Disclaimer: I do not own the copyrights to Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn, or its characters, and this piece of writing is not intended to make me any money. However, I do own the copyrights to my character, Shalandri.

Dreams

By Enigma

Colors… Flashing… searing her eyes more than the bright sunlight…the smell of charcoal and burned meat was strong in her nose…she could smell death…

Imoen…missiles of light dancing from her fingertips…arrows flying from the figures in black…she was still dazed from the collapsing of the tunnel…more death…there was more death beyond it, in the darkness…

Irenicus…causing the death…more cloaked figures appearing…what? Imoen, going with them? No…what has she done?…

Disappearing…reaching for her…their hands almost touching…almost there…something -the ranger- restraining her …No!

More flashes, blinding light…she vanishes…Imoen…Imoen…no…No! NO!

Irenicus laughing…disappearing with her…Don't touch her you filthy scum!  Imoen! Imoen! Noo!

                    *      *      *

"IMOEN!"

Jaheira bounded out of bed at the mournful cry, grabbing her scimitar and wheeled towards the door, crouching into a defensive stance. The results of her long years of training were met by silence…..nothing had attacked, her door was still in one piece. She was worried that since arriving upon the surface they had been followed, that someone had been intending to end what they'd started…. finishing her friend, Shalandri…or possibly just intending to recapture her…..but it could have been shadows from Irenicus's dungeon that were following, that were still fresh in her mind……causing her to be so paranoid…but who wouldn't be….all that death and pain…Khalid…dead…
No, don't you dare think about him, there are more important things you must deal with now - Shalandri needs you.
The cry had been hers, Jaheira was sure of it. She had been adventuring only for little more than a year, but Shalandri had seen more pain and loss than Jaheira had in her lifetime. She had been plagued with the nightmares ever since the death of her foster father, Gorion - who had also been Jaheira's dear friend. Hells, the gods themselves seemed to have stuck their meddling fingers deep into her life (as well those of her party), for Shalandri was revealed to be a child of Bhaal, a product of the time of troubles - not something Jaheira would wish on anyone. Gorion had protected her and her secret until his end. Shalandri had nearly been killed by her half-brother Sarevok, (another Bhaalspawn, it was he who slew Gorion), but in the end it was Shalandri who had triumphed. Nearly a week after her victory, she was captured outside of Baldur's Gate and brought to Athkatla, in the heart of Amn. Imoen, Shalandri's childhood friend, had been captured as well, and together with the ranger Minsc, and Jaheira herself, had escaped the hold of the insane mage Jon Irenicus, but again, the victory was quite short lived. Imoen had been arrested by the Cowled wizards for inappropriate use of magic, and gods only knew where she was now. Shalandri had been heartbroken…this must have been the cause of the cry- another of her nightmares…
    Jaheira cautiously open the door and looked out into the hallway (one could never be too careful) and seeing nothing immediately hostile- stepped out quietly, and walked the length of the inn's cold hallway to Shalandri's room. Not bothering to knock, she nudged the door open and walked in.
But apparently Minsc had already beat her to Shalandri's side. The massive Rashenmann berserker had his arm around her shaking shoulders, and was quietly reassuring her. Boo - his pet hamster, was cupped in her hands. Minsc had apparently taken one too many blows to the head during his travels, and now he depended on the small animal for guidance. Nonetheless, Boo could always provide some comfort when needed.
But this probably wasn't helping the girl. Minsc (and Boo) had both traveled with Dyanheir, a Rashenmann witch Minsc had been protecting. Jaheira had never known her, but she did know that Dynaheir had also died at Irenicus's hands… another of Shalandri's comrades lost…damn him…
And a reminder of Dynaheir or Irenicus is not something Shalandri  needs at the moment.
"Shalandri, child…another dream? Minsc, why don't you go back to bed - this could be better handled by me, not a rodent. Tell Yoshimo what is going on too, the bounty hunter is bound to be awake by now."
Minsc raised his eyebrow disapprovingly.
"Minsc will do- but he reminds Jaheira that Boo is not a rodent, but a miniature giant space hamster, sworn to plant his small foot in the buttocks of all things evil!"
Jaheira sighed. "Yes, yes, Minsc, there is no need to get excited, especially not at this hour, but Boo needs his sleep just as much as you do if he's going to, uh…be planting his foot anywhere."
Minsc stood up and reached out to Boo, who immediately leaped into his hands. Shalandri didn't seem to notice. Her head was down, her eyes unfocused, and her brown hair was plastered to her neck. She was still in shock from her dream. Minsc gave Shalandri one last pat on the shoulder, and left, ducking his head under the doorframe as he went.

