return home | tumblr | ao3

“It is true, then, that this Bhaalspawn is an elf? How unfortunate. Then again, it was inevitable that Bhaal would mar our people; it is a small mercy, at least, that she was not raised among us.”

“…And why is that?” Xan asks.

“Her violent nature. It inhibits her ability to live peacefully in our society.” An eyebrow rises—in response to the expression on his face, Xan realizes. He composes his features, glancing neutrally down at the report in his hands. His writing is neat, thorough… and carefully objective.

“She has no more violent a nature than most adventurers, simply trying to make their way in this world,” Xan says.

“Is that so? What led you to this evaluation of her?” A wave of a hand. “Point not to her good intentions; they matter little when her actions lead only to bloodshed.”

“I can only ask to be believed as one of her earliest and most constant companions,” Xan says. “She finds no joy in the path she has been set on, and is as much at the mercy of the coming chaos as we.”

“…I see.” The words contain a sense of surprise—he was not expected to speak of her this way. “Well, it matters not in the end. She should not be a concern for long. No doubt another of her kin will dispose of her, as she disposed of Sarevok—and so it will go on until this period of chaos, too, is swept behind us.”

Dispose of her? Xan’s grip on his report weakens; the papers shift, threatening to fall.

“Ah, hold a moment.” A shuffling of papers on the desk. “I nearly forgot—there is another assignment for you. You will be traveling to Athkatla. We believe that—”

“I refuse to go.” Barely aware that his lips have moved, it takes Xan a moment to realize that the words were his—and that he is now being stared at.

“Ahem—well, let me first describe it to you in full. I know you may not think yourself qualified, but I assure you, you are—”

“I resign.”

“You seem to contemplate your moonblade more often these days,” Radri says.

Xan looks abruptly up from the exposed flames of the moonblade, and sheathes it quickly before she can see much of it. Letting the door to their room close behind her, Radri joins him by the window, noting upon her approach the way that he casts his gaze upon the windowpanes—quiet, and subdued. This alone is not unlike him, but his grip on the moonblade’s hilt is tight, and as she’d said, she’s noticed him watching its flames frequently ever since their reunion.

“Is something… wrong?” Radri asks.