Son of Bhaal

Arnise Hold

After looking distastefully at the Copper Coronet's main fare, an unsavory dish called "Sarks", Bain and Jaheira settled for flagons of watered beer. A buxom serving girl named Jalith brought the companions their drinks, she flashed Bain a warm smile and tossed her long, raven hair over one milky white shoulder. Bain grinned at the flirting wench and paid her six coppers, adding three of his dwindling supply as a tip.

"Where can we inquire about work?" asked Jaheira while Bain admired Jalith's retreating backside. Bain turned back to the waiting half-elf and drank lustily from his foamy flagon.

"I looked around while we were at the bar, no one looks promising yet, but it's still just after high sun, the rich merchants probably won't wander in until dusk."

Jaheira nodded and tentatively sipped her beer. She grimaced at the sour taste. She tried to ignore the ribald comments of the leering sailors and dockhands, she hoped they wouldn't have to stay in the tavern for long.

The elf woman tensed when she saw Bain straighten upon his bench. Jaheira followed the warrior's gaze, she frowned when she spied the three sailors pawing at a young woman dressed in tight brown leathers and a matching cloak.

"Let me sample your wares, honey!" croaked one of the bearded sailors, grasping the woman's shapely hips and pulling her onto his lap. The young woman tried to reach the daggers in her belt, but the sailor was too strong, he held her wrists firmly while one of his mates jerked open the top of her tunic, shoving coarse hands into her shirt to fondle her breasts.

Bain glanced at the bar, Sarvo was not in sight, and the four giants serving drinks didn't seem interested in the young woman's plight.

"Wait here," warned Bain, swiftly rising from the bench and marching to the groping sailors.

The bearded sailor bouncing the woman on his lap had one of his hands inside her breeches, roughly stroking her pussy. One of the woman's breasts was free of her tunic, a sailor was crudely drooling over her flesh, gnawing on her large, brown nipple with rotted, black teeth.

"Let the woman go," ordered Bain, his right hand resting lightly on his sword hilt.

"Piss off, sword boy," sneered the bearded sailor, digging his fingers deeper into the struggling woman's cunt.

The scruffy sailor licking the woman's shivering breast pulled a sharp hook from his sash. "Piss off unless you want to be gutted."

Bain attacked with serpentine speed, grabbing the front of the hook sailor's filthy tunic and suspending him in the air. Choked by his own shirt, the scruffy sailor's face turned bright purple, he gurgled and flayed about with his limbs, dropping his hook to the straw-covered floor. Bain slammed the gasping sailor to the floor, all of the tables around the impact jumped violently. The Son of Bhaal released the senseless sailor's shirt and turned to face the wide-eyed, bearded sailor. The sailor pulled his hands away from the woman, she pushed off of his stomach, spun, and punched the bearded man hard on the nose. There was a loud crack from breaking bone, the sailor howled as blood poured down his chin into his beard, he leapt up and staggered out of the tavern.

One of the towering bartenders walked up to Bain. The Son of Bhaal looked up warily at the stern-faced giant.

"You cause more trouble?"

"Ah, no, the lady is safe now."

The giant nodded and picked up the unconscious sailor's body. He carried the limp sailor like a sack of meal, casually tossing the unfortunate soul out the tavern door as he would night soil.

Bain regarded the young woman again, she was busy re-tying the top of her leather tunic with slightly trembling fingers.

"Are you alright, miss?" asked Bain.

"Aye, thank you for rescuing me," smiled the woman, smoothing down her tunic over her taut stomach. She offered her right hand, "My name is Nalia de Arnise."

"I'm sharing a table with a friend, would you like to join us?"

Nalia eyed Bain's sword, "Do you know how to use that?"

Bain chuckled, "I've swung it a few times."

Nalia sat next to Bain on the long bench facing Jaheira. "I'm looking for some reliable sell-swords, I need some help."

"We're looking for work, we'd like to help you," smiled Jaheira.

A bar maid with brilliant, red hair and a matching smile stopped by the table long enough to offer Nalia a flagon of beer. Nalia sipped from her mug before beginning.

"The Arnise family has a small holding a short distance north-east of Athkatla. My father was a mercenary, he provided protection to passing caravans or helped root out small bands of raiding orcs and goblins. I was traveling with my father, we had just finished a guard job when we came home to find our hold infested with trolls. All of my father's retainers were dead, there were too many trolls to fight with our small band, but father..,"

Nalia sniffed and wiped at her eyes, Bain and Jaheira allowed the young woman time to gather herself.

