Prologue: How It Begins
He dreamed...
"I see you have returned safe and victorious from the battles at the bridges Knight-Captain," Sir Nevalle greeted her at the main door to Crossroad Keep.
"You had doubts about that Nevalle?" Ashara Thenner asked, one eyebrow arching over an emerald green eye that gleamed with amusement.
"None whatsoever my lady," the Captain of the Neverwinter Nine replied. He looked long and hard at Ashara as she removed her helm and pushed her auburn hair back from her face. Ashara Thenner, Knight-Captain of Crossroad Keep, Shard-Bearer, member of the Neverwinter Nine, and the love of his life. She was an amazing woman who had won his heart, captured his soul and made him happier than he felt anyone could ever possibly be. She stood before him, looking him in the eye, and despite the positive tone of her words he could see the worry in her eyes.
Ashara motioned him to follow her and headed through the keep to her quarters, giving him the details as she went. "There were so many undead that I hit one of them with every swing of my sword. The worst part was at the last bridge," she said grimly. "Our old friend Garius showed up, bragging about how he had come back to reclaim his keep. I pointedly reminded him that it was my Keep now and that apparently he hadn't learned his lesson the first time we battled."
Nevalle felt his lips twitch in amusement at the affronted tone of her voice. "How did he respond to that Captain?" he asked as he followed her into her quarters and closed the door behind them.
"About how you'd expect," Ashara answered as she placed her helm on the table next to the armor stand before removing her gauntlets and laying them beside it. Then she removed her sword belt and carefully hung her greatsword on the wall behind the stand. As she began to unbuckle her plate mail she heard Nevalle move to help her. "He bragged about how he was so much more powerful now and then proceeded to demonstrate that power by making his summoned undead bigger and stronger than they had been," she continued, a little shiver going down her back at the memory.
Nevalle lifted the breast plate from her and placed it on the stand while she removed the greaves covering her shins. "Bigger and stronger?" he asked, unable to keep a note of apprehension out of his voice. "I've never heard of such a thing before. Do you have any idea how he managed it?" If their enemy had that kind of power then it boded ill for the troops under their command.
"He claimed it was just one of the many 'benefits' he had gained when he became the right hand man for the King of Shadows," Ashara answered sarcastically as she began to unbuckle the armor plates covering her thighs. "To be honest it unnerved me a little that he could do that," she looked at Nevalle's face, saw the skepticism there and ammended her last statement. "Okay, so it unnerved me a lot," she smiled at him.
"Only a fool would not be rattled by such a display of power and you were never a fool Ashara," he admonished gently as he took the leg plates and lay them on the floor beside the armor stand. He took the padded undercoat from her as she removed it and placed it on the stand while she bent to pull off her boots.
Ashara sighed and stretched as she finally was free of the trappings of battle. Even though full plate provided the best protection for those who chose to fight hand to hand, it was very heavy and after the battles today had been almost more than she could bear. Moving to the bed, she flopped down onto it on her back and stared up at the ceiling as she continued to give Nevalle the details she knew he wanted.
"Fortunately, my foster father showed his usual uncanny ability and timing at showing up right when I need him the most," she felt a smile curve her lips at that.
"Daeghan had come back to the keep to give us an update, but he disappeared shortly thereafter without telling anybody where he was going," Nevalle told her as he sat on the bed at her feet. Taking one foot in his hands he began a gentle massage that he knew would help her to relax. "So he showed up at just the right moment?"
Ashara couldn't keep from moaning a little at the delicious tingle Nevalle's touch sent up her leg. Even though he had just started she could already feel the tension of the day beginning to fade. "Yes, he appeared on the top of a hill behind Garius and, with the help of two his men, began lobbing blast globes into the midst of the undead. Then as my companions and I engaged them, he and his men sent hail after hail of arrows into their midst. I honestly think that if it weren't for his help then we might have been overwhelmed out there. I have to admit, after what I saw today, that I am a little less confident about facing his entire army when they eventually make their way to the keep." Another little moan escaped her as Nevalle's hands moved to her legs, his touch not only soothing her aching muscles, but stirring the flames of desire in her.
"I have always had the utmost confidence in your ability to face and defeat any opponent you meet in battle Ashara," Nevalle said firmly. "Let Garius and his army come here and try to take the keep. You've trained the men well and seen to it that they had the best armor and weapons available. With you leading us, we will be victorius, regardless of how many tricks Garius has up his sleeve."
"You always seem to know exactly what to say to cheer me up," Ashara said softly, a slight smile on her face.
Nevalle gave her a small smile before leaning over to give her a deep, passion filled kiss. Pulling back, he placed one finger over her lips and stared deeply into her green eyes. "I would never say something to you that I didn't mean whole heartedly for I love and respect you too much to do otherwise. You will prevail, never doubt that."
Ashara smiled at his declaration and reaching up, pulled his head back down to kiss him again, feeling his hands loosening the clip in her hair so he could spread it out around her and run his fingers through it. Looking into his warm brown eyes she murmured, "I love you too Nevