ThayvianTales 14

Welcome to this online fiction site! Here you can read the short stories inspired by the game "Baldur's Gate II - The Shadows of Amn." This is unofficial site and it is not associated by any means with Interplay, Bioware or TSR Inc. No material from this site can be reproduced for any commercial use and any noncommercial use must be authorized by Laufey.

Spirits Of Winter Solstice 4

The night before Solstice, a little later.

Rory Ravonar yawned and stretched his legs towards the warmth of the huge fireplace in front of him. The fire had burnt itself out, but there was still a comforting aura of heat to be savored. With all this infernal snow a man had to do something if he didn't want to freeze to death. The thick red dressing gown that strained across his ample gut helped a little, as did the equally red nightcap with its soft white tassel. But he still felt a little too cold. He'd even tried out that fake beard he'd bought a few days ago from an enterprising dwarf, and it had helped some, but it was not enough. The wizard yawned again and helped himself to some sherry and mince pie standing on a table next to him. He had fallen asleep in his chair, dreaming sweet dreams of his triumphant appointment to the Necromantic Advisor position. Certainly it was bound to be his by now. With all the havoc caused to the Odesseiron household lately his competitor had to have been distracted. Ravonar smiled an unpleasant smile. Yes, things really had turned out rather well. There would be nobody to challenge him now.

And then the wizard paused in his thoughts. He had thought he had heard something. A very faint sound, coming from…the fireplace? He waited, not moving. Yes, something was coming down the chimney. Closer. Just a little closer…

BANG! The warding spell went off as it should, slamming into the approaching intruder with a small fireball and a splash of acid rain. A dark figure came crashing down the chimney to land in the heap of ashes and embers resting in the fireplace and Rory the Roarer was chanting before it hit the ground, preparing his second attack. Glowing balls of pure energy sought their target and hit it, sizzling horribly. Rory Ravonar got to his feet, a gleam of triumph in his eyes and approached the fireplace. Then he hesitated. There had been no scream, no moan, no sound at all. Surely nobody would be able to cope with that much pain? And then there was a voice, a mechanical metallic voice, and it came from the dark bundle lying in the ashes.

"AAAAGH!" it screamed. "What have you done to me? I’m melting!” Rory Ravonar bent to retrieve the object pulled it out of the fireplace and turned to place it on the table. A…doll? And then he froze in his tracks as he felt something cold and sharp pressing against his neck and heard a silky voice speak straight into his ear.

"You had better watch out, sir" it said. "Something tells me you have been a very naughty boy this year. I wouldn't count on very many Solstice Presents if I were you."

Rory Ravonar swallowed deeply, and felt a sudden wild urge to scratch at his fake beard that was suddenly feeling very hot and itchy. He had heard nothing. No sounds of climbing, not the faint sound of a pair of boots hitting the carpet, nothing whatsoever. The man was good.

"Now, sir", the voice continued, "my sincere apologies for making sooty footprints on your nice carpets. And for this as well." A sharp blow landed on Rory Ravonar's head and the wizard crumpled into a heap on the floor, unconscious.

"Careful now, sir" Dekaras said, turning the wizard over. "No faking. I will know if you are sleeping or awake." He hurried to tie the other man's hands behind his back and then his legs as well. Finally satisfied he took a closer look at the room. Ignoring the mince pie he retrieved a fresh glass from a cabinet and poured himself a glass of sherry. Much better, he thought. Just one more thing to do. He gently picked up the abused and burnt Stress Relief Witch and placed her in the chair where Ravonar had been sitting earlier. I suppose Poppy was right, the assassin thought. I do seem to be in a much better mood, even if it was supposed to be me hitting the Witch. Oh, well. At least I got to hit somebody. He tied another rope securely around Ravonar’s waist and was pleased to see that the spell placed on it seemed to be working just fine. The wizard drifted into the air as light as a dandelion seed, and could be easily towed up through the chimney. “I believe”, Dekaras said quietly to himself as he watched Ravonar disappear up the chimney, “that the customary phrase during these circumstances is ‘Ho Ho Ho’.”

Edwin had been having an excellent time with his Mother up on the roof. It had stopped snowing and there was a full moon, so he could see a long way. The sleigh was warm and cosy once you had plenty of furs to bundle up under, and the reindeer were really neat. The spell that had temporarily enabled them to fly didn’t seem to faze them in the least and they didn’t mind being petted or fed bread crusts. His Mother had even allowed him to hold the reins. Then something happened. Edwin curiously watched as a huge red creature popped out of the chimney and drifted over towards the sleigh. The white beard was still in place, and so was the night-cap, even if they were both covered in soot.

Elvira sprang from the sleigh to catch the rope trailing after the flying wizard, and then tied it securely to the back of the sleigh. There was a triumphant smile on her face and her cheeks were pink with excitement. “That will teach you, Ravonar”, she said.

“I should think so”, Dekaras said, climbing out of the chimney. He was almost as sooty as the wizard, but didn’t seem to mind very much. There was a definite spring in his step as he jumped into the sleigh and took the reins, waiting only for Elvira to resume her seat. “Up Fatty and Batty and Grouchy and Evil”, the assassin cried out, “Up Callous and Cruel and Slouchy and Weevil! Up Rudolph! Away!” And the reindeer leapt into the air and flew, high over the snowy rooftops of Pyarados, pulling the sleigh and the unconscious Rory Ravonar along with them.