"Sorry," smiled Nalia softly. "My father didn't listen to me, he attacked the trolls, and they killed him, plus every man that he led. I left the hold and came here looking for swords to help me re-take the castle. I can't offer much right now, but if we rid Arnise Hold of the trolls, I can promise a great reward.

"How many besides us? asked Bain.

"None," admitted Nalia with a grimace. "Most of my inquiries were like that little episode with the sailors."

"Three against an entire castle of trolls, good odds," smirked Bain.

"Five," corrected Yoshimo, sliding onto Jaheira's bench with a small elf girl at his side.

"Who's this?" asked Jaheira.

"Aerie, she has some healing skills that could come in handy," answered Yoshimo.

"Hello, Aerie," said the half-elf.

Aerie lowered her eyes and didn't speak, Yoshimo draped an arm around her small shoulders and chuckled. "She doesn't know a lot of Common, don't worry, I'll keep an eye on her."

Jaheira said something quickly in Elvish, Aerie didn't respond. The half-elf flashed a concerned look at Bain.

"If it's alright with you, Lady de Arnise, we'll head out to your hold in the morning."

Nalia lightly rested her hand over Bain's, "Call me Nalia, it's the least I can do."

"Nalia," smiled the warrior.

"I have some things to do," announced Yoshimo, rising from the bench and taking Aerie's hand.

"She can stay with me," offered Jaheira.

"I feel better when she's with me," retorted Yoshimo, pulling the silent elf girl after him.

"I don't like this," scowled Jaheira.

"We get involved if there's a problem, for now we need Yoshimo's sword and Aerie's magic," replied Bain.

"There's a nice inn close to the east gate, it has clean beds and decent food," offered Nalia, glancing at the singing sailors with barely disguised revulsion. "My treat."

Bain and Jaheira met eyes, "We'll take it!"

***

After a sumptuous breakfast, Bain, Jaheira, and Nalia left the inn, paid the gate toll, and waited for Yoshimo and Aerie at the side of the merchant's road. Bain shifted his wide shoulders, still unused to the heavy chainmail shirt Nalia had bought for him along with a helm and a finely crafted long sword. Jaheira wore new leathers and had a heavy mace at her belt.

"Thank you for the armor and weapons, Nalia," said Bain while they waited.

"You're going to earn them," smiled the lithe young woman.

Yoshimo appeared in his usual black tunic and wide leggings, Aerie to his left. The elf girl wore patched leathers, she was unarmed.

"You could have given her a weapon," admonished Jaheira.

"She's got me to protect her," shrugged Yoshimo. Aerie hung behind the thief, watching Bain, Jaheira, and Nalia with wide, fearful eyes.

"Let's get walking, we should reach the castle by high sun if we make good time," suggested Nalia.

Bain took Jaheira's arm and led her away from Yoshimo. Nalia guided the group, with the thief and Aerie trailing. Everyone walked without speaking, Aerie gazed at the countryside with child-like wonder.

***

Captain Arat met Nalia and the companions near a cabin that Nalia said served as a guest house. Arat clasped hands warmly with Nalia, she turned and introduced the mercenary to Bain and his comrades, Arat had been on another assignment before he returned to find Arnise Hold in the claws of trolls.

"Lady Nalia told me what had happened with her father," explained Arat inside the cabin which now served as his command post. The silver-haired mercenary poured wine for the companions and Nalia. "I agreed to watch the castle while she went to Athkatla to hire more swords."

"How many men do you command?" asked Bain.

"Twelve swordsmen," replied Arat as he sat down. "Would you be open to some advice?"

"Aye," nodded Bain, sipping from his mug.

"The drawbridge is up so you can't attack the hold directly. I know of a secret entrance within the west wall, you should use it to get inside and make your way to the main courtyard. If you can lower the drawbridge, I can bring my men inside to help you, twelve warriors in heavy plate wielding two-handed swords could make a big difference."

Bain smiled and nodded in agreement.

"I can also equip you with fire arrows, oil flasks, and flame boxes, that should make your task easier," added the captain.

"Thank you, Captain Arat," replied Jaheira.

"Do you want to rest until tomorrow?" inquired Nalia.

"No, best to begin at once," answered Bain, his thoughts filled with images of Imoen.

The companions rose to begin their assault of Arnise Hold.

***

Jaheira stood uneasily in front of the cabin. Bain, Nalia, and Captain Arat were gathering equipment for the group, Yoshimo and Aerie had disappeared. The half-elf gazed up at the high walls of Arnise Hold, the castle was a massive three story structure, the towering guard wall encircled the entire hill that served as the hold's foundation. The battlements were deserted, the castle seemed to be completely abandoned.

