Baldur's gate II_ throne of Bhaal - Drew Karpyshyn [33]
Abdel scooped his own sword up from the ground, intending only to defend himself. In response to his sudden movement, one of the archers embedded an arrow in Abdel's chest. The big man screamed as he tore the arrowhead free from his flesh. His wound healed almost instantly, but the memory of the pain lingered. From deep within he felt the angry flames of his father's blood sparking to life.
Dying enemies, slaughtered soldiers, butchered townsfolk-a fiery avalanche of violent images buried all reason and conscious thought. He would extract a horrendous toll on the town of Saradush for daring to attack the son of a god!
He took a half step toward the pikemen, still foolishly holding their positions as ordered by their captain. Jaheira placed a hand on his shoulder, and Abdel spun to face her with hate in his eyes.
The sight of Jaheira's troubled face instantly cooled his passion. Beneath the reassuring touch of his lover the Bhaal fire burning in Abdel's belly was quenched.
Glancing to the side he was surprised to see that Sarevok had also managed to rein in his Bhaalspawn temper and stood implacably over the unconscious soldier at his feet.
"Stop this!" Imoen screamed as the archers took aim for another volley. Amazingly, they listened to her plea and held their fire.
The captain glared at Sarevok and Abdel, his eyes smoldering orbs of resentment. He raised his hand, and the archers drew back their bows but did not fire, waiting on their captain's signal.
"They'll kill us all," Imoen warned, nodding in the direction of Sarevok and then Abdel. The captain's brow furrowed, and he lowered his hand. In unison, the archers lowered their arrows.
From around the nearest corner a small platoon of soldiers charged into view, their broadswords already drawn. The reinforcements were wearing the uniforms of the Calimshan military. Abdel found this particularly strange, since Saradush was a Tethyrian city.
The captain of the Saradush platoon shook his head in resignation when he noticed the new arrivals.
"Captain," the leader of the swordsmen called out as the troop took their positions behind the pikemen, "I demand to know what is going on here!"
"Invaders, Garrol. They're Bhaalspawn."
Garrol arched an eyebrow. "All of them?"
"Well, no… I don't think so."
Jaheira interrupted the conversation. "Some of us are indeed Children of Bhaal, but we mean no harm to you. We are here seeking a woman named Melissan."
Garrol ignored the druid's words, and continued to speak directly to the Saradush captain. "This is a matter for General Gromnir. Take your men, and return to your posts on the walls."
The captain made no reply, but at his signal two of the pikemen dropped their weapons and cautiously approached the body of their fallen comrade. Sarevok stepped back, allowing them to pick up their friend's unconscious form without having to come within range of his fierce fists.
"Uh… what about that missing grate?" Imoen asked. "And the sewer pipe?"
Garrol finally turned his attention to the four strangers. "What are you talking about?"
"The sewer drain on the west wall," Imoen explained. "That's how we got in. It's large enough for a man in full field plate to crawl through. If you want to keep your enemies on the outside of your gates, I'd suggest putting some guards down there."
"The enemies are already inside," the captain mumbled, but Garrol pretended not to hear him.
"Captain, I suggest you take this young lady's words to heart and see to this breach in the defenses immediately. I will appraise General Gromnir of the situation when I bring these Bhaalspawn before him for judgment."
"Judgment?" Jaheira exclaimed indignantly. "For what are we being judged, exactly?"
Nobody answered her. The captain and his Saradush troops were already on the move, and the Tethyrian company of Garrol had taken up positions surrounding the four companions.
"For your own safety,