                                                                       *        *         *

Awake and shivering in the cold, Shalandri unconsciously moved over on the bed, making room for Jaheira. She had let her and Minsc stay with her, but she would find no comfort with either of them, not after her dream. The image had been so lifelike; a mirror image of what had already passed. Again in her dreams, Imoen had been stolen away from her, and she had been unable to save her. The bad feeling in her gut worsened. How long would it be until she saw her dear friend again? She could only imagine what Irenicus was doing to her, for surely he had a bigger part in this than anyone had thought…but why? Why did he want her? Why were Dynaheir, Jaheira, Khalid and Minsc taken, when it seemed that Irenicus was only interested in her and Imoen? What point was he trying to make, in slaughtering two of her most beloved friends?
She had searched herself again and again for the answer, but it eluded her grasp in a way that smoke eludes the grasp of one's fingers. The dreams were only a painful reminder of this. She had wanted to go after her immediately, to find the cowled figures that stole Imoen…and who had Irenicus. Irenicus had the answers. She wanted to find him as badly as Imoen, but she couldn't.

Not yet.
But she would.

Their little group, weary and defeated, had made their way to The Den of the Seven Vales. They needed to re-supply and rest before they could do anything more. Jaheira, Minsc and the Kara-Turan thief Yoshimo seemed to think finding Imoen would be a simple task, but Shalandri was skeptical. There was a tiny voice at the back of her head, whispering to her that Imoen was beyond her reach, no longer in the city.

She felt a new arm around her shoulders, considerably lighter than the first. She hadn't been paying much attention to what was going on around her; she was so deep in thought. It was Jaheira.

"Are you alright now? I heard your cry…it was about Imoen, no?"

"It was, Jaheira. Her loss still haunts me… I still feel like she should be here beside me…she…she comforted me after my past nightmares…the ones about Gorion…"

"Child, perhaps you should take a more positive outlook on this. We will find her, and that mage too. I really don't think you should depress yourself thinking about others who have gone to their rightful res…"

Jaheira choked on this.

"…rightful rest. We need sleep and a bit of gold, gods willing, and we will begin our search in the morning. Yoshimo seems to know this city; he can lead us to the local authorities, although I am doubtful they'd be pleased to see someone of his…profession. Do you wish me to stay with you?"

On the contrary, that was the last thing she wanted. Shalandri knew she wouldn't sleep more tonight, and she didn't want the half-elf staying up feeling sorry for her. She needed to be alone with her thoughts.

"No, Jaheira, I'll be fine. Go back to bed."

"As you wish. May Silvanus guard your rest."

It was a bold-faced lie, she knew, but this was what Shalandri wanted. She listened to Jaheira's footsteps receding down the hall until they ceased. She waited for a few minutes, and then left her room. The room was too bare; she needed to feel a night breeze. Walking quietly through the inn's common room, past the late-night drunkards and courtesans, who paid no attention to her. She slipped through the door, and into the cool night. She hadn't brought her longsword, but she had a concealed dagger in her boot.  She didn't expect to be attacked, but she always had to be ready. There was an abandoned cart nearby, and she sat down next to it and leaned her back against the rotting wood. The sky was clear and Shalandri could see the stars. She remembered how she and Imoen would sneak out after curfew and search for the constellations and patterns they had learned from Tethtoril when they were children. They had done that until she had to flee Candlekeep with Gorion. That day after his death, she had felt so alone and afraid, but Imoen had shown up, and her cheerful demeanor had reassured Shalandri immediately. Aside from looks and fighting style (Shalandri had chosen the way of the barbarian, as opposed to Imoen's nimble thieving fingers), they were so much alike...almost like sisters. They had not been apart since…now…
A tear ran unchecked down her cheek. Even the stars offered no respite from the horrible feelings.

Regardless of this bloody path the gods have set for me, I will find you Imoen, regardless of who may try to stop me, I swear it.

Vows were something she seldom made, but she felt it was right deep inside. A sudden surge of determination washed up from the depths of her core, and she dried her tears. With her companions and her sword, nothing would stop her. Not Irenicus, not the cowled figures, not the dark shadows in her mind.

Nothing.

Sleep would be long in coming, but she could deal with that. The morning held so many promises and opportunities.

So many…hold on Imoen…I'll be there soon.


Enigma