Kaos

Hey everbody!
Kaos here. I thought I'd throw down some opening remarks before proceding to the story, so bear with. How cool is this place? I've been getting some kick-arse mods from the Forgotten Wars site for a while, and they haven't dissapointed me yet. Then I found the FanFic section, and all the wonderful writers that are out and about, flexing their imaginations and showing off their writing talents with much aplomb. So I thought, what the hey, I can do it to. I was going to write up a story about the first character I played from BG1 thru ToB, a cavalier that ended up with Aerie. Then I found that Onyx is turning out story after action-packed story about his own cavalier (and Aerie). What a spoil-sport!
And so, I've chosen to write about my second character: a green-skinned elven mage named Telos Faraday (100 No-purpose points to those who know where the first and last name came from ). I have to thank MorningGlory and Kirwond for helping with the editing, which has made the story a lot better then it started out as
Ok. This story takes place roughly 12 years after the fight at the Throne, and I've tried to follow most of the epilogues as best as possible. Oh yeah, TF's stats are:
S14 D17 Con13 I19 W14 Ch10 AL: CG (Though operates near N sometimes)
Oh yeah! All content is PG-13.

The Further Adventures of Telos Faraday
Chapter 1: Agony
It was a warm spring evening in Baldur?s Gate, but the idyllic weather was marred by the events that had transpired in the last several days. While the weather of the new season was appreciated, it could not mask the sense of uneasiness that permeated through out the town. Paranoia brought an unusual swiftness to the citizenry as they clamored to be indoors by nightfall; even the ladies of ill repute would be staying inside this night. The sun turned blood red as it sank into the west, taking its last few rays of light to use on tomorrow?s morning.

A few of those red rays found their way through a window, and into a great tower in the northern part of the city. The beams of light stole into the room, and bounced around on a crystal goblet that sat upon a great oaken desk. A green hand hastily grabbed at the chalice, as if offended by the light?s dance on the crystal. In reality, the cup had been snatched away so it could be filled again, and put to its master?s lips. This joining of mouth and wine was the fifth this evening and was just as brief as the last, the elf chugging the contents of the goblet.

As the back of that green hand ran across wine-drenched lips, a knock came at the door, followed by a muffled and worried voice, ?Grand Duke, there is a Mr. Koveras here to see you. He said you had summoned him.?

The elf?s brain was awash in liquid fire, and it took a moment to put two and two together. ?Koveras, eh? Last name Vehcna, perhaps?? The elf gave an intoxicated laugh at his personal joke. ?Send him in, Berral.?

The elf was slightly perplexed as only the young mage entered the room. Berral?s voice was still worried as he said, ?Grand Duke, I do not like the looks of the man?he seems almost?well, otherworldly, sir.?

?How tall is he??
Berral was taken off guard by the question. ?How?tall is he??
Anger edged into the elf?s voice. ?I said, how tall is he??
?Uhh?very tall, sir. He?s also very big,? Berral said, puffing his chest out in demonstration.

?Then let Mr. Koveras in, Berral. And you are excused for the rest of the night. I?ll leave instruction with Tarhn for the students, and I shall leave Merrybell with the official papers. I?m going to be?gone for awhile.?

?Sir, are you sure you should do that? I know the past few days have been?hard on you, to say the least, but maybe you should??

In a fit of anger, the elf threw the crystal goblet at Berral. The cup soared past the young mage?s head, and shattered on the smooth granite wall.

?I said leave, damn you!?

?Yes Grand Duke!? Berral said as he hurried out the door. The elf heard Berral stammer something before showing the guest into the study.


?Looks like you?ve become quite the tyrant, Grand Duke Faraday. Or can I still call you ?Telos???

Telos briefly looked at his visitor, then turned away, seemingly fascinated by the shadows that played on the wall. He began to run his hands through his autumn red hair, as he built up the courage and sobriety to say what needed to be said.

But ?Koveras? could not wait. ?IF I had wished to speak to masonry and old books, brother, I would have stayed in Luskan.? There was a drunken smile on Telos? face as he turned and pointed a hand full of blue lightning at the guest. Sarevok reacted instinctively, drawing a large blade from a scabbard hidden in the folds of his cloak while assuming a defensive stance in one graceful move.

The blue lightning faded from Telos? hand, and he spoke, words slurring together, ?You came armed. That?s good, ?Koveras.? Still using that old acronym, eh??

Sarevok slowly relaxed, putting his great sword away before speaking again. ?To Faerun, Sarevok is dead or still in Kara-Tur, and I have tried my best to encourage both of those rumors. Sarevok is also a name that still draws questioning looks, or words of hatred when spoken in this town, brother. You know I would not show my face in public here, even with you as a Grand Duke.? Sarevok then drew his hood away to his shoulders, exposing his unnaturally golden eyes and the permanent black war paint that edged his face. ?I doubt it would be a good political move to be seen with me anyway, Telos. I am quite sure that Belt, Liia Jannath, and Eltan would not appreciate seeing me alive again.?

Telos belched loudly, and a rancid aftertaste jumped up his throat and into his mouth. ?They?ve long since retired. The Iron Throne would be one of your biggest dissenters. Them or the Zhents.? He fumbled around for his goblet before he remembered it was a shattered mess on the floor. The elf shrugged his shoulders at himself, then took a pull of wine straight from the ornate bottle on his desk.

?I know I do not usually offer advice on personal matters, brother, but should you be hitting the bottle that hard? You could never hold your liquor, Telos. You proved that to me nearly ten years ago.?

Although those remarks were definitely meant as jokes, an evil edge crept into the elf?s voice as he stood up to yell, ?I?ll drink if I damn well wanna! Who do you think you are, huh? I called you here?I?? Telos? head began to spin, and as it did, he lost his balance and hit the stone floor with a hard thud.

Sarevok sighed, then moved to help the elf back into the chair. After being put back into a sitting position, Telos held his head in his hands. It took a few seconds before he noticed his fingers had become sticky. He dabbed the tips of his fingers against a gash that had formed on his forehead, wincing in pain a few seconds later.

The brief meeting with the floor had seemingly knocked the drunkenness out of the elf. Telos looked at Sarevok with an uncanny stare. With their eyes locked, Telos attempted to speak his mind. ?They?he?s?she?s?I?? Tears began to roll down the elf?s face. Then he began to sob uncontrollably, much to Sarevok?s dismay. Maybe the floor hadn?t knocked Telos sober after all.

Sarevok shook his head in disgust. Telos felt a great pressure on his shoulders, and then noticed that Sarevok?s hands were gripping them. Telos stared into the golden orbs of his brother with his own tear-stained, pasture-green eyes, but he couldn?t bring himself to speak.

Sarevok asked with a mixture of inquisitiveness and compassion, ?What in the Abyss happened to you, Telos Faraday? The great slayer of Sarevok, the Savior and Grand Duke of Baldur?s Gate, the Hero of Suldanessellar? Where are your wife and child??

More tears formed in the elf?s eyes, and he swallowed a lump in his throat before speaking, his voice threatening to crack. ?They?they took him. They took my son. And Viconia?Viconia is??

?She?s what?? Sarevok said. Telos could tell that Sarevok?s tone was the same, but Telos could also see that his brother had guessed what had happened.

The elf shoved Sarevok away. ?She?s dead. They killed her, and she?s DEAD!?