Baldur's gate II_ throne of Bhaal - Drew Karpyshyn [21]
"As he rescued me," Sarevok replied. "Abdel carries the weight of our taint on his own soul now. For that we both owe him our thanks."
The enormous figure slowly turned to face Jaheira. "I must thank you as well, druid, for your part in my resurrection."
Jaheira glared at Sarevok, and her reply came from between clenched teeth. "I did it for Abdel, not for you."
Sarevok shrugged, the heavy plates of his armor grating against each other as he did so. "I shall thank you, nevertheless."
The four figures stood in silence for several seconds until Jaheira blurted out, "Is that all, Sarevok? Have you nothing else to say? Will you not even apologize for the deaths of our loved ones?"
"Will an apology make any difference?" Sarevok challenged. "It will not bring them back, and I doubt it will make you think any more of me."
The half-elf spun on her heel and stalked off to stand beside Imoen, placing as much distance between herself and Sarevok as was possible. Abdel momentarily considered following her lead but held his ground.
"I have done my part, Sarevok," he said, trying to keep the anger and bitterness from his voice. "You are free to walk the mortal world again. I have restored you to life, as promised. Now tell me what I want to know."
"I walk the land again," Sarevok admitted, "though I do not truly live. Not in any real sense of the word. I have substance, I have form. I can feel and inflict pain. But I am not a creature of flesh and blood as you are, Abdel. I am but an apparition made solid. This armor is my body, the cold scrape of metal is the closest I will ever get to the touch of warm flesh."
"That is not my concern, Sarevok. I have done what you asked. Now you must fulfill your promise. Tell me about the other Bhaalspawn. Tell me how I may purge myself of this taint."
"I do not know how you may free yourself from the Lord of Murder's blood, Abdel," Sarevok replied. "I never promised you that."
"I knew he was not to be trusted!" Jaheira's shrill voice cut through the still air of the early morning. "He has lied to you, Abdel. He has tricked us again!"
Sarevok held up his hand, the palm of the black gauntlet facing outward, a sign for Jaheira to halt her outburst.
"I spoke the truth Abdel, I will deliver what I promised. I told you your destiny was tied to that of the other Children of Bhaal who still walk the land. I told you I could help you find them. I promised to lead you to your destiny."
Abdel stood motionless in front of Sarevok, straining to prevent his muscles from instinctively grabbing for the sword on his back. "And what is this destiny, Sarevok?"
Again there was the grating shriek of metal on metal as Sarevok shrugged his mighty shoulders. "That I cannot say. Perhaps it is to rid yourself of Bhaal's foul essence. Perhaps not. Maybe Melissan knows."
"Melissan?" Abdel asked. "Who is she?"
"She is one who knows more about the Bhaalspawn then I do, Abdel Adrian. If anyone can remove the taint from your soul, it is she. And I know how to find her."
"Then tell us where to find her and be on your way!" Jaheira cried out from the far side of the clearing.
The deep rumble of Sarevok's mirthless laugh filled the forest. "Tell you? No, druid. I will do better than that. I will take you to her. My path is tied with that of your lover. I will be by his side every step of the way."
Abdel took a step toward his half brother, his hand moving unconsciously to the hilt of his sword. "That wasn't the deal, Sarevok!"
The armored man made no move to protect himself. "Strike me down if you wish, Abdel. I will not defend myself. But know if you do that you will never learn the secrets I can show you."
The big sellsword's hand slid slowly off the handle of his weapon. He turned and shared a look with Jaheira. There was anger in the half-elf's violet eyes, but Abdel could tell she had come to the same realization he had. They had brought Sarevok back to life, and now they were stuck with him.
It was Imoen who finally broke the uncomfortable silence that was hanging over the clearing. "So