Turning away from the intimidating hold, Jaheira narrowed her eyes when she spied Yoshimo briefly in a small grove of trees close to the merchant road. With lips pressed tightly together, Jaheira crossed to the grove, brushing away slender branches as she delved into the thick, green foliage.

Jaheira found Yoshimo reclining against a tree, groaning softly while Aerie knelt before him, sucking slowly on his hardened cock. Jaheira coughed and crossed her arms beneath her breasts, Yoshimo snapped his eyes open and met the half-elf's furious stare.

"Want to join her?" smiled Yoshimo coldly.

Aerie watched Jaheira with her bright, blue eyes, but she never stopped sucking on the thief's swollen prick.

"She's a slave, isn't she? You bought her at the Copper Coronet."

"I needed something to help me relax during our quest," sighed Yoshimo, running his right hand through Aerie's shining hair as her head moved back and forth.

Jaheira grasped her mace and freed it from her belt. "Make her stop or I'll cave your skull in right here."

"This isn't your concern, half-elf, Aerie legally belongs to me," glared Yoshimo.

Jaheira noticed the thief's left hand straying to his sheathed katana. She met Yoshimo's frigid eyes and smiled, "Go ahead, try it, Yoshimo."

Thief and half-elf stared at each other, neither moving, the only sounds the passing of the breeze through the trees and Aerie's gentle, sucking lips.

"Aerie, stop," whispered Yoshimo.

The elf girl let Yoshimo's cock fall out of her mouth. She watched Jaheira, more curious than frightened.

"You may own her, but you will not use her as your toy while you quest with me. If I catch you like this again, I will kill you," swore Jaheira in a deadly whisper.

Yoshimo simply smiled at Jaheira, the expression had no hint of mirth or warmth.

Jaheira turned her back on the thief and marched out of the grove, her hands trembled violently, bile filled her mouth.

***

The sky was darkening by the time all of the extra weapons and gear were prepared. The oil flasks and fire boxes were divided evenly among everyone, no one could use bows so the fire arrows were left behind. Arat made sure that the group was well stocked with water and food before they left the guest house and followed the hold wall west to the place where the secret entrance awaited. Bain led the companions, followed by Nalia and Jaheira. Yoshimo and Aerie kept the rear guard, although Jaheira kept a suspicious eye upon the thief.

Nalia laid a hand on Bain's right arm when they reached the secret door. The young woman examined the section of wall carefully, then touched a small inset stone. A rectangular section of stone lowered into the earth, the passage was dark but clear of dust or webs. Nalia lit a torch for Bain, the Son of Bhaal carefully entered the tunnel while Nalia lit two more torches for Jaheira and Yoshimo. Yoshimo handed his torch to Aerie before unsheathing his katana smoothly.

The stone tunnel ran straight, then turned sharply left. Bain held the sputtering torch in his left hand, his right carried a gleaming long sword. Nalia stayed close to Bain, armed with a short sword. The tunnel turned right, then ran straight until it ended at a wall. Nalia brushed by Bain to search the wall, she found another stone to open a portal. The companions walked into a servants' barracks, the cots were ripped apart, blood stained the walls and floor. Bain squeezed Nalia's left arm to distract her from her grief. Nalia nodded and followed Bain into a spacious kitchen that had been ransacked thoroughly.

"The main hall is past that door," pointed Nalia.

"There will be trolls lairing in there," replied Bain.

Jaheira took her cue and retrieved some oil flasks from her pack. Nalia stuffed long strips of cloth into the mouth of each flask, Aerie held a fire box to ignite the cloth fuses.

Yoshimo peeked through a slit in the door. "Six trolls, they're bunched in the center of the room, feeding."

Bain took a flask from Nalia, he nodded for Aerie to light the cloth, then he smashed through the kitchen door, lobbing the smoking flask at the squatting trolls. Nalia and Jaheira added their flasks to Bain's, all three missiles exploded together, hurling the trolls away from their half-eaten meal. The green-skinned monsters roared in agony, beating at the flames that hungrily devoured their glistening flesh. Yoshimo grabbed a flask from Aerie, poured oil over his katana, and used the elf girl's flame box to light the weapon. The thief jumped over a table and slashed at a burning troll, the monster's head flew from a steaming neck. Bain hacked at another troll, nearly cutting the creature in two with his powerful stroke. Nalia and Jaheira threw more flasks at the screaming trolls, three were completely engulfed in bright flames. The last troll extinguished the fire on his arm and charged the three women. The racing monster smashed Bain aside, hurling itself across a table, reaching out with wicked, black claws.

