life-

SAER: see that yo" are no palain of the &rer after all. 8"st as s"spe!te- /r"tish lo"t who !annot hanle the

!ompetition, 5"st as yo"r father was-SIR ANOMEN: Spea# not of my father- n will not sit ily /y an wat!h as yo" /ri/e an !a5ole yo"r wayinto...into...what( 3HNIET(- ?hat are yo" oin* here(-78 !ame to stop yo" from oin* this. @@@@REASONS

47



nomen if #ni*ht;

28 !ame to see what yo" intene to o.SIR ANOMEN: o" hae seen, then, an now yo" #now. Fo yo" inten to stop me, then(78 es, o. o" !annot o this. @@@@REASONS

28 No, o as yo" will.

SIR ANOMEN: "t "p yo"r swor, then, Saer#- t *riees me that it has !ome to this, /"t it is my own fa"lt

that this i not o!!"r sooner- <or Ioira...an my father-- /Anomen 4&$$s Saer4

;8 !ame to help yo".SIR ANOMEN: ... ha intene to o this myself. >here is no nee for /oth of "s to perform a ne!essary eil, myloe. B"t ... will not stop whateer yo" inten. "t "p yo"r swor, then, Saer#- t *riees me that it has !ome tothis, /"t it is my own fa"lt that this i not o!!"r sooner- <or Ioira...an my father-- /Anomen 4&$$s Saer4

@@@@REASONS

SIR ANOMEN: ?hy, my loe(- >ell me why this man sho"l not ie for what he has one(-78 Be!a"se this is not a/o"t what he has one, nomen, nor a/o"t whether or not the law will to"!h him, an yo" #now it-

SIR ANOMEN: ye...aye, yo" spea# the ri*ht of it, my loe. t...it is the *"ilt that !r"shes me /eneath its wei*ht.>hat wal#e away from my "ty an my a/omina/le father too# it "p- @@@@STOPH#IM

28 Be!a"se this is eil...this will ta#e yo" own a path that will estroy yo" foreer-

SIR ANOMEN: ye...Ctis an eil thin*. am sorry, /"t my heart !alls o"t for nothin* less. Iy family is estroyean hae lost eerythin*. will not /e aen*e "ntil this emon is ea. /Anomen 4&$$s Saer4

;8 Be!a"se it is time for all this hate to en. o" will en "p li#e yo"r father, otherwise, "nless yo" are the one to stop it-SIR ANOMEN: ... wo"l p"t an en to this hate, my loe. f !o"l. t estroye my father, an now it threatensto estroy me. B"t yet o not #now if !an... @@@@STOPH#IM

>8 Be!a"se loe yo" an onCt want yo" to o this to yo"rself-

SIR ANOMEN: loe yo", too.../"t Ctis alreay one. Iy family is ea an am estroye. am sorry.../"t my /la!# heart emans nothin* less than this emonCs eath- /Anomen 4&$$s Saer4

@@@@STOPH#IM

SIR ANOMEN: >here is an eil in my heart, hae always #nown this an spo#e of it to yo". Hate an an*er, twistean /la!#...an ... !annot !ontrol it. Iy heart tells me to #ill this emon...an my *"ilt will /e ass"a*e. ... !annot lie

li#e this, 3HNIET...at any moment all /eliee in !o"l /etray... ?hat !an o, 3HNIET( How am s"ppose to *o on with this in my heart( How will #now it will not oer!ome me one ay(-78 Be!a"se loe yo", nomen, an will /e there with yo". @@@@?ES

28 Be!a"se we will /e to*ether, nomen, an yo" will /e stron*er.SIR ANOMEN: >o*ether. >o*ether, yes.../"t o yo" loe me, 3HNIET( m only yo"r !ompanion, or will hae yo"r stren*th to raw on(

78 o loe yo", nomen. @@@@?ES

28 Cm sorry, nomen, /"t !annot say what isnCt tr"e.SIR ANOMEN: >hen there is nothin* more that nees to /e sai. will follow the i!tates of my heart,tho"*h it leas me into ar#ness. ... am sorry, my loe. "t "p yo"r swor, then, Saer#- t *riees me that ithas !ome to this, /"t it is my own fa"lt that this i not o!!"r sooner- <or Ioira...an my father-- /Anomen

4&$$s Saer4

;8 !annot answer that, nomen. o not #now.SIR ANOMEN: >hen there is nothin* more that nees to /e sai. will follow the i!tates of my heart, tho"*h itleas me into ar#ness. ... am sorry, my loe. "t "p yo"r swor, then, Saer#- t *riees me that it has !ome to this, /"t it is my own fa"lt that this i not o!!"r sooner- <or Ioira...an my father-- /Anomen 4&$$s Saer4

@@@@?ES

SIR ANOMEN: >hen...then that is eno"*h for me. will lie on the hope that yo"r loe...will one ay )"en!h my hate. than# yo", 3HNIET, for...for stoppin* me.SAER: Bah- #new yo" i not hae the *"ts to o this- o"r father ie far /etter-SIR ANOMEN: n hope yo" erie some meas"re of satisfa!tion from my fatherCs eath, for shall see to it personally that the law has its f"ll meas"re with yo", mer!hant. n the p"rs"it of !oin, yo" not only r"ine my father.../"tyo" #ille an inno!ent *irl. o" hae a a"*hter, o yo" not, Saer#(

SAER: ...err...yes...SIR ANOMEN: hope yo" will /e a/le to loo# yo"r a"*hter in the eye when yo" are in prison...an hope yo" will thin# on what yo" hae one ere yo" *o to the *os for 5"*ement.SAER: ......

SIR ANOMEN: >here is nothin* more that nees to /e sai. Go, now, an !o"nt yo"r pre!io"s !oins "ntil the *arrison

!omes for yo". am sorry, my loe, for all of this ist"r/an!e. o" hae a )"est to atten to...an inten to /e there toassist yo". Now...an foreer more... /Anomen o&ns 'he *ar'+

f yo" s!rewe an nomen #ille Saer#:

49



nomen if #ni*ht;

ANOMEN: t is one. >he m"rerer of my father an my sister is ea. N&IENK7; 3HNIET... o tr"ly loeyo", as hae sai so many times /efore. B"t it is not eno"*h to ass"a*e my ar# heart. ... hae r"ine myself in the&rer. >here is no pla!e for me there, anymore. ... am too m"!h my fatherCs son. m"st *o away, 3HNIET. m"st*o somewhere into se!l"sion an see if !an lie with this hate...try to...to )"en!h it. B"t !annot stay with yo". am sorry,

my loe. B"t there is no other way. <arewell... /roman-e s-rewed1 he $ea%es 'he *ar'+1 g&%es a$$ e()&*men'

>MJ % the en of roman!e

4K



nomen aitional notes;

O'her *oss&.$e -onse()en-e:

f yo" let nomen *o for >rial on his own after he #ille Saer#, an then yo" say to him that yo" hae no room in the partyfor him, the roman!e *ets s!rewe an nomen leaes for *oo.

Anomen -om*$a&n&ng .)g /E3PLOIT:

n the N&IEN8.FG file there is this ialo*:

ANOMEN: Iy sisterCs /oy rots in the "n!arin* earth while yo" waner aimlessly. m"st ret"rn to my home immeiatelyso that my sister !an /e properly mo"rne. N&IEN1;....

t starts if AnomenCom*$a&n=. >his aria/le oes N&> !han*e to al"e of 1 N?HEE % so next time nomen will!omplain with exa!tly the same ialo*.

B"t the next !omplaint I&N&&G sho"l /e:

ANOMEN: 3"rse yo" for /rin*in* me to this point- leae now to neer ret"rn- <alse frien- Iy sisterCs memory has

/een ishonore /y yo"r twiste ways. N&IEN2;...

t starts if AnomenCom*$a&n7. nsie that ialo* there is an a!tion AnomenCom*$a&n2.

fter this nomen sho"l leae the party.

3on!l"sion: nsie first ialo*, after first nomenCs senten!e, there sho"l /e a !omman:Se'G$o.a$/0AnomenCom*$a&n010GLOBAL017

Newer pat!hes may !ontain this fix.

60



8aheira

"A#EIRA

>M1

"A#EIRA: So, where to now, fearless leaer( 8HE7;


>M

"A#EIRA: t has /een some time sin!e hae /een this far so"th. re!all seein* Gorion here some years a*o. He was a /ito"t of pla!e away from his /oo#s /"t... 8HE74; Hmm...seems !annot help /"t spea# of the ea lately. i not wishto !a"se yo" any istress if hae.78 Not at all. Iemories sere "s well.

"A#EIRA: >hey o at that. Fo yo"... re!all his tales( >hey !o"l last for ays, a snippet at a time here an there.He /"ilt a history, so yo" felt li#e yo" were there.

78 es, an when it was oer yo" felt li#e it was yo"rs. es. His story /e!ame yo"rs, an yo" too# it with yo". o"

are not of his /loo, /"t there is m"!h of him in yo". n m"!h of 'haliCs manner in yo", espite yo"r ifferen!es."A#EIRA: >r"e...tr"e eno"*h. o" are wise to see as s"!h. ?ell...eno"*h of this for now. >al# s"!h as this!an *et ma"lin if in"l*e too often. hae a...a *oo feelin* from this tho"*h.

28 >hey were my winow, /e!a"se we !o"l not trael in safety. es, he sheltere yo" !aref"lly from those thatwo"l harm yo". 'hali was the same way, always ta#in* the !a"tio"s path. Slow an steay, lest mista#es /e mae.

Goo thin*s !ome in time."A#EIRA: >r"e...tr"e eno"*h. o" are wise to see as s"!h. ?ell...eno"*h of this for now. >al# s"!h as this!an *et ma"lin if in"l*e too often. hae a...a *oo feelin* from this tho"*h.

28 >he ea are *one. >he names of people /arely remem/er !a"se me no pain.

"A#EIRA: ... see. >hat attit"e will not ma#e yo" pop"lar amon* the liin* that o remem/er. >he ea leaetheir tenrils /ehin, for *oo or /a. >his #now all too well. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 o not remem/er Gorion with saness, espite his en."A#EIRA: >hat is *oo. He wo"l not hae wishe his memory to !a"se pain. li#e to thin# the same is tr"e of

'hali.78 He was a fine man, espite his !a"tio"s nat"re. >hey /oth were. es, tho"*h they too# ris#s when ne!essary.'hali lie well, an wo"l not allow me to o otherwise. Gorion was all for an*er if it wo"l proe fr"itf"l."les that are meant to /e /ro#en, an all that. >o #now when the /o"naries sho"l /e p"she.

"A#EIRA: >r"e...tr"e eno"*h. o" are wise to see as s"!h. ?ell...eno"*h of this for now. >al# s"!h as this!an *et ma"lin if in"l*e too often. hae a...a *oo feelin* from this tho"*h.

28 thin# yo" are ri*ht. t is a shame when the ea ta#e the liin* with them. Gorion sai he !arrie m"!h of thosethat ha ie. He wishe wo"l not sho"ler s"!h a wei*ht, /"t if m"st it sho"l /e in a st"ry pa!# an not loosein my arms. So it wo"l /e /ehin yo", /"t still with yo", an wo"l not o/s!"re yo"r ision.

"A#EIRA: >r"e...tr"e eno"*h. o" are wise to see as s"!h. ?ell...eno"*h of this for now. >al# s"!h as this

!an *et ma"lin if in"l*e too often. hae a...a *oo feelin* from this tho"*h.;8 *ain yo" /rin* him "p( o" sho"l really moe on to other thin*s.

"A#EIRA: ... see. >hat attit"e will not ma#e yo" pop"lar amon* the liin* that o remem/er. >he ealeae their tenrils /ehin, for *oo or /a. >his #now all too well. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>M6

"A#EIRA: Ehh, thin# still hae a stit!h in my le* from lyin* in that !ol !ell we were in. t is *oo to /e "p anmoin*. 8HE76;

78 am sorry !o"l not release yo" earlier."A#EIRA: o" i what yo" !o"l an that is eno"*h. appre!iate it, /"t also worry that yo" s"ffere worse.78 am fine, /"t Ce no esire to allow the same to happen a*ain. >he eent is /ehin "s, /"t o"/t it is tr"ly oer with. ?e will hae to fin reni!"s to really p"t the matter to rest. t least, that is my aim. /or

28 >han#s for the !on!ern, /"t whateer ama*e one is oer with. >he eent is /ehin "s, /"t o"/t it is tr"ly oer

with. ?e will hae to fin reni!"s to really p"t the matter to rest. t least, that is my aim."A#EIRA: h, inCt want to t"rn the topi! so"r with this. Small tal# was my intent. Not ery *oo at it,Cm afrai. Um...etCs 5"st *et moin*.

28 Ce a few pains from that in!ient myself, tho"*h Cm not as !ertain of the !a"se.

61



8aheira

"A#EIRA: am not s"rprise. reni!"s seeme to hae a spe!ial interest in yo". ima*ine he will not /e the last,an !annot /lame him. hae an interest as well. s a Harper mean. wo"lnCt want yo" to thin#... Um...etCs 5"st *et moin*.

;8 n is there some reason sho"l hae to s"ffer /y hearin* yo" whine a/o"t it(

"A#EIRA: ?ell, Cll try not to /e a /other to yo" in the f"t"re. f it is silen!e yo" wish, yo" shall hae it. /roman-e


>M7

Note: >o tri**er this ialo* yo" m"st rest-

"A#EIRA: Immph...nnno...Nnn...no...N&-- ?h..wh...what( 8HE7J; Nnn...no...N&-- wh...wh...what(78 hear yo" thrashin* all ni*ht, 8aheira. Ni*htmares( elax, there is nothin* wron*.

"A#EIRA: No, there is somethin* ery wron*. ... hae /een hain* ni*htmares, an when wa#e, it is still there.'hali... tho"*ht was stron*er than this.

78 He is *one, 8aheira. >he sooner yo" a!!ept it the sooner yo" !an *et on with yo"r life. @@@@IDIOT

28 >here is no wea#ness in honest sorrow, 8aheira."A#EIRA: C&nly in s"!!"m/in* to epression oer what !annot /e !han*e.C >he writin*s of la"no( learne li#ewise as a !hil. ?e hae more in !ommon than tho"*ht. es, well, we sho"l /e *oin*. am

fine now. >han# yo".28 8aheira, yo" s!are the hell o"t of me. tho"*ht we were "ner atta!#.

"A#EIRA: ... am sorry. i not wish to ist"r/ yo" with this. n my...my ream we ?EE "ner atta!#, in a /attle we ha lon* sin!e won, /"t it was ifferent. 'hali was there, an he ie where he sho"l hae lie. !o"lo nothin*.78 n yo" !an still o nothin*. Ioe on, he is not !omin* /a!#. @@@@IDIOT

28 None of "s !an affe!t the past, 8aheira.

"A#EIRA: CB"t we ea!h shape o"r tomorrow in the li*ht of it.C remem/er from the prophe!ies of la"no.

Gorion ta"*ht yo" from the same /oo#. He was wise in this. es, well, we sho"l /e *oin*. am fine now.>han# yo".

;8 o"r reams proin* a /it "*ly( Iine are li#e that sometimes as well."A#EIRA: s"ppose they wo"l yo" hae lost people as well. How o yo" eal with... wat!hin* them in yo"r min oer an oer( i not see 'haliCs eath, /"t feel it.

78 Bah, the ea are *one. o" are pro/a/ly feelin* a /a /it of /eef, or a halfD!oo#e potato. @@@@IDIOT28 o" feel terri/le, /"t yo" still feel. t sho"l not !ons"me yo".

"A#EIRA: Cest it !ons"me yo"r memories an yo" are left with 5"st the saness.C <rom la"no( Gorionta"*ht yo" from the same /oo# learne from. He was wise in this. es, well, we sho"l /e *oin*. am finenow. >han# yo".

@@@@IDIOT

"A#EIRA: o" are harsh an !r"el, /"t it seems to sere yo" well. erhaps that is the answer. ... onCt #now. will not /other yo" a*ain with this. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>MK

"A#EIRA: !opper for yo"r tho"*hts. o" are loo#in* rather pensie toay. Fo"/ts a/o"t yo"r !"rrent path perhaps(8HE77;


>M11

Note: >o tri**er this ialo* yo" m"st rest-

"A#EIRA: Immmph... ImmHH- Nnn...'hal....Nnnno...... 8HE79;78 8aheira, yo" were hain* another ni*htmare. tCs a woner yo" *et any sleep at all. @@@@BLA#BLA#

28 ?ill yo" !"t that o"t- tCs a woner the rest of "s *et any sleep at all-

"A#EIRA: >his is )"ite !r"el of yo". So /e it, will not eneor to spea# to yo" of s"!h thin*s a*ain. t is a waste

of...of...ets 5"st *et o"t of here. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 ?hat was the ision this time( hope it has not worsene. @@@@BLA#BLA#

@@@@BLA#BLA#

62



8aheira

"A#EIRA: ... am not so /a. >his one was not so !r"el as the others. 'hali was in the istan!e, /"t he wo"l not !ome!loser, an !o"l not see the way to him. He wal#e with "s, from a istan!e. He smile that was !ontent. *"ess...*"ess was.

78 ?ell, to see yo" traelin* with a *ro"p pro/a/ly meant a lot to him. t meant yo" !o"l !arry on.

"A#EIRA: t...it was not a *ro"p. 8"st...it was 5"st yo" an ...an thin# yo" are ri*ht. ?ell..."m...shall we /e off.

t is alreay late in the ay. lenty to o.

28 >hen we !an finally /e ri of his spe!tre then( was *ettin* tire of yo" !onstantly epressin* me."A#EIRA: >his is )"ite !r"el of yo". So /e it, will not eneor to spea# to yo" of s"!h thin*s a*ain. t is a wasteof...of...ets 5"st *et o"t of here. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>M1

"A#EIRA: t is *oo to /e /a!# in mn, een "ner these !onitions. Still, wo"l hae wishe "s een f"rther so"th. hae not seen the lan of >ethyr in )"ite some time. 8HE7K;

78 ?e !o"l *o, if yo" wish. t wo"l /e an interestin* trip."A#EIRA: t !ertainly wo"l, tho"*h not how yo"C expe!t. >ethyr is one of the few pla!es where wo"l !a"semore stir than yo". >hey are not fon of Harpers.78 !an "nerstan that. Cm not fon of them myself. resent !ompany ex!epte, of !o"rse.

"A#EIRA: &h really. f yo" ha s"!h a pro/lem with Harpers why i yo" a!!ept me into yo"r party(erhaps yo"r answer oesnCt een matter. #now yo"r feelin*s.

28 ?hy wo"l that /e( tho"*ht Harpers were wellDli#e eerywhere."A#EIRA: ?e li#e to thin# so, /"t it oes not always wor# o"t that way. /eliee it /e*an a !ent"ry a*o,with what seems a !"rse in retrospe!t. royal ho"se of >ethyr eastate /y m"rer an eath, spe!ifi!allyseen prin!esses that met their en on the same ni*ht. &nly those that i the ee #now, /"t Harpers werer"more to hae aie in the eaths. None hae /een wel!ome in >ethyr sin!e. >ra*i! atro!ities, the exile of the Harpers /ein* the least of them. wish it ha a happy en, or a moral a/o"t /alan!e, /"t hae yet to fin

one in it.28 ?eCe not the time for si*htseein*. >ry to /e )"iet, 8aheira.

"A#EIRA: es, well, i not say was intereste in the s!enery. t was my home, on!e "pon a time. f yo" !annot"nerstan will not /other yo" with my m"sin*s a*ain. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 ?hy wo"l yo" want to *o there(

"A#EIRA: t was my home, tho"*h it was a lon* time a*o. traine as a r"i in the forest of >ethir. Before that...well, am tol it was a !haoti! time.

>M16

"A#EIRA: Blast, o"r pro*ress is not as it !o"l /e, am s"re. h, perhaps it is 5"st me. *row tire of these p"rs"its. Iylife was not always s"!h. 8HE90;78 n what i it "se to /e li#e( !annot pi!t"re yo" other than as yo" are.

"A#EIRA: &h, am !ertainly meant to /e this way, /"t on!e lie )"ite pea!ef"lly. Fr"is too# me in ery

yo"n*, an yo" !an only /e !alm when s"rro"ne /y /alan!e. @@@@C#ITC#AT

28 o" pi!#e an o profession if yo" really esire to settle own."A#EIRA: >r"e eno"*h, /"t was not always a Harper. was raise amon* r"is /efore so"*ht to sere with

those who Harp. >here was /alan!e where was. @@@@C#ITC#AT

;8 n sho"l !are for what reason, exa!tly( Sae yo"r m"sin*s for yo"r memoirs.

"A#EIRA: Be ass"re will not pester yo" a*ain. Silen!e will /e yo"r !ompanion. En5oy her. /roman-e s-rewed1

she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>8 Now is not really the time for this, 8aheira. 3o"l we tal# later("A#EIRA: ...if yo" wish. ha 5"st tho"*ht...neer min. ?e shall !ontin"e as we are. /roman-e s-rewed1 she

s'a+s &n *ar'+

@@@@C#ITC#AT

"A#EIRA: t was li#e that for a lon* time, /"t always felt sho"l o more. Balan!e neee to /e...en!o"ra*e. wo"lnCt let it happen a*ain.78 o" wo"l not allow what to happen a*ain( /or

28 ?hat happene to ma#e yo" thin# so( 3ertainly not the "n/eara/le !alm.

"A#EIRA: &h, nothin*. Cm 5"st ram/lin* on. >al#in* to a tr"ste frien helps ease the so"l. hope o as m"!hfor yo" as well. mean...for the *oo of the party.

6



8aheira

>M17

"A#EIRA: ...>his may /e a /a time or not, /"t yo" as#e a )"estion of me an /r"she it asie. wo"l spea# of itnow...if yo" still wish to hear. 8HE91;

78 i not want to press if yo" wante to remain silent.

"A#EIRA: i, /"t ...it is not important eno"*h to #eep asie. wo"l rather s"!h thin*s /e tal#e of openly.

#now m"!h of yo", /"t yo" #now little of me. @@@@#ISTOR?28 am intereste. nother time wo"l /e /etter, /"t if yo" !annot wait, spea#.

"A#EIRA: t is not important, /"t wo"l rather spea# than #eep thin*s asie. ... was thin#in* it /est to... to /eforth!omin*. #now yo" well, /"t yo" #now little of me. @@@@#ISTOR?

;8 am no lon*er intereste. Sae it for another ay an someone elseCs ears.

"A#EIRA: f the moment is tr"ly lost, so /e it. will not spea# of this, or m"!h else for that matter. /roman-e


@@@@#ISTOR?

"A#EIRA: o" as#e what mae me see# the Harpers or similar seri!e. was mae aware of what ha !ome /efore, anwhat still happene o"tsie of the forests. !ame to the r"is after my family ie "rin* a #in*Cs fall. No, am not

royalty, an neither o *riee. o not feel their loss in that way. B"t was an*ry that a life was ta#en from me, eentho"*h still lie. t ha happene far from the *roe, /"t /ro"*ht the !onfli!t there in my manner. e!ie that the

/alan!e neee help /eyon the forest, or it wo"l eent"ally fail there as well. Simple reasonin*, s"ppose. ... onCt#now why inCt wish this #nown. Iay/e tho"*ht s"!h a history was "nimportant /y the stanars of others s"!h as...well... s"!h as yo"rself.

78 t is yo"r experien!e an yo" hae one m"!h with it. see nothin* trite here. /or

28 o" are more of a person when yo" hae a history. erhaps yo" thin# that a wea#ness, /"t o not. /or

;8 Fo not iminish yo"r /e*innin*s, yo" hae ta#en !ontrol m"!h more effe!tiely than hae."A#EIRA: than# yo" for those wors. fin myself rawin* stren*th from yo" in o"r !lose )"arters. t has /een...a *reat help. ... am sorry. ?e sho"l !ontin"e on.

>M1K

"A#EIRA: ?e !ontin"e on o"r path an !annot help /"t woner if we wal# in /alan!e. hae a role to follow...

8HE92;


>M21

"A#EIRA: ... worry sometimes.. 8HE9;

if Vi!onia$s roman!e is not /ro#en an she is in the party,ICC?: o" worry too often. n spea# yo"r min more than the rest of "s wo"l li#e to hear. Ion*rels sho"l /e silentan respe!tf"l to their /etters. V3&N3K;

"A#EIRA: Iy wors were for him, row. o" shall #now am aressin* yo" if spit in yo"r ire!tion. 8HE<K;,ICC?: S"!h fire- Fi step on yo"r tail, perhaps( &r are yo" afrai pre!io"s 3HNIET will *et win of yo"r tr"eemeanor an stop payin* yo" attention(

"A#EIRA: 3HNIETCs an my own relationship is none of yo"r !on!ern, if yo" !o"l een !on!eie of s"!h anotion. shall spea# to him an yo" will /e silent. @@@@CONTINUE

if erie$s roman!e is not /ro#en, if she is in the party an Vi!onia is not in the party

AERIE: o" worry away at thin*s... sometimes so m"!h expe!t them to fall apart. ?hy he sho"l /e intereste in yo"r na**in* onCt #now. EEFK;

"A#EIRA: ?hat has *otten into yo", erie( wo"l not expe!t yo" to leap "pon me so, for a simple statement.8HEG1;AERIE: B"t we all #now what is !omin*, 8aheira. Na**in*, pi!#in*, /ossin*. >hatCs... thatCs what yo"Cre /est at, isnCt it(&h, neer min.

"A#EIRA: erhaps experien!e in the real worl will sere to *ie yo" perspe!tie. Not that wo"l wish to na* yo" awayfrom yo"r spite, ex!"se me. @@@@CONTINUE

@@@@CONTINUE

64



8aheira

"A#EIRA: 3HNIET, o yo" worry of missin* friens( &f those missin* or... lost( &f !o"rse yo" o, onCt #nowwhat prompte me to as#.78 o not min. es, hope to spare them the pain of loss hae felt. /or

28 >hose spent time with as a !hil their a/sen!e is a *reat loss to me. /or

;8 Some were al"a/le to the *ro"p, an hope to re!o"p that loss as soon as possi/le.

"A#EIRA: Cm not s"re why /ro"*ht it "p. 5"st neee to #now that... the liin* an ea are still in min. >hey

*row istant, /"t en*ean!e m"st still !ome. am /e!omin* "se to the aftermath of eath, /"t will not for*et whatm"st /e aen*e. >here m"st /e !los"re. m"st o this een as ...as we...moe on.

