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Reforged - Chapter 2

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CHAPTER 2 - SHADOWS

The shadows were long in the elven forest.

Wearily, Rain surveyed the fallen tree that blocked their path, a forest giant that had been struck by lightning some time ago, the once-mighty trunk scorched and split asunder. Its descent to the forest floor had left a gaping rent in the canopy. Bars of red sunlight slanted down, bright amidst the gloom.

Jaheira came forward and leaned on her staff, reaching out one hand to reverently touch the trunk. "And as one falls, so does other life begin, reaching up for the sun." She gestured at the carpet of wildflowers springing up around the trunk, the rust-coloured lichen growing on the bark. "The cycle of life continues." She tilted her head to regard their party. "Try not to disturb the new growth as you climb over."

Anomen scrambled up first and braced his feet, stretching his hand out to Aerie. Kivan helped her up from below. Together, they assisted over the nervous avariel and then Imoen, who clambered to her feet atop the trunk and took a few experimental steps with relish, holding out her arms for balance.

"Hey, I haven't done this in a while. Watch this!" Laughing, she sped up, nimbly running the length of the trunk in the direction of the withered roots.

"Imoen!" Jaheira glared daggers at her. "Get down girl, before I give you a true reason to run!"

"Alright, alright. No need for anything like that." Imoen gave her a cocky smile, not at all repentant. Her eyes were bright with mischief. "Just having some fun, that's all. You do know what fun is, don't you Jaheira?"

"Your fun is trampling those plants! Get down, right now!" Furiously, the druid snatched at Anomen's hand and hoisted herself up, intent on chastising her wayward charge.

"Aww." Imoen shot Rain a decidedly cheeky glance but jumped down on the other side with alacrity, making Rain smile tiredly. It brought her joy to see her sister's spirits restored. It also gave her a spark of hope, for with Imoen's restoration, she could try to wrest back her own.

Kivan handed up Jaheira's staff and turned to Rain, preparing to lift her. "Your turn," he murmured, his dark eyes softening. Carefully, he settled his hands on her waist.

Rain swallowed tightly. Beneath her breast, her heart was racing, warmth spreading through her being. She tried to think past what his touch was doing to her insides. Mustering her remaining strength, she took Anomen's hand and tried to scramble up, using the toes of her boots to find footholds in the rough bark. Near the top, she let go of his hand and concentrated on levering herself the rest of the way. Her body felt clumsy and over-used. Disconnected. It was an enormous effort now, her arms shaking.

Dimly, she realised the ties binding her mind to her flesh were failing, the threads of her control thinning and fraying. Even her own scabbards seemed to be fighting her, dragging heavily from her hips.

Her foot slipped on the lichen.

With a muffled cry she fell, landing in a painful heap in the dirt. The breath slammed from her lungs. Dazed, she lay unmoving, her vision going black. The taint slid like poison into her mind, cloaking her in shadows.

The Slayer lunged.

Raging at her, it tried to twist free of its restraints, sending a shockwave of fear and agony through her body. Rain gasped and clenched her teeth hard. She battled within her own mind, her body trembling from her efforts.

"Rain!" Hands were pulling at her shoulders, lifting her up. She was bundled securely into another's arms, her head pressed tightly against a solid shoulder. Calloused fingers stroked her hair jerkily. "Rain, fight it." Kivan's voice was harsh in her ear, insistent. "Fight it!"

Dragging in a deep breath, she did. She clenched her fingers in his cloak and pushed. The Slayer hissed and spat, trying to seize her body for its own. The blood roared in her ears.

Begone, beast. You will not have me.

It snarled at her. Soon, it promised with quiet malice. Soon, I will.

"No," she said very grimly. "You will not."

Focusing all her will, Rain shoved the taint back into the dark corners of her soulless body and summoned her mental barriers, containing it. The Slayer gave her a parting lash, lancing white-hot pain through her head. But the nightmare subsided.

Slowly, she drifted back to awareness. Kivan was still stroking her hair, murmuring something soothing under his breath. His cloaked shoulder was warm and strong beneath her cheek. Sighing, she turned her face into his neck and took the respite he offered, wrung out and exhausted. She tasted blood in her mouth.

His touch changed; his fingers slid through her hair, once, twice, and then fell away. "Has it passed?" he asked softly.

With an effort, Rain lifted her head. 'Yes," she managed weakly. She made herself move, shifting from his lap to lean against the fallen tree. Anomen crouched down on her other side. Worried, he put his hand to her brow. The sunlight glanced off the scarlet dragon scales cladding him, making her wince.

"She feels fevered," he muttered. "Her condition is getting worse." He glanced at the ranger, troubled. "We'll need to stop soon. She needs rest."

"Agreed." Kivan rose to his heels and regarded her gravely. "You have fought hard, mellonamin," he told her, "and with rare courage. But now it is time to accept our help." He took her hands in his and gently tugged her to her feet, steadying her. "If I have to carry you, I will," he said grimly. "I've done it before, and I will do it again."

