Baldur's gate II_ throne of Bhaal - Drew Karpyshyn [37]
"As for Abdel," she continued, "his name is well known to any who have taken an interest in the Lord of Murder's children, as is his description. You cannot easily hide yourself in the crowd, Abdel."
"No," Abdel replied sheepishly. "I stick out like a sore thumb."
Abdel had doubted Sarevok's promises. He was reluctant to believe his half brother could really bring him to someone who could help him escape the taint of his immortal father. But Melissan's confident, steady gaze both unnerved and excited him. Her black eyes pierced his very soul, and he was certain she could see the evil power that dwelt within him. However, she did not recoil as most others would if they glimpsed the unholy taint of Bhaal he kept caged. Instead, Melissan seemed to acknowledge and accept his monstrous nature-as if she had known it would be there all along.
"I have been told you can help me," Abdel said, enraptured by Melissan's unflinching eyes. "Sarevok says you can help me to rid myself of Bhaal's unholy taint."
"Before we delve into my lover's heritage," the druid said pointedly, "shouldn't we think of a way to escape these cells?"
Jaheira's voice snapped Abdel out of his bewitched state, causing him to blush in embarrassment and cast an apologetic look in Jaheira's direction.
Melissan nodded. "Of course. I will go fetch the keys from Gromnir."
"But he's the madman who put us in here in the first place!" Imoen objected.
"Gromnir is not as mad as he seems," Melissan assured her. "His behavior is bizarre, but he is not insane. Just very, very careful."
"Paranoid you mean," Imoen snorted, still not convinced.
"His caution is based on many previous attempts on his life," Melissan explained, "and very rational, given his present circumstances. A Calimshite general ruling over a Tethyrian town has good reason to be cautious."
"Why is this mad General Gromnir in charge here, anyway?" Jaheira asked, making no attempt to hide the accusatory tone of her voice.
Melissan sighed, her flawless features taking on a regretful, somber expression. "I thought the general and his troops could help protect Saradush and all the children of Bhaal who had come to this town seeking sanctuary. Gromnir and his men came here at my request."
Abdel nodded, remembering the way the Saradush soldiers had spat on the ground when he had first mentioned Melissan's name. Suddenly their resentment made perfect sense.
"At first Gromnir and his men were welcomed here by Count Santele, the ruler of Saradush," Melissan continued.
"But when word of an approaching army reached the count's ears, he ordered Gromnir's troops and all the Bhaalspawn seeking refuge within the walls of Saradush to leave the city. He thought that if he banished the children of Bhaal he could spare the town."
"Let me guess," Jaheira chimed in. "Gromnir refused to go, and he and his men took over the town."
Melissan nodded. "Count Santele was forced to flee for his life. The Saradush militia was unprepared for Gromnir's sudden coup, and before they could organize themselves against the Calimshite forces, the siege had begun.
"The captains and soldiers of the Saradush militia have had little choice but to accept the rule of Gromnir for the time being. Only by working together can the two armies put up an effective defense against the invaders laying siege to the town.
"What about reinforcements?" Imoen asked. "Why haven't the king and queen of Tethyr brought troops in to end this siege and get rid of Gromnir in one shot?"
"Myratma, the capital of Tethyr, is hundreds of miles away," Melissan explained, "and there are hostile forces moving throughout the region. Surely you have heard the rumors of armies devastating towns throughout the Southlands.
"This war is being fought not only in Saradush. The king and queen must look to the security of their own backyard before they can turn their attention to Saradush."
"No wonder Gromnir's paranoid," Abdel noted. "I bet people on both sides of this siege would be happy to see him dead."
"What you say is, to some degree, true," Melissan conceded.