Nalia slashed the troll's stomach with her short sword, black blood splashed onto the stale straw covering the floor. Jaheira crashed her mace into the monster's head, there was a crunch of breaking bone, but the troll still lived, it slashed three long lines across Jaheira's leather tunic. With wide eyes, Aerie hurled a flask at the drooling troll. When the monster was soaked in oil, the elf girl threw the flame box, the small container shattered against the troll's left arm, the limb was immediately swallowed in flame.

The troll howled shrilly, spinning on its heels, waving its burning arms. Jaheira swung her mace, crushing the monster's long nose, pushing the troll off its feet. The troll writhed on the floor, flames covering its entire body. The creature quivered a few times, then became still as thick, black smoke rolled from its corpse.

"Now the gate," said Bain, heading for the tall, double doors at the far end of the hall.

***

The courtyard was filled with smoke and troll bodies. Six mercenaries were also dead, their heavy platemail pierced by sharp, troll claws. Bain surveyed the aftermath, his own wounds healing with every heartbeat. Nalia stood with Arat, who wore a bloody bandage on his forehead, his armor heavily damaged from the battle. Yoshimo was searching the rest of the castle for stragglers, Aerie aided Jaheira with the wounded. Rubbing his right thigh where a troll had bit deeply, Bain walked slowly to Nalia and the captain.

"You've seen better days," grinned Nalia.

"Thanks," smiled Bain. "What happens now?"

"We rebuild," sighed Nalia, looking around at the carnage surrounding them. She looked up at Bain again. "I could use your help with the hold."

Bain gently took Nalia's slender fingers. "I have to find my sister, I need your payment to buy the information I need."

"How much?" murmured Nalia, squeezing the warrior's strong hands.

"Twenty-five thousand gold pieces."

Nalia blinked. "That information isn't cheap, is it?"

"No," grinned Bain.

Nalia stared into Bain's eyes warmly, "I'll have it for you in two days, I need to gather taxes from the neighboring farms. You can help me if you wish."

"I will," nodded the warrior.

"Captain Arat and his men are moving into the hold, have dinner with me in the cabin tonight."

"I'm not very presentable right now," chuckled Bain, glancing meaningfully at his blood-soaked armor.

"I'll take care of you," smiled Nalia, her brown eyes bright.

***

"You're sure that you won't stay?" repeated Bain.

"Yoshimo is taking Aerie back to Athkatla, I want to keep an eye on them," replied Jaheira.

"If he bought her, the law backs him up, he can do whatever he wants with her."

"You accept that?" snapped the half-elf.

"No, but there's not much I can do," sighed Bain. "He doesn't hurt her."

"He just degrades her whenever he gets the chance. She isn't some street whore or festhall girl, she's an innocent!"

"Do what you have to, Jaheira," nodded the warrior.

Bain watched the half-elf disappear down the merchant road. He looked up at the sky, a storm was rolling in, promising a lot of rain. The Son of Bhaal went to the back of the cabin, hoping to take a bath in the large, wooden tub near the chimney before he joined Nalia for dinner. Bain frowned when he discovered that the tub was gone.

Walking to the cabin's front door, Bain knocked politely before entering. He was surprised to find the tub in the middle of the cabin, filled with steaming water with rose petals floating on top. The scent of beeswax from a dozen burning candles teased Bain's nostrils, footsteps from the second floor staircase drew the warrior's eyes.

Nalia was a vision, her gleaming, brown hair was bound up with a red silk ribbon, she wore a black corset with matching fishnet stockings and garters, her nails were painted scarlet, her lips the color of wine.

"Take off that armor," smiled Nalia. She sat on the edge of the tub, dragging one red nail across the hot water's surface.

"I thought we were just going to have dinner," replied Bain.

Nalia left the tub and swayed her hips as she approached Bain. She looked up at the reluctant warrior, she licked moist, violet lips with her tongue.

"I've been around mercenaries almost all my life, Bain, I know what men want," she purred, her right hand lowering to Bain's crotch, her nails sliding across the iron codpiece.

Nalia's perfume filled Bain's nose, her skin was milk white, her hair glowed with warmth, like brown silk in the candlelight. Bain didn't move when Nalia began unbuckling his chainmail shirt, reluctantly, slowly, he nuzzled her bound hair, it was soft like Imoen's, it inflamed his lust. Nalia stopped unbuckling long enough to raise her beautiful, young face, she kissed Bain's lips, her mouth was tender and moist, her breath warmed the warrior's tongue. Bain enfolded Nalia with his powerful arms, he kissed her harder, squeezing her bare buttocks.

"Take off your armor, climb into the tub," whispered Nalia against Bain's cheek before she licked it.

Bain yanked off his chainmail, breeches, and boots. He tossed aside his loincloth before sliding into the hot tub water, it immediately relaxed his sore muscles, he sat back against the edge, surrounded by the scent of fresh roses.

