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."I have yet to meet an opponent who can best me in single combat," Abdel said, attempting to reassure his half-elf lover.'You have seen it: My wounds regenerate instantly.""If you undertake this task you must not be overconfident," Melissan warned him."No one knows the limits of your healing powers, but the limits are there.You are not a god, Abdel.""This is a battle you cannot win!" Jaheira shouted in frustration."If Melissan speaks the truth, Yaga Shura is no ordinary Child of Bhaal, he is one of the Five.If we believe what Melissan has told us, how can you hope to defeat this group?"His lover's argument held no substance.Not anymore.Not after what Melissan had told them about the huntress who had stalked them in the forest."Illasera was one of the Five," Abdel said calmly."I already killed her.""You nearly died in the process," Imoen reminded him, anxiously offering her support to Jaheira's case."You're putting a lot of faith in your ability to heal, Abdel.but I seem to remember the wounds from those arrows didn't just vanish.""I already killed one of the Five," Abdel maintained, "I can kill Yaga Shura, too.""And then what, Abdel?" Jaheira asked, her voice on the edge of tears."How many more of these Five are there? Even if you kill them all, what will that solve? Hasn't there been enough deaths? Enough bloodshed? Enough." The half-elf s pleas degenerated into choking sobs.Melissan's own voice was soft and soothing as she filled the void left by Jaheira's inability to continue."The druid speaks the truth, Abdel.I cannot say how many the Five number, or who or where they may be.I only know of Illasera and Yaga Shura because they chose to reveal themselves.The time had come for them to act in the open.The others still remain shrouded in the shadows, their machinations hidden."Abdel was confident he could win this battle.Since the fight on the battlements, he was confident he could control the Bhaal fire within him.Now that he was aware the Ravager lived within him, he was able to fight against it.He could keep the beast caged.Or so he believed.'When Abdel spoke, his voice was quiet and sure.Without even realizing it, he had adopted Melissan's own tone."Then whenever one of the Five dares to come out from the darkness, I will kill them as well."He placed a comforting hand on the shoulder of Jaheira, but she flinched away from his touch and continued to sob quietly into her hands.Imoen forced a laugh, trying to ease the tension."This is all pointless anyway," she scoffed."This so-called plan you've concocted will never work.What makes you think this Yaga Shura will even accept this challenge? He has an army at his beck and call—why would he agree to meet Abdel in single combat?""This is no laughing matter," Melissan admonished."Yaga Shura will accept.He will want to prove himself against Abdel, prove himself worthy of being one of the Five.Yaga Shura is the Lord of Murder's son, the son of a god.He thinks he is invincible.He thinks he is a god himself."Imoen shook her head in denial."Impossible.Yaga Shura cannot be that stupid.I'm one of Bhaal's children, and I would never accept this type of challenge just to prove myself."Abdel looked his half sister directly in the eye."I would."Chapter TenThe gates to Saradush were opened, and Abdel stepped out alone to meet his foe.The army of Yaga Shura had retreated several hundred yards from the walls of Saradush in preparation for the coming duel, leaving a large patch of empty, well-trampled ground.Abdel walked to the center of the vast expanse and waited.Inside the fortress behind him Calimshan soldiers and Saradush militia stood side by side, armed and ready.If Abdel managed to kill Yaga Shura the defenders of the town would charge forth, looking to catch their opponents by surprise.After witnessing the loss of their "invincible" leader, the troops of Yaga Shura would be disorganized and demoralized.A sustained charge could break their spirit, and the town would be saved.At least, that was Melissan's plan.If Abdel survived the duel.If Abdel fell, the defenders would go back to their posts, and the siege would continue until starvation and disease weakened Saradush enough for the army outside to successfully breach the walls and raze the town.Somewhere in the distance a trumpet sounded, a fanfare to announce the coming of Yaga Shura.Abdel braced himself for what he knew was coming."Yaga Shura is no ordinary Bhaalspawn," Melissan had warned Abdel while he had been selecting his weapon in preparation for battle."His mother was a giant from the tribes who live among the volcanoes of the Marching Mountains.""That's disgusting!" Imoen had gasped."Don't be naive, child!" Jaheira had snapped, taking her anger at Abdel out on the young woman."Bhaal was no mortal man.He could assume any form he desired.A giant is as close to a god as a human or an elf."Imoen had shaken her head, stubbornly declaring, "It's an abomination
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