Baldur's gate II_ throne of Bhaal - Drew Karpyshyn [35]
"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 and stained it took the half-elf a second to realize the man was clad in the same uniform as Garrol and the rest of the Calimshan soldiers.
"General Gromnir," Garrol addressed the wild looking figure, "these people are here to see Melissan."
"Hah!" the general barked in reply, tilting his head to the side and fixing his cock-eyed stare on Sarevok. "Gromnir knows only Bhaalspawn seek Melissan! Hah-Hah! More Bhaalspawn gathered to die! Great fun! Hah!"
"Mielikki preserve us," Jaheira whispered, hoping only Abdel could hear her. "He's mad."
* * * * *
Abdel agreed with his lover's whispered assessment of their host. There was definitely something unbalanced in the way Gromnir spoke and something unnerving about the gleam in his eye peering out from behind the long, greasy strands of hair that hung down over his forehead. But Abdel was determined not to overreact. He had no intention of accidentally unleashing the ravaging spirit of the Lord of Murder again.
"General Gromnir," he said, hoping his voice sounded calm and reassuring, "I am in fact a Child of Bhaal. But I am not here to bring harm."
"Hah! Bhaalspawn bring harm wherever they go. Blood and violence follow Bhaalspawn everywhere! Gromnir knows! Hah-Hah!"
"I just want to speak to Melissan," Abdel continued, trying not to let his discomfort at the wild general's behavior show. "I am seeking-"
"Sanctuary!" Gromnir interrupted. "Bhaalspawn come to Saradush for sanctuary! Gromnir knows.