Nalia knelt next to the tub behind Bain. She dipped a piece of soap into the steaming water, then slid the soap over Bain's muscled chest and shoulders, kissing his neck, gently scratching his flesh with her free hand. Bain tilted his head back, Nalia covered his mouth with her violet lips, massaging his tongue with hers. Parting from Nalia's sweet lips, Bain used his left hand to free the young woman's left breast from the tight black corset. The warrior gently kissed Nalia's round, dark brown nipple, he licked it until it was stiff, then he sucked softly on it, his tongue tasting the warm flesh of her breast. Nalia kissed Bain's forehead while he sucked on her breast, she lathered his firm chest, then rinsed him with handfuls of warm water.

Bain and Nalia kissed on the lips again. Nalia dipped her left hand into the water, grasping Bain's cock, slowly stroking it to hardness. Bain planted kisses on Nalia's throat, she moaned softly, kissing his black hair, nibbling on his ear. When Bain's cock was stiff and aching, the warrior stood up from the tub. He climbed out, dripping water onto the floor, grasping Nalia and crushing her against him. He kissed her for a long time, their tongues entwined, his hands caressed her buttocks and thighs while she held his shaft, fondling it, her fingers deft and warm.

"My bed is upstairs," gasped Nalia when they finally parted.

Bain picked Nalia up and carried her up the staircase. Nalia hugged Bain's neck, kissing him passionately, ravenous with lust.

The large bed was surrounded by sweet candles as well. Bain gently lowered Nalia onto the feather mattress, he reclined next to her, placing his right hand between her fishnet-clad legs, rubbing her bare, shaved pussy. Nalia slid her fingers into Bain's short, black hair as he caressed her sex, scratching the warm, pink petals until they dripped with nectar. The young woman bit her lip when Bain inserted a finger into her cunt, he wriggled it inside her slit, uncovering her right breast and licking the engorged nipple.

"Mount me, Bain," begged Nalia, her face flushed, her lips shivering.

The burly warrior climbed on top of Nalia. He pulled her legs apart, stroking the soft fishnets that clung to her thighs, her pussy swollen and glistening with honey. Nalia's bare breasts were heaving, she reached above her head and grabbed the polished vertical bars at the top of her bed. Bain took his thick cock and guided it to Nalia's dripping cunt, he rubbed the fat tip up and down the young woman's sex, her juices clung to him, her pussy was soft and hot. Nalia moaned deeply, she looked at Bain through narrow, lust-filled eyes.

Bain entered Nalia slowly, once his cock was inside her cunt he wrapped his arms around her thighs, holding her slim legs apart while he slipped deeper and deeper into her. Nalia arched her back, her breasts shook as her cunt tightened around Bain's member, stealing his breath away. Nalia held the bed bars in a death grip, thrusting up with her pelvis, smashing her crotch into Bain's. Bain rolled his hips, grinding into Nalia, his fingers digging into her firm thighs. The Son of Bhaal dropped down onto Nalia's body, he kissed her shuddering breasts, her throat, her panting lips. Nalia moaned inside Bain's mouth, he licked her cheek, buried his nose in her musky hair. Nalia squeezed Bain's waist with her fishnet-garbed thighs, she pumped her hips faster, forcing the warrior's cock harder into her yielding pussy. Bain released Nalia's thighs and grabbed her slender, outstretched arms. As he humped Nalia harder and harder, he licked her arms, her smooth, warm armpits. Nalia panted faster, she nuzzled Bain's damp hair, she licked his ear. The bed groaned beneath Bain and Nalia, the wooden frame shook as Bain slammed down with his crotch, filling Nalia's cunt with his throbbing manhood. Driving into Nalia over and over, Bain looked down into her perspiring face, she looked up at him, they kissed, savoring each other as Bain's cock grew inside Nalia, finally bursting inside her.

Bain fought for breath, Nalia limp beneath him, panting. The young woman stroked the warrior's sweat-soaked hair, he kissed her slim neck, the milky flesh was hot upon his lips. Bain moved off of Nalia and stretched out on his back. Nalia rolled onto her left side, draping one arm across Bain's taut stomach. She nestled in the crook of Bain's strong arm, he kissed her wet hair as she fell asleep clinging to him. With his free hand, Bain dragged a soft, white sheet over himself and Nalia. He looked down and admired her beautiful, sleeping face, it reminded him of Imoen, when they slept together on the road, looking for work or fleeing from one enemy or another. Bain looked away from Nalia and stared up at the ceiling, he had the money to find Imoen now, he promised her that he wouldn't stop searching until she was safe.

*****