He meant it, too. Every word.

She glanced at him, seeing the terrible strain in his dear, familiar features, the fear and worry in his eyes. He was hurting for her, helplessly afraid, but was unable to shoulder all her burdens.

That didn't stop him trying.

Rain lifted her chin and squared her shoulders, determined to survive. She gathered the last of her strength. "I'm alright," she assured him, keeping her voice very level. "I can manage a little longer." Anomen climbed onto the tree again, and she set her hands against the bark, cringing. She turned them over to see the grazed, bloodied palms. She eyed Kivan again. "I thought I told you to run, mellonamin."

He didn't smile. "And I said I wouldn't let you change again." Determined, he put his hands around her waist very firmly and lifted her up to Anomen. "I always keep my promises, Rain. Every one. You should know that by now."

xxxx xxxx

As it turned out, their work was not yet done for the day. They stumbled across the last person Rain would ever have expected to see lurking in the forest near hidden Suldanessellar, a familiar figure in stained travel leathers and a shock of brown hair falling over his brow, above merry eyes.

Except that right now, he was not laughing.

"Coran?" She stumbled to a stop, staring at him in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

"Rain!" He recovered from his own surprise and started forward quickly. "You have no idea how glad I am to see you," he said, his voice muffled as he slipped his arms around her waist and embraced her tightly, lifting her off her feet. Rain sensed movement behind her, and Kivan padded into the periphery of her vision.

"Coran," he greeted the thief neutrally, folding his arms across his chest. "Do you mind?" He indicated Rain with a pointed expression.

"Ah, yes," he said, setting Rain back on her feet. "Our stalwart ranger. I didn't realise you had come back." Coran's gaze flitted across their group, noting Imoen, standing with her hands planted on her hips. "Immy." He moved on, hitching on Aerie before settling on Jaheira. "Lady druid," he greeted. "Where is Khalid?"

Rain shook her head in warning. "Don't," she said in a low voice. "I'll explain later."

Coran's brows flew up, but then his expression changed, his mouth tight with urgency. "I need your help," he told her. "Come quickly." He was already tugging at her arm, pulling her along with him down the forest trail. "I'll explain as we go."

It transpired that after he and Rain had parted in Baldur's Gate, Coran had taken up with Safana. She wasn't surprised; not really. Though she valued his friendship immensely, she had always known that Coran's attentions were fickle. What passed for his love could easily fall on any pretty girl who happened to catch his eye, and Rain had never deluded herself. Yes, he had true affection for her; she knew that. But she never intended to be another notch on his belt.

"Safana?" she queried coolly, raising a brow at him. "So it didn't take you long to get over me after all," she observed, wryly now. "So much for me being the love of your life." There was no real sting in her words, for she had never believed his declarations of love anyway. She shook her head in mock dismay. On her other side, Kivan's mouth twitched, and he turned away to hide a tiny flicker of a smile.

Coran had the decency to look ashamed. "Yes, well," the thief muttered. "You were always so cold to me, and a man needs to keep a fire burning in him, not freeze under a woman's icy glare. You are a tender flower, my dear, but you also have a heart of stone."

"Is that so." Irritated, Rain struck out faster, wondering what he would think if he ever learned the truth of her heart. Grimly, she settled her hands on her blade hilts. In this weak, barely-living state she was in, she needed to be ready at an instant's notice to fight for her life.

"Ah, Rain. Little one." Coran caught up with her, apologetic. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that, truly." He scanned the forest quickly, drawing her to a stop. "We're close now. Step carefully. It's wolfweres we are dealing with."

"Wolfweres?" Kivan sent him a disgusted look. "And you find the time now to tell us?" He shook his head at their friend's folly and unshouldered his longbow, swiftly nocking an arrow to the string. "Stay here," he ordered.

He slipped away amongst the dense trees to scout ahead, melting into the lengthening shadows. Not a sound reached Rain's ears. Soon enough he returned, his expression sober beneath his green hood. He slackened the draw on his bow. "The pack is close, just ahead. Be on guard."

Readying herself for another battle, Rain slid her twin blades free with a metallic rasp, fighting back waves of tiredness. But Kivan stayed her. Quickly, he shifted both bow and arrow into one hand, and lightly touched her arm with the other. He drew her away a few steps.

"No," he said very softly, looking down into her face. "Not this time. Stay back with me. I don't want you risking your safety for him, not when you are like this. There is no shame in letting the others handle the front line, Rain. Not today."

Gazing up at him, Rain saw her exhaustion reflected in his stark worry. She nodded and sheathed her blades. "Very well," she conceded.

