The Curse of Candlekeep, Fanfiction based on the BG series Options

[Sir_Carnifex]

Late one night while working on my mod, an idea to fill about one paragraph hit me. I decided to write it down before I forgot and it ballooned into this. As long as I had the prologue written, I decided I might as well post it and see if I get any more ideas to continue working on it. I don't think of myself as a good descriptive writer, but I'm trying to work on it. If you have a comment, please post it in a separate thread so this one won't get cluttered. I'm always looking to improve, so constructive criticism is very welcome.

The Curse of Candlekeep

PROLOGUE

"Nicotino."

Mid afternoon had arrived at the great library of Candlekeep. The sunlight beamed in through arched windows flooding a small room with warm light. It was a perfect day outside, but for the moment, an apparently insignificant young halfling was trapped inside seated behind a desk. He leisurely swung his legs under the desk while thinking of anything but what he was supposed to be thinking about. The voice did little to bring his mind back to reality. At least, the first voice...

"NICOTINO!!!"

This time the floor shook and the walls rattled. An odd-shaped wooden object teetered on the edge of the desk, then toppled off , clattering noisily upon the stone floor. With a start, the halfling jerked his head upwards, bringing his attention to bear on his tutor, Jacono.

"Yes?"

"That is the end of your lesson for today," the tutor began quietly. "I do hope you have been trying to pay closer attention to your studies than it appears. Feel lucky that you are Gorion's ward, else I would have no tolerance for your kind. And for the last time, you are NOT allowed to bring your pipe into your classroom! Understood?

"Yes, sir."

"Very good. You may arise."

Nicotino slipped off his seat until his feet landed on the floor. He remained standing there for a few seconds. Outside the birds could be heard warbling and the monks were chanting Alaundo's prophecies again. Somewhere in the distance the sound of a young girl's laugh floated through the air. The tutor loudly cleared his throat.

"Nicotino, I said that you could arise."

"I DID rise!" returned Nicotino indignantly.

"Oh! My apologies. Hehehe. You may go now. Don't forget to stoop by the inn. Winthrop has something to say to you."

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Nicotino trotted through the open door into Winthrop's Inn. He always wondered why Winthrop kept a fire blazing even on the warmest of days. Fortunately, he did not have to remain inside for long. This was Imoen's domain, not his. A portly man was reclining in a chair behind the counter, giving the impression that he was asleep. A few conspicuous snoring noises gave further evidence to that fact. Over against the far wall, Firebead Elvenhair, the grisled old wizard was poring over yet another tome. Other than those two, the main room of the inn was entirely empty.

Nicotino edged his way silently around the counter and crept close to Winthrop. The halfling reached for the innkeeper's arm to awaken him (he could reach no higher) and tapped firmly. One cough, a sneeze, and two snorts later, Winthrop opened his eyes and squinted at Nicotino.

"So it's only ye, young whippersnapper! What can ol' Winthrop do for ye?"

"Jacono told me that you wanted to speak with me," Nicotino explained. "Seeing your state of alertness, I gather that it must not be anything of importance. So, what is it?"

"Now ye don't be poking fun at ol' Winthrop. Yer father wishes to speak with ye. Best ye be going now."

Nicotino sighed in exasperation, "Why does everyone want to speak with me only to inform me that somebody else wants to speak with me? Nevermind. Say, you don't happen to have any more of that pipe leaf on you, do you?"

"No ye don't! Ye smoke any more of that stuff and ye'll have t' be doused. Off ye go!"

As Nicotino stepped out into the open air, he opened his hand and looked at his palm. A look of disappointment appeared on his round face.

Nuts! Is that all he had in his pocket?!

And with that thought, he popped them into his mouth and marched towards the library.

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"Nicotino! How fortunate for you to pass by!"

Phlydia had appeared from nowhere just outside the door. Nicotino hated being near Phlydia for she was the only person in Candlekeep capable of holding a long conversation with him when he did not desire one. Perhaps that was because she did all the talking.

"Hello, Phlydia! I really regret that I can't stop to --" he began, hoping to avoid her.