78 #now this /etter than any other. &l wron*s will not /e for*otten. /or

28 Eery eath will /e repai tenfol.

"A#EIRA: >hat is *oo to #now. >hose passe /eyon will /e *la that we o not !arry them as a

/"ren, /"t that we o see# 5"sti!e in their names. ... onCt /roo all the time was 5"st thin#in* of the past an what is to !ome. Cm tryin* to /alan!e... ?ell, eno"*h whinin* for toay. etCs moe on.

>8 onCt #now either, /e!a"se it is none of yo"r /"siness. 'eep yo"r topi!s to the matter at han."A#EIRA: ha tho"*ht ol friens remaine an important matter. f ass"me too m"!h, am sorry. o" willhear no more from me on the s"/5e!t. &r any other, for that matter. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>M2

"A#EIRA: o wish these s!ars wo"l heal. Ce a life to !ontin"e an o not nee to /e pi!#in* at ol wo"ns.

8HE94;


>M26

"A#EIRA: >his is a an*ero"s life we seem to lea, it oes seem. woner if yo" always thin# it will /e so( 8HE96;

78 onCt #now. !anCt enision settlin* own.

"A#EIRA: Nor !an , /"t the ineita/le m"st happen. Bones *row weary an /attle /e!omes foolhary. &h, wo"l not wish it any time soon, /"t someay. @@@@CONTINUE

28 hope so. en5oy the /attles an the an*ers."A#EIRA: Eent"ally they will /e!ome a foolhary exer!ise. Bones will *row weary in time. #now it willhappen, an when that time !omes there will /e little !hoi!e. @@@@CONTINUE

;8 o not thin# of the f"t"re m"!h.

"A#EIRA: Not at all( >here m"st /e some plannin* in pla!e eent"ally. ?hat happens when a*e /e*ins to ta#eyo"( Een #now it will happen eent"ally. @@@@CONTINUE

@@@@CONTINUE

"A#EIRA: Hae yo"...*ien any tho"*ht to this(

78 pparently not as m"!h as yo". 3"t o"t the !hatter, will yo"(

"A#EIRA: f that is what yo" wish, shall !"t a lar*e meas"re of it. Ex!"se my interr"ption. /roman-e s-rewed1

she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 !an affe!t my immeiate f"t"re, /"t there are other fa!tors in the lon* term. /or

;8 wo"l ta#e a more a!tie han in this, /"t am not the only one inole."A#EIRA: es, s"ppose yo"r herita*e as a !ompli!atin* fa!tor. o" hae a /irthri*ht, of a sort. woner whatyo" inten to o with it when a*e *rants yo" wisom.

78 will hae all that is my "e. >here is power here, an in time it will /e mine."A#EIRA: >hat is a an*ero"s attit"e. hope a*e will temper it, *ien time. really hope it oes.

28 n time will !ome to terms with it. inten to lie a lon*, normal life."A#EIRA: fine aspiration, if not the #in*Cs !hoi!e. #now ery few #in*s that lie in pea!e. E)"ally fewinspire tr"e loyalty in followers, or their... !ompanions.

66





8aheira

@@@@DIALOG;

ERTO! DAND: &h, for shame. >hat was simply a mista#e, espe!ially for the little lassie. &ops, there *oes my sha#eywrist. w, that has *ot to stin*. /"ahe&ra s)ffers ha$f of her #P@@@@DIALOG;

"A#EIRA: Gll**hh-

ERTO! DAND: Gll**hh inee- Now for the rest of yo"-

<GH>-----

?hen all fie /anits are ea, ialo* !ontin"es:"A#EIRA: o"...yo"... 8HE9J;78 Now, 8aheira, no nee to than# me. /or

28 re yo" alri*ht( trie as /est !o"l to *et yo" free. /or

;8 ?ell, that was )"ite the f"n, wasnCt it(

"A#EIRA: o" F&>- Fo yo" realie how easily he !o"l hae #ille me(- >hat was the most irresponsi/le thin* hae EVE ha the misfort"ne of seein*- est ass"re Cll not for*et that- tCs a woner my hea is still atta!he, or that yo"rs eer was- Stan well /a!# of me Cm o"/ly !aref"l from now on- /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n

*ar'+

@@@@DIALOG

ERTO! DAND: es, letCs ma#e this ery easy inee- 'ra!er, ta#e the shot- /?o) s)ffer ha$f of +o)r #P

"A#EIRA: No- Blast yo" filthy /o*slimes- Not a*ain- 8HEK0;

ERTO! DAND: Fr"is are so m"!h f"n when they !"rse. >o the an!e, me fellows-<GH>-----?hen all fie /anits are ea, ialo* !ontin"es:

"A#EIRA: re...are yo" alri*ht( 8HE99;

78 was more worrie a/o"t yo". Cm a little sore, /"t Cll /e alri*ht. /or

28 8"st a s!rat!h or two here an there. Nothin* a ay or two of rest wonCt !"re. /or

;8 ... thin# so. ather a !lose !all there."A#EIRA: Goo, am so *la... yo" F&>- ?hat were yo" thin#in*- o" !o"l hae /een #ille- n arrow !an pier!e the heart or the eyes when yo" stan li#e a pin!"shion-

78 t was a ris# ha to ta#e. !o"lnCt let him h"rt yo". /or

28 ... s"ppose. inCt thin# a/o"t it at the time. 5"st wante yo" safe. /or

;8 tho"*ht he was /l"ffin*, /"t wo"l rather ris# myself than yo" on s"!h a /et."A#EIRA: FonCt yo" EVE o somethin* that st"pi a*ain, yo" hear me( Not in a tho"san seasons-

lost... lost... OahemO... lost 'hali...to a pointless eath, Cm not *oin*...to lose yo" too.?OU: 8aheira( 8aheira, ...

"A#EIRA: &h, sh"t "p an letCs *et o"t of here. ?eCll...weCll tal# later.

@@@@DIALOG

ERTO! DAND: E"*hh, sho"l let ye polish me /oots while yo"Cre own on yo"r #nees( e hae the spine of a no/le,that is for !ertain. ?hat the...hol still, lassie-

"A#EIRA: &h for !ryin* at the moon, onCt prostrate yo"rself /efore this weasel. >hatCs all Cm *oin* to stan-

ERTO! DAND: Hans off me s!a//ar, lassie, thatCs harly layli#e. &?- /Er'of s)ffers ha$f of h&s #P

"A#EIRA: <i*ht, am free of him- 8HEK1;<GH>-----?hen all fie /anits are ea, ialo* !ontin"es:

"A#EIRA: ?ell, that was the most st"nnin* isplay of /raao hae eer ha the pleas"re of seein*. 3o"l yo" hae

stoope any lower( 8HE9K;78 t was all a r"se. 5"st playe the ineffe!t"al !owar to throw him off. eah, thatCs it. /or

28 !o"lnCt lose my st"ff, an !o"lnCt let him h"rt yo". Groelin* was the only way. /or

;8 hh, stow it. Eerythin* wor#e o"t in the en."A#EIRA: e*arless, ha tho"*ht yo" mae of sterner mettle. was mista#en, an will not expe!t as s"!h fromye a*ain. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

67



8aheira

Galarey ="est

Note: >his )"est happens een if the roman!e is not a!tie or is s!rewe /"t in that !ase, the Banit ="est oesn$t nee to /e finishe;. Sin!e this is a roman!in* *"ie, won$t type options yo" *et in the !ase when roman!e is not a!tie or s!rewe. <or that see some wal#thr"s, &'(

?hateer the !ase is tho"*h, the ar ="est m"st /e one.>o finish the ar ="est yo" m"st st"m/le "pon some th"*s in ranom en!o"nters. fter yo" eal with them, some man!alle enfel will as# yo" to help him. o" are s"ppose to ta#e him to the Harper Hol in the Fo!#s istri!t. f thathaen$t happene /efore, 5"mp from one th#atla istri!t to another % "ntill it finally hapens;>here, yo"$ll fin ylo!#. He$ll ta#e enfel an !lose the Harper Hol.

Ioe sli*htly north from there an yo"$ll spot ar. >al# to him an a!!ept his )"est to inesti*ate what happene to hisfrien Iontaron... F& N&> E8E3> W$S &&S>&N---n sorry, BU> N& I&E S&ES &N >HS--- 8"st o finish that )"est, will ya(ll in all, when yo" *ie the /ir from Harper Hol to ar % this )"est is !onsiere finishe-

o" m"st "nerstan that roman!e /etween yo" an 8aheira won$t !ontin"e if ar ="est is not one--- So, if yo" still

haen$t /een to ar ="est yet % r"n for it---

?hen /oth Banit ="est an ar ="est are finishe, an elen /ar !alle Ieronia spawns... if this oesn$t happen, moeto any &U>F&&S area;

MERONIA: wor wo"l hae with yo", 8aheira. isten !aref"lly whilst say what m"st, for this /rin*s me no

pleas"re."A#EIRA: Fo #now of yo"( Hae yo" reason to s"/5e!t me to yo"r r"e manner( hae no !oin, if that is yo"r wish.MERONIA: 3harmin*, as was tol. No, 8aheira, yo" hae nothin* re)"ire sae yo"r attention. o" are /i to follow as lea. 3ome, we m"st *o.

"A#EIRA: o not follow /y a stran*erCs !omman. ?ho are yo"(

MERONIA: &h, yo" #now me, as well as yo" sho"l #now yo"rself. ?e are one an the same, an /ear the pin that tells

o"r name. et yo"r eyes not e!eie yo" as yo" loo# "pon this Ctrin#et.C"A#EIRA: ...es, see. f yo" wo"l *ie me a moment will o what nees /e one.Ia#e yo"r farewells )"i!#, yo" will not /e *one lon*.

78 n what is this a/o"t, 8aheira( Sho"l /e !on!erne( f somethin* is wron* an !an help..."A#EIRA: elax, 3HNIET, will not /e *one lon*. lease, will explain when ret"rn. ... o not wish to /e apart from yo" too lon*. will ret"rn when !an.

28 ?ho is this wen!h, an why oes she thin# she !an split "s "p so easily( ?eCe not the time for this."A#EIRA: >ry not to worry, 3HNIET, !an ta#e !are of myself. will ret"rn as soon as possi/le. haeo/li*ations elsewhere that m"st /e attene to.

?hateer ialo* yo" !hoose, 8aheira will leae the party an follow Ieronia. fter one rest for lon*er than J ho"rs of in*ame time, 8aheira will ret"rn, so fin some pla!e to sleep.

"A#EIRA: >here yo" are- ... misse yo" while was *one. mean...well, am *la to see yo". m"st tell yo", howeer,that we m"st *o to the Harper Hol in th#atla. 8HEE2; hae /een as#e to /rin* yo", an we m"st *o soon. >heywill allow "s to pass the wars of the oor, /"t m"st /e with yo", an m"st /e !ons!io"s.

78 f that is what yo" wish, then that is what we will o. tr"st yo"r 5"*ement, 8aheira. o" #now yo" neenCt as# metwi!e. ?el!ome /a!# to the party, an to my sie.

"A#EIRA: than# yo", an ... will tell yo" what !an when it is time. am sorry... am sorry to as# this of yo", /"t it is my "ty to o so. 3ome, let "s *o.

28 ?hat is it they wish from "s( >hey hae /een nothin* /"t !ol to me in the past. 3an yo" tell me anythin*("A#EIRA: !annot say. lease, re5oin with me an *o there. t is ery important.

78 Very well, 5oin with me.

"A#EIRA: >han# yo", am *la to /e /a!# in yo"r !ompany. only wish it were not "ner s"!h

!ir!"mstan!es. 3ome, we m"st *o. will explain more when it is time.28 No, onCt thin# will.

"A#EIRA: f yo" o not wish to !ome now, then will wait for yo" there. lease, o not ta#e lon*. >his isimportant. will /e at the Harper Hol in th#atla. /"ahe&ra w&$$ wa&' for +o) &n fron' of #ar*er #o$d1

roman-e &s safe

;8 Cll not *o traipsin* off at their /e!# an !all. ?hat o they want( f they !annot tell me on my own time why sho"l *oto them(

69



8aheira

"A#EIRA: f yo" o not wish to !ome now, then will wait for yo" there. lease, o not ta#e lon*. >his isimportant. will /e at the Harper Hol in th#atla. /"ahe&ra w&$$ wa&' for +o) &n fron' of #ar*er #o$d1 roman-e

&s safe e%en &f +o) ge' her af'er 7===== da+s 'h&s &s a g$&'-h &n fa-'

Now, if yo" hae her in the party, after two ays of in*ame time has passe, she will start whinin* if yo" still haen$t

rea!he the Harper Hol:

"A#EIRA: emem/er yo"r o/li*ations elsewhere, 3HNIET. ?e hae to *o to the Harper hol in th#atla as soonas possi/le. t wo"l not /e *oo to #eep them waitin* too lon*.

fter two ays more of in*ame time, she remins yo" a*ain:

"A#EIRA: ?e sho"l ma#e o"r way to the Harper Hol in th#atla as soon as we are a/le. o not loo# forwar to the

trip any more than yo" o, /"t we m"st.

>wo ays more of yo"r i*norin* her an she a*ain whines, /"t this one is the last:"A#EIRA: lease, it is ery important that we *o to the Harper Hol in th#atla. >hey were ery insistent that /rin* yo"there, an we m"st *o soon.

f yo" let her *o alone, she$ll wel!omes yo" with these wors an yo" o *et her /a!# in the party:"A#EIRA: t is a/o"t time yo" followe. lease, we sho"l not #eep them waitin* any lon*er. >he Harpers /i me /rin*

yo" here an expe!t me to o so. will 5oin the *ro"p on!e more an we will *o insie. 8HEEJ;

<inally, *o insie that amn Harper Hol, $m alreay /ore with yo"r hesitation---

nsie yo"$ll /e !onfronte with Galarey. Osi*hO hope yo"$re prepare for /attle...GAL,ARE?: 8aheira, my ear, it is *oo to see yo"-"A#EIRA: o"r wel!ome is for!e, Galarey, yo" #now am here at the /iin* of the Heral. ?hy hae yo" !ome to*reet me this is too important to waste time on yo".

GAL,ARE?: hh, #now well the importan!e of this. t was that !alle yo".

"A#EIRA: o"- o" are no Heral- ?hat is *oin* on here(

GAL,ARE?: >his area la!#s a Heral !"rrently, an see# to esta/lish one. o" will help, /y oin* whatCs ri*ht. o"#now what is ri*ht, onCt yo"("A#EIRA: #now yo" are an am/itio"s fool. o" !annot /e san!tione to o this. Een this *a"y /ase is a*ainst o"r

"s"al restraint. >he position of Heral re)"ires...GAL,ARE?: Heral re)"ires the will to esta/lish the position. >he Hi*h Herals will 5"*e if it is esere. eally,8aheira, this is a matter asie. o" #now this.

"A#EIRA: <ine, set a/o"t with yo"r )"estions so !an *et on with my 5o/ as well.Very *oo. o" sere the *reater !a"se that we all o. Now then, 3HNIET, o yo" #now why yo" are here(78 am here /e!a"se Harpers mele in the affairs of others, an a!tiity they ta#e saisti! pleas"re in.

"A#EIRA: 3HNIET- lease.

GAL,ARE?: hh, yo" are /ein* playf"l. He sai as s"!h 5"st to *et a rea!tion from yo", 8aheira. ima*ine he!ares for yo" somewhat. woner what 'hali wo"l say...

"A#EIRA: Galarey, si/lin*s we are in Harper /loo, /"t if yo" o not !ease yo"r ton*"e shall remoe it-GAL,ARE?: <ine, fine, meant no offense. No, 3HNIET, yo" are not here for my am"sement. o" arehere /e!a"se of who an what yo" are. @@@@LOADED7

28 wo"l ass"me this is a/o"t the estr"!tion in ?a"#eenCs romenae. ass"re yo" that it was not of my oin*.

GAL,ARE?: hh, /"t it was... inire!tly. >hin*s li#e this seem to s"rro"n yo" at eery t"rn, een if yo" are notthe a!tie parti!ipant. >hat is why yo" are here. @@@@LOADED7

;8 simply o not !are. Stop with these *ames an state yo"r !ase, whateer it is.GAL,ARE?: o" are /l"nt, as is yo"r life... an existen!e p"shin* thro"*h eerythin* in its path. >hat is why yo"are here, /e!a"se of who an what yo" are. @@@@LOADED7

>8 o" are, of !o"rse, !on!erne a/o"t my /a!#*ro"n. o" are spe!ifi!ally intereste in my parenta*e.

GAL,ARE?: o" are ast"te. ?hat !o"l possi/ly oershaow yo"r herita*e as a matter of !on!ern( will o"tlineexa!tly what wish to #now. @@@@LOADED7

@@@@LOADED7

GAL,ARE?: et me as# yo" a few thin*s strai*ht away, 3HNIET. Nothin* too intr"sie, ass"re yo". ?hat areyo"r earliest memories( re they happy ones(

78 remem/er r"nnin*, /"t am not s"re from what exa!tly. Iy stepfather Gorion le the way.

GAL,ARE?: "nnin*, hmm( No o"/t from yo"r past. remem/er Gorion... the iealist. was with those whotho"*ht it was a mista#e. hh... will !larify later. @@@@LOADED2

28 ?ell, remem/er !omin* in that oor /ehin me. Beyon that it is all a /l"r. Sorry.

6K



8aheira

GAL,ARE?: o" are ery !om/atie. Not *oo. Not *oo at all. >his only s"pports my position, as #new itwo"l. Next )"estion then."A#EIRA: lease, 3HNIET, o not ma#e this iffi!"lt for yo"rself.

GAL,ARE?: No !oa!hin*, my ear, he will asnwer as he m"st. &n to the next )"estion then. @@@@LOADED2

;8 o not hae to answer yo"r )"estions. o" #now so m"!h a/o"t me alreay, why are yo" /otherin* with this(

GAL,ARE?: Easie answer. ll"strates yo"r e!eptie nat"re, am s"re. Not *oo. Next )"estion.

"A#EIRA: lease, 3HNIET, o not ma#e this iffi!"lt for yo"rself.GAL,ARE?: No !oa!hin*, my ear, he will asnwer as he m"st. &n to the next )"estion then. @@@@LOADED2

>8 Fo yo" hae reason for intr"in* on my priate tho"*hts( sho"l li#e to hear it.

GAL,ARE?: re yo" always this "n!ooperatie( es, s"ppose yo" wo"l /e. Basi! nat"re to /e o/5e!tiona/le. Not *oo. Next )"estion. @@@@LOADED2

@@@@LOADED2

GAL,ARE?: s a !hil of Bhaal, hae yo"...iolent tho"*hts(78 No more so than the next person. "se iolen!e where m"st an aoi it when !an.

GAL,ARE?: Hmm...m"st "se iolen!e. >o /e expe!te from one with s"!h a espi!a/le herita*e.

"A#EIRA: ?hy o yo" as# the )"estion if yo" are *oin* to inf"se the answer with yo"r own meanin*(

3HNIET wo"l neer...GAL,ARE?: Neer what( o" are !lo"e /y personal feelin*s. He may not thin# li#e "s at all. 3an yo"

"nerstan an illithi( &r a /eholer( He is a#in to these."A#EIRA: &nly in yo"r min. >his is a far!e-

GAL,ARE?: >he )"estions will !ontin"e nonetheless. o hope there will /e no f"rther o"t/"rsts.

@@@@LOADED;

28 Cm hain* seeral ri*ht now. eally *oo ones too. o"C la"*h if yo" !o"l see them. ?ell, no, may/e &U wo"nCt.GAL,ARE?: ?ell, no s"rprises in that answer. n*raine response, wo"l ass"me."A#EIRA: >his is a iffi!"lt sit"ation- ?o"l yo" rea!t any ifferent(GAL,ARE?: es, 8aheira, yes wo"l, /e!a"se am not /orn of eil. >his person is proin* to /e 5"st as tho"*htHESHET wo"l /e. @@@@LOADED;

;8 >hat is a loae )"estion. Violen!e is part of o"r worl. t is "naoia/le in some meas"re.

GAL,ARE?: Hmm...fins that iolen!e is "naoia/le. 3ertainly to /e expe!te in a !reat"re s"!h as yo"."A#EIRA: ?hy o yo" as# the )"estion if yo" are *oin* to inf"se the answer with yo"r own meanin*(3HNIET wo"l neer...

GAL,ARE?: Neer what( o" are !lo"e /y personal feelin*s. He may not thin# li#e "s at all. 3an yo""nerstan an illithi( &r a /eholer( He is a#in to these.

"A#EIRA: &nly in yo"r min. >his is a far!e-

GAL,ARE?: >he )"estions will !ontin"e nonetheless. o hope there will /e no f"rther o"t/"rsts.@@@@LOADED;

@@@@LOADED;

GAL,ARE?: Now then, 3HNIET, what is yo"r faorite !olor(

"A#EIRA: ?hat has OthatO to o with anythin*(-

GAL,ARE?: 8aheira- )"estion yo"r loyalty to o"r !a"se. Iy metho will /e!ome !lear in the en. as# a*ain,3HNIET, what is yo"r faorite !olor(78 Bl"e, wo"l hae to say.

GAL,ARE?: Bl"e yo" say- >he !olor of saness an espair- t sho"l hae /een o/io"s-

"A#EIRA: n also the s#y, or the o!ean- o" are so intent on seein* what yo" wish the answer oes not matter-@@@@LOADED>

28 e is my !olor of !hoi!e.GAL,ARE?: e- >he !olor of Bloo- sho"l hae *"esse-"A#EIRA: n also of apples, or the rose- o" are so intent on seein* what yo" wish the answer oes not matter-

;8 ellow is what prefer. @@@@LOADED>

GAL,ARE?: ellow- >he !olor if i!hor, the /loo of *os- lso that of a wo"n not !leane-

"A#EIRA: n also of the s"n a/oe, or the aisy- o" are so intent on seein* what yo" wish the answer oes not

matter- @@@@LOADED>

>8 Green is my preferen!e.GAL,ARE?: Green- 8ealo"sy, or the *an*reno"s lim/-"A#EIRA: n also of the *rass, or the leaes in the trees- o" are so intent on seein* what yo" wish the answer oes not matter- @@@@LOADED>

8 Bla!# is prefera/le to any other.GAL,ARE?: Bla!# li#e the oi- &r shaows- &r eath-"A#EIRA: n also of the ni*ht s#y, or the !oat of a fine stee- o" are so intent on seein* what yo" wish theanswer oes not matter- @@@@LOADED>

J0



8aheira

<8 Grey is )"ite pleasant to loo# at.GAL,ARE?: Grey- s espair or the enn"i an entropy that will !laim the worl-"A#EIRA: Now yo" are really stret!hin*- ?hat of !lo"s that /rin* life to the soil, or the p"rity of "nye wool-o" see what yo" wish the answer oes not matter- @@@@LOADED>

@@@@LOADED>

GAL,ARE?: s"ppose in part it oes not matter. &/io"sly this person !a"ses m"!h ist"r/an!e where eCer &QHESHET *oes. Iy interiew is 5"st to !larify the matter."A#EIRA: B"t yo" were to see 3HNIET as &QHESHET is, not as yo" expe!te &QHIHET to /e- was to /rin* them here so...

GAL,ARE?: o" were to /rin* them here so that we mi*ht hae them here, nothin* more. >he !o"rse of a!tion was

always !lear.78 Ex!"se me, /"t am still in the room. ?hat is it yo" inten( /or

28 ta#e it !an expe!t more of this horri/le treatment( /or

;8 o" pres"me to 5"*e me( ?hat are yo" to me( Nothin*- Eno"*h of this, wo"l #now what yo" inten-

"A#EIRA: am sorry, 3HNIET, this was not my intent at all- tho"*ht...

GAL,ARE?: o" tho"*ht yo" wo"l /rin* him here an wo"l etermine he presente no an*er( Iy ear, yo"r

emotions hae !lo"e yo"r "ty."A#EIRA: Iy...what-( o" are )"estionin* me-( o" s"/5e!t him to this...this wit!h h"nt an yo" thin# am the

one that is to /e )"estione(GAL,ARE?: ?ell, yo"r moo !onfirms it. Iy ear, as a Harper...as a FUF, how !an yo" allow&QHIHET to wal# aro"n freely( >hin# of the effe!ts on /alan!e-

"A#EIRA: n what if they will restore the /alan!e( ?hat if &QHSHET intent is *oo(

t is simply not worth the ris#. No, there is no !hoi!e in the matter. 3HNIET, o" are to /e...!onfine."A#EIRA: t is as *oo as eath an yo" #now it, Galarey-GAL,ARE?: Nothin* so /ar/ari!. mprisonment to !ontain the !haos &QHESHET mi*ht sow, either intentionally or "nwittin*ly. t is a h"mane sol"tion.

78 So"ns monstro"s to me- will not hae it- o"Cll neer *et me in any !ell- /or

28 n where am to /e lo!#e away( hope somepla!e with a iew( /or

;8 n yo" ass"me will s"/mit to this( >hat is not ery li#ely.GAL,ARE?: No, 3HNIET, mean the spell CmprisonmentC. o" will fin yo"rself in a small!ontainer a few lea*"es "ner the earth. ="ite pea!ef"l.

78 >his will not happen- will fi*ht to the last- o" will not !ontain me- /or28 o"Ce no ri*ht to o this. will not allow it. /or

;8 o" are wel!ome to try, /"t o"/t yo" shall s"!!ee. am in the ri*ht here-

GAL,ARE?: o" hae no oi!e here an little !hoi!e in the matter. 3ertainly yo" !an fi*ht, /"t thereare six Harpers to !onten with. >he os are )"ite !learly..."A#EIRA: Nay, Galarey, there is /"t yo" an yo"r fo"r la!#eys. will hae no part in this-3HNIET, ... will stan /y yo"r sie if yo" will hae me. o" are...yo" are /etter than this, #now. ...