The confrontation was over quickly. They put an end to Lanfear and her pack, Anomen savagely swinging his hammer, Jaheira whirling her staff with vengeful grace. Rain did her part. She and her sister mages sent bolt after fiery bolt into the fray, the hiss and crackle of magical energy filling the air. Kivan's arrows flew with a marksman's lethal precision. As the battle drew to a close, Rain snatched a glimpse of him, recognising the fluid ease with which he pulled back his great bow, each arrow winging towards head and throat and heart.

But for all the swiftness of their response, Coran was left anguished. He knelt in the leaf litter by the broken body of the lover who had betrayed him, staring miserably down at Safana. Rain met Kivan's eyes bleakly. She sorrowed for the elven thief, genuinely touched by his grief.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, gently laying her hand on his shoulder. A long shudder went through Coran's body. "We will help you bury her, but then you must come away with us. It won't do you any good to stay here on your own."

xxxx xxxx

They set up camp in a small glade near a brook, meandering its way through the forest floor. They settled into their nightly tasks. Anomen collected deadfall and built the fire, but he shook his head when Rain tried to assist him, urging her back down onto her bedroll. "Sit, my lady. Take the rest while you can."

Though she felt useless, Rain knew his advice was sensible. She busied herself instead with boiling a cauldron of water over the hungry flames. Slowly, their camp emptied. Kivan vanished into the night with his bow, intent on game. Jaheira wandered away in search of greens for the cooking pot. Companionably, Imoen and Aerie lifted their packs and followed the brook a distance, using the opportunity to wash. Coran watched them go, his eyes resting on Aerie.

Rain gave him a wry look. "That didn't take you long," she commented. She reached into her pack and pulled out the sealed packets of salt and pepper that she always took care to buy, one of the small indulgences she allowed herself.

He stirred and moved closer to her, settling down at her side. "Faerun will always contain beautiful women," he agreed, "and I am duty bound to admire them all." He smiled at her, a glint of his old mischief in his bright eyes. "That extends to you, of course, my beauty. I have ever admired your fair face."

"Mmm," she said, non-committal. She dampened the smile that threatened to curve her lips, privately amused by his antics. On the other side of the fire, Anomen glanced up at the thief sharply, unimpressed.

Coran watched the knight with interest. "So, my heart isn't the only one you have broken," he murmured. "Have you not yet found love for a man?"

Stung, a warm blush rose to Rain's cheeks. "That's none of your business," she retorted.

He was instantly contrite. "My apologies, sweet Rain." Deftly, he reached out and ran a lock of her bright hair between his fingertips. "Like silk," he murmured.

She eyed him coolly and tilted her head, retrieving her hair from his caress. "Don't think you'll be getting that kind of comforting from me tonight," she warned him. "Nothing has changed."

"Still playing hard to get, I see."

Rain ignored him. Jaheira returned to the circle of firelight and bent over the cauldron, adding mushrooms and foraged herbs. "A good harvest," the druid said, sounding satisfied. She nodded as Rain added salt and pepper to the pot, her honeyed braids swaying. "The forest provides for all who know where to look."

"Which apparently you do," Coran said tartly. He sighed as Jaheira lifted a brow but refused to be baited. Instead, she shouldered her pack and went in search of the other women. When she had gone, Coran glanced at Rain again. "I shouldn't have said that," he admitted. "Not when she has lost Khalid."

Rain wearily stirred the beginnings of their stew. "She grieves for him deeply," she murmured. "We all do. Be kind to her, Coran."

"Kind," he echoed acerbically. "There's a thought. Be kind to Jaheira."

She said nothing, and he was silent a moment, watching her. Then he frowned.

"There's something different about you," he realised, his alarm growing. "I can see you and touch you, but I can't feel you." For emphasis, he swiftly took her chin in his fingers and turned her forcefully, studying her intently.

"That's because her soul has been stolen by a mad mage," Kivan said flatly. He strode into the glade and gave Coran a cold glance, a pair of skinned rabbits dangling from his hand. His longbow was slung across his back again. At the stony expression on his face, Coran let her go. "Have a care with her, Coran. She's been through more than enough already."

Warmed, Rain lifted her head and gave the ranger a tired smile. His jet eyes softened in response, just a little. "I see you have brought us the rest of our meal."

Kivan knelt beside her and laid the rabbits before her, arranging them like an offering. "Indeed. They will complement Jaheira's find nicely." He glanced at her, his brow creasing in a small frown. "Do you need help with this?" he asked with concern. "I can take over, if you want to lie down."

Rain felt that telltale flush staining her cheeks, thinking about that choice of words coming from him. She pulled a small knife and reached for the nearest rabbit. "No, it's alright. I'll be fine for a little longer." She began to slice the meat for the stew.

"Then I will be back soon," he murmured. He rose, his merciless gaze pinning Coran. "Walk with me," he said. It was not a request.


Follows on from 'A splintered heart'. A Rain and Kivan romance, inspired by Domi's exceptional mod. Baldur's Gate fanfiction - I own none of the characters save Rain. This was originally published on fanfiction.net.
© 2013 - 2024 Avenell
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