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CHAPTER 3
ACT IV
The Red Wizard Revealed
Merick walked through Beregost surprisingly only experiencing moderate irritation from the stab wound he had sustained in his last dual. Merick headed for the most likely Inn that Tarzok’s messenger, Tranzig, would be staying in, Fieldpost’s Inn. This was the Inn where he had broken the jaw of that cocky bar fly so Merick hoped he wouldn’t be waylaid in his time here. His mission was a simple one. He was to find the messenger who commuted between Mulahey in Nashkel and Tarzok, and find some clue as to who this Tarzok was and where he could be found.
Merick was nearly at the Inn when a small boy approached him. “Sir. Um, excuse me. Are you Merick the dwarf?” Merick looked around and saw that this was not a trap before replying, “Who wants to know?” The boy spoke up, “An Officer Vai wants to talk to you. She’s from the Flaming Fist but she said you need not be afraid, sir. She said she is willing to ignore your charges for now in exchange for some work.” Merick's public execution of the Mayor of Nashkel had gotten himself entwined with the Flaming Fist. The Flaming Fist were based in the great city of Baldur’s Gate and were the most well armed and elite law enforcers along The Sword Coast and stood above all other law enforcement that existed. Regardless, Merick worked for nobody, especially not law enforcers, and he told the child, “You will tell the Flaming Fist Officer Vai that you have not seen me this day… wont you?” Merick stroked the handle of his sword. The boy started to shake. “Yes. Yes sir. I wont – wont tell her a thing.” The boy cautiously stepped away before running down the street. Merick heard a voice behind him that somehow sounded familiar, “You should not be so harsh towards children.”
Merick turned around to see the red wizard that he had seen outside the front of the Friendly Arm Inn. His heavy white beard and long red robes blew in the wind. The last time he only spoke in riddles to Merick when Merick was not a mindset to listen. Merick sensed that there was something of significance about this wizard and approached him to speak to him. The wizard spoke first. “I am Elminster, and I knew your father, Gorion.” His words did not spark the desired reaction in Merick as he heard the reply “Tell me what you have come to say, no more.” Elminster’s friendly glow turned to one of impatience from Merick’s rudeness as he explained, “Merick, your hatred and lust for power can change. You have predatory instincts inside of you, stronger than any other, but they can be over turned. You must listen to –“ Merick yelled at the wizard. “I will do whatever I like and claim whatever power that belongs to me! You cannot tell me how to live my life just because you knew my father.” Merick stormed off away from the sage and entered Fieldpost’s Inn. Elminster called out to Merick, “Follow the clues and the answers shall present themselves!”
The second Merick walked in, Marl, the bar brawler who’s jaw Merick broke, stood up and started to advance towards Merick. Merick was not in the mood after his conversation with Elminster, and drew the throwing axe from his belt and hurled it at Marl. Merick was surprised again as the axe sailed perfectly through the air and planted itself in Marl’s face. People in the tables nearby screamed and scurried away from Marl, who hit the floor hard, dead. Merick walked to the bar tender and asked. “Tranzig. A man named Tranzig.” The bar tender said wide eyed, “S-second floor, first door on the right…” He looked at the body on the floor. Merick smiled in jest. “I don’t think he’ll cause you no more trouble.” Merick walked up to the corpse, removed his axe and then cleaned his boots on it before making his way upstairs. Merick lifted up his armor to check on his stab wound. To his amazement, the stab wound had healed up and now seemed to be a mere flesh wound on both sides. Merick walked up the stairs, saw the first door on the right and kicked it in.
[ 04-14-2007, 10:06 PM: Message edited by: Rockstar ]
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