78 o" *ot me into this mess. wo"lnCt tr"st yo" as far as !o"l throw yo"-

"A#EIRA: So...so /e it then. will... m"st not... will hae no part in either sie of this-GAL,ARE?: ="ite the effe!t yo" hae on the laies, 3HNIET. t s"its yo"r nat"re.Fefen yo"rself if yo" m"st, /"t inten to preent yo"r maness from spreain*- /"ahe&ra

$ea%es 'he *ar'+ and doesn9' f&gh' )n$ess a''a-4ed

28 ha hope... ha hope yo" wo"l, /"t o not wish yo" to harm yo"r friens."A#EIRA: >hese are no friens of mine- o not re!o*nie them-

GAL,ARE?: o" hae mae a mista#e, 8aheira. ?ith HSHET imprisonment !o"l *etsponsore as Heral- B"t now yo" fi*ht the Harpers with this monster-"A#EIRA: Harpers may interfere /"t it is for the *reater *oo- Not this- onCt #now yo"-

<GH>---

?hen yo" nail the /astars, the roman!e !hit!hat !an finally !ontin"e....

note: f yo" *o to the 3opper 3oronet to tal# to Bernar after this he$ll tell yo" that eeryone$s tal#in* a/o"t 8aheirare5e!tin* the Harpers. B"t no !onse)"en!es for that tho"*h... BENF ialo*;

J1



8aheira

>M27

>his ialo* will ta#e pla!e anywhere.

"A#EIRA: So, what o yo" thin# of mn so far( t is !ertainly not witho"t its !harms, or its harships lately. 8HEK2;

78 >here oes not seem to /e a healthy /alan!e /etween the two.

"A#EIRA: erhaps not. t has always /een so, /"t there are many thin*s of merit here. erhaps not in the !ities, /"tthe forests are a *reat treas"re.78 B"ry it all as treas"re then. tire or yo"r m"sin*s. @@@@IDIOT

28 wo"l a*ree, tho"*h a more relaxe to"r thro"*h wo"l help my o"tloo#. @@@@C#OOSE

28 sta*nant pon of h"manity an emih"mans. onCt #now how yo" lie here.

"A#EIRA: >here is as m"!h /ea"ty as yo" are willin* to see. >he forests are *ran, an the !ities are tolera/le inmoeration. How m"!h are yo" willin* to see(78 see what is there. Bea"ty is irreleant. @@@@IDIOT

28 try to see the /est in eerythin*. t is iffi!"lt sometimes. @@@@C#OOSE

@@@@C#OOSE

"A#EIRA: >hen will show yo" when we hae the time. will ta#e yo" thro"*h the eepest lans, an yo" will see the /ea"ty that #now is there. >hat is, if yo" hae not tire of my !ompany yet.

78 No, 5"st the !hatter. @@@@IDIOT28 >ire( *row )"ite fon of yo"r !ompany. wo"l miss it were it *one.

"A#EIRA: ?...well. wo"l... wo"l miss yo"r !ompany too, 3HNIET.3o"*h; ?ell, we sho"l /emoin* on a*ain. Eno"*h of this ile m"sin*.

@@@@IDIOT

"A#EIRA: will not tro"/le yo" with s"!h CtriialC thin*s as my tho"*hts a*ain. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>M2K

"A#EIRA: ?e hae ha many people see# o"r eaths so far. Some wo"l hae /een friens ha thin*s /een ifferent.>his wei*hs on my min. 8HEK;

78 ha hope this wo"l en /etter, /"t their trea!hery has so"re me."A#EIRA: >hey a!te o"t of fear. G"arin* the /alan!e is ery important. Galarey may hae /een in the wron*, /"t those that followe him /eliee they i ri*ht.78 >hen they are fools, as are yo" to stan /y them.

"A#EIRA: erhaps was more of a fool than een tho"*ht. will not tro"/le yo" a*ain with s"!h tal#.


28 !an only a!t as will. ?hat else !an o if they are not willin* to listen( @@@@!INIS#

28 s it oes on mine. Iore so that yo" are in !onfli!t with yo"r own #in. @@@@!INIS#

;8 >here is little we !an o to alter the past. >he /est m"st /e mae of it. @@@@!INIS#

@@@@!INIS#

"A#EIRA: o not #now what to s"**est. ... wo"l follow yo", /e!a"se #now yo" will "ltimately o *oo, /"t they

are my #in. onCt #now what to o.

?OU: o" !an only o as yo" m"st, whateer that mi*ht /e."A#EIRA: s all *oo ai!e, that was a/sol"tely no help at all. 3ome, letCs *et *oin*.

>M1

"A#EIRA: *ain m"st say how m"!h prefer the forest to artifi!ial str"!t"res. Eerythin* see simply reinfor!es that tono en. 8HEK4;

78 es, yo" are )"ite fon of sayin* that. ha not tho"*ht r"is so p"shy.

"A#EIRA: t *ies me !omfort, somethin* we !o"l "se more of. will Cp"shC no f"rther in yo"r ire!tion, restass"re. Hrmmph- /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 >here is orer in the !ity, to a e*ree. t is not easy to see that in nat"re."A#EIRA: h, /"t only if yo" !hoose not to loo#. Nat"re falls into /alan!e, whereas man m"st wor# for his. 5"st prefer the simpler... the simpler roles in nat"re.

78 o"r role is as harsh as yo" ma#e it, tho"*h yo"rs is iffi!"lt /e!a"se of me.

"A#EIRA: No, fin !omfort /e!a"se of yo". &thers !annot see what o, an it is their intoleran!e thatma#es it iffi!"lt.

J2



8aheira

?OU: n what is it yo" see in me("A#EIRA: see... see a !onfiant. see someone "neserin* of the s!orn of the i*norant. see... ... Now am /a//lin* li#e a /roo#. ?e sho"l not awle li#e this.

28 f yo" !annot f"n!tion in so!iety then perhaps yo" sho"l retreat an hie.

"A#EIRA: re yo" intentionally /ein* aersarial( will not hae it. was tryin* to !onfie. Not a*ain, this

is iffi!"lt as it is. will tro"/le yo" no more. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 a*ree to an extent, tho"*h there is merit in some !ities as !"lt"ral !enters."A#EIRA: es, /"t m"st the *atherin* /e one with s"!h feror( ?hen people assem/le they attra!t those thatwant to lea. ?hy o they not 5"st a!!ept their proper pla!e(

78 B"t oneCs pla!e is not always apparent. ?ho e!ies on a personCs proper pla!e(

"A#EIRA: Nat"re, tho"*h *"ess we are not all /orn to o"r proper station. f yo" were, wo"l hae *laly

helpe my Harper #in in yo"r !apt"re. o" are not a slae to yo"r parenta*e tho"*h, an... *"ess am noHarper.78 f they were in the wron*, then yo" hae /etraye nothin*.

"A#EIRA: *"ess that is tr"e. >hat fool Galarey so"*ht to o an in5"sti!e. He /etraye the spirit of the Harpers, not me. >his #nowle*e will ease my min. >han# yo", 3HNIET, yo" are a *reat!omfort.

28 >hey i not impress me with their /ehaior. o" are /etter off as a traitor."A#EIRA: s that what yo" thin# am( traitor( onCt #now if !an stoma!he this. ... onCt want

to tal# to yo" of this anymore. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+28 Us"ally yo" spea# foolish *ar/a*e, /"t this time yo"r wors rin* tr"e. Iy proper pla!e is the Go of I"rer, anyo"r pla!e is to sere as my slae-

"A#EIRA: o" strale a line /etween !onfien!e an me*alomania. >hese is!"ssions ist"r/ me when

they t"rn li#e this. will not /rin* it "p a*ain. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>M

"A#EIRA: hae /een in a similar pla!e as this /efore, tho"*h it was in the !ompany of other Harpers. will miss thosetimes. 8HEK6;78 o" wo"l miss them anyway. >hin# of them fonly an moe on.

"A#EIRA: >hat is a har season to let pass. <all an winter are /eara/le /e!a"se sprin* will !ertainly follow. >here

is no *"arantee that !an emer*e from my winter.78 >hen hol yo"r tr"e friens !lose for warmth. will not /e )"i!# to leae yo".

"A#EIRA: No /etter !omfort !o"l as#, 3HNIET. will !ontin"e to stan for yo" if yo" o thesame for me. >o*ether we !an...to*eth... Cm sorry, Cm a /it o"t of sorts. etCs !ontin"e this another time.

28 >hen wallow in pity. n /e s"re to #eep the rest of "s "pate a/o"t it.

"A#EIRA: t wo"l seem that the !olest thin* in si*ht is yo". will sea# sprin* in not tal#in* to yo".


28 >here m"st /e a way to re!on!ile this matter."A#EIRA: o"/t that it will /e that easy. Galarey was as !lose to a re*ional leaer as the Harpers hae. >heeents will /e tol from his faor, am s"re.78 >hen there is no nee to fret a/o"t it. ?e #now the worst an !an prepare.

"A#EIRA: No /etter !omfort !o"l as#, 3HNIET. will !ontin"e to stan for yo" if yo" o the

same for me. >o*ether we !an...to*eth... Cm sorry, Cm a /it o"t of sorts. etCs !ontin"e this another time.

28 will #ill the next *ro"p as well if hae too. >hey will learn to respe!t me."A#EIRA: Behaior li#e that will only sere to proe what they !laim. erhaps it oes not nee proin*.>his ist"r/s me. will not spea# of this a*ain. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

eiane ="est

o" m"st /e &U>F&&S to meet eiane. f yo"$re not, *o o"toors with haste. &therwise, the roman!e is /lo!#e "ntilyo" tal# to her. B"t /e warne: if yo" on$t hae 8aheira in party or she is ea, eiane will atta!# yo" no matter what

yo"r explanations- So, yo" nee 8aheira in the party, VE.

RE,IANE: Hol- n let 5"sti!e ta#e its ri*htf"l meas"re- o" will #now this ay that yo" hae s"ffere Harper 5"sti!e-"A#EIRA: ?hat is this- eiane- ?hat are yo" oin* here( t is , 8aheira- 8HEKJ;

RE,IANE: So !an see. t pains me to o this, /"t a traitorCs eath is what yo" esere-

"A#EIRA: ?hat( f this is a/o"t the atta!# at the Harper Hol, yo" #now wo"l not o s"!h a thin* if ha any

alternatie- >hey left me no !hoi!e-RE,IANE: #now not of what yo" spea#, 8aheira. Explain yo"rself-

J



8aheira

"A#EIRA: t was Galarey he ha me /rin* my !ompanion there on the pretense of eterminin* &QHSHETan*er, /"t he ha no intention of lettin* 3HNIET leae on!e there.RE,IANE: >he Harpers #now only that there was an atta!#, an Galarey is ea. >he loss of s"!h a promisin* personsent waes thro"*h the ran#s an...

"A#EIRA: Bah- He was a fool /ent on aan!in* his own station- His intent was to "se 3HNIET as a trophy,

hopin* to *ain eno"*h infl"en!e to /e!ome a Heral-

RE,IANE: >his seems farDfet!he, 8aheira. o" are well #nown to hae hate Galarey... an why sho"l this&QIN?&INT !omman s"!h al"e(78 >ell her what am if it will help yo"r !ase, 8aheira. will not #eep se!rets that !an harm yo".

"A#EIRA: s yo" wish. eiane, 3HNIET is of interest /e!a"se &QHESHET is one of the 3hilren.Galarey wishe to !apitalie on the fear aro"n the prophe!ies of ol.

RE,IANE: >his is a Bhaal !hil(- n yo" tr"st &QHIHET oer one of yo"r own( @@@@DECISIONS

28 Nosey wen!h, these are my affairs to #eep my own- >ell her nothin*- /or

;8 t is yo"r !hoi!e to tell her or not, 8aheira. wo"l prefer my /a!#*ro"n #ept se!ret, /"t leae it to yo"r is!retion."A#EIRA: f that is yo"r wish, 3HNIET. eiane, s"ffi!e to say that Galarey ha an "nhealthy interest inmy !ompatriot. o" m"st tr"st me in this matter.

RE,IANE: How !an , 8aheira( o"r presen!e at the Harper Hol res"lte in the eaths of many. <or that !an /"t

ass"me yo" are no lon*er one with o"r !a"se. @@@@DECISIONS

@@@@DECISIONS"A#EIRA: o" m"st o as yo" will, eiane. hae tol yo" my !ir!"mstan!e, there is little more for me to say.

78 will stan /y yo" in this, 8aheira. ?e sho"l atta!# an *et the "pper han.

"A#EIRA: f yo" atta!# yo" are no /etter than Galarey. will meet yo"r threats with whateer for!e that !an-

Fo not o this. Harpers see# the tr"th...RE,IANE: Harpers o not #ill their own, either- o" will feel my wrath, an if fall, more will !ome- /!IG#T

28 Stan own yo"r weapons, 8aheira. ?e nee not she any /loo here toay."A#EIRA: will not raw arms a*ainst yo", eiane. >his has /een a h"*e mista#e, an will not /e party toma#in* another.f yo"r rep"tation is 1J or hi*her:

RE,IANE: #now yo" to /e tr"thf"l, 8aheira, an hae hear *oo thin*s of 3HNIET. will try to swaythe others, /"t passions r"n hi*h in this matter. /NO !IG#T

f yo"r rep"tation is 16 or lower:RE,IANE: >he eien!e is o/io"s, 8aheira. Iy fellows are ea an yo" amit to the #illin*. o" trael with3HNIET, who is no saint... m"st o this. am sorry.

"A#EIRA: s am , eiane. /!IG#T

>M6

"A#EIRA: S#ies are a /it *ray no matter where we *o, arenCt they( &r perhaps itCs 5"st my moo. es, that m"st /e it. Nowoner, s"ppose. !annot help /"t thin# of eiane. 8HEK7;78 Her a!tions were in the wron*, no matter her intention.

"A#EIRA: ... No, onCt hope she was wron*. wish she were ri*ht, /e!a"se that wo"l /e simple, an wo"lnCt

hae to worry a/o"t how ... feel. hae o"/ts... @@@@P#E

28 ?e i no wron*. How were we s"ppose to hae rea!te( @@@@P#E;8 ?e sho"l thin# of them all. erhaps we sho"l o a preemptie stri#e(

"A#EIRA: >here are times when yo" seem almost reasona/le, an then yo" say s"!h thin*s that only ma#e meo"/t myself. erhaps...perhaps they were ri*ht( ontC #now. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

@@@@P#E

"A#EIRA: onCt #now. /e*in to wish we ha /een wron*. t wo"l /e so m"!h simpler. want to /eliee as they o,an wish inCt feel li#e ...78 8aheira, if we are to aoi s"!h !onfli!ts m"st #now how to aoi them.

"A#EIRA: oi them( >he Harpers( ?hat are yo" as#in* of me(

?OU: m"st #now how to eae the Harpers. ?ho /etter to show me how(

"A#EIRA: o" wo"l as# me to f"rther my /etrayal /y reealin* Harper se!rets( ... !annot o this- ?hat if yo"... mean... there is still the !han!e that yo"... @@@@COLD

28 How is it yo" feel, 8aheira( ?hat is it yo" are sayin*("A#EIRA: onCt #now. want to stay with yo", /"t we will nee to aoi my former #in. will hae to tell yo"a/o"t them. ?hat if yo" /etray... what if yo" t"rn... @@@@COLD

J4



8aheira

@@@@COLD

"A#EIRA: am sorry, 3HNIET, inCt mean to s"**est anythin*.78 f yo" o not tr"st me then yo" sho"l o me the !o"rtesy of sayin* so. /or

28 "nerstan 5"st fine. o" thin# as they o, espite what yo" #now.

"A#EIRA: No- 5"st... this is so amn iffi!"lt to *et strai*ht. ?e sho"l...we sho"l spea# of this later. >hin*s

will /e sai in an*er...etCs moe on.

>M7

"A#EIRA: >his may /e a /a time or not, /"t thin# we sho"l spea#. 8HEK9;78 >his is a ery /a time. 3o"l this wait(

"A#EIRA: No, this !annot wait. onCt thin# !an resole this if it is not is!"sse. f this is p"t off...then all amthin#in* m"st /e p"t off.

78 am sorry. o not wish to spea# with yo" now.

"A#EIRA: <ine, *et "se to it. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 <ine. Spea#. @@@@SPEEC#

28 Very well. @@@@SPEEC#

@@@@SPEEC#"A#EIRA: es, well, wishe to apolo*ie for o"r ar*"ment /efore. wante... wante yo" to #now why !annot spea#

of the Harpers. >here is m"!h harm !o"l o.78 >his is not a )"estion of harm it is a )"estion of tr"st.

"A#EIRA: n o tr"st yo", /"t o not tr"st myself. am no traitor, of that am s"re, /"t what am if m"sthie from my /rethren( ?hat am then( @@@@TRUST

28 es, well, #eep yo"r little se!rets an Cll #eep mine an weCll /oth /e 5"st fine.

"A#EIRA: >here is no nee for that tone, feel /a as it is. o" hae *aine an enemy, /"t hae lost a family.

hae o"/ts now, an am not "se to it. @@@@TRUST

@@@@TRUST

"A#EIRA: f am in the ri*ht, why m"st tell their se!rets. f am in the ri*ht, why m"st hie( o not hae answersfor these )"estions, an they worry me.

78 >hat yo" are worrie shows yo" !are a/o"t all those inole."A#EIRA: es, /"t !an ( >here is no mile*ro"n. am heain* for an extreme of either en. ?ith yo" at leastthe !hoi!e is mine. t is, isnCt it(78 f yo" o not o what is /est for the party yo" will /e !ast asie. tCs that simple.

"A#EIRA: /e*in to thin# that most thin*s are simple to yo". o" hae helpe nothin* with this !omment.... o not wish to !ontin"e this. etCs 5"st *o. ="ietly.

28 ?ho am to 5"*e( >he least !an o is offer yo" the same as yo" offer me.

"A#EIRA: than# yo" for this. t helps. t oes.28 >he !hoi!e is simple in my min. Fefen yo"rself or ie. 'ill or /e #ille.

"A#EIRA: /e*in to thin# that most thin*s are simple to yo". o" hae helpe nothin* with this !omment. ... onot wish to !ontin"e this. etCs 5"st *o. ="ietly.

>MK

"A#EIRA: >here is an ill win in the air. Fo yo" feel it( feel a storm insie, in the istan!e. 8HEKK;

78 ?hat oes that mean, 8aheira( ?hat the hell are yo" tal#in* a/o"t("A#EIRA: onCt #now, alri*ht-( feel "neasy- o" o not ma#e it /etter loo#in* at me li#e am o"t of my min-78 FonCt ta#e yo"r fr"strations o"t on me- wonCt stan for it-

"A#EIRA: >hen will ma#e s"re yo" o not- will not /other yo" a*ain- /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n

*ar'+

28 Very well, apolo*ie, /"t yo" m"st amit that yo"r wors are a /it o. @@@@DOOM

28 o" are more sensitie to the weather /ein* a r"i. o" wo"l #now."A#EIRA: t is not the weather. 5"st...somethin* is !omin* an o not li#e how it feels. onCt #now what it is, /"t o not li#e how it feels. @@@@DOOM

;8 Fo yo" mean the a!t"al weather, or is this prophe!y of a sort( @@@@DOOM

@@@@DOOM

"A#EIRA: onCt #now what meant. >hey say yo" shier when someone wal#s oer yo"r *rae. feel as tho"*hsomethin* were mar!hin* /a!# an forth a!ross mine.

J6



8aheira

78 ?ell, yo"Cre oome then. ay own an ie."A#EIRA: hope !an offer yo" s"!h C#inC wors when yo" nee it. >his is no time for h"mor, than# yo". etCs 5"st #eep moin*, /"t...stay !lose, if yo" wo"l.

28 para/le for !han*e, isnCt it( Not eath /"t !han*e.

"A#EIRA: onCt #now. etCs 5"st *et *oin*, an it will pass. f yo" onCt min, 3HNIET, wo"l wal# in

step with yo". ... 5"st nee someone near me.

Fermin 3o"rtierale ="ests

fter the last ialo*, Fermin sho"l spawn. B"t hear this: He will spawn &N if yo" re &U>F&&S of th#atla or ate$rnise 'eep--- f yo"$re not at any of these lo!ations, *o there with all haste-f yo" hesitate, the roman!e ialo*s shall !ontin"e on$t yo" worry- t some point the *ame will for!e Fermin to appear atthe first &U>F&&S area yo" *o to. 3hoose on yo"r own what to o. $ll isplay it all here as if yo" slept to pass oer allFermin appearan!es...

"A#EIRA: Fer... Fermin( s that yo"( t has /een some time. 8HE1;DERMIN: nee. t has /een a ery lon* time. FEIN02;"A#EIRA: ?hat is the matter, Fermin( o" wo"l not hae let me wal# on /y, wo"l yo"( #now we i not always see

eye to eye, /"t ass"re yo" the respe!t...DERMIN: may well hae let yo" pass, for there is no 5oy in my isit toay. 8aheira, o yo" remem/er the lessons ta"*ht

yo"("A#EIRA: &f...of !o"rse, yo" were the one that intro"!e me to the Harpers.DERMIN: es, yes, /"t the lessons("A#EIRA: ?hat...what are yo" *ettin* at, Fermin(

DERMIN: am not here to rehash o"r frienship. 8aheira... hae /een sent to #ill yo", or otherwise see# yo"r ownfall,an o not relish the "ty.

"A#EIRA: see. n what power has e!ie that sho"l /e #ille( sere nat"re an prote!t the *oo of the lanthro"*h my wor# as a Harper. ?ho hae offene(DERMIN: ?ho...( 8aheira, yo" trael with a #iller of Harpers. o not wish to thin# yo" ha any !ompli!ity in those a!ts, /"t here &QHESHET is an &QHESHET is still alie.

"A#EIRA: hae washe my hans of the in!ient in the Harper Hol. Galarey was in the wron* an /ro"*ht his fate

"pon himself.DERMIN: ?e #now nothin* of this. >here is only the fa!t that yo"...yo" an yo"r frien were the !a"se of many eaths.>his !annot /e i*nore."A#EIRA: He was in the wron*- &f that am !ertain- Galarey so"*ht to imprison 3HNIET for his own *ain an too# the sie of ri*ht. !o"l o no other-

DERMIN: t is not seen that way, 8aheira. Exa!t the ne!essary 5"sti!e. >hat is the only ro"te to reemption for yo". >heothers... will not a!!ept yo" otherwise.

"A#EIRA: >his is wron*, Fermin. >his is not the ri*ht sol"tion.DERMIN: !annot see this enin* otherwise, 8aheira. o"r own hae ie. ?hat o yo" inten to o a/o"t it(78 8aheira, o what yo" m"st. hae /een the !a"se of too m"!h tro"/le for yo". @@@@GRRRR

28 FonCt let this fool s!are yo", 8aheira. >hey hae no ri*ht to mele as they o- @@@@GRRRR

;8 Fo not t"rn on me, 8aheira. o" will en as yo"r fellows i.

"A#EIRA: 3HNIET, yo"... yo" o not tr"st my 5"*ement either( hae stoo /y yo" thro"*h the

mista#es of my own #in, an yo" still #eep yo"r *"ar aro"n me(DERMIN: >his /ehaior !ertainly s"pports o"r ersion of what happene. thin# yo"r !hoi!e is !lear in this."A#EIRA: No...no... o not thin# it is. o" are ao!atin* reen*e witho"t tho"*ht. o" are not *iin* the /alan!e its "e. ... hae little !hoi!e here thin#.

"A#EIRA: Fermin...Fermin, reno"n!e my life as a Harper.

DERMIN: 8aheira, yo" !annot mean this. o" wo"l not possi/le leae yo"r fellows for a life with this #iller."A#EIRA: o" are ri*ht, of !o"rse, an &QHSHET has proen it. No, thin# it /est if ret"rn to tenin* the /alan!e with my r"ii! /rethren. f yo" wish, Fermin, yo" may ret"rn when!e yo" !ame with the messa*e thatC8aheira the HarperC is ea.DERMIN: >his is perhaps worse than if yo" a!t"ally were. ... hae no more esire to p"rs"e this matter. Goo/ye8aheira. >his...this is a sa ay.

"A#EIRA: >hat it is. 3HNIET, #now yo" will not "pset the /alan!e, /"t if yo" !han*e, we will meeta*ain. will not /e happy if yo" !heapen my !hoi!e here toay. /"ahe&ra $ea%es 'he *ar'+888for good1 .)' roman-e

s'a+s>8 >his is an "nfort"nate sit"ation they hae pla!e yo" in, 8aheira. tr"st yo"r 5"*ement tho"*h. @@@@GRRRR

@@@@GRRRR

JJ





8aheira

&n the note it says:

3HNIET,

Goo/ye. No sappy farewells or !ryin* oer how thin*s m"st /e o neither of these thin*s well, nor wo"l

wish to. hae mae a e!ision one that is not ieal, /"t it is ne!essary. !an *o nowhere witho"t this shaow,an wish to leae it /ehin. am ret"rnin* to the Harper Hol that mi*ht fa!e 5"*ement there. will pleathe !ase as we saw it for whateer they a!!"se, an if they o not see reason then will s"ffer what m"st.Galarey ha etra!tors as well as allies, so /eliee !an en this in my faor. f not, at least it will /e an en.

o not as# yo" to follow. o this for myself, an there will /e little or no *ain for yo". o" may still /e atar*et of iolen!e, /"t perhaps their interest in yo" will wither /esie the !apt"re of a Ctraitor.C

<or /etter or worse, am ta#in* !ontrol on!e more. hope to see yo" a*ain in /etter times.

?ith Nat"reCs loe an mine,

8aheira

So she left. >o ta#e the whole responsi/ility /y herself. re yo" *oin* to let her o this( No, of !o"rse not. eae all possi/le )"ests to wait an r"n to Harper Hol--- Tha'9s an order from S$a**+

t the se!on floor yo"$ll fin 8aheira % alone-(

"A#EIRA: ?hat are yo" oin*... why are yo" here( 8HEE7;78 o"r tro"/les are my tro"/les, 8aheira, an yo" will not fa!e them alone- /or

28 Ce lost too many important thin*s, 8aheira, Cll not lose yo" as well."A#EIRA: 3HNIET, yo" ma*nifi!ent /astar- wo"l #ill yo" for followin* me if were not so *la tosee yo"-

78 8aheira, onCt !are that...what( Gla( tho"*ht yo" wante this( /or

28 Ia#e "p yo"r min- s this yo"r wish or not( tho"*ht yo" wo"l /e ma."A#EIRA: wante to atone with the Harpers, /"t these are not they. thin# reen*e is more a fa!tor here.>he tr"e Harpers hae a/anone this *arish pla!e. @@@@SUSPECT

;8 Cll not let these /astar Harpers ta#e yo", 8aheira- Cll not let them /eat me-"A#EIRA: s it always a/o"t winnin*, 3HNIET( m the simple treas"re at the en of yo"r tre#( ?o"l a*olen !hali!e sere 5"st as well( &r a swor( e*arless, there are no Harpers here. None that a!t with san!tion,

anyway. >hey hae mae no effort to hie their moties from me was /ait for yo".78 B"t we are in the Harper Hol. >hey wo"l let it /e mis"se li#e this( /or

28 s there s"!h issention in the ran#s that this pla!e !o"l /e ta#en oer("A#EIRA: Normally they wo"l not allow it, /"t this pla!e loo#s eserte /y tr"e Harpers sin!e GalareyCseath. Cll wa*er it was too *arish. @@@@SUSPECT

>8 No reason. was passin* /y an ... "h... tho"*ht wo"l loo# in on yo".

