Baldur's gate II_ throne of Bhaal - Drew Karpyshyn [38]
The tall woman shook her head in weary disappointment before adding, "I fear that the current situation is not the only reason for Gromnir's behavior. I suspect the curse of being one of Bhaal's offspring has recently taken its toil on the general."
"That horrible, hairy thing is a Bhaalspawn?" Imoen exclaimed in disbelief.
"The Lord of Murder's children come in many forms." Melissan arched her eyebrows and gave Imoen the same piercing stare she had earlier fixed on Abdel. "As I am sure you well know, my young lady.
"It is only because of his immortal blood that Gromnir is here, under siege in Saradush. I would never have brought him and his loyal Calimshan troops to Tethyr if I did not feel he had something personal invested in the fate of the Bhaalspawn."
Melissan probably would have said more, but the sound of Jaheira clearing her throat cut her words short. Abdel couldn't help but smile at the druid's none-too-subtle reminder.
"Of course this can wait until you are out of your cages," the tall woman in black assured them. "I am certain General Gromnir will release you all, once I have spoken to him."
Jaheira disliked the woman. There was something in the way she looked at Abdel, a hunger in her gaze. Jaheira didn't like any woman looking at Abdel like that-no one but herself. She also didn't like the way Abdel seemed to hang on her every word, the way a young child with a crush would focus too intently on a beautiful teacher.
Much to Jaheira's surprise, Melissan was as good as her word and returned less than five minutes later with a ring of keys.
"I'm sure there is much more you would like to ask me, Abdel. We can resume our conversation as soon as I have released you." Almost as an afterthought, Melissan added, "And your companions, of course."
The druid bit her lip to keep from speaking harshly. She knew she was being foolish, feeling threatened by this woman. Abdel loved her. He would even give his life for her.
But Melissan was undeniably beautiful. She could reveal secrets about Abdel's Bhaal blood that Jaheira could not. The half-elf knew Abdel had fallen for just such a woman before, the vampire Bodhi. Jaheira had forgiven her lover for his transgression. She knew well enough the enchanting magics vampires could wield over the living, and she couldn't believe Abdel would willingly betray her under normal circumstances. Yet she couldn't quell the whispers of doubt, the ones that said Abdel was consumed with the taint of Bhaal and would do anything to rid himself of his father's legacy. Anything.
Melissan opened Abdel's cell first, then Sarevok's. She had just unlocked the door of Jaheira's cell when the sound of three sharp blasts of a horn echoed off the walls of the dungeon.
"A breach in the wall!" Melissan exclaimed. "The invaders have broken through. Three blasts means the south wall."
The woman spun on her heel and ran for the stairs, her long hair fanning out behind her as she raced back toward the dungeon exit. In her rush, she left the key hanging in the still unopened lock of Jaheira's cell.
"We have to reinforce the men on the wall and seal the breach or Saradush will be overrun!" Melissan called over her shoulder as she leaped up the stairs two steps at a time.
Jaheira had to admit, reluctantly, that the tall woman moved with amazing speed and grace.
Sarevok rushed to follow her, and Abdel took a half step before turning to face Jaheira and Imoen.
"Go," Jaheira urged, moving toward the key dangling from the lock of her cell. "I will open our cells, and Imoen and I will come join the battle in mere moments."
Abdel must not have heard her, because he raced over to her cell.
"Go, my love," she said again, "we will be right behind you!" To prove to Abdel he had no need to worry about her safety, Jaheira reached through the bars and put her hand on the key even as Abdel arrived at her cell.
The big man reached his own hand through