Baldur's Gate II Throne of Bhaal by Drew Karpyshyn Page B

hard to come by.” Though he attempted to maintain the decorum of duty, Jaheira detected the faintest hint of revulsion in his voice.
    “Ewww!” Imoen’s unguarded reaction was evidence she had overheard their remarks. “That’s disgusting.”
    As a druid, Jaheira understood the natural order. Many animals served as food so that other animals could survive. It was natural. But eating a pet—a faithful, loving companion—was abhorrent. The half-elf now had another reason to hate cities.
    “A month?” It was Abdel who spoke now. “Where are the reinforcements? Why haven’t the king and queen of Tethyr come to Saradush’s aid?”
    Garrol shifted uncomfortably. He was an officer in a foreign army occupying a city besieged by yet another force. Jaheira could understand his discomfort.
    “Before the siege began there were widespread reports of bands of mercenaries looting and pillaging throughout the western reaches of Tethyr. The royals are too busy cleaning up the mess of raiders and bandits around Myratma and along the trade routes to bother sending their armies to the east to save our sorry hides.”
    “Surely if they knew how bad things have become—” Imoen began.
    “They don’t know,” Garrol replied. “We haven’t been able to get a single messenger safely past the army surrounding the walls. And even if we did, it might be another month before any help arrived. We’re a long, long way from the seats of power.”
    “Well, you’d think the town would be a little more welcoming to us, considering the circumstance it’s in. I mean, we might be the only help they’re going to get, but those Saradush soldiers glared at us like they wished we were dead.” Imoen said.
    “The last thing the townsfolk here want is more help from outsiders,” Garrol replied. “They don’t like your kind here. They blame you for this siege.”
    “Our kind?” Jaheira asked for clarification. “You mean Bhaalspawn?”
    “The citizens of Saradush offered this city as a refuge,” Garrol explained. “They wanted to help protect those who were being persecuted. At Melissan’s urging, they offered sanctuary to the children of Bhaal. Look what they get for their troubles. Gromnir was the last straw.”
    There was a pointed cough from one of the escorting soldiers, and Garrol suddenly shut his mouth, biting down hard enough to make his teeth clack. His face burned with embarrassment, and Jaheira realized he must have overstepped his authority in revealing so much information.
    The rest of their walk passed in silence. Even with her sense of direction distorted by the surrounding architecture, Jaheira could tell Garrol was leading them toward the hub of the town. As they neared the city center, a large stone castle came into view. Garrol led them straight up to the gates. They opened at their approach and slammed shut behind them.
    They moved quickly through the courtyard and into the main structure of what once must have been the castle of the local nobility. Inside, the halls of the keep were lined with countless more soldiers standing at attention, all of them clad in the colors of Calimshan. They saluted as Garrol passed, but he did not bother to return the gesture.
    Garrol marched quickly through the castle corridors— Jaheira’s long legs were barely able to keep up, and Imoen was forced to actually break into a run several times to avoid being trampled by the escort of soldiers marching behind them.
    With their rapid pace it didn’t take long until they reached the main audience chamber. A number of armed Calimshan soldiers were positioned strategically around the large open room, as well as nearly a dozen people dressed in civilian clothes. Seated on the throne at the far end of the room was the grubbiest, grimiest, hairiest man Jaheira had ever seen. His face was hidden beneath a heavy, unkempt black beard and long strands of tangled hair hung down from his bangs to half cover his eyes. His clothes were so filthy