When Rory the Roarer opened his eyes he at first had no idea whatsoever where he was or what was going on. Snorting sounds came from above, like animals running fast. There was cold, rushing air all around him, and he had difficulty telling which part of him was up. Then he glimpsed clouds rushing by beneath, or rather above, his feet and screamed in terror.

“Happy Solstice, Ravonar!” a mocking female voice drifted down from above. “Since you were so eager to teach my husband all about the Solstice Customs we thought it fitting to return the favour. “I bet you didn’t know that it actually is possible to get reindeer to fly. All you have to do apart from the regular levitation spell is persuade them that it is in their best interest to cooperate.” She paused. “And now, to conclude our tour, a lovely view of the Tharchion’s gardens”, she went on. “I was so sorry that I was unable to attend the Solstice party due to familial concerns, but it seems that we both will after all.”

And indeed the Tharchion’s gardens were coming into view below the onrushing sled. Crowds of richly dressed people were walking about, sipping mulled wine and admiring some very elegant ice sculptures portraying exotic animals. Some of them were starting to point and gasp at the strange sight above. Rory Ravonar shuddered with humiliation when he heard a woman in the crowd ask her companion who ‘the flying fat man’ was. The Tharchion himself, a wizened little man in heavy red robes, watched from the porch. The sleigh went into an elegant dive and drove straight past him, and Ravonar could clearly see the amused expression on the man’s face.

“Sorry Ravonar”, came another voice from above, the voice of that damned assassin. “But it looks like we have become too heavy now that your floating spell is starting to wear off. We must get rid of some excess baggage, and you, dear sir, are it.”

And then there was yet another voice, a piping childish one. “You know, Master Dekaras”, it said. “I’ve seen a house-fly, and I’ve even seen a dragon-fly. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen a wizard fly.”

“Then watch closely, boy. It is a rare sight indeed.”

And Rory Ravonar screamed again as the rope that tied him to the sleigh was unceremoniously cut off and he saw the ground approaching. Since the floating spell was still partly functional he didn’t so much fall as glide swiftly downward, until he landed with a * thud * headfirst in a heavy snowdrift. When he had gathered himself enough to dig out he found himself looking into the wrinkled and hard face of the elderly Tharchion of Pyarados. “Rory Ravonar”, the Tharchion said, a small contemptuous sneer on his face. “So nice of you to…drop by.” With a sinking heart Rory the Roarer knew that promotion had never been further away.

Half an hour later all was well within the Odesseiron Mansion as the sun was starting to rise on Solstice Day. The sleigh had been put away, the reindeer had found a temporary home within the stables before they could be returned to Rasheman. As he sleepily sat on a chair in the Great Hall, watching the giant Solstice Tree, Edwin wondered whether he might perhaps be allowed to keep Rudolph. His eyes started to close once more, but jerked wide open when he heard the word ‘spirits’ mentioned.

“It was really a rather ingenious idea”, Dekaras said. The assassin was leaning against a doorframe, explaining something. He had thankfully managed to rub off most of the soot, and once again looked more like a human being than like some sort of demon. “Since spirits aren’t hostile creatures as such, Ravonar knew that your wards would not affect them. The same went for that ghost he conjured. The creatures had all been carefully coached in exactly what to say and do in order to affect Master Galen as much as possible, but they themselves had no intention of causing harm. Then there was that book, also carefully calculated to wreak havoc.”

“Well, it’s a good thing it’s all over”, Edwin heard his Mother say. It had started to snow again on the way home and there were snowflakes all over her black hair. Edwin sleepily thought that it made her even prettier than usual. “I am bound to achieve the Necromancy Advisor position now, and I couldn’t have done it without you. How can I ever repay you? You are sure you don’t want to stay for Solstice Dinner?”

“Much as I would like to, Mistress, it is not possible. You know that.”

“Yes, yes I suppose I do. And you refused an extra Solstice bonus as well.”

“Yes, Mistress. It is Solstice Night, after all. Accepting payment for a commission then is considered very unlucky.”

“Hmmm. Then what am I to do with you, I wonder?” Edwin saw his Mother suddenly smile and point at the open doorway where Dekaras was still standing. “There we are!” she exclaimed. “What a splendid idea Galen had for once! Some of these old traditions are certainly worth keeping.” The assassin raised his eyes and had just time enough to spot the green mistletoe twigs and white berries hanging directly above his head before he found himself receiving a very enthusiastic kiss. Edwin was half-asleep by now, but he thought he saw his teacher gasp for air once it was over.

“Happy Solstice!” Elvira purred, still gripping the shoulders of the stunned man.

“Ah, Happy Solstice”, Dekaras said, sounding just a little bit rattled. “Perhaps we had better continue this conversation later, once the boy is in bed? He looks about ready to collapse.”

“ ‘m fine”, Edwin murmured, hardly aware of what was happening around him. He gave a big yawn. “Happy…Solstice. And…and…the Gods bless us. Everyone.” Then he fell fast asleep, dreaming of flying reindeer and sleigh-rides through the sky on a white and happy Solstice Day.

Back to the Table of Content

Please email the author with all your questions and comments

laufeygreen@hotmail.com