"A#EIRA: Cassin* /y(C th#atla( see. ?ell, than# yo" for... than# yo" for followin* me, een if yo" are onlyCpassin* /y.C78 >hen yo" are *la to see me( Ia#e "p yo"r min. /or

28 tho"*h yo" wo"l /e ma followe. tho"*ht yo" wante this.

"A#EIRA: wante to atone with the Harpers, /"t these are not they. thin# reen*e is more a fa!tor here.>he tr"e Harpers hae a/anone this *arish pla!e.

@@@@SUSPECT

"A#EIRA: Noti!e the la!# of Spe!tral Harpists( >hey were here at one time, an they wo"l not leae their post "nless itwas no lon*er to /e *"are.1. >hen we are free of their melin*. /or

2. B"t it S *"are, 5"st not /y Harpers. &"r fi*htin* is not one.

"A#EIRA: ?e may still /e h"nte. m"st as# Fermin if see him a*ain. He tol me to !ome here, so nee to#now if his alle*ian!e has !han*e or not. >hose we #ill in selfDefense may loo# li#e Harper allies, een if they arenot. ?e hae no !hoi!e, an will not feel *"ilty oer this tan*le we/ any more. etCs *et o"t of here, /"t ta#e !are:if their ta!ti!s are as simple as their moties then yo" may hae /een allowe to pass. &"r exit may /e trea!hero"s.

78 >hen we will *o to*ether. e5oin an...an wal# with me.

"A#EIRA: am *la too. ?e will tal# later, 3HNIET. /"ahe&ra o&ns 'he *ar'+28 o" will hae to wait here. hae no room for yo" at the moment.

"A#EIRA: hae nowhere left to *o if not with yo". o" wo"l leae me here with a li#ely am/"sh waitin*o"tsie(

J9



8aheira

78 am sorry, 8aheira, hae to a/anon yo" here."A#EIRA: >hen... then this is *oo/ye. <or all yo"r wors, they were ri*ht. Goo/ye,3HNIET, will not /e seein* yo" a*ain. /"ahe&ra $ea%es for good1 .)' roman-e s'a+s

28 &f !o"rse not- ?hat was thin#in*( am *la to hae yo" here... with me.

"A#EIRA: am *la too. ?e will tal# later, 3HNIET.

So, yo" *ot 8aheira /a!#. o"$ll hae to fi*ht yo"r way o"t of the Harper Hol- Now, yo" m"st a*ain wait for Fermin to appear. n this time it$ll ta#e two ays of in*ame time an one rest after that. Go&U>F&&S, anywhere, this time the area oesn$t matter, an rest.

"A#EIRA: Stop. 8HEB2; Fo yo" see him( eay yo"rself. 8HEB; Fermin- wo"l spea# at yo"-

DERMIN: s sharpDeye as eer, tho"*h yo"r !hoi!e in !ompanions has not improe. s yo"r trea!hery not eno"*h thatyo" m"st !onsort with a #iller( tho"*ht yo" /etter than... FEIN07;"A#EIRA: Sh"t "p- sai wo"l spea# > yo"- >his matter is finishe- will not a!#nowle*e this a*ain- f yo" press it will /e for!e to eal with yo"-

DERMIN: s yo" were Cfor!eC to eal with the Harpers that ie in th#atla(

"A#EIRA: es, a!t"ally, an yo" well #now it- Galarey was no more a Harper than a treant. His a!tions /etraye him,

an all those that followe him- >he *arish Hol, his politi!al a*ena he was merely "sin* the wei*ht of the Harper nameto promote himself. >ell me: what i he offer yo"(

DERMIN: o" onCt #now what yo" are sayin*, 8aheira. o"r asso!iation with this 3HNIET has poisone yo"r 5"*ement.

"A#EIRA: >hen am /etter for it. 3all me traitor, /"t hae followe the spirit of the Harpers. o" are the traitor, an if the eents were #nown others wo"l see-

DERMIN: h, /"t the eents are not #nown. ?hat is a!!epte is that yo" hae #ille yo"r /rethren an ta#en "p with a#nown m"rerer. >here is no eien!e existin* to the !ontrary."A#EIRA: &f !o"rse not. Fespite the am/"shes yo" will still /e a/le to !laim the moral hi*h *ro"n for yo"r a!tions.?hat happene to yo", Fermin( o not #now yo".

DERMIN: &ne *rows weary. ?e wo"l hae one *oo wor#s, 8aheira, 5"st from a more profita/le perspe!tie.

"A#EIRA: t the !ost of the inno!ents. >hat is always the way.

DERMIN: nno!ent(- s that what yo" !all 3HNIET( B"t &QHESHET is a !hil of Bhaal- ?hether his nat"reis *oo or /a it will !ertainly /e isr"ptie-"A#EIRA: t !ertainly isr"pte yo". >he inno!ents also in!l"e Harpers that hae ie thin#in* they were fi*htin* for

the ri*ht !a"se. GalareyCs !a"se. o"r !a"se.DERMIN: e*retta/le losses.

"A#EIRA: s was yo"rs, tho"*h s"spe!t yo" hae /een *one for years.

DERMIN: h, yo"r wit is still the most an*ero"s trait a/o"t yo", 8aheira. tol yo" to !"ltiate it. ittle i #now wo"l /e on the re!eiin* en one ay."A#EIRA: Sae it, Fermin. hae no more *"ilt a/o"t fa!in* yo", or any other sent on this <oolCs 3r"sae. o" are the /etrayers, not . #now this in my heart.

DERMIN: o"Cll paron me if hae a loo# for myself-<GH>---

?hen yo" #ill them all, 8aheira spea#s:"A#EIRA: i not wish to o this. i not. ?e are in the ri*ht, 3HNIET, /"t why oes it still h"rt(78 >he ri*ht thin* is not always the easiest. !t"ally, itCs "s"ally the /looy har /it.

"A#EIRA: Heh, yo" an yo"r 5o#es ma#e me smile far too often, een when o not want to. eople will thin# am *ettin* soft.

78 es, /"t yo"Cre always )"i!# with a /a!#han to set them ri*ht."A#EIRA: Haha- Sh"sh yo"- Cm s"ppose to /e feelin* /a a/o"t this whole thin*. &h, letCs 5"st *etmoin*. sni!#er;

28 Not a !han!e. Hey, why inCt *et to say somethin* to him( wante to help.

"A#EIRA: Ce sat thro"*h all of yo"r little plots an plans. >he least yo" !an o is toss me a /one now anthen. eesh, ta#e &QHSHET th"ner for one !onersation an &QHESHET *ets all to"!hy. etCs

*et o"t of here. ?eCe still *ot thin*s to o. sni!#er;28 eople o not always want to see reason. o" o what yo" !an...

"A#EIRA: es, yes, yo" o what yo" !an, not always what yo" want. >he Bi* ittle Boo# of la"no, ri*ht(nsi*htf"l. am sorry, 3HNIET, sho"lnCt /e ta#in* my an*er o"t on yo". etCs 5"st *et moin*. Cll /ealri*ht in a while.

;8 o" #now the answers to s"!h thin*s /etter than . Cll spare yo" my !li!hes."A#EIRA: Heh, a wise moe. will not hae this sit"ation mae trite. may /e in a fo"l moo for a while, yo""nerstan( es, thin# yo" o. >han# yo".

JK



8aheira

>M41

"A#EIRA: ... am sorry, /"t nee a moment to !olle!t myself. 8HE2;

78 ?e onCt hae time to stop. Get moin*-

"A#EIRA: ?hat( o" !annot *ie me a se!on too... <ine, if that is what yo" wish then yo" hae alreay

answere any )"estion mi*ht hae sai. etCs *o. Now- Go- /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+28 No nee to as#. ?e haenCt ha time to stop sin!e yo"r meetin* with...well...

"A#EIRA: 3HNIET( onCt #now what to... am N&> "se to this- am the one in !ontrol- am... ...

?OU: 8aheira, why i yo" leae the Harpers( mean, #now Cwhy,C /"t why for me(

"A#EIRA: Selfish, selfish, selfish- eople hae ie /e!a"se of... what want, what see in... yo". >he Harpers

hae ri*htf"lly t"rne their /a!#s- i*htf"lly- ... Selfish...78 >here is no shame in this. o" i what yo" tho"*ht was ri*ht. /or

28 >hey were in the wron*- o" sai so- o" seeme s"re then-"A#EIRA: Fi ( ?hat if am wron*( ?hat if my own st"pi tho"*hts hae !olore what see( ?hat if yo"... ?hat if it all *oes wron*( ?hat happens to what is lost( !anCt ris# any more- So m"!h is *one.

78 ?e lie an the worl *oes on. Hear my !li!he an smile. lease( FonCt ma#e me say another.

"A#EIRA: Imph... onCt... onCt ma#e me la"*h, yo"... >han#s, 3HNIET, /"t onCt want total# anymore ri*ht now. >han#s.

28 erhaps, /"t *oin* /a!# is not an option now, is it("A#EIRA: No. No it isnCt. Blinly on, hittin* walls as we *o. sniff; By the *os, lets 5"st *etmoin*. o so hate *ettin* this si!# on emotion.

>M4

"A#EIRA: Blast, my armor !o"l o with a !leanin*. 8HE;

78 o" seem to hae !heere "p a /it. <eelin* /etter( @@@@!EELING

28 will *et yo" the /est armor in all of th#atla if it will help."A#EIRA: No, no it wo"lnCt. am sorry, /"t this will ta#e time on!e a*ain.78 o" are feelin* /etter tho"*h( @@@@!EELING

28 o" spen m"!h of yo"r life waitin*. ?hen o yo" *et to the Coin*C part(

"A#EIRA: ?hen am *oo an reay. s"ppose !annot /lame yo" when /lame myself. etCs 5"st *o,there is m"!h to o.

;8 t is well worn. mean, itCs "se, /"t on yo" it is well worn."A#EIRA: S"!h a line hae not hear sin!e my early ays traelin* the horelans. >han# yo" for tryin* to !heer me, /"t will mana*e. o"r siler ton*"e !o"l o with some smithin* as well. /it /l"nt, wo"l thin#.

@@@@!EELING

"A#EIRA: Somewhat. am far from my ol self howeer. than# yo" for p"ttin* "p with me.78 >hin# nothin* of it. o" hae one more for me.

"A#EIRA: es... yes, s"ppose hae. How m"!h i o for yo" howeer, an how m"!h was for me alone.78 tCs not important. 3ome now, yo" were almost happy for a moment there.

"A#EIRA: am fine. etCs 5"st #eep *oin*.

28 FonCt start all oer a*ain. onCt nee to hear it a*ain.

"A#EIRA: >hen yo" wonCt. am in the mile of a e!ision, an thin# yo" hae 5"st mae it for me.3ome, letCs *et *oin*. o"Cll not hear another wor. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 es, well, as lon* as it oes not !ontin"e. onCt wish to hear it."A#EIRA: >hen yo" wonCt. am in the mile of a e!ision, an thin# yo" hae 5"st mae it for me. 3ome, letCs*et *oin*. o"Cll not hear another wor. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

70



8aheira

>M46

"A#EIRA: o"r ol in5"ries feelin* alri*ht( tho"*ht saw yo" win!e a moment a*o. 8HE4;


>M47

"A#EIRA: So... !o"l ... hae a few moments of yo"r time( 8HE6;78 s there not a /etter time for o"r little !hats(

"A#EIRA: ima*ine this wo"l /e aw#war at any time, so m"st answer no. lease, hear me o"t.78 onCt hae the time for this now.

"A#EIRA: ... see. >hen my e!ision is mae for me. am sorry for interr"ptin* yo". est ass"re that itwill not happen a*ain. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 s in!oenient as it is, *o ahea. @@@@DECISION

28 3ertainly. ?hat is it yo" wish to #now( @@@@DECISION

@@@@DECISION

"A#EIRA: >han# yo". wishe to spea# of the f"t"re a /it. #now we hae is!"sse this in /rief /efore, /"t nee to...!larify a few thin*s.

78 o" were the one that tho"*ht my f"t"re mine to !ontrol. Has this !han*e( /or

28 ?hy( Has yo"r re!ent loss affe!te how yo" see me("A#EIRA: No, no, not as s"!h. 5"st wishe to #now how yo" fare on the path yo" hae !hosen. Grante amri*ht here to see, /"t onCt #now what yo"... thin#. Fo yo" still fin my !ompany /enefi!ial( Fo yo" still thin# of o"r missin* friens as often as yo" i( ?hat of yo"r fi*ht to remain in /alan!e(

78 8aheira, this is not a C!hat.C >his is more a 5"i!ial in)"iry. /or

28 ?hat is this( ?hy are yo" tryin* to Cextra!tC this information("A#EIRA: am sorry then. i not mean to test yo" so. erhaps this !an wait for another time. <or*et sai anythin*.?OU: ?hat( etCs 5"st *o.

>M4K

"A#EIRA: ... nee to spea# with yo" a moment. 8HEJ;


>M61

"A#EIRA: How... how i that last /attle ma#e yo" feel( Fi yo" en5oy it( 8HE7;78 8aheira- hae a/o"t ha eno"*h of this. o" o not tr"st me. Say so- @@@@B#AAL

28 No more than yo", am s"re. o what m"st /e one. s that wron*( /or

;8 Very m"!h so. en5oy !om/at. hae seen yo" en5oy it too. s that so wron*(

"A#EIRA: No, /"t what were yo"r motiations( o" !an /e iolent li#e any other person, /"t there is more atsta#e with yo". ?hat were yo" thin#in*(78 >his is *rowin* tiresome, 8aheira. f yo" o not tr"st me, say so. @@@@B#AAL

28 o not re!all. How lon* /efore yo"r )"estions mirror GalareyCs( @@@@B#AAL

@@@@B#AAL

"A#EIRA: ... am sorry- B"t m"st #now- m"st #now that yo" are more h"man than not- m"st #now that yo"r... yo"r poison /loo has not ta#en yo"r senses- m"st #now that the 3hil of Bhaal in front of me is as sin!ere as he seems, so onot *et myself... mean, *et anyone else h"rt... p"rs"in* yo"r !ompany.

78 f my wor an yo"r eyes are not eno"*h, as# yo"rself what !o"l /e(

"A#EIRA: So yo" are sayin* that if nothin* !o"l eer ma#e thin*s ri*ht, it is me that is wron*. am... am

loo#in* for ex!"ses to aoi yo"... an what feel. o not re!all myself /ein* s"!h a mess. t is time, *"ess, tomoe or *et off the pot. 3haos in their passa*e inee yo" hae nothin* on me, 3HNIET.etCs *et towal#in*, hae yet more thin#in* to o.

28 t so"ns li#e yo" are not reay to Cp"rs"eC anyone. eae me /e.

71



8aheira

"A#EIRA: *"ess that wo"l /e /est, wo"lnCt it. <or...for the /est. will not /other yo" a*ain. /roman-e


N&>E: f yo" haen$t finishe the !omplete Fermin ="ests /y this time, Fermin will /e for!e to appear % /"t yo" m"st /e &U>F&&S.

>M6

"A#EIRA: s... is this an in!onenient time for "s to spea#( 8HEK;78 Spea# yo"r min, 8aheira. will ma#e time. @@@@DERMIN

28 >hese little !hats neer *o well, 8aheira, re*arless of the time."A#EIRA: see. sho"l thin# it /a that yo" hae sai so now. ?e hae /een traelin* to*ether lon* an... anyo" seeme responsie eno"*h. Hae /een wron*(

78 Very wron*. Now, will yo" please /e )"iet.

"A#EIRA: see. >hen why i yo" !ome( ?as merely a lost m"le( ... am *la this has !ome to li*ht. tstops me from... shall /e )"iet, most !ertainly. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 Cm sorry, itCs 5"st the stress of trael. Spea# yo"r min. @@@@DERMIN

@@@@DERMIN"A#EIRA: am sorry if this seems o, /"t wante to than# yo". o" i not hae to follow me to the Harper Hol. n

fa!t, seem to re!all tellin* yo" not to.78 Fi yo" not want me to, or is it that yo" 5"st tho"*ht wo"lnCt(

"A#EIRA: ... am sorry, 3HNIET. o" are ri*ht it is not fair to yo". o" hae proen relia/le, an yet was afrai... of what felt, an whom felt it for. @@@@MAR

28 i not tr"st that Fermin, an yo"r letter i nothin* to ease my min.

"A#EIRA: n am *la for it- >he shame of FerminCs a!!"sation !olore my own si*ht. He is the one that has

!han*e. o" wo"l hae /een a /etter *"ie... @@@@MAR

@@@@MAR

"A#EIRA: o" hae proen master of yo"r path, an as... as m"!h as wish to wal# it with yo" there is m"!h "nfinishe /"siness that has /een eatin* away at my will. 'haliCs eath, my nee to moe on, these Harpers that hae for!e my own

trea!hery an in the /a!#*ro"n is who an what yo" are: a spawn of m"rer an lies. B"t yo" hae left /ehin the eilthat yo"r ery nat"re is /"ilt "pon. f yo" !an o that, proin* to /e the !arin* person yo" are, then why o fear( So willfear no more. ... al"e yo"r !ompany, 3HNIET. fter all we hae /een thro"*h, m"st #now: o yo" al"e my!ompany as well(78 Very m"!h so, 8aheira. o" are an inte*ral part of the party.

"A#EIRA: ...of the party( So, /"siness alone has #ept yo" with me. Very well... Best #now now, /efore... ?ell,that is )"ite eno"*h of that. etCs *o, shall we( /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 8aheira, yo"r loss wo"l /e a tra*ey. nee yo" here... with me."A#EIRA: >hose are ni!e wors, 3HNIET, an am not so fearf"l to hear them anymore. am not so s"rehow to a!t "pon them, /"t #nowin* yo" feel as o is a start. wonCt elay "s any lon*er for now. ?e will spea# a*ain on this, in /etter spirits, hope.

>M66 Note: >o tri**er this ialo* yo" m"st rest-

"A#EIRA: h, the awnin* of o"r ay, tho"*h it is ery rarely that we seem to mat!h o"r sleep to the !y!le of ay or ni*ht. 8HEB1;


N&>E: f yo" haen$t finishe the !omplete Fermin ="ests /y this time, Fermin will /e for!e to appear % /"t yo" m"st

/e &U>F&&S.

72



8aheira

>M67 Note: >o tri**er this ialo* yo" m"st rest- t !an happen anywhere, een in "n*eons.?hateer yo" !hoose: "ahe&raRoman-eA-'&%e2F Par'+ res's

"A#EIRA: t is a/o"t time we reste. hae seen eno"*h wa#in* ho"rs, than# yo" ery m"!h. 8HEB;


>M6K

"A#EIRA: ?hat( ?hat is it yo" want( 8HEB4;


>MJ1

"A#EIRA: o" neenCt #eep a istan!e /etween "s. am in less of a moo now. 8HEB6;

78 re yo"( i not want to ris# settin* yo" off on!e more."A#EIRA: o not /lame yo". S"!h tro"/le hae /een. Simple feelin*s mae more iffi!"lt /y the stran*estthin*s. hope hae not harme yo"r iew of me. @@@@,IE

28 was thin#in* of other thin*s at the moment, /"t am *la yo" feel /etter.

"A#EIRA: es, sho"lnCt expe!t a warm rea!tion after what hae /een li#e. Simple feelin*s !ompli!ate /eyon

re!o*nition. hope hae not so"re yo"r iew of me. @@@@,IE

;8 Sho"l tailor my moo to yo"rs( o" hae proen "nresposie in the past."A#EIRA: s"ppose esere yo"r s"spi!ion an s!orn, /"t hope hae not so"re yo" !ompletely. @@@@,IE

@@@@,IE

78 t has /een iffi!"lt /"t... /"t wo"l not trae yo"r !ompany for anyoneCs.

"A#EIRA: o" o not #now how *la am. worrie ha r"ine what we... o" are my sta/ility, yo" #now(erhaps it oesnCt always seem li#e it, /"t yo" are. @@@@ORDS

28 o" hae )"estione o"r relationship at eery step, een as yo" p"rs"e it."A#EIRA: t m"st hae /een !onf"sin* for yo", an !annot say how sorry am. o" hae shown the patien!e of a saint, espite yo"r etra!tors an my... fl"!t"ations. @@@@ORDS

@@@@ORDS

"A#EIRA: 'now that !are for yo", een if o not show it well. f this meant nothin* it wo"l hae /een easy to ealwith. Small !onsolation, #now.78 Very small. will not !ontin"e li#e this. Iy own feelin*s m"st ta#e pre!een!e.

"A#EIRA: see. !annot /lame yo". hae waite too lon* an straine too many ties. erhaps it is for the /est.erhaps. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 Not so small. Foes this mean yo" are !omforta/le with me("A#EIRA: am tryin*. o" hae shown s"!h !arin* so far. hae ta#en yo" for *rante as someone that wo"lalways /e here, een as )"estione o"r ery frienship. will not ma#e s"!h a mista#e a*ain. &f this am s"re. ?e

sho"l *et moin*. ?al# with me, 3HNIET.

>MJ Note: >o tri**er this ialo* yo" m"st rest- t will show "p &N &U>F&&S. o"$ll spot some ifferent ialo* !hoi!esre*arin* yo"$re in forest area or not when this tal# o!!"rs.

"A#EIRA: hae... ha a realiation. hae /een wal#in* with my eyes own!ast for so lon* ha for*otten the /ea"ty of the lan. fter all we hae seen, ha tho"*ht neer to feel the warmth of nat"re a*ain. 8HEBJ;


7



8aheira

>MJ6

"A#EIRA: ?e hae to /e nearin* o"r *oal. t has /een a lon* 5o"rney an we hae /een thro"*h so m"!h. hope this oesnot en "p all /ein* for na"*ht. 8HEB7;


N&>E: f yo" haen$t finishe the !omplete Fermin ="ests /y this time, >erminsel will /e for!e to appear % /"t yo" m"st /e &U>F&&S.

>MJ7 Note: >o tri**er this ialo* yo" m"st rest- t !an happen anywhere, een in "n*eons.

"A#EIRA: 3an ... wo"l... OahemO Hear my wors while hae the nere. 8HEB9; 3HNIET, as we learn

of o"r sit"ation want to say... that there is m"!h to !ome, an fin nee yo"r !ompany more an more. o" are a *reat!omfort in this time.1. o" #now yo" !an !o"nt on me /ein* with yo", 8aheira. @@@@BOMB

2. wo"l not hae wishe this time to /e spent with anyone else. @@@@BOMB

. s are yo". est now. ?ho #nows what we will fa!e tomorrow."A#EIRA: ?ho #nows, inee. esteray saw friens ie saw /loo spille. >omorrow... @@@@SLEEP

@@@@BOMB

"A#EIRA: #now. ?e are *reat friens... an more. o"r wors ease my tho"*hts, an many is the time we hae saeone another in /attle. ?e hae *rown )"ite !lose.

78 ?hat are yo" *ettin* at, 8aheira( @@@@SLEEP

28 re!all all of this fonly. nythin* !an o to assist yo", will.

"A#EIRA: o" !an /e yo"rself, /e there for me. o" !an... /e here for me as well. @@@@SLEEP

@@@@SLEEP

"A#EIRA: Stay with me toni*ht, 3HNIET. f... if yo" wish.

?OU: re yo" !ertain of this(

"A#EIRA: No, /"t am less s"re of many thin*s these ays. worry less a/o"t it tho"*h. will set asie my hesitation if yo" will.78 8aheira, there is no other answer !o"l *ie. /"ahe&raNoo4&e71 Par'+ res's

28 ?hen we are thro"*h with reni!"s. f yo" feel the same then..."A#EIRA: see. >hen stay "p an tal# with me for a while. o"/t shall sleep. /Par'+ res's

>MJK Note: >o tri**er this ialo* yo" m"st rest-?hateer yo" !hoose: "ahe&raRoman-eA-'&%e2

f 8aheiraNoo#ieM1"A#EIRA: Goo mornin*. Shall we *et o"rseles reay for the roa( ?eCe m"!h to o, so we sho"l *et an early start.

8HEBK;

f 8aheiraNoo#ieM0

"A#EIRA: ?e are reay to moe on( thin# it /est that we *et an early start. 8HE31;


74



8aheira

>M70 % the en of roman!e(

No, it is not the en D yo" still hae to see what that >ermisel was all a/o"t... ; Note that he will appear een if yo" on$t roman!e 8aheira or if the roman!e with her is s!rewe. B"t /e warne: in that!ase yo"$ll hae to wait for him 6 fie; ays of E >IE startin* from moment yo" s!rewe the roman!e- es,

a!!orin* to other resear!hers it is 6 ays. o" hae to leae yo"r !omp"ter to r"n the *ame for 6 ays in orer for >erminsel to appear. >here will also /e some !han*es in the ialo*s !ompare to those in the proper roman!e /"t won$tisplay those here;. time *lit!h( $ say it is. B"t F&N$> 3E--- n a note: a!!orin* to me, it wonCt /e 6 ays /"t

10 ho"rs of real time, howeer neer teste this % o yo" thin# sho"l( Nah-

f roman!e ene as it sho"l, >erminsel appears after a/o"t an ho"r of real time;...eah, yeah, yo" m"st /e o"toors, an yo" m"stn$t /e at the Unerar# Exit, >raemeet, Sl"ms istri!t nor 3ity Gates.

TERMINSEL: Hello, yo"n* lay. Ii*ht hae a wor or two( >EIN0J;

"A#EIRA: Fo #now of yo"( o"r oi!e is familiar, /"t !annot pla!e yo"r fa!e. 8HE32;TERMINSEL: erhaps we hae met. ?e traele in m"!h the same !ir!les, tho"*h not at the same time. >erminsel isthe...ahh....name, an sho"l li#e to as# ye a )"estion."A#EIRA: ?e met amon* the Harpers, i we not( am thro"*h with them. Iany a e!ent person met, /"t amne if

Cll /e !r"!ifie for the fail"res of their own.TERMINSEL: es, well, !alm own for the moment, if ye will. am well erse in the eents that hae o!!"rre, an

hae /"t a simple )"estion to p"t to ye."A#EIRA: >hen o so. wish this matter /ehin me, on!e an for all.TERMINSEL: &h, this will !lear "p a *reat many thin*s. !are little for the spe!ifi!s of what o!!"rre in the Harper hol. No, 8aheira, Ce a )"estion of a ifferent sort to as#. <or /etter or for worse ye hae thrown thy fate in with this3HNIET, an &QHESHET is, amon* many other thin*s, a !hil of Bhaal. es, #now of this, so loo# ye nots"rprise. #now of thy feelin*s for him, an the t"rmoil within ye. ro!#y roa is this relationship, worse still in the

mist of aen*in* fallen friens an loers. n the en ye hae *one a*ainst thine own fellows *"ie /y yo"r heart yehae seen 3HNIETCs a!tions, an sere with &QHIHET thro"*h /attle an pea!e. e hae one what yehae one, the reasons for whi!h are thine. tr"st they are ali... >his is my )"estion, 8aheira: i ye o the ri*ht thin*(>EIN09;

if yo"r rep"tation is K or lower "A#EIRA: ... 8HEF9;TERMINSEL: >ell me tr"e, 8aheira."A#EIRA: ... onCt #now.TERMINSEL: Hmm. see. f yo" are o"/tin* then perhaps ye are not as m"!h in the ri*ht as ye tho"*ht. leae ye withthat tho"*ht. Cm s"re it will sere as penan!e eno"*h. <are thee well. e shall nee my *oo tho"*hts. /Term&nse$ $ea%es

w&'ho)' show&ng h&s rea$ fa-e

if yo"r rep"tation is 10 or hi*her "A#EIRA: Uno"/tely. wo"l o as s"!h a*ain witho"t hesitation. 3HNIET is proen e!ent an others are allthe more fools for not seein* so. 8HEFK;

TERMINSEL: >hen that is the meas"re from whi!h the in!ient shall /e 5"*e. >hin# no more of it. &h, an /efore

for*et, this little item was meant for ye. /eliee it was for*otten in all the ex!itement. ?ear it with prie, will ye( n *et

/a!# to wor#. /"ahe&ra ge's #ar*ers9 n&f'+ *&n888?EA#"A#EIRA: ... /eliee hae pla!e a proper name to yo"r manner, now that hae experien!e it "p !lose. sho"l haetho"*ht yo" fon of ana*rams, C>erminsel.CTERMINSEL: es, well, one m"st #eep am"se in oneCs ol a*e. Goo l"!#, 8aheira, an o not thin# thyself a/anonefor the a!tions of a few. ?e simply o not wor# li#e that. /Term&nse$ shows h&s rea$ fa-e and 'hen $ea%es

76



8aheira


I! PhaereInn)endo7

"A#EIRA: 8"st what are yo" on to, 3HNIET( o" thin# am /lin, not to see yo"r foolish /ehaior with the

row woman( ?hy wo"l yo" play s"!h an iioti! *ame... o yo" not remem/er o"r sit"ation(

78 re yo" 5ealo"s, 8aheira( wo"l not expe!t that from yo"."A#EIRA: 8ealo"s of a simple Frow that t"rns her eyes "p at yo"( s yo"r opinion of me so low( merely thin# that flirtations will *ain nothin* an enan*er "s all.

78 tCs a ploy, 8aheira... nothin* more.

"A#EIRA: t is a foolish one. Frow en5oy neither affe!tion nor intense attra!tion. Sex is nothin* /"t a *ame

to them. >o in"l*e wo"l /e... isappointin*.28 Cll o as li#e, 8aheira. 'eep yo"r opinions to yo"rself.

"A#EIRA: &h( am isappointe. n"l*e yo"r !arnality, /y all means, if it means so m"!h to yo". shallsay no more on that s"/5e!t or any other. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 tCs a ploy, 8aheira... nothin* more.

"A#EIRA: t is a foolish one. Frow en5oy neither affe!tion nor intense attra!tion. Sex is nothin* /"t a *ame to

them. >o in"l*e wo"l /e... isappointin*.;8 Cll o as li#e, 8aheira. 'eep yo"r opinions to yo"rself.

"A#EIRA: &h( am isappointe. n"l*e yo"r !arnality, /y all means, if it means so m"!h to yo". shall say nomore on that s"/5e!t or any other. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

I! PhaereInn)endo2

"A#EIRA: o" spent )"ite some time in the row womanCs !ham/ers, 3HNIET. 3are to ela/orate what yo" werea/o"t, as if i not #now(78 She for!e me, 8aheira. ha no !hoi!e if wante to maintain o"r *"ise.

if yo"r rep"tation is 1 or *reater:

"A#EIRA: s"ppose that is tr"e eno"*h, altho"*h !an thin# of seeral lies yo" mi*ht hae trie for o"r sa#e. B"t

tr"st yo" eno"*h. et "s 5"st... moe on.if yo"r rep"tation is 12 or lower:"A#EIRA: Hmph. o" are 5"st the sort to lie to me a/o"t this. n that this ma#es me "n!omforta/le is een

worse. thin# prefer to /e on my own for a time. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+28 t sere a p"rpose an nothin* more.

"A#EIRA: #now the p"rpose. Simple selfD*ratifi!ation, or o yo" maintain there was no way to aoi the

sit"ation( hhh, eno"*h... o not want to hear any more. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 inCt hae m"!h !hoi!e. Cm sorry."A#EIRA: am sorry too, an isappointe, /"t s"ppose it !o"l not /e aoie... with yo" /ein* male an inthis *"ise. shall... attempt to for*et a/o"t it.

>8 tCs none of yo"r /"siness, either way.

"A#EIRA: No( Very well. shall eneao"r to #eep my shrewish opinions to myself, on this an all other matters

re*arin* "s. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

I! PhaereInn)endo;

"A#EIRA: Hmmm... o"t so soon( Fi the row woman not i* her !laws into yo" s"!!essf"lly( >hat is *oo. sh"er to thin# what mi*ht hae happene otherwise.

O'her *oss&.$e -onse()en-es:

− See EE se!tion, >M26

− See V3&N se!tion, >M1

7J



8aheira

SPECIAL ISSUE

&N when yo"$re roman!in* 8aheira, !an yo" *et a spe!ial item from a shop#eeper in the o!#s Fistri!t. <or o/tainin*that item, the roman!e 5"st has to hae starte % /"t not s!rewe, an 8aheira has to /e in the party.

o" !an safely miss this iss"e, it is only a /on"s an !ontain no !onse)"en!es. BU> F& GE> >HE >EI if yo" wante it

in the first pla!e, /e!a"se the se!on time yo" spea# to the mer!hant he won$t offer it a*ain.

?hateer, when yo" *et to that mer!hant, the ialo* will loo# li#e this:

"A#ABOAM: Ho there, hae wor#e lon* an lonely ho"rs an it is *oo to see a frienly fa!e- 3are to see some of my

trin#ets an far fl"n* wares( Somethin* spe!ial, somethin* plain, whateer yo" wish for in these "n!ertain times, !anma#e a!!ommoation. Somethin*...for the lay, perhaps( &h, yes, see a *lint in the eye. >here is roman!e afoot, an itnees the an!in* partner of the aornments of affe!tion-"A#EIRA: NDno, thatCs )"ite alri*ht. Fo not ma#e a f"ss.

"A#ABOAM: Nonsense- &h, /"t perhaps hae oersteppe my /o"ns with my o/serant eyes. apolo*ie most prof"sely. t !han*es nothin* tho"*h. o" sir, yo"r name(

78 None of yo"r /"siness."A#ABOAM: h, perhaps it is yo"r !"rtness that has mae the air aro"n the lay so !hilly. Ii*ht offer a

s"**estion( Gifts will warm the !olest hearts. @@@@GI!T28 3HNIET.

"A#ABOAM: 3HNIET( >he name of a man that #nows his heart, /"t who perhaps has tro"/les warmin*the layCs heart. By no fa"lt of yo"r own, of !o"rse- erhaps a *ift( @@@@GI!T

@@@@GI!T

"A#EIRA: sai not to..."A#ABOAM: /eliee was spea#in* to the *entleman. Now sir, she is a lay of the /attlefiel, so a !ommemoratie /lae possi/ly( No- hae the perfe!t thin*- lo!#et to !arry an enearin* portrait- minor ma*i! will instantly implant ali#eness of the lay. mere 20 *ol, that yo" mi*ht /"t *lan!e at my other items.

78 <ine, Cll ta#e it. /+o) ge' ee*sa4e Lo-4e' @@@@GIGGLE

28 /eliee the lay sai she inCt want anythin*."A#ABOAM: s yo" will. <arewell for now. Goo l"!# to yo" an the lay. hh, to /e yo"n*. 8aha/oam /is yo"

not s)"aner what is there to *rasp. <arewell-"A#EIRA: ?hat a...!harmin* fellow. 3ompletly insane of !o"rse. &"t of his min. Blin as a /at. No iea what hewas sayin*.

78 es...yes of !o"rse. &"t of his min. es."A#EIRA: es. ?ell. etCs...letCs *et *oin* shall we(

28 erhaps. &r perhaps hae /een /lin myself."A#EIRA: Um...... etCs...letCs *et *oin* shall we(

;8 wo"l li#e to *et it, /"t wonCt pay twenty *ol.

"A#ABOAM: >hen shall *ie it to yo"- si*n of frienship /e!omes yo"r si*n of !arin*. 8"st ret"rn to see my

other items. /+o) ge' ee*sa4e Lo-4e' @@@@GIGGLE

@@@@GIGGLE

"A#EIRA: 3HNIET- o" o not nee to...

78 /eliee he sai he was tal#in* to me, 8aheira. Sh"sh yo"rself an ta#e the *ift."A#ABOAM: ?ell sai, sir- Some of "s are rel"!tant a!!ept affe!tions. little en!o"ra*ement is all that is neee.

Now, please ret"rn to see my other wares, will yo".78 es, thin# will o that. @@@@T#AN3

28 erhaps some other time. @@@@T#AN3

28 ?ell, s"ppose not. f yo" are s"re yo" o not want it.

"A#ABOAM:&h, no ref"ns at that pri!e. >he en!hantment has alreay *ien it yo"r fa!es when yo" hanle it.B"t ret"rn to see my other wares an Cll see what !an o.

78 >han# yo" then. will /e /a!#. @@@@T#AN3

28 No, onCt thin# thatCs li#ely. @@@@T#AN3

77



8aheira

@@@@T#AN3

"A#ABOAM: s yo" will. <arewell for now. Goo l"!# to yo" an the lay. hh, to /e yo"n*. 8aha/oam /is yo" nots)"aner what is there to *rasp. <arewell-

"A#EIRA: ?hat a...!harmin* fellow. 3ompletly insane of !o"rse. &"t of his min. Blin as a /at. No iea what he wassayin*.

78 es...yes of !o"rse. &"t of his min. es.

"A#EIRA: es. ?ell. etCs...letCs *et *oin* shall we( >he...the lo!#et is loely, /y the way. >han# yo".28 erhaps. &r perhaps hae /een /lin myself.

"A#EIRA: Um...... etCs...letCs *et *oin* shall we( >he...the lo!#et is loely, /y the way. >han# yo".

tem: ee*sa4e Lo-4e'

>his is a wellD!rafte lo!#et, o/io"sly mae with !are, an typi!al of #eepsa#e items often *ien to loe ones. minor en!hantment has attempte to !apt"re the li#eness of /oth 3HNIET an 8aheira within, ma#in* it a tho"*htf"l *iftof remem/ran!e. &ne sie has s"ffere some sm"*in*, /"t it is a sweet *ift nonetheless.

3an /e weare as ne!#la!e /y anyone % proies no effe!ts.

79



8aheira

"ahe&ra .)g /E3PLOIT:

fter Ieronia appears for the first time, yo" 3N #i!# 8aheira o"t of the party on!e % an not /rea# the roman!e-( n that!ase, 8aheira says that she is *oin* to Harper Hol an that yo" sho"l arrie there as soon as possi/le. >he pro/lem is thatthis ialo* will appear een if the Harper )"est is finishe an yo" #i!# her o"t of party-( lso, the ialo* will /e shown if

8aheira was t"rne to stone in Spellhol. Howeer, the whole thin* is not of interest here % only the *lit!h with roman!e.

nyway, the pro/lem is that /"**e ialo* !ontains this !omman:Se'G$o.a$/0"ahe&raRoman-e010GLOBAL01;

instea of:

Se'G$o.a$/0"ahe&raRoman-eA-'&%e010GLOBAL01;

>his exploit yo" !an "se only on!e.B"t /e warne that possi/le f"t"re pat!hes may fix this.

7K



Vi!onia

,ICONIA

>M1

,ICC?: So...what raws yo" to this part of <aer"n( mn( th#atla( seem to re!all yo" mentionin* somethin* a/o"t a

mission or some /other. V3&NJ7;


>M

,ICC?: tCs a stran*e time alon* this Swor 3oast. >he /rin# of war was aerte, /"t the !o"ntrysie remains haaro"s tothe !itienry. V3&NJ9;78 ?ar( ?hat are yo" tal#in* a/o"t, Vi!onia(

,ICC?: >he war yo"r halfD/rother nearly starte. ?hat o yo" thin# was spea#in* of(

78 ?hy /rin* it "p( #ille Sareo#. His plans for war ie with him.

,ICC?: erhaps ChisC war ie. >hat oes not mean other !onfli!ts wonCt arise. erhaps ram/le on if yo" wish Cll

stop /otherin* yo".78 No, no. >ell me, what hae yo" /een "p to sin!e all the tro"/le with Sareo# happene(

,ICC?: hae /een a lost so"l. ?hen yo"r ra!e is "se as a /o*eyman it is an "phill /attle to een fin a /a* of irt on a sta/le floor for the ni*ht. 3hilren throwin* apples, mer!hants loosin* the ho"ns, h"nters with their arrows...an for what( >ales aro"n a inner ta/le, a few *"ffaws at a waterin* hole( t has /een tryin* past

en"ran!e, 3HNIET. si*h;78 ?ell, how hae yo" s"rie sin!e we parte ways(

,ICC?: mae the attempt to p"r!hase lan on the o"ts#irts of Bere*ost. roppe yo"r *oo namewheneer ne!essary to remain on steay footin* lo!ally. remaine hooe at all times, an it was only amatter of time an materials /efore wo"l own my own homestea , away from pryin* eyes. was notloo#in* to /e a farmer, of !o"rse. 5"st...wante a pla!e of my own. ?here !o"l fin pea!e. Iy nei*h/or

was oran Iifallow, a sto"t, s"n/"rne farmer. ?e spo#e often, an allowe the male to /rin* mes"pplies that neee /"t !o"l not a!)"ire.

78 Go on, Vi!onia. lease.,ICC?: &er time, we forme an aw#war frienship. He i not as# why wore my hoo, an slowly /e*an to tr"st him. He wonere, tho"*h...that was o/io"s. >he time to reeal myself as Frow !ame onelate afternoon. warm ay the s"n was applin* alon* the so"th )"arter of his farmlan, an p"lle

own my hoo. >hen he smile a warm initin* smile. He mentione that his olest son, 8is!anan, was /"sy ma#in* a feast to /"rst the first /"tton, an that was inite. ?e wal#e to his farmho"se, wherehis other son, a s"rly oaf name <"nnar, was si!#lin* )"a!#*rass in the front yar. ?hen rea!he hisfarmho"se, learne his tr"e intentions. Some/oy hit me in the /a!# of my s#"ll, an the *ro"n r"she"p to meet me. ha *rown wea# in my tr"st. >hey !hortle as lost !ons!io"sness, sayin* how easy itha /een an !on*rat"latin* ea!h other on a fine...a fine !at!h.

78 ?hat happene next, Vi!onia( /or

28 >hose men are si!# an twiste, Vi!onia. FonCt 5"*e all /y the a!tions of a few.,ICC?: wo#e "p to searin* pain. ?hile "n!ons!io"s, they ha a/"se an tort"re me... then trieto /"ry their sins. !o"l see nothin* ex!ept for the li of a !offin. >hey ha /"rie me alie... amista#e not to #ill me o"tri*ht. >he fools #new the name CFrowC, /"t were i*norant of my tr"e spirit.ain is the hanmaien of my people their tort"res were amate"rish in !omparison. split the !offin

li an let the earth in. !lawe to the s"rfa!e, an pain i not slow me... wo"l not let wea#nesseter me from en*ean!e.78 ?hat i yo" o then(

,ICC?: too# my reen*e, 3HNIET. wat!he their ho"se, listenin* to them !ele/ratetheir i!tory in the mist of r"n#enness. wat!he an waite. 8is!anan, the yo"n*er son, left to"se the o"tho"se. 5amme a sta#e in the oor, trappin* him insie. >hen set the /"ilin* aflame.

oran !ame r"nnin*, yellin* to <"nnar. s he stoo helpless /efore the flames wrappe a*arrote aro"n his ne!#... whispere to him of his mista#e, an mine he ha "nerestimate aFrow, an ha tr"ste foolishly. ti*htene the wire "ntil he /reathe no more. By this time theeler son, <"nnar, ret"rne with a /"!#et from the well to fin his fatherCs !orpse an his /rother a smolerin* em/er. He roppe to his #nees in sho!#, whi!h affore me a hei*ht aanta*e as !ae his hea with a minerCs mallet.

78 am...*la that yo" ha yo"r reen*e.

90



Vi!onia

,ICC?: am row. n let myself /e l"lle, foolishly. >he en*ean!e was /itter,3HNIET, /e!a"se my own st"piity ha mae it ne!essary.

28 >hatCs horri, Vi!onia- o" inCt nee to #ill the farmers. een*e only /rin*s more s"fferin*.

,ICC?: let my *"ar lower on!e an pai the pri!e for /eliein* the s"rfa!eDwellers mi*htlet me /e, 3HNIET. ?hat o yo" #now of s"fferin*(

28 Eno"*h of yo"r mor/i story, Vi!onia... !an hear no more.

,ICC?: s yo" wish.28 o" onCt nee to !ontin"e yo"r story... thin# !an see where this is heain*. 3ome, let "s *o.

,ICC?: s yo" wish.

28 Eeryone m"st en"re harships Vi!onia. 3ome...lets !ontin"e o"r 5o"rney.

,ICC?: s yo" wish.

28 Stop /otherin* me, Vi!onia. o"Cre ri*ht, yo" o ram/le on.,ICC?: see yo" are no ifferent from these other s"rfa!eDwellers. shall remem/er this ins"lt, 5al"#./roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 FonCt tal# of Sareo# li#e yo" #now anythin* a/o"t it. Beliee me, yo" haenCt a !l"e...so remain )"iet.

,ICC?: see yo" are no ifferent from these other s"rfa!eDwellers. shall remem/er this ins"lt, 5al"#. /roman-e


28 onCt hae time to hear yo" prattle on, Vi!onia...leae me /e.,ICC?: see yo" are no ifferent from these other s"rfa!eDwellers. shall remem/er this ins"lt, 5al"#. /roman-e


>M6

,ICC?: wish to...apolo*ie...for attemptin* to "n/"ren myself "pon yo" /efore. was foolish to /e so wea# inBere*ost, an worse yet to spea# to yo" a/o"t it. V3&NJK;

78 ?ell, was /arely listenin*, anyway, so onCt worry a/o"t it.

,ICC?: shall o that, 5al"#. n when /ash its s#"ll in, yo" o not min if pi!t"re yo" in its /oine feat"res,hm( /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 >al#in* is no wea#ness, Vi!onia. o" went thro"*h a horri experien!e.,ICC?: hae ha nothin* /"t ill en!o"nters with s"rfa!ers sin!e fle Bere*ost. >heir !onstant spite /"rns withinmy so"l. spit "pon them- &loth plynn nina- Iy entire existen!e has /een th"s sin!e fle the Unerar#. S"rfa!ers

hate the Frow witho"t relent, an erre in thin#in* otherwise een for a moment.78 Not eeryone hates the Frow so !ompletely, Vi!onia. onCt thin# yo"Cre so terri/le.

,ICC?: o" wo"l thin# me terri/le eno"*h, a//il, if yo" #new eno"*h a/o"t me. am row...ma#e nomista#e a/o"t that.

28 es, yo" were rather foolish. o" sho"l /e more !aref"l. Ce ha to res!"e yo" on more than one o!!asion.

,ICC?: ?ell, o tell me when it /e!omes a /other, 3HNIET, an shall /e s"re to let yo"r h"man#in tear me to pie!es at their first opport"nity.

>M7

,ICC?: hae /een wat!hin* yo" for a time as we trael. o" hae a pleasin* loo# a/o"t yo", thin#. >he sort of m"s!"lat"re that oes ma#e a woman swoon with esire. V3&N70;


91



Vi!onia

>MK

,ICC?: hae /een thin#in*, a little. hae /een thin#in* of the time hae spent with riil...the h"mans...an haefo"n nothin* reeemin* or worthwhile in them. V3&N71;

if 8aheira$s roman!e is not /ro#en an she is in the party

"A#EIRA: Hmph. ?e are meant to fin this a reelation, !omin* from yo"( t mi*ht s"rprise yo" to fin that most wo"l!onsier yo" witho"t reeemin* )"alities either, row. 8HE2;,ICC?: f re)"ire !ommentary from yo", mon*rel, wo"l t"* on yo"r !ollar or /low a o* whistle to *ain yo"r attention. Iy wors were for 3HNIET an 3HNIET alone. V3&NF1;

"A#EIRA: et yo" spea# them lo"ly eno"*h for eeryone to hear. erhaps a little lon*er atta!he to that sta#e mi*ht

hae improe yo"r o"tloo#.,ICC?: t was plenty to re"!e my alreay poor iew of riin, halfD/ree, whi!h were my wors to 3HNIET.es"me !hewin* !" an allow me to !onerse with him.@@@@?OUR #ERO CONTINUES TAL

if erie$s roman!e is not /ro#en, if she is in the party an 8aheira is not in the party

AERIE: n yo" pro/a/ly woner why they onCt thin# m"!h of yo"... or any row, for that matter. EEF4;,ICC?: f nee to hear from o"r resient win*less pi*eon, will /an* a r"m. &therwise, ret"rn to yo"r patheti!

!owerin* an let me spea#. V3&N3;@@@@?OUR #ERO CONTINUES TAL


>M11

,ICC?: hae a!te...poorly towars yo". ... wish to apolo*ie. V3&N72;78 o"( polo*ie( >he *reat an ha"*hty Vi!onia(

,ICC?: 3ertainly, ma#e f"n if yo" wish, /"t yo"...i not esere my ins"lts. o" are the only s"rfa!er who hastreate me fairly, an not emane somethin* in ret"rn. o"...yo" are not too /a to trael with. <or a lowly male,that is.

78 >hatCs yo"r iea of an apolo*y( Get lost, Vi!onia.,ICC?: Very well. hae sai my pie!e an o not hae to lower myself to spea# to yo" any more. et my!ol silen!e /e yo"r !ompanion. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 Ha to a that last /it, eh( a!!ept yo"r apolo*y, Vi!onia.,ICC?: es. et "s...!ontin"e on o"r way, then, 3HNIET.

28 si*h; s it not eno"*h that permit yo" to a!!ompany "s that m"st p"t "p with yo"r !onstant riel(

,ICC?: o" o not hae to p"t "p with my CrielC, as yo" !all it. Nor o yo" hae to p"t "p with my presen!e.

Simply say so an shall /e on my way.78 No...no, onCt *o, Vi!onia. apolo*ie... wasnCt thin#in*.

,ICC?: s... as yo" wish. o" o not nee to apolo*ie, howeer... hae treate yo" poorly... for no *ooreason. et "s !ontin"e on, then, with a new slate.

28 No, yo" !an stay, if yo" m"st.

,ICC?: s yo" wish. et my !ol silen!e /e yo"r !ompanion, then. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 ll the /etter, Vi!onia. Get lost.,ICC?: o" are li#e eery other s"rfa!eDweller- 'haless na" "ss mil ta*a osstan- Far#ness ta#e yo"-/roman-e s-rewed1 she $ea%es *ar'+1 .)' &n 'h&s -ase +o) -an s'&$$ ge' her aga&n &n 'he *ar'+ from

AR=== Gra%e+ard D&s'r&-'

>M1

,ICC?: So...it m"st ta#e a ery rien man to lea his life always on the roa. V3&N7;


92



Vi!onia

>M16

,ICC?: hae /een thin#in*, an thin# that may hae /een ex!eein*ly harsh in my treatment of yo" on!e a*ain.V3&N74;

if 8aheira$s roman!e is not /ro#en an she is in the party

"A#EIRA: o" spit yo"r enom in so many ire!tions, row, fin it s"rprisin* that yo" thin# none wo"l fall on him.erhaps yo" thin# yo"r moties are not transparent. 8HE;,ICC?: s transparent, perhaps, as yo"r nee to m"s!le yo"r way into the /"siness of others. o" hae the temperamentof a hi*hDstr"n* poole, r"i... fin it s"rprisin* that yo"r h"s/an lie as lon* as he i. V3&NF2;

"A#EIRA: Utter his name not, row. Cll not hae yo" efile his memory, warn yo".

,ICC?: o"r memory of him seems sele!tie an short, /"t remem/er him well. /a* on his hea an mi*ht haeshown him what pleas"res he was missin* /y % "A#EIRA: Eno"*h- Eno"*h-- 'hali wo"l neer... wo"l neer... eno"*h-- will not tolerate this, swear will #illyo"--

,ICC?: 3alm yo"rself, halfDelf. o" earne this an*er /y isr"ptin* my wors to 3HNIET. was simply sayin*that re*ret my earlier wors to him... an re*ret little. @@@@TREATMENT

if erie$s roman!e is not /ro#en, if she is in the party an 8aheira is not in the party

AERIE: o" are Cex!eein*ly harshC in yo"r treatment of eeryone, Vi!onia. ?hy sho"l he /e any ifferent( EEF6;,ICC?: ?ell, for starters, he is far more worthy of my respe!t than a moonin* !ripple li#e yo"rself. erhaps yo" sho"lflap helplessly a /it f"rther away an allow yo"r /etters to spea#. V3&N34;

AERIE: !anCt ima*ine what yo" thin# to a!!omplish. o" thin# 3HNIET oesnCt see the salia rippin* from

yo"r fan*s( o"Cre not worthy of him, Vi!onia.,ICC?: n s"ppose a mewlin* #itten li#e yo"rself is( Fo not ma#e me la"*h, win*less one. o" are not een worthyof li!#in* 3HNIETCs /ootheel.AERIE: IDmay/e 3HNIET oesnCt !are for yo"r l"sts, row. Eil li#e yo"rs isnCt se"!tie, itCs 5"st si!#, an...an seein* yo" !rawl all oer 3HNIET ma#es me ret!h.

,ICC?: t ta#es stren*th in a man to *ain my attention, little fool. am s"re he has no interest in one who !an /arely p"ll

herself to*ether to "tter a senten!e. B"t o not ta#e my wor for it. ?hat o yo" say, 3HNIET( s there attra!tionthis elfCs !onstant whinin*( Iay/e yo" fin her helpless st"tterin* am"sin*(78 eae her alone, Vi!onia. li#e erie far more than li#e yo". /or

28 en5oy erieCs !ompany, an thatCs all there is to it.,ICC?: see. &/io"sly yo" are a wea#er male than tho"*ht. En5oy the !ripple, fool, /"t when yo" finally finher stale an slaer after me, yo"Cll /e left wantin*. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 >here is no attra!tion /etween me an erie, no. /or

>8 She is annoyin*, thatCs tr"e, /"t Ce tolerate her so far.AERIE: <Dfine, then. f... if thatCs what yo" want, 3HNIET, then sheCs all yo"rs. &/io"sly yo" are not theman tho"*ht yo" to /e. /roman-e w&'h Aer&e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

,ICC?: Now the fool is ealt with, there is the matter of... my apolo*y. o not o so often, 3HNIET, /"tas sai... may hae /een too harsh when we spo#e last. @@@@TREATMENT

@@@@TREATMENT

78 o" treat eeryone else li#e irt, why sho"l /e any ifferent( /or

28 FonCt worry a/o"t it, Vi!onia.

,ICC?: Unerstan, 3HNIET, hae not /een on the s"rfa!e for all that lon*. Sometimes for*et thatthin*s here are ifferent from the worl on!e #new. hae toye with yo"r feelin*s "nfairly, pla!in* yo" own

with the other males hae #nown...an yo" hae not /een li#e them. t was...wron* of me.78 am si!# of yo" r"nnin* hot an !ol all the time. 8"st leae me alone an Cll /e happy-

,ICC?: imp !owar, yo"... yo" are not worthy of my !on!ern. shall remain silent then. leae yo" toyo"r patheti! existen!e. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 Eatin* !row a*ain, eh( !o"l *et to li#e this.

,ICC?: o" stin* me, /"t shall let it pass. en5oy seein* an*er in yo"...it shows promise. ?e Frow ma#e

few apolo*ies for the way we are, an ma#e no promises. B"t /efore ret!h o"t of p"re is*"st, let "s 5"st!ontin"e on o"r way.

;8 ...*"ess itCs "nerstana/le. FonCt worry a/o"t it.,ICC?: ?hat, no hatre or ri*hteo"s ini*nation( S"!h mee#ness is patheti! an wea#, 3HNIET. f yo" showe an*er, wo"l expe!t s"!h an a!!ept it. >his...a!!eptan!e of yo"rs is m"!h more iffi!"lt to

ta#e. B"t s"ppose sho"l /e *ratef"l for it. B"t /efore ret!h o"t of p"re is*"st, let "s 5"st !ontin"e ono"r way.

;8 Iay hae( FonCt ma#e me la"*h. o"Cre a /it!h, plain an simple. Now *et lost.

9



Vi!onia

,ICC?: try to apolo*ie an yo" treat me th"s( imp !owar, yo"... are not worthy of my !on!ern. shall remainsilent then. leae yo" to yo"r ismal existen!e. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>M17

,ICC?: Hae eer tol yo" a/o"t how s"rie when first fle to the s"rfa!e( V3&N76;78 No, yo" haenCt.

,ICC?: t was iffi!"lt, if yo" !an ima*ine. #new only a few wors of !ommon, an as traele !aref"lly

aoie any !onta!t with the s"rfa!ers. >he lan was stran*e, an ea!h ay h"le "ner the terri/le open s#y,s"re that wo"l /e p"lle into the astness of it if /"t !lose my eyes for an instant. olth ha a/anone me, an was alone in a stran*e worl. >hose riil who saw me ho"ne me with a/anon, an fle to the forests. >here was h"nte /y the arthiir...s"rfa!e eles...an their hone hatre roe me f"rther. was s"re wo"l perish, neer to see the Unerar# a*ain.

78 ?hat happene next(

,ICC?: *ro"p of *oln Dyo" !all them *o/linsD trie to seal my fate, /"t a h"man mer!hant !ame in his!araan, an his *"ars s!attere them. <rom a istan!e he ha tho"*ht me a s"rfa!e elf. S"rprisin*ly, whenhe learne was Frow he offere shelter. t was a san!t"ary while learne the h"man ton*"e. He was3alimshite, /eliee. >hey are fon of slaes. >he pri!e for my safety was the faors /estowe...eroti! arts

that the Frow hae hone for an eon. Foes it am"se yo" that ha to r"n my ar# hans alon* his sweatyfols an ti!#le him artf"lly with my ton*"e that he exerte himself willy as passionately /it his sho"ler(

78 o" are one si!#, twiste /it!h, Vi!onia. Get away from me.,ICC?: ha hear manhoo was aaila/le at a pri!e am not s"rprise to fin yo" !opperless.3ower /efore my manner, if yo" m"st, 3HNIET...yo" is*"st me. /roman-e s-rewed1 she

s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 >hatCs horri/le... !anCt /eliee he mae yo" o those thin*s. /or

;8 s"ppose yo" i what yo" ha to o.

,ICC?: !t"ally, rather en5oye it: he was )"i!#ly my pawn, an the !araan went as wishe.las, his heart *ae o"t one ni*ht...the *"ars tho"*ht it m"rer an !hase me away. &h, o not loo# at me in s"!h a manner. Foes yo"r manhoo wilt from tal# of "sin* Frow #nowle*e of the eroti! tos"rie in yo"r worl( s it so terri/le(

78 Not at all.

,ICC?: Goo, am please yo" hae some sense... or is it that yo" wish to parta#e of thesame pleas"res( s that what see( !h"!#le; erhaps another time, 5al"#...

28 thin# itCs is*"stin*.../"t s"ppose yo" ha little !hoi!e.,ICC?: &h poor ear, to /e assa"lte /y s"!h a show of !ommanin* eroti! power. Foes myFrow /ea"ty ma#e yo" shrin# away( o" will not win my respe!t with !owari!e, 5al"#.

;8 &h, *et away from me, alreay. tire of yo" rii!"lo"s *ames.

,ICC?: ha hear manhoo was aaila/le at a pri!e am not s"rprise to fin yo"

!opperless. 3ower /efore my manner, if yo" m"st, 3HNIET...yo" is*"st me./roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 o"Ce a flair for melorama, Vi!onia. B"t Cm losin* interest...tell it to someone else.,ICC?: s yo" wish.

28 Cm not intereste in another one of yo"r stories, Vi!onia.

,ICC?: *ain am /r"she off /y yo"r mooy silen!e. Set a si*nal fire then, to let me #now when yo" are

aaila/le for simple is!o"rse. wait with /aite /reath.;8 Not now...tell me some other time, perhaps.

,ICC?: s yo" wish.

>M1K

,ICC?: >ell me...has there eer /een anyone spe!ial to yo"( thief of yo"r heart( V3&N7J;

78 f there were !ertainly wo"lnCt tell yo", Vi!onia. @@@@BLA#BLA#

28 onCt #now. Not so far there hasnCt /een.,ICC?: Neer a spe!ial one who awaite her heroCs ret"rn( >he iea has al"e. myself hope to retire to a homethat oesnCt !han*e /y the ay.78 o"/t a selfD!entere row s"!h as yo"rself wo"l eer /e satisfie with the )"iet life.

,ICC?: see. So s"!h reams are the sole property of spent poets li#e yo"( Frow !annot aspire to thesame( onCt #now why /other with yo", 3HNIET.

28 sai that there was no/oy an meant it. @@@@BLA#BLA#

;8 >here may /e s"!h a woman...it !o"l /e that the answer to yo"r )"estion is playin* itself o"t ri*ht now.

94



Vi!onia

,ICC?: o" thin# so( !annot wait for the final a!t of this play, then... am s"re it will /e worth waitin* for.78 &h, it will not isappoint, Cm s"re. Ce rehearse the s!ene in my min time an time a*ain. /or

28 ?hen the heart /eats tr"e, itCs son* is a eli*ht to hear. @@@@!INALE

;8 Get oer yo"rself, Vi!onia. etCs 5"st !ontin"e on, shall we(

,ICC?: ?hat has mae yo" so ta!it"rn... or is this merely a !hallen*e to oer!ome( shall fi*"re

yo" o"t soon eno"*h, an yo" shall s"ffer for these petty sli*hts.

;8 ?e onCt hae time to is!"ss this now.,ICC?: ?hat has mae yo" so ta!it"rn... or is this merely a !hallen*e to oer!ome( shall fi*"re yo" o"t sooneno"*h, an yo" shall s"ffer for these petty sli*hts.

@@@@BLA#BLA#

,ICC?: No( s it not possi/le then( 3o"l she exist: a woman who ma#es yo"r p"lse )"i!#en /y her !loseness...whoenflames yo" /y a mere *lan!e(78 s"ppose !o"l amit that s"!h a woman !o"l exist, yes. @@@@!INALE

28 thin# the answer to that )"estion is playin* itself o"t as we spea#.

,ICC?: o" thin# so( !annot wait for the final a!t of this play, then... am s"re it will /e worth waitin* for.

78 &h, it will not isappoint, Cm s"re. Ce rehearse the s!ene in my min time an time a*ain. /or

28 ?hen the heart /eats tr"e, itCs son* is a eli*ht to hear. @@@@!INALE

;8 Get oer yo"rself, Vi!onia. etCs 5"st !ontin"e on, shall we(,ICC?: ?hat has mae yo" so ta!it"rn... or is this merely a !hallen*e to oer!ome( shall fi*"re yo" o"tsoon eno"*h, an yo" shall s"ffer for these petty sli*hts.

;8 No, there isnCt. n if there were, !an tell yo" tr"ly it wo"l not /e a !reat"re s"!h as yo"-

,ICC?: !reat"re s"!h as , is it( m so oerwhelmin* to yo"r pretty sensi/ilities that yo" shriel in my presen!e( So /e it. shall tro"/le yo" no lon*er. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>8 Ce ha eno"*h of yo"r hea *ames, Vi!onia. eae me /e-,ICC?: ?hat has mae yo" so ta!it"rn... or is this merely a !hallen*e to oer!ome( shall fi*"re yo" o"t sooneno"*h, an yo" shall s"ffer for these petty sli*hts.

@@@@!INALE

,ICC?: o"r heart is heay with l"st an /"rnin* esire, an /eats pro"ly an stron*ly.../"t shall it /e mine or is itanotherCs(

78 t is yo"rs, !ertainly, Vi!onia. B"t o /e *entle with it. @@@@#EARTBREA 28 n what wo"l yo" say if tol yo" my heart /elon*e to someone else(

,ICC?: wo"l say yo" are a liar, /"t if tr"e wo"l !hallen*e the female yo" name. ?e Frow are a selfish

proprietary lot, /"t that is a is!"ssion for another time.;8 !h"!#le; lri*ht, my heart is not yo"r playthin* 5"st yet, so letCs moe on, shall we( @@@@#EARTBREA

>8 Ce no interest in is!"ssin* my heart. etCs moe on.,ICC?: ?hat has mae yo" so ta!it"rn... or is this merely a !hallen*e to oer!ome( shall fi*"re yo" o"t sooneno"*h, an yo" shall s"ffer for these petty sli*hts.

@@@@#EARTBREA

,ICC?: etCs !ontin"e holin* yo"r heart an testin* its mettle, /"t with a meas"re of restraint then.78 hae little interest in restraint..only /ol an forthri*ht a!tion matter in times s"!h as these.

,ICC?: >here is all manner of ma an !haoti! tro"/le that s"!h "n/rile enth"siasm !o"l *et "s into,

3HNIET.78 wo"l hae tho"*ht yo"C appre!iate a little enth"siasm. /or

28 o" are steerin* this !onersation into an*ero"s territory, Vi!onia...exa!tly what o yo" inten(,ICC?: C /e !"rio"s to see yo" nai*ate tr"ly an*ero"s territory with yo"r imp"lsieness,3HNIET. t wo"l /e an enthrallin* 5o"rney, onCt yo" thin#(

;8 !h"!#le; lri*ht, eno"*h, eno"*h. lay here efeate /y yo"r o"/le entenres. !annot #eep "p.

,ICC?: w, hae exha"ste yo"r en"ran!e so soon( m"st test yo"r fortit"e in more physi!al eneaorsin f"t"re, yes( !h"!#le; et "s !ontin"e o"r traels, then.

>8 Eno"*h with the wor play for toay. et "s moe on.,ICC?: to"!he a sensitie spot, hae ( shall remem/er its lo!ation an stro#e it fonly in the f"t"re.!h"!#le; et "s !ontin"e o"r traels, then.

28 erfe!t. wo"l appre!iate seein* some restraint in yo", for on!e.

,ICC?: Cm s"rprise, 3HNIET. expe!te so m"!h more from a ynami! fire/ran li#e yo"rself.

;8 sai eno"*h with the wor play. etCs !ontin"e in o"r traels. /or>8 >he mettle of my heart is not for yo" to test, Vi!onia. Eno"*h with yo"r hea *ames.

,ICC?: to"!he a sensitie spot, hae ( shall remem/er its lo!ation an stro#e it fonly in the f"t"re. !h"!#le;et "s !ontin"e o"r traels, then.

96



Vi!onia

>M21

,ICC?: ?hat was life li#e /efore yo" were an aent"rer( FinCt it seem simpler, less !ompli!ate( V3&N77;


>M2

,ICC?: Hmmm... am wonerin* this: o yo" eer entertain the notion of marria*e( V3&N79;


>M26

,ICC?: hae /een thin#in* a/o"t the iinity that flows thro"*h yo"r eins... V3&N7K; Foes it fire yo"r am/itions,3HNIET( s there a l"st within yo" s"per!ein* mere passion, a esire to lor oer others as a !on)"eror ans"perior(


>M27

,ICC?: lease isre*ar the thin*s sai to yo" earlier. >hey were illD!on!eie. o"...yo" are not row an not worthyof s"!h ins"lts. V3&N90;

78 ?hy sho"l ( o" hae !rosse the line on!e too often-

,ICC?: >hat is tr"e. hae inee.

78 ?ell, hae no nee of it. 8"st leae me alone, will yo"(,ICC?: f that is what yo" wish, then fine. o" shall hear no more from me. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s

&n *ar'+

28 si*h; <ine. etCs 5"st !ontin"e on.

,ICC?: >han# yo", 3HNIET. shall attempt to /e more *"are with my tho"*hts in the f"t"re.

28 Very well. polo*y a!!epte.

,ICC?: >han# yo", 3HNIET. shall attempt to /e more *"are with my tho"*hts in the f"t"re.

>M2K

,ICC?: hae /een tol a little a/o"t this CBhaalC of yo"rs, /"t am "nfamiliar with him. mon* the row, we are ta"*ht

nothin* of other *os, an little eno"*h a/o"t o"r own *os /eyon olth. V3&N91;


9J





Vi!onia

/e*an a war with o"rs. olth was please at the Ho"seCs a**ression...an o"rs ha to fi*ht twi!e as har to s"rie anre*ain olthCs faor. Iy mother wishe me to re!ant, to prostate myself /efore the Spier ="een an /e* for*ieness. Shewas esperate that o so, in fa!t. B"t ref"se. was is*"ste with my ="een, so !"rse my mother an enan*eremy Ho"se. n my naiete tho"*ht that wo"l s"rie after my a!tions.

78 B"t...yo" o/io"sly i s"rie. ?hat happene next(

,ICC?: ...no. >he memory of the eents fills my heart with /ile, 3HNIET. !annot !ontin"e. nother

time, perhaps.28 o" /etraye yo"r family an yo"r *o( erhaps yo" esere whateer yo" *ot.

,ICC?: >hat is yo"r !onsiere opinion, is it( o" wo"l prefer lan!e the heart of a helpless !hil( o" are moreof a olt than tho"*ht, perhaps.

;8 pretty story, Vi!onia. 3ome, let "s !ontin"e o"r traels.

,ICC?: Iy heart is fille with /ile at these memories, at any rate. es...yes, o let "s moe on.

>M

,ICC?: am reay to !ontin"e my tale, if yo" are willin* to hear it. V3&N9;78 Not ri*ht now, Vi!onia. nother time, perhaps.

,ICC?: t is always another time with yo". Ce no nee to "n/"ren myself, so yo" may pro!ee to spen yo"r

time listenin* to the win /low thro"*h the leaes.28 3ertainly, Vi!onia...C /e intereste to hear it.

,ICC?: et me see... ha tol yo" of my mother, !orre!t( She was esperate to restore olthCs *oowill to theHo"se FeVir, an was proin* "n!ooperatie. Iy mother i the only thin* she tho"*ht she !o"l o, of !o"rse.She !ommane that /e offere as a sa!rifi!e to appease the Spier ="een. was s"rro"ne /y male soliers whoattempte to !art me off to the temple. hate my mother, /"t #new that she i the ri*ht thin*. #new that my="een wo"l inee /e please at one of her a"*hters /ein* offere to her. fo"*ht *ranly, #illin* many of themales.../"t it was f"tile. was oerwhelme, ra**e to the temple, an splaye a!ross the altar in preparation for

the priestesses to ta#e my life. was fri*htene...terrifie, in fa!t. wo"l hae ie, in fa!t, were it not for...if itwere not for my /rother. Iy poor, foolish /rother. Valas...78 s that a tear see r"nnin* own yo"r !hee#( Shein* a tear for a mere male(

,ICC?: He...he was no mere male- s it so iffi!"lt for yo" to /eliee that mi*ht hae !are for another,on!e(-

78 Gie me a /rea#, Vi!onia. o" !are for no one.,ICC?: >hey are the last tears of mine yo" shall eer see, yo" heartless /astar- &loth plynn os--/roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 t s"rprises me, that is all. t seems !ontrary to what yo" hae sai a/o"t the row /efore.,ICC?: &"r...o"r relationship was "n"s"al, yes... ...... am sorry, 3HNIET. o not wish tois!"ss Valas any f"rther. Ex!"se me.

28 o"r.../rother sae yo"( ta#e it yo" were !lose(

,ICC?: es. es, he sae me. ... am sorry, 3HNIET, o not wish to !ontin"e is!"ssin* Valas.Ex!"se me.

>M6

,ICC?: >ell me somethin*...i yo" hae m"!h of a family( V3&N94;


>M7

,ICC?: Iy.../rother...is what finally mae me /rea# my faith f"lly from the Spier ="een. His a!tions, mean...sain*me from sa!rifi!e. V3&N96;78 Eh( ?hatCs this( ?hat are yo" /a//lin* a/o"t, now(

,ICC?: am not C/a//lin*C. f /e*an s"enly it is /e!a"se hae /een ponerin* this matter silently for sometime. am simply tryin* to explain somethin* to yo". @@@@,ALAS

28 tho"*ht yo" lost yo"r faith when yo" ref"se to sa!rifi!e the /a/y.@@@@,ALAS

;8 Vi!onia, Ce no time for yo"r nonsense toay.,ICC?: Nonsense( reeal the #ey to my heart an faith, an this is nonsense to yo"( o" are a sl"*,3HNIET was a fool to hae opene my mo"th in the first pla!e. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

99



Vi!onia

@@@@,ALAS

,ICC?: ha /e*"n to )"estion olthCs appetite for power an a/sol"te eotion with the !hil, /"t i not !ast her o"tof my heart f"lly "ntil Valas sae my life.

78 ?hy wo"l yo"r /rotherCs sain* yo" o that(

,ICC?: ?hy wo"l yo"r /rotherCs sain* yo" o that( @@@@!ATE

28 Sometimes woner why yo" insist on tellin* me all these thin*s.

,ICC?: tell yo" these thin*s /e!a"se wish to, 3HNIET. Fo not oerDex!ite yo"rself on their a!!o"nt. Now...where was ( h, yes...Valas. @@@@!ATE

;8 es, Vi!onia, thatCs ery interestin*. 3an we 5"st !ontin"e on, now(

,ICC?: si*h; Sometimes, attemptin* to spea# to yo" is a/o"t as pro"!tie as whippin* a malno"rishe anisease o*...an almost as interestin*.

@@@@!ATE

,ICC?: Valas "se his ma*i! to free me...an when my mother /e!ame enra*e an trie to stop him from r"inin* theHo"se, he #ille her. t was the "ltimate a!t of efian!e for a row male, an olth i what she oes to all males who efyher. She transforme him into a rier, a halfDrow halfDspier !reat"re of p"re mali!e an /ase instin!t. Valas was wipeaway, repla!e /y this...monstro"s thin*. !"rse olthCs name for what she ha one to him. reno"n!e the Far# ="een

with eery fi/re of my /ein*...an she was not please. She a/anone me, left me !ompletely witho"t power. ha no /rother, no power an Ho"se FeVir was, as far as #new, fallin*. was for!e to flee the Unerar#, ma#in* my way

)"i!#ly to the s"rfa!e /efore the other row !o"l stop me, !"rsin* an !ryin* the entire way.78 ?itho"t yo"r power, that m"st hae /een a iffi!"lt 5o"rney.

,ICC?: es. es it was. Neer hae /een more terrifie, "ntil fo"n the *ra!e of the Ni*htsin*er. 3ome,3HNIET...the roa /e!#ons.

28 t so"ns li#e yo" *ot what yo" esere.,ICC?: o" thin# so( Fi Valas *et what he esere( ?o"l yo" rather hae seen me flaye "pon the sa!rifi!ialaltar( Sometimes yo"r selfDri*hteo"s sense of 5"*ement ma#es me ill to my stoma!h, 3HNIET.

;8 f olth was a/le to o that to yo"r /rother, Cm s"rprise she inCt o worse to yo".

,ICC?: es...so am . B"t...that oes not mean she will neer o so. si*h; 3ome, 3HNIET...the roa /e!#ons.

>MK

N&>E: >his ialo* is tri**ere /y restin* % it may happen anywhere yo" rest, een in "n*eons

,ICC?: f yo" wo"l...if yo" wo"l please sit with me for a moment, wo"l /e than#f"l. fin myself "n!hara!teristi!ally oer!ome with anxiety an am not...ea*er...to /e alone for the eenin*. V3&N9J;78 3ertainly. Vi!onia, yo"Cre sha#in*- ?hat is the matter( @@@@S#I,ERS

28 <or*et it, Vi!onia...Cm not a/o"t to fall i!tim to another one of yo"r hea *ames.

,ICC?: lease, 3HNIET...o not ma#e me /e*. implore yo" to stay with me /"t a few moments so that

may p"t myself at ease...78 Hmph. Cll not *ie yo" the pleas"re. f yo" will not offer me any !omfort, then /e on yo"r way, 3HNIET. will stay here /y myself, if nee /e.

,ICC?: Hmph. Cll not *ie yo" the pleas"re. f yo" will not offer me any !omfort, then /e on yo"r way,3HNIET. will stay here /y myself, if nee /e.

78 lri*ht, fine, Cll stay for a moment. By the *os, Vi!onia...yo"Cre sha#in*- ?hat is the matter(

@@@@S#I,ERS28 Stay /y yo"rself, then, for all !are.

,ICC?: >hen /e*one, rathCar*...an leae me alone to my misery. /Par'+ res's

28 Very well. few moments. Hol, now...yo" are sha#in* isi/ly- ?hat is the matter( @@@@S#I,ERS

@@@@S#I,ERS

,ICC?: hae /een...thin#in* of olth. She is !r"el, not #nown for for*ieness, an always ta#es reen*e...!olle!tin* thelapse an fallen. #now she will !ome for me.78 ?hat ma#es yo" thin# that( ?hy wo"l she /e so intereste in yo" personally( @@@@SLEEP

28 FonCt worry...Cll /e here to prote!t yo". /or

;8 ?eCll eal with that when it happens.

,ICC?: t will mean...it will mean nothin*. olthCs rea!h is far...an fear there is no es!apin* it...78 ?hat ma#es yo" say that( @@@@SLEEP

@@@@SLEEP

,ICC?: She will answer any s"mmons simply to ma#e a ain*lorio"s entran!e an impress the *athere. hae seen her power, what she oes to those who fall from *ra!e. t is /e!a"se hae seen, /e!a"se hae felt the lash of tenta!le ros,

9K



Vi!onia

that she will...will leae me to thin# am safe or free an then she will !ome for me. ... ream of Valas, sometimes, an try to spea# to him in my reams. B"t he is only a monster, now, an s!ream when his horri spier le*s !aress me... thin#...what !an olth o to me if she has one this to Valas( ?hat worse torments await me when she finally e!ies to!ome(- 3HNIET, am fri*htene to my ery !ore- Fo not leae me alone- Stay with me this ni*ht. ... nee to feelyo"r flesh next to mine, to em/ra!e yo"r stren*th...

78 !an thin# of nothin* less appealin*.

,ICC?: et me parta#e of yo", 3HNIET, rin# of yo"r !o"ra*e this ni*ht. See what a Frow female mayoffer: shall enflame yo"r passions, yo"r senses... Stay with me.78 !ame here to !omfort yo", not to spen the ni*ht. shall sleep /y myself-

,ICC?: >hen /e*one, rathCar*...an leae me alone to my misery. /*ar'+ res's

28 Vi!onia...not li#e this. Not /e!a"se yo" are esperate...it isnCt ri*ht.

,ICC?: ?hen !an it /e perfe!t, 3HNIET( o" are a aliant male fille with !o"ra*e an *oCs /loo. hae seen yo" loo# "pon, an am not isplease. Fo not eny me, 3HNIET...an o noteny yo"rself.78 No, Vi!onia, een tho"*h mi*ht wish to, !annot.


28 Very well, Vi!onia. f yo" wish it to /e, then shall stay. @@@@PASSION

;8 How !o"l ref"se yo"r wish( @@@@PASSION

28 am not intereste in layin* with yo", Vi!onia.