Phlydia paid no attention to him and carried on, "Hey, have you seen my copy of The History of Halruaa anywhere? You know how I can't stand the constant shuffling of arthritic feet up in the library... So I thought I'd get a bit of fresh air just east of here and... Oh, I hate being so absent-minded! Oh! And my ring! It's missing and I know I just had to have dropped it somewhere. Please, if you find them, I really do need them back."

A grin spread across Nicotino's face. "I'm sure I can find your book, but that ring is a small thing and it's probably lost for all ages. And you know, arthritis will still bother you out here. It's not just being in the library that causes it!"

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The afternoon sun scorched Nicotino's face as he wiped the sweat from his brow. Everybody at Candlekeep used him as an errand boy and nothing else. First it was Phlydia's book, then Dreppin's cow, Hull's sword, and a myriad of other odds and ends. For once, he wished that people would treat him as if he were one of them -- at least a very short one of them. But no, he had to be the little kid messenger.

Why do they have to pick someone with such short legs to do all the running?

But now, all those simple tasks were done and he stood at the entryway to the inner wall. It was time to see what Gorion wanted.

Nicotino padded under the arch and into the garden-like area surrounding the library where he was immediately pounced upon by a familiar pink-clad figure.

"Heya! It's me, Imoen! I'm surprised that stuffy ol' Gorion let you away from your studies and chores. That ol' fiddle faddle. I snuck off too. Old Puffguts Winthrop was looking for me, but I've got all day to do his chores. You have time for a story today? No, I can tell you don't. What have ya been up to?"

"I'm afraid I cannot chat today, young one. My foster-father wishes to speak to me, but I do not know why."

"Young one? I'm not much younger than you, though you sure got tall fast. Relatively, anyway. I'll bet ya it's a journey! I never get to travel. Wish I could go with ya. Yep, I really wish I could. Yessir. Really do."

"It sounds like you know more about what he wants than I do. No matter, I'll find out soon enough. As for you, you may want to avoid Phlydia for awhile. I told her you might know where her ring is. See you later...much later!"



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Gorion was pacing back and forth on the library steps anxiously awaiting. Nicotino had never seen him look nervous before. Gorion wasted no time getting to the matter at hand.

"This is very unnerving, I know, but you must trust me. It is very important that we leave Candlekeep immediately. Hurry, for there is no time to tarry! The keep is well protected, but not invulnerable."

"If we are leave, I need to grab some things first," said Nicotino.

"Do you have your sling with you?"

"Yes."

"Good. That's all you'll need for now. All your practice on the Candlekeep windows may come in useful. We can pick up any extra equipment later. Come, we must be off."

In a daze and still unsure what was happening, Nicotino hurried to keep up with the pace of Gorion as they passed back into the main courtyard and out to the gatehouse. There they stopped for a few seconds as Gorion gave him one last piece of advice. Then they were off again out into the wilderness where the gathering dusk soon enveloped them.

[Sir_Carnifex]

I've had this installment written for some time but I just forgot to post it. Here it is.

CHAPTER 2
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"What'd'ya got there, kid?"

The trio had paused just off the road for a rest. They still a couple hours of walking before they would reach the crossroads. Nicotino had managed to get his companions to reluctantly share the food in their packs. Now that they were finished with their simple fare, Xzar arose and wandered a short distance into the woods to study his spellbook. That left Montaron and Nicotino to keep each other company. Neither one paid any attention to the other until Montaron finally broke the silence with his question.

Nicotino showed Montaron his sling. A bemused look passed over Montaron's face for a split second before he continued,
"Toss that pansy thing away. If yer gonna be travelin' wit us, ye best learn how to fight with a real weapon. Least ye might be able to survive fer a few seconds. Don't ye tell me that ye ain't got another weapon, kid."

"I never needed to learn how to use another weapon. I only practiced with the sling because it was fun, not because I needed to fight. I suppose I should find myself a sword or something when we get to town."