,ICC?: ...hae a nee, 3HNIET. nee that m"st /e f"lfille... m"st feel yo"r stren*th within me anaro"n me. Fo not eny me this, 3HNIET... offer to yo" all the pleas"res that a row woman may /estowif yo" /"t hol me this ni*ht.

78 tol yo" was not intereste, Vi!onia, an meant it.


28 ...o not o"/t yo"r a/ility, Vi!onia. n yo" are /ea"tif"l. B"t not li#e this, not in this manner...,ICC?: ?hen !an it /e perfe!t, 3HNIET( o" are a aliant male fille with !o"ra*e an *oCs /loo. hae seen yo" loo# "pon, an am not isplease. Fo not eny me, 3HNIET...an o noteny yo"rself.

78 No, Vi!onia, een tho"*h mi*ht wish to, !annot.


28 Very well, Vi!onia. f yo" wish it to /e, then shall stay. @@@@PASSION

;8 Very well, Vi!onia... shall stay with yo" this ni*ht if that is what yo" wish. @@@@PASSION

;8 ll ri*ht... will stay with yo", if that is what yo" wish. @@@@PASSION

@@@@PASSION

,ICC?: o. 3ome to my arms o"t of iew of pryin* eyes...pla!e yo"r han a*ainst my ar#ly trem/lin* heart an willshow yo" the /o"naries of passion as only !an... /S$e*',&-on&a7

>M41 N&>E: >his may happen in area eCrnise Hol 100; too

&f S$e*',&-on&a7

,ICC?: ?ell. see that yo" are finally awa#e. hope that yo"r patheti! exertions of last ni*ht /ro"*ht at least one of "s

some meas"re of pleas"re. V3&N97;


&f S$e*',&-on&a=

,ICC?: <inally awa#e, are yo"( hae /een wat!hin* yo" thro"*h the ni*ht, an ea!h moment o so, my stoma!h has!h"rne with ileness. o"r ery presen!e ma#es me ill. V3&N99;78 s this all /e!a"se ref"se to sleep with yo"(

,ICC?: Grow "p, yo" st"pi fool- o"r rel"!tan!e to share my /e only shows la!# of irility or !o"ra*e- am*la yo" i not stay the ery tho"*ht ma#es my flesh !rawl-

78 t oes a/o"t the same for me, row. ?hy onCt we 5"st aoi this sit"ation in the f"t"re, alri*ht(,ICC?: s yo" wish- o" shall hear no more from me- &loth plynn os-- /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n

*ar'+28 f this is how yo"Cre *oin* to a!t, all of a s"en, 5"st leae me /e.

,ICC?: es, shall leae yo" /e, 3HNIET- shall stay far away from yo"r p"tri sten!h an eenfarther from yo"r "nwel!ome appearan!e- Stay e)"ally istant from me, i/lith-

K0



Vi!onia

;8 onCt /eliee yo", Vi!onia. o" opene "p to me...an now yo"Cre snappin* sh"t a*ain. ?hy(,ICC?: Bah- Fo not attempt to loo# into my min an rener 5"*ement, im/e!ile- o" haenCt the stren*thor the #nowle*e- 8"st...leae me /e-

28 ?ell, yo"r i!io"s personality oes little for me, either.

,ICC?: s that so( et "s 5"st aoi ea!h other in the f"t"re, then, so that /oth of "s may ma#e an attempt to #eep

o"r /ile own. ?o"l that /e satisfa!tory to yo", 5al"#(

78 <ine /y me.,ICC?: s yo" wish- o" shall hear no more from me- &loth plynn os-- /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n

*ar'+

28 No, it isnCt- onCt /eliee yo", Vi!onia. o" opene "p to me...an now yo"Cre snappin* sh"t a*ain. ?hy(

,ICC?: Bah- Fo not attempt to loo# into my min an rener 5"*ement, im/e!ile- o" haenCt the stren*th

or the #nowle*e- 8"st...leae me /e-;8 f this is how yo" inten to a!t, Vi!onia, then 5"st leae me /e.

,ICC?: es, shall leae yo" /e, 3HNIET- shall stay far away from yo"r p"tri sten!h an een farther from yo"r "nwel!ome appearan!e- Stay e)"ally istant from me, i/lith-

>M4

,ICC?: hae /een thin#in* a/o"t how yo" hae ref"se to ta#e "p yo"r estiny as the son of Bhaal... V3&N9K; o"hae no impet"s to !are an empire, an yo" are !ertainly no or of I"rer. hae e!ie yo" are wea# an !owarly,

not fit for the *os/loo flowin* within yo".78 Iy estiny is my own, Vi!onia. Cll not is!"ss it with yo".

,ICC?: es...that is the 3HNIET now expe!t. Br"sh me off, ref"se to meet a !hallen*e yo" are"nworthy...li#e a worm yo" meet yo"r estiny on yo"r /elly.

78 Eno"*h- >he next time want to hear from yo", row, shall as# for yo"r opinion-

,ICC?: s yo" wish- o" shall hear no more from me- &loth plynn os-- /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n

*ar'+

28 ?hy are yo" sayin* all this, Vi!onia( @@@@BOOT

28 ?hat /rin*s this on( @@@@BOOT

;8 f yo"Cre *oin* to spo"t filth eery time yo" open yo"r mo"th, 5"st #eep it sh"t. tire of yo".

,ICC?: s yo" wish- o" shall hear no more from me- &loth plynn os-- /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

@@@@BOOT

,ICC?: o" na"seate me, 3HNIET...is that not reason eno"*h( loo# "pon yo" an see somethin* that wo"lrather s)"ish "ner my /oot-78 f thatCs yo"r opinion, then letCs not tal# at all anymore, all ri*ht(

,ICC?: s yo" wish- o" shall hear no more from me- &loth plynn os-- /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 *ain yo" snap sh"t on me. s it so har to eal with someone as a !onfiante an e)"al, Vi!onia(

,ICC?: rr*h- How irritatin* yo" are when yo" pres"me so- Get away from my si*ht- way-

>M46?NNG: lways !hoose option 1 % option 2 is /"**e it sear!hes for a ialo* that oesn$t exist; an it is not fixe inthe pat!h--- >he *ame will /rea# the ialo* if yo" !hoose option 2, /"t !an$t possi/ly #now what !onse)"en!es it mi*ht

hae.

,ICC?: Fo not stan so !lose to me. t is /a eno"*h that hae to smell yo"r sten!h on the o!!asional /reee...m"st

also /as# in yo"r ran!i a"ra( V3&NK0;78 Cm not een near yo", Vi!onia. ?hat twiste *ame is this(

,ICC?: ...neer min, 3HNIET. eae me /e.28 No, yo" onCt. o" !an leae o"r *ro"p, if that is what yo" wish. /DO NOT TAE T#IS OPTION

,ICC?: ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

K1



Vi!onia

>M47

,ICC?: hae a !onfession to ma#e to yo". Gie me yo"r ears for a moment an listen, if yo" possess the sense.V3&NK1;

78 hae no interest in more of yo"r *ames, Vi!onia.

,ICC?: >hat is too /a. ref"se to allow yo" to p"sh me asie, re*arless of yo"r s"llen moo or oer/earin*

emeanor. o" will listen to me, 3HNIET. @@@@LIES28 Cm listenin*, s"ppose. @@@@LIES

@@@@LIES

,ICC?: o" wish to #now of me( o" wish to learn what am li#e( shall tell yo" the tr"th of it, then. hae lie to yo",

3HNIET, lies "pon lies. Iy tale of the farmer in Bere*ost( lie. lai with him many times, se"!in* him to *etthe thin*s neee. t was his wife an townsfol# that roe me o"t. i#e a s"!!"/"s hae whore my way to mn,ta#in* what faors !o"l *ather thro"*h sweat an passion. earne passa*e with ton*"e an moans, 3HNIET,with more males than yo" !an !o"nt. n yo" are nothin* !ompare to them. ny of them. So, then. ?hat o yo" thin# of that, 3HNIET( ?hat o yo" thin# of me now(

78 thin# yo" are a fo"l an pererse !reat"re, Vi!onia. Fo not spea# to me a*ain. /or

28 thin# yo" want this relationship of o"rs, s"!h as it is, to /e oer with. So /e it.,ICC?: So m"!h the /etter. t li*htens my heart to #now yo" were as !owarly as expe!te. /roman-e s-rewed1

she s'a+s &n *ar'+;8 >hese thin*s o not matter to me, Vi!onia. ?hy i yo" not tell me of them /efore( /or

>8 thin# yo" are lyin*. ?hy are yo" tryin* to p"sh me away(

,ICC?: am tellin* yo" that hae ha riil /y the oens, that allowe their salia to !oer me, allowe them

to "se me for their pleas"res-- n en5oye it-- am a !reat"re of ar# l"sts, yo" fool- ?hy are yo" not is*"ste /y this(- >"rn away from me, spit on me an !"rse my name, !omman yo"--78 Very well. f yo" want this relationship, s"!h as it is, to /e oer with, so /e it-

,ICC?: <inally yo" show some sense- am row, foolish 5al"#...neer for*et that- 8al #haless hah waela-


28 No- will not allow yo" to p"sh me away, Vi!onia- /or

;8 am not those other men. hae seen the tr"e yo" that lies within, an this is not it. o" o not nee to o this-,ICC?: Bastar- St"//orn /astar-- 8al #haless hah waela- ?hy m"st tr"st yo"(- ?H(- n tr"st lieseath-- eae me alone- will not /e ominate- Stay away--

>M4K N&>E: >his ialo* is tri**ere /y restin* % it may happen anywhere yo" rest, een in "n*eons

,ICC?: si*h; ... !ast my white fla* /efore yo". !an str"**le no more. o" hae...yo" hae efeate me. V3&NK2;

78 ?hat are yo" tal#in* a/o"t( Fefeate yo"( /LT7 @@@@T#E#E#E

28 &hhh no, Cm not fallin* for this a*ain. 8"st stay away from me, yo" !ray /it!h. /LT7

,ICC?: ... "nerstan, 3HNIET. shall simply apolo*ie for my /ehaior, then, an leae yo" alonefrom now on.78 thin# thatCs for the /est for all !on!erne.

,ICC?: es, perhaps it is for the /est. l"eC mrann Cssinss. shall /other yo" no more. /roman-e

s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+1 *ar'+ res's

28 ?ait...may/e Ce /een hasty. >ell me what yo" mean /y CefeateC... onCt "nerstan. @@@@T#E#E#E

@@@@T#E#E#E

,ICC?: es, efeate me. o not #now what it is a/o"t yo", 3HNIET, /"t opene "p to yo"... let yo" insiewith honesty an !anor. am not "se to s"!h. >r"st is eath. hae /een /etraye a*ain an a*ain, an yet /e*an to

tr"st in yo". ... !o"l not allow it to happen. was !onf"se, trie to rie yo" away. >hose...thin*s... sai when we lastspo#e( ies. tol yo" the tr"th of thin*s the first time. o" saw thro"*h my e!eption, an wo"l not /e rien away. owe yo"...so m"!h. o" are safe har/or in a storm of terrifyin* power. /e*in to feel that nee yo"...an this enthralls mean enra*es me all at on!e... f yo" will hae me, shall not p"sh yo" away a*ain...stay with me toni*ht, 3HNIET,let "s /e to*ether in earnest. et me saor the "nfamiliar fear that *oes with this tr"st.

78 >his will neer wor# o"t. thin# itCs /est that this relationship oesnCt !ontin"e, Vi!onia.

,ICC?: es, perhaps it is for the /est. l"eC mrann Cssinss. shall /other yo" no more. /roman-e s-rewed1 she


28 onCt tr"st yo", Vi!onia. Not after the last time.,ICC?: o" wo"l not let me repel yo", no matter how trie. am efeate /y yo"r st"//orn will an stran*ere*ar. Iy nee is real, 3HNIET...stay with me toni*ht.

78 Cm sorry, Vi!onia. thin# it is /est if this relationship oes not !ontin"e...it will neer wor# o"t.

K2



Vi!onia

,ICC?: es, perhaps it is for the /est. l"eC mrann Cssinss. shall /other yo" no more. /roman-e

s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+1 *ar'+ res's

28 onCt thin# the time is ri*ht for this. @@@@ULTIMATUM

;8 Very well... shall.

,ICC?: 3ome to me, then, my mrann Cssinss. o" hae efeate me...now taste yo"r i!tory...

/Roman-eA-'&%e21 *ar'+ res's

;8 onCt thin# this is the ri*ht time for this, Vi!onia. @@@@ULTIMATUM>8 lri*ht, Vi!onia. will stay with yo".

,ICC?: 3ome to me, then, my mrann Cssinss. o" hae efeate me...now taste yo"r i!tory...


@@@@ULTIMATUM

,ICC?: >here is no ri*ht time for s"!h as "s: tomorrow !o"l /rin* eath. llow my nee, 3HNIET. llow myhonest s"/mission. ef"se... an shall /other yo" no more.78 >hen perhaps it is /est if this ens here, Vi!onia. o" #now this will neer wor# o"t /etween "s.

,ICC?: es, perhaps it is for the /est. l"eC mrann Cssinss. shall /other yo" no more. /roman-e s-rewed1 she


28 Very well, Vi!onia... shall stay with yo".,ICC?: 3ome to me, then, my mrann Cssinss. o" hae efeate me...now taste yo"r i!tory...


>M61 N&>E: >his may happen in area eCrnise Hol 100; too

,ICC?: *oo mornin* to yo". &r, at least, as !lose to mornin* as we !ome with these stran*e ho"rs that we #eep. tr"styo"r exertions were...worthwhile( V3&NK;


>M6

,ICC?: >ell me...i Gorion tell yo" many tales of the Unerar#( Fi he, per!han!e, mention some of the ra!es thatlie /elow( V3&NK4;


>M66

,ICC?: Fo yo"r people hae any #in of rite of passa*e into a"lthoo( am !"rio"s. V3&NK6;


>M67

,ICC?: re yo" aware that, espite o"r intima!ies, #now little of yo" other than the "s"al *ra!es( o"Ce mysteries in

yo"...an se!rets. >hat fa!e hols tales in its !reases. V3&NKJ;


K



Vi!onia

>M6K

,ICC?: Hae yo" *ien any tho"*ht to what yo" will o on!e this whole /"siness is oer with( V3&NK7;

78 Ce eote most of my tho"*ht to s"rial. @@@@DREAM

28 Cm not s"re... was hopin* on /ein* somewhere with yo", howeer.

,ICC?: o" flatter me, 3HNIET. hope those are not 5"st empty wors yo" are spillin* p"rely for my

/enefit, howeer. @@@@DREAM;8 ?hy o yo" !are(

,ICC?: wo"l thin#, at this point, that mi*ht /e allowe to eote some tho"*ht as to where this is heain*-

78 <air eno"*h. haenCt tho"*ht a/o"t it m"!h, myself. @@@@DREAM

28 apolo*ie Vi!onia... 5"st inCt expe!t this from yo".

,ICC?: >r"e. t is little more than ile tal# an fantasy. stran*e tho"*ht to oer!ome me, tr"ly, /"t notentirely "npleasant.

;8 tCs a pleas"rea/le eno"*h iersion, Vi!onia, /"t nothin* /eyon that.,ICC?: s that so( expe!t nothin*, /"t am no playthin*. 3ool yo"r heels /y yo"rself toni*ht an eeryni*ht from here on- o"Cll not lay hans on me a*ain, i/lith- /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

@@@@DREAM

,ICC?: hae tho"*ht on the f"t"re myself. ?ith a little am/ition, see "s !arin* an empire, r"lin* a small #in*om,

an liin* in the heonisti! l"x"ry we are meant to-78 hae no interest in lorin* oer others, Vi!onia. tho"*ht yo" #new that.

,ICC?: Fo not ismiss it so easily. n5e!t some #inness, if yo" m"st. ?ith yo"r power, yo" !o"l /rin* orer to a!haoti! lan. eople mi*ht appre!iate yo"r r"le.

78 Iay/e. onCt thin# they wo"l appre!iate yo"rs, howeer.,ICC?: >r"e. t is little more than ile tal# an fantasy. stran*e tho"*ht to oer!ome me, tr"ly, /"t notentirely "npleasant.

28 erhaps yo"r tho"*ht has some merit, onCt #now.

,ICC?: <eh, it is little more than ile fantasy, really. t is *oo to see that yo" hae a little esirehoweer...perhaps that is somethin* !an wor# on, hm(

;8 "lership is not for me, Vi!onia. erio.,ICC?: >hat is too /a. t is little more than ile tal# an fantasy, /"t wo"l hae hope for more italityan powerl"st. S"!h limp post"rin* is not /e!omin* in yo".

28 >hat oesnCt so"n li#e s"!h a /a iea.,ICC?: <eh, it is little more than ile fantasy, really. t is *oo to see that yo" hae a little esire howeer...perhapsthat is somethin* !an wor# on, hm(

;8 Get yo"r hea o"t of the !lo"s, alreay.,ICC?: >r"e. t is little more than ile tal# an fantasy. stran*e tho"*ht to oer!ome me, tr"ly, /"t not entirely"npleasant.

>MJ1 N&>E: >his ialo* is tri**ere /y restin* % it may happen anywhere yo" rest, een in "n*eons

,ICC?: ?e are to stop an rest now, are we( s"ppose that is *oo an well, as am exha"ste nearly to the point of

roppin*. 3ome, then, my mrann Cssinss, an let "s *et o"r !o"plin* oer with )"i!#ly. V3&NK9;

78 C&er withC( o" onCt ma#e that so"n ery appealin*. /or28 f yo" are too tire, Vi!onia, there is !ertainly no nee for "s to lay to*ether. /or

;8 ?hy )"i!#ly( fter o"r most re!ent ni*hts, was positie that yo" were always in the moo for this.,ICC?: may /e tire, /"t loo# forwar to showin* the arts learne as a Frow. hol a e*ree of...affe!tion...for yo", 3HNIET. How else am s"ppose to show this(

78 o" o not nee to lay with me to show yo"r affe!tion, Vi!onia. Nothin* is expe!te of yo".,ICC?: Hmm. n o thin* to say. f ha no male to seri!e me in the Unerar# slept alone. am..."nfamiliar with this. How else wo"l yo" show...affe!tion(78 Here...let "s hol ea!h other toni*ht, only, an will show yo".

,ICC?: s...as yo" wish, 3HNIET. feel "n!omforta/le with this arran*ement, /"t s"ppose that...that some rest is not "n!alleDfor. /LT<;1 *ar'+ res's

28 f yo" !anCt een *rasp s"!h a simple !on!ept, then this relationship is o/io"sly oome. <or*et it.,ICC?: &/io"sly so. s"ppose was a fool to expe!t any #in of irility or l"st o"t of a limp

sy!ophant li#e yo"rself. Cll not ma#e the mista#e a*ain, ass"re yo". /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n*ar'+1 *ar'+ res's

;8 <air eno"*h. etCs sleep on it, shall we(

K4



Vi!onia

,ICC?: s yo" wish, my mrann Cssinss...!ome into my arms an let me show yo" /"t a small portion of the rowCs ast #nowle*e of the art of massa*e... /LT<1 *ar'+ res's

28 Very well, then, letCs *et to it.

,ICC?: s yo" wish, my mrann Cssinss...!ome into my arms an let me show yo" /"t a small portion of therowCs ast #nowle*e of the art of massa*e... /LT<1 *ar'+ res's

>MJ N&>E: >his may happen in area eCrnise Hol 100; too

,ICC?: s it...is it time to awa#en alreay( V3&NKK;

?hateer yo" !hoose: LT<

No other !onse)"en!es

>MJ6

,ICC?: o" are awa#e, see. >hat is *oo. hae /een wat!hin* yo" for some time...thin#in*. wish to share my

tho"*hts with yo". V3&N1;78 Cm listenin*. @@@@SECOND T#OUG#TS

28 really haenCt time for this, Vi!onia. etCs *et moin*.,ICC?: No. o" an o not !onsier time the same, an it will not #ill yo" to listen to what hae to say,3HNIET.@@@@SECOND T#OUG#TS

@@@@SECOND T#OUG#TS

,ICC?: hae !onsiere my a!tions lately an feel ill at ease. am a Frow female, an yet s"/mit to yo"r will anseri!e yo" as if was /"t a simple Frow male. #now this is not yo"r intention. o" hae *ien me...prote!tion, tr"st ana fair amo"nt of affe!tion, wo"l thin#. am too pro" to !ontin"e in this ein. <in someone more li#e yo"rself to laishattentions on. &"r "nion is foolish, an the Frow hae a sayin*: Cthe foolish fin s"rprises, an amon* them waits eathC.

am no fool.78 No, Vi!onia- Stay with me, #now we !an ma#e this wor#-

,ICC?: Fo not !rawl li#e an infant, fool. o"r mewlin* !h"rns my stoma!h. Fesist an we /oth rest easier. et "s 5"st !ontin"e o"r traels, 3HNIET... m"!h prefer that. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 re yo" s"re a/o"t this( ...hae eep feelin*s for yo", Vi!onia. wo"l not want yo" to waste what !o"l /e.

,ICC?: am s"re, 3HNIET. o" an #now there is nothin* that C!o"l /eC. t is ene !leanly...so let "s

!ontin"e on o"r traels witho"t f"rther ar*"ment. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 <ine. f this is what yo" wish, so /e it.,ICC?: Ex!ellent. o" are ery sensi/le, for a male. t is ene !leanly, so let "s 5"st !ontin"e o"r traels witho"tf"rther !onfli!t an we shall /oth rest easier. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

>8 fter all weCe ha, this is the ex!"se yo"Cre *iin* me( o" are an iiot, row, to *ie "p on me so easily-

,ICC?: m ( o"r isplay only ma#es this easier. So limp, een for a male- hae no plans to *o anywhere,

3HNIET, "nless yo" are too wea# to fa!e me.78 Get o"t of here- Get o"t of my si*ht-

,ICC?: Cos )"arth- l"eC, sCl"rrpin i/lith- &loth plynn os- /roman-e s-rewed1 she $ea%es 'he *ar'+

28 No...thatCs fine. Stay, if yo" m"st.,ICC?: Very well, shall stay. B"t ta#e yo"r patheti! eyes from me...an let "s !ontin"e o"r traels.


>MJ7

,ICC?: hae... hae an o feelin*. o not...thin#... hae eer felt its li#e /efore... V3&N2;


K6



Vi!onia

>MJK

,ICC?: >hat...feelin*- t is /a!# a*ain, /"t stron*er this time- !an feel the ripples of the weomer.../la!# whispers fromthe epths of the /yss-- She has fo"n me- SHE HS <&UNF IE-- V3&N; t...itCs insie my hea- >CS NSFEI HEF-- N&&&-- EEEEEE--

Hanmaien of olth an a o!hlolDemon appear;

#ANDMAIDEN: >here is the straye one- Gather her, rothe...an #ill the others--

<GH>---

?hen yo" mana*e to #ill /oth hostiles, the next ialo* !ontin"es a"tomati!ally /LT7

>M71

,ICC?: &oooh...that sort of psy!hi! rape /y a ho"n from the epths of the a/yss is the sort that simply will not tolerate-Iy hea feels as if it is /arely !onne!te to my /oy... V3&N4;78 Hey, onCt than# me for sain* yo" or anythin*...

,ICC?: "nerstan that yo" hae sae me, an am appre!iatie. >he alternatie wo"l hae

/een..."nthin#a/le. am 5"st...a little isoriente...78 8"st what was that thin*, anyway( ?hat happene( @@@@ASSASSINS

28 re yo" all ri*ht( Fo yo" nee healin*(,ICC?: Fo not fawn oer me, fool- s"ffere a psy!hi! atta!#, that is all- >here is little that ma*i! !an o toassist me at the moment- @@@@ASSASSINS

28 ?hat was that thin*(- @@@@ASSASSINS

@@@@ASSASSINS

,ICC?: >hat was a hanmaien of olth, an a yo!hlol. Gate assassins. >o thin# that she wo"l *o to s"!h efforts to*ather me "p, it is almost /eyon /elief. ?hy wo"l she !ome after me now, after all this time( ?hy now( Has she *rown /ore with my es!apaes, or is there some other reason( n...what will she o to ta#e me, next( >he Spier ="een is notso easily iss"ae. 3HNIET, espise this terror that threatens to swallow me-

78 f she sens more, Cll eal with them the same as i these ones. Fo not worry.

,ICC?: Easily an /raely sai, 3HNIET.../"t olth is no !reat"re to /e trifle with. ... m"st thin#.lease, leae me /e for a while...

28 3alm yo"rself, Vi!onia-,ICC?: am !alm, foolish male.../"t my fear is 5"stifie...the Spier ="een is a thin* to /e feare- ... m"st thin#,3HNIET. lease, leae me /e for a while...

;8 ?hat o yo" inten to o(

,ICC?: Fo( ... o not #now. m"st thin#, 3HNIET...please, leae me /e for /"t a while...

>8 How o yo" thin# feel(- f she sens more of those thin*s, all of "s are in an*er, not 5"st yo"-,ICC?: n what wo"l yo" hae me o, 3HNIET( eae( et"rn to the Unerar# an plea for mer!y(>here is no mer!y for me- >here is no mer!y--78 o" onCt esere mer!y, Vi!onia. o"Cre a ar#Dhearte thin* an Cm sorry lai eyes "pon yo".

,ICC?: s that what yo" thin#(- /lith 5al"#- Far#ness ta#e yo", 3HNIET, shall pray for yo"r

estr"!tion foreer-- /roman-e s-rewed1 she $ea%es 'he *ar'+

28 es, leae...fin some way to sae yo"rself, /"t wonCt hae yo" enan*erin* me or the others-,ICC?: o" !ast me o"t(- sho"l hae #nown it wo"l !ome to this- ll tr"st...is foolish- Far#ness ta#eyo", 3HNIET, shall pray for yo"r estr"!tion foreer-- /roman-e s-rewed1 she $ea%es 'he *ar'+

;8 No. Stay here...it is the safest pla!e for yo". ?e will fin a way aro"n this.

,ICC?: ...o not #now if there is a way aro"n this. ...please let me thin# on this, 3HNIET...leae

me /e for a while...

KJ



Vi!onia

>M7

,ICC?: Ba!# away from me, yo" patheti! fool- Fo not !ast yo"r eyes "pon me- tol yo" to let me /e, i/lith-- re yo" soinsipi an moroni! that yo" !annot "nerstan s"!h simple instr"!tion(- V3&N6;

78 sai nothin* to yo", Vi!onia- ?hat /rin*s this on(-

,ICC?: o"...yo" are an affront to me... wish this ha neer !ome to /e- @@@@REGRETS

28 *ain yo" t"rn s"enly hostile( ?hat happene to yo"r promise(,ICC?: >o the eepest pit of the a/yss with my promise- shall o as li#e, yo" i*norant male-- ...yo" are anaffront to me- ,,, wish...this ha...neer /een-- @@@@REGRETS

;8 hae ha eno"*h of yo"r selfishness an *ames, Vi!onia- Be*one with yo" an ma#e /oth o"r lies easier-

,ICC?: s yo" wish, 3HNIET- >his is...easier...for "s /oth, in the en. Be*one with yo" an yo"r il#,

pray that we neer meet a*ain-- /roman-e s-rewed1 she $ea%es 'he *ar'+

@@@@REGRETS

78 ?hy o yo" t"rn yo"r hea( >hose are tears in yo"r eyes- ?hy are yo" sayin* these thin*s to me(- ?hy(-

,ICC?: ......5"st...leae me /e, 3HNIET- 8"st leae me /e--

28 o" want this to en, o yo"( ?ell, am tire of tryin* so har- So /e it-

,ICC?: s yo" wish, 3HNIET- >his is...easier...for "s /oth, in the en. Be*one with yo" an yo"r il#, pray that we neer meet a*ain-- /roman-e s-rewed1 she $ea%es 'he *ar'+

>M76?>3H &U> <& 33NG BE>?EEN N'EF &>&NS---

,ICC?: ?e...we m"st tal#. V3&NJ; >his...is not wor#in*.../etween "s. t will neer wor#, an thin# yo" #now this.>here !an /e only one o"t!ome. t !an only en poorly.

78 No, ref"se to /eliee that- loe yo", Vi!onia-

,ICC?: oe( ?hat is this loe( ?hat !an it o( o"r loe will not /e eno"*h for "s...it !annot proie "s af"t"re. o" #now it is the tr"th. Sooner or later will fail yo", or yo" will fail me, or olth will !apt"re me, or will!a"se yo"r eath. am Frow an yo" are not...there is no happy enin* here. ?e m"st poison o"r hearts, myssinssri**...we m"st o what is ne!essary an !leae "s apart /efore it is too late. n !annot stay.

@@@@PERSUADEH#ER

28 ?hy o yo" say this(,ICC?: Sooner or later will fail yo", or yo" will fail me, or olth will !apt"re me, or will !a"se yo"r eath. amFrow an yo" are not...there is no happy enin* here. ?e m"st poison o"r hearts, my ssinssri**...we m"st o whatis ne!essary an !leae "s apart /efore it is too late. n !annot stay. @@@@PERSUADEH#ER

;8 s"ppose that is the tr"th. ?hat o yo" inten to o(

,ICC?: m"st leae yo", now, 3HNIET. m"st poison my heart an /e apart from yo" /efore it is too late. !annot stay. @@@@ T#EHTIME

@@@@ T#EHTIME

78 s"ppose if yo" m"st *o, there is nothin* more to say. @@@@S#E9SHGONEH?OUHIDIOT

28 s there no way for yo" to stay with me, een if we are not to*ether(

,ICC?: >here is no way, 3HNIET. o" #now that. @@@@PERSUADEH#ER

@@@@PERSUADEH#ER

78 >hen if yo" hae to leae, leae with my /lessin*. hope we meet a*ain. @@@@S#E9SHGONEH?OUHIDIOT

28 B"t nee yo" here in the party, een if we are not to*ether... !annot s"!!ee witho"t yo"r stren*th.

,ICC?: ... s"ppose am /ein* selfish. o" are on a )"est of *reat importan!e to yo", an my leain* wo"l /e

more than an in!onenien!e, perhaps. Very well, 3HNIET. t shall /e... iffi!"lt to stay /y yo"r sie, /"t will. B"t there is nothin* f"rther /etween "s... an we part on!e yo"r tas# is !omplete. >his is the way it m"st /e, if am to help yo". ... am sorry, 3HNIET. n my own way, o... loe yo". et "s *o now an p"t this /ehin"s. /Roman-eA-'&%e2 K wh+ aga&n

;8 No, yo"Cre wron*- Eeryone !an !han*e- ?eCe /een thro"*h so m"!h, yo" !anCt 5"st throw it away-

@@@@E3PLAINH#ER

@@@@E3PLAINH#ER

,ICC?: B"t why(- ?hy wo"l yo" wish to hae me stay when yo" #now this is oome- Foome as my own /la!# heartis oome- Fo not o this to yo"rself, 3HNIET-78 want yo" to stay /e!a"se loe yo", Vi!onia. Be!a"se if yo" leae, will ie witho"t yo".

K7



Vi!onia

,ICC?: ... loe yo", too, 3HNIET...in my fashion. ... re*ret am not a !reat"re who !an feel thin*s asyo" o. >he !apa!ity...is 5"st not within. almost wish it was, /"t ar#ness an loss are my !allin*s...Shar #nowsonly too well. @@@@T#EHTIME

28 f... if yo" !annot loe me, Vi!onia, is there no way for yo" to remain with me, here(

,ICC?: >here is no way, 3HNIET. o" #now that. @@@@PERSUADEH#ER

;8 Go, then. Go, Vi!onia, an o it )"i!#ly, or will not /e a/le to /ear it. @@@@S#E9SHGONEH?OUHIDIOT

@@@@S#E9SHGONEH?OUHIDIOT

,ICC?: than# yo", my ssinssri**...yo" hae shown me somethin* i not thin# to fin, espe!ially here on the s"rfa!e.o" to"!he my /la!# so"l an will /e foreer *ratef"l. f it..if it means anythin* to yo", 3HNIET, o tr"ly loeyo". l"eC "ssta milst ssinC"rn "ltrin...farewell, my most hansome !on)"eror. Until we meet a*ain. /roman-e s-rewed1

she $ea%es 'he *ar'+1 a$$ her e()&*men' s'a+s &n *ar'+

>M7J % the en of roman!e

K9



Vi!onia


I! PhaereInn)endo7

,ICC?: re yo" ma( 8"st what are yo" plannin* with s"!h oert"res( o" are nothin* to s"!h as she... a momentCs

istra!tion that !osts her nothin* an may !ost yo" m"!h-

78 re yo" 5ealo"s, Vi!onia(,ICC?: Fo not ma#e me la"*h. n this pla!e, yo" toy with not only yo"r own life /y initin* s"!h intimates!r"tiny. Enan*er "s all, /y all means, if yo" !annot resist the wit!hCs flesh.

78 3alm own... itCs a ploy an nothin* more.

,ICC?: Frow learn this *ame from an early a*e an play it far /etter than yo" !o"l ima*ine. oi s"!h

!onta!t with haere, warn yo"... nothin* /"t ill will !ome from it.28 may o that. Cll o as li#e, Vi!onia, now rop it.

,ICC?: see. S"enly am nothin* more than the na**in* harpy. Very well, 3HNIET... yo"Cll hear from me no more. Fo as yo"r pleas"re i!tates. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

28 o" seem to hae )"ite a low opinion of my effe!t on women.

,ICC?: Fo not ma#e me la"*h, 3HNIET. o" seem to for*et that row women see yo" as nothin* more

than a patheti! male. f this is some manner of ploy, wo"l s"**est yo" re!onsier.78 n if it is a ploy( ?hatCs wron* with that(

,ICC?: Frow learn this *ame from an early a*e an play it far /etter than yo" !o"l ima*ine. oi s"!h!onta!t with haere, warn yo"... nothin* /"t ill will !ome from it.

28 Cll o as li#e, Vi!onia. Now rop it.

,ICC?: see. S"enly am nothin* more than the na**in* harpy. Very well, 3HNIET... yo"Cll hear

from me no more. Fo as yo"r pleas"re i!tates. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

;8 tCs 5"st a ploy, Vi!onia... onCt *et yo"rself in a h"ff.,ICC?: Frow learn this *ame from an early a*e an play it far /etter than yo" !o"l ima*ine. oi s"!h !onta!twith haere, warn yo"... nothin* /"t ill will !ome from it.

>8 'eep yo"r opinions to yo"rself, Vi!onia. Cll o what want.

,ICC?: see. S"enly am nothin* more than the na**in* harpy. Very well, 3HNIET... yo"Cll hear from

me no more. Fo as yo"r pleas"re i!tates. /roman-e s-rewed1 she s'a+s &n *ar'+

I! PhaereInn)endo2,ICC?: t seems that yo" !annot resist the spell that row female !ast, 3HNIET. fin it )"ite am"sin*, a!t"ally.Fi she for!e yo" into the a!t, or i yo" *o willin*ly( No matter. Hopef"lly we hae the opport"nity to #ill the wen!h.

?ere not in hiin*, wo"l !hallen*e her openly an remoe her hea... /"t we !annot hae eerythin*. /no

-onse()en-es

I! PhaereInn)endo;

,ICC?: >hat was )"ite o, 3HNIET. was s"re that haere intene to se"!e yo". How i yo" s)"irm from

her *rasp( erhaps it was tho"*hts of me that #ept yo" !eli/ate, hmmm( Ha ha... well, this spares me the effort of flayin*either of yo" alie, at least. Har wor#, that is. /no -onse()en-es

O'her *oss&.$e -onse()en-e:

See EE se!tion, >M26

KK



haere

P#AERE

>his thin*s happens &N if yo"$re male, if yo"$re "ner alon$s spell row is*"ise;, if yo"$re oin* row )"ests anif yo" on$t piss the row !ity.?at!h o"t- 3he!# the al"e of haerenn"eno aria/le an see if it will s!rew yo"r !"rrent roman!e.

<irst time yo" will meet her after yo" sae her from llithis. She will as# what rewars yo" expe!t from her 5o/s.f yo" say yo" want HE: PhaereInn)endo7

fter yo" #ille or not Sola"fein as a tas# from this row /it!h an /ro"*ht her a iwawfi 3loa# as a proof, she$ll want to*et yo" in /e.

f yo" sleep with her: PhaereInn)endo2

f yo" mana*e to ref"se her: PhaereInn)endo;

Strate*ies to ref"se her an not ma#e row !ity hostile:

1. tell her yo" /elon* to another D someone she on$t #now wor#s always;2. tell her yo" @!an$tA /e!a"se yo" swore to remain !eli/ate min N>M17 an min 3HM1;. tell her yo" @!an$tA /e!a"se yo" are affli!te with an insiio"s !"rse min N>M16 an min 3HM16;4. tell her yo" @!an$tA /e!a"se yo" are an e"n"!h min 3HM17;

nyway, she will always reply with:

“(sigh) We shall have to solve this roblem!!! but I have no time no"! I thought #ou "ere more o$ a male than this% &el'rin!

ah No matter!*

Een in @e"n"!hA !ase...&

100



Bohi

BOD#I

o" all #now that when yo" fi*ht Bohi in !hapter J, she will t"rn a person yo"$re roman!in* into ampire. n yo"$llhae to help that person. Fo nee to type it all( Bah- $ll s#ip it. s Herf wo"l say: @3o"ln$t /e arseA.Hmmmm, may/e in f"t"re ersions...

101



reas

AREAS

So re!o*nies these types of areas:

− N&I

− 3>

− <&ES>

− FUNGE&N

lso there is an aitional @swit!hA that shows if areas are &U>F&&S or not.

>his se!tion will show whi!h areas are of type "n*eon an whi!h areas are !onsiere o"toors.o"Cll see that some of those are /"**e so it !an elay yo"r roman!in* experien!e if yo" are in "n*eon when the timer expires D the *ame wonCt reset timer for next roman!in* ialo* "ntil yo" *et o"t of the "n*eon an o the ialo*;.

'eep in min that some ialo*s wonCt tri**er in some areas altho"*h they are nonD"n*eon type, i.e. Vi!onia wonCt startialo*s with yo" aro"n eCrnise Hol 100;.So the /est thin* in those !ases is moin* /etween F<<EEN> N&NDFUNGE&N areas.>o *et !oe for the area xxxx; yo"$re !"rrently explorin* from within the *ame, 5"st press on the #ey/oar.

D)ngeon areas

0019 D !ellar from >"torial0201 D "ner >emple Fistri!t0202 D "ner >emple Fistri!t0204 D "ner >emple Fistri!t0206 D "ner >emple Fistri!t020J D "ner >emple Fistri!t

0404 D "ner 3opper 3oronet sewers;0410 D insie lannar Sphere0411 D insie lannar Sphere0412 D insie lannar Sphere041 D insie lannar Sphere

0414 D Ne*atie Iaterial lane alley;0420 D insie lannar Sphere0602 D >anner Shop in Bri*e Fistri!t060 D >anner Shop in Bri*e Fistri!t061J D lannar rison0J02 D Startin* F"n*eon0J0 D Startin* F"n*eon

0J04 D 3ir!"s >ent ll"sionary0J06 D 3ir!"s >ent ll"sionary0701 D "ner >emple Fistri!t sewers;0706 D Ie#rathCs air 0711 D llithi Base "ner th#atla0901 D "ner Graeyar Fistri!t

0902 D "ner Graeyar Fistri!t090 D "ner Graeyar Fistri!t0909 D "ner Graeyar Fistri!t090K D "ner Graeyar Fistri!t1101 D Valy*arCs !a/in D this m"st /e a /"*1201 D <ir#raa*Cs F"n*eon startin* area

1202 D <ir#raa*Cs F"n*eon insie

101 D eCrnise Hol insie102 D eCrnise Hol insie10 D eCrnise Hol insie1401 D >emple "ins "ner*ro"n140 D nathCs lair 1602 D Spellhol "n*eons

160 D Spellhol "n*eons1604 D Spellhol "n*eons1606 D Spellhol "n*eons160J D Spellhol "n*eons1607 D Spellhol "n*eons

1609 D Spellhol "n*eons160K D Spellhol "n*eons1610 D Spellhol "n*eons1611 D Spellhol "n*eons1612 D Spellhol "n*eons161 D Spellhol "n*eons1614 D Spellhol "n*eons

1616 D Spellhol "n*eons161J D Spellhol "n*eons2100 D Unerar# 2101 D BeholersC lair 200 D Unerwater !ity2400 D llithiCs lair

2401 D exit to s"rfa!e from Unerar# 2402 D exit to s"rfa!e with '"oD>oa2J02 D <orest of >ethir D insie a !ae2J0 D <orest of >ethir D insie a !a/in2K00 D Hell tearoor;2K04 D Hell selfish;

note D if yo" *et eCrnise Hol as stron*hol, it stops /ein* a "n*eon. n that !ase yo" onCt hae to fear li#e in lannar Sphere that yo"r roman!e will *et elaye while yo"Cre insie. ta#e it that #eepin* the lannar Sphere as "n*eon type<>E yo" *et it as stron*hol is a *lit!h.

102



reas

>here are some areas that are not "n*eons altho"*h they E part of "n*eons. Some of them yo" may exploit in orer to*et the roman!e moin*... >he list /elow shows those nonD"n*eon areas:

020 D "ner >emple Fistri!t D ma"natorCs temple0419 D "ner 3opper 3oronet D Iy!onis lair

0617 D lannar rison

0619 D lannar rison061K D lannar rison0620 D lannar rison0621 D lannar rison0J00 D 3ir!"s >ent ll"sionary D startin* area

0J01 D Startin* F"n*eon0J0J D 3ir!"s >ent ll"sionary D last room0904 D "ner Graeyar Fistri!t D spiersC lair aiCNa;120 D <ir#raa*Cs F"n*eon D <ir#raa*Cs lair 1402 D >haxllCssillyiaCs lair 2102 D alonCs lair

2K01 D Hell fear;2K02 D Hell prie;

2K0 D Hell *ree;2K06 D Hell wraith;

O)'doors areas

0020 D 3ity Gates istri!t004 D one of ranom en!o"nter areas004J D one of ranom en!o"nter areas000 D Fo!#s istri!t021 D IaeCVarCs only if it is stron*hol;

022 D IaeCVarCs only if it is stron*hol;02 D IaeCVarCs only if it is stron*hol;0400 D Sl"ms istri!t

0600 D Bri*e istri!t0J00 D 3ir!"s >ent first area ill"sionary;0700 D ?a"#eenCs romenae istri!t

0900 D Graeyar istri!t0K00 D >emple istri!t1000 D Goernment istri!t1100 D Umar Hills1200 D ?inspear Hills

100 D eCrnise Hol104 D eCrnise Hol as stron*hol;1400 D >emple "ins1404 D >emple "ins Shaelor ispose;1600 D >he syl"m

1J00 D Brynnlaw1700 D Small >eeth pass1900 D North <orest

1K00 D Fr"i Groe2000 D >raemeet2600 D Unerar# Exit

2J00 D <orest of >ethir 2J01 D Frit en!o"nter in 3hapter J2700 D >rial of stat"es Slayer;2900 D S"lanessellar 2907 D Bla!# Fra*on

Note: >here !an /e a pro/lem with 2600 D Unerar# Exit s"rfa!e; D possi/le fi*hts tri**ere from roman!es or )"ests

will r"in the *ame. $m not s"re how to aoi this, an it is not fixe with the pat!h. ro/a/ly yo" sho"l iss"eIoe>orea !omman an in!rease !hapter from the 3onsole... s# on /oars-

10





<=

!A

inCt it stran*e to p"t somethin* li#e this at the en of a o!( t ainCt. Here yo"Cll fin some thin*s not ire!tly relate to the p"rpose of this o!, /"t that !ertainly o appear when people tal# a/o"t roman!es in So or a/o"t me.

78 #ow do I ena.$e 'he Conso$e

@ower Users.txtA file in BG2$s root foler *ies an explanation on many feat"res aaila/le thro"*h eitin* the.a$d)r8&n& file also in BG2 main foler;. &ne of these feat"res is the 3onsole winow "se for *ame e/"**in*, /"t also for !heatin*. Sin!e BG2 was release with /"*s, pres"me this feat"re was left insie the *ame to *ie"sers a/ility to eal with the /"*s. &f !o"rse, s"!h a powerf"l feat"re !an /e a/"se, an it$s "p to yo" what to "se itfor.

>o ena/le the 3onsole yo" hae to eit .a$d)r8&n& file that is pla!e in BG2 root foler. o" !an moify this filewith any text eitor i.e. notepa;.

So, open the file with text eitor an "ner the Program O*'&onsQ a this line exa!tly as it is written here:De.)g Mode7

>hen a this line to the Game O*'&onsQ:Chea's7

&ne of the lines a/oe won$t wor# on some ersions of So, /"t p"rpose for /oth of them is to ena/le the 3onsole.o" on$t nee to experiment to see if one line is wor#in* or not in yo"r *ame % 5"st pla!e /oth lines in the file anyo"$ll hae nothin* to worry a/o"t.

ll that remains is to start the *ame new one or loa preio"s; an in the *ame winow press 3>LS3E toopen the 3onsole winow. nsie the 3onsole winow yo" !an type any !ommans yo" saw in this o!. >o remoethe 3onsole winow, 5"st press ES3 this mi*ht not wor# sometimes, /"t yo" !an *o to another s!reen i.e. there!ors pa*e then ret"rn to the *ame s!reen an the 3onsole winow won$t /e there any more;.

28 I d&d e%er+'h&ng as I was s)**osed 'o a--ord&ng 'o 'h&s do- .)' m+ roman-e &s no' *ro-eed&ng as &' sho)$d8 /or

;8 In 'h&s do- I%e seen a -er'a&n *erson-rea')re sho)$d a**ear .)' 'ha' doesn' ha**en

o"Cll hae to post yo"r )"estion in So for"m with spe!ifi!s on the pro/lem. >hese spe!ifi!s aria/le n"meri!al"es; sho"l /e o/taine /y "sin* the !onsole an iss"in* these !ommans yo"Cll p"t the name of N3 yo"Cre

roman!in* instea of erie;:CLUAConso$e:Ge'G$o.a$/0Aer&eRoman-eA-'&%e010GLOBAL0

CLUAConso$e:Ge'G$o.a$/0Aer&eMa'-h010GLOBAL0

CLUAConso$e:Ge'G$o.a$/0Lo%eTa$4010LOCALS0

>hir !omman m"st /e iss"e while mo"se pointer is a/oe the portrait of the N3 yo"Cre roman!in* % !li!# on

that N3 an onCt moe the mo"se-

>hen 5"st hope someone will help.

>8 In some d&a$ogs I see some names w&'h n)m.ers w&'h&n .ra-4e's .)' no' &n .o$d '+*e1 &8e8 EEK0;

t is a 5"st an info on exa!t wa! file that *ame "ses to play in that ialo*. >hose wa! files are re!ore so"ns % senten!es that N3s tell. o" !an hear them all /y iss"in* a !omman laySo"n; in the !onsole, where isthe !oe from within the /ra!#ets. n yo"r !ase the !omman wo"l loo#:CLUAConso$e:P$a+So)nd/0AERIE=0

8 I%e &ns'a$$ed ToB and m+ roman-e &s no' *ro-eed&ng as &' sho)$d8

>oB is not part of this o!. ny )"estions a/o"t roman!es when yo" hae >oB installe yo" sho"l post in >oBfor"m on http:++www.sor!erers.net+ or !he!# if someone mae a >oB roman!in* *"ie.







<=

<8 Some'h&ng s'range &s ha**en&ng w&'h 'he NPC Im roman-&ng some d&a$ogs are $oo*&ng

f yo" installe the pat!h % there !anCt /e any roman!e ialo* loops---B"t some ialo*s in *ame o loop een if yo" install the pat!h, i.e. if yo" hae /oth erie an 8aheira in the partyan erie *ets /aly h"rt. 'eep in min that those loopin* ialo*s hae nothin* to o with roman!es, otherwise C

mention them all with s"**estion on how to aoi them.

8 I%e &ns'a$$ed ;rd *ar'+ add&'&onsf&es and some'h&ng &s def&n&'e$+ wrong w&'h m+ roman-e8

Go as# Bioware. &r /etter % mail the !reator of those aitions+fixes.

8 I don' )nders'and8 Th&ngs &n 'h&s do- are no' 'he same as &n Dan S&m*sons 'e's

Iy ear, yo"Cll hae to !hoose if yo" will /eliee me or those other a"thors on roman!es.

8 O*'&ons 'o -hoose &n d&a$ogs w&'h&n 'h&s do- are no' n)m.ered as 'hose &n 'he game

$m aware of that possi/ility. Unpat!he *ames !ertainly hae ifferent ialo* str"!t"res from the pat!he *ame, an on$t es!ape from the possi/ility that mi*ht hae wron*ly pla!e mixe; options "ner the wron* n"m/er.B"t hey- ?hy for o yo" thin# isplaye whole ialo*s(

nyway, $ appre!iate if yo" fin s"!h !ases an mail me.

7=8 ha' &s RC

3( Neer hear...

778 I d&d wha' +o) as4ed1 I *os'ed m+ ()es'&ons1 go' answers1 &' &s af'er m&dn&gh' o%er here1 and some'h&ng orsomeone &s smash&ng doors &n m+ home I9m s-ared888

f that happens, then the threa with yo"r posts =; an answers ; loo#e li#e this expose /y Slappy;:

=; Cm st"!# on the roman!e; Use the *"ie

=; !anCt remem/er what my last ialo* was so it oesnCt help me

; Use the !onsole to fin yo"r roman!e ratin* whi!h yo" !an then "se to fin o"t where yo" are in the *"ie

=; How o fin my ratin*; tCs in the *"ie

=; hae a ratin* that oesnCt mat!h the *"ie woner if it were somethin* to o with this pat!h that *ot from a

mate at wor# ; ?e are !omin* aro"n to yo"r ho"se to #ill yo"...........

728 h+ do S$a**+ or +o) no' answer m+ *os' a.o)' roman-es

>hese are possi/ilities for me, "nno a/o"t Slappy;:

− o" as#e a/o"t erie+Haer$Falis roman!e whi!h haen$t resear!he yet;

− >here is the wor @Shaow'eeperA or @S'A in the threa with yo"r )"estion

− o" haen$t poste yo"r )"estion on Sor!erer$s la!e for"ms, /"t on some other pla!e on the net

−

$m playin* r!an"m whi!h means in my !ase that BG2 is "ninstalle for *oo− $e /een /anne from Sor!erer$s la!e

− $m ea hopef"lly, ea r"n#;



3reits

CREDITS

>he lamest se!tion from eery sin*le <=, wal#thr", *"ie, et! is also here- >aa-"##-

nyway, thanx to:

Bioware, Bla!# sle, et! /e!a"se So is their *ame an this o! represents their ialo*s. sort of !ommer!ial, eh(

>al for *oo neres, "nerstanin*, et!, an for isplayin* this o! on the we/, of !o"rse. h, yes, an espe!ially for #eepin* opene the /est pa*es an for"m on lanes!ape: >orment, the one an only X /ase !G amire.

ll mos an mem/ers of Sor!erer$s la!e whose n"mero"s posts on roman!es in So for"m there *ae me iea to writethis. <ol#s, on$t for*et to !omment this o!- expe!t many flames, o#( s"**estion or two will also /e appre!iate.

ll liars an spe!"lators on the net whose impossi/le ieas for!e me to inesti*ate this all. Espe!ially those who tal#e of /"*s in roman!es that on$t a!t"ally exist, /"t if there weren$t those lies, $ neer !he!# them an pro/a/ly wo"l neer

fin o"t /"*s that exist.

"thor of that other oman!e G"ie who$s style an text in$t li#e so ha to mae somethin* totally ifferent.

>o all ai!ts of Ysor!erers !hatroom who$s !harisma slowe me in finishin* this o!. o" #now: o##ens, ?ilfires another time wasters. B"t no !reits to players in 3. n !ase yo" on$t #now what is 3, !he!# the FAQ se!tion.

n finally, to the !oolest mem/er from Sor!erer$s la!e who mae this o! loo#in* far /etter than it was in the /e*innin*.Besies, if there werenCt him % wo"l pro/a/ly s#ip whole 8aheira roman!e... 8"st #iin$. >han# yo" Slappy---

wwwww, $m so happy that feel #ina weep... OsniffffffO :p 8+'

<inal expose:ll spits, flames, r"eness an possi/le mista#es in this o! !ome from me only. ; Oeil *rinO

Extremist

$m o"tta here...

Date post:	02-Jun-2018
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Romancing Guide

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