Montaron grunted in disdain, "This ain't no picnic out here, kid. Ye needs to use yer weapon fer survival, not sport. Here, take this dagger -- it was Xzar's 'til a minute ago. Careful ye don't cut yerself, kid."

Nicotino looked shocked. "Why did you take Xzar's weapon? He'll need it for himself!"

"Ye ever hear of magic? Well, idiot that he is, Xzar ain't half bad at using it. He don't need this dagger but ye do. That is unless ye know the arcane arts yerself? Didn't think so." Montaron laughed gruffly, "If ye live long enough, I may teach ye to use yer weapon. No sense in ye being around if yer gonna be useless baggage." He paused for a breath and looked around.
"Now where did that crazed wizard go traipsing now? I swear someday I'll stick a blade in his gullet --"

"I HAVE BECOME DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS!!!" Xzar's voice maniacal voice boomed from the woods.

Montaron turned around to look. "Xzar sounds like he's doin' too much studyin'. We best round him up 'fore he gets in one of *those* states again. "

"STOP TOUCHING ME!!!" Xzar's maniacal voice again came through the woods, but this time it carried even better because of the note of panic in it. Both halflings instantly jumped to their feet and rushed into the woods with weapons drawn. Nicotino tried hard to keep up with his sturdier halfling, but he lost sight when he stumbled over a log that Montaron leapt over. While Nicotino was face-down on the forest floor, he heard the whistle of arrows sailing through the air.

*THUNK*

*THUNK*

*WHUMP*

Nicotino picked himself up and continued to run. Now he heard a few sword clashes followed by several groans. Still running full speed, he burst into a clearing to come upon the sight of Montaron pulling his sword out of a man. Another corpse lay right beside the fighter-thief and on the side of the clearing, there were two more bodies. One of them was clad in green.

"Bandits?!" exclaimed Nicotino.

Montaron eyed Nicotino for a second. "Aye, bandits." He then pointed his sword in the direction of the dead mage and nonchalantly commented, " I told ye he wouldn't be needin' that dagger. Grab what ye can from here and let's go."

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It was the next day. The two halflings had left the Xzar and the bandits far behind and were now nearing the crossroads. Nicotino, who never had taken a liking to Xzar, was fazed little by his associate's death and soon forgot about it as the prospect of other things arose before him. Right now, that prospect was a nice new item that he had acquired.

Nicotino toyed with the handle of his new short sword that he had scavenged from one of the dead bandits. He had always liked the looks of the weapons, but had never had the opportunity to use one. Staffs and other such weapons had never interested him so therefore he never bothered with weapons training. He thought it silly that Candlekeep forbade the use of blades. No matter, now he had one and he was going to learn how to use it!

He ceremoniously flipped the sword up and began to swing it around with a flourish. He imagined that he was slicing a distant tree in two. A smile spread across his face at the sound his newfound piece of equipment made while cutting through the air. Nicotino imagined all the fun and adventures that he could have with it.

"Ye dratted idiot! That be a short sword!" Montaron bellowed at him. "Ye don't swing it! Ye stab with it."

"Oh."

"And besides that, with all yer finigglin' 'round with yer sword, ye clean haven't noticed that we're at the crossroads. This be where I go south. Are ye with me, or do ye think ye kin handle the road by yerself?"

"Why so we are! I suppose I need to go north to meet someone, but I would also like to travel in a group. How far of a road is it to the Friendly Arm Inn? If it isn't too long, perhaps we could go there and then go on to your destination. Two is better than one and I doubt that you are eager to travel alone either."

"It be a day's journey, no more but that be of no difference to me. Ye come wit' me or ye go by yerself. Make yer choice."

Nicotino did not need to long to weigh his options. The thought of traveling alone frightened him more than being with his oft-disgruntled companion.

"Alright, I'll come with you."

"I be overjoyed wit' the thought o' yer presence, but ye better learn to use that piece of steel if ye want me to stay that way. And if ye don't want to die, then ye follow me. Understood? Good."

Montaron didn't wait for a reply and started sprinting down the road. Nicotino had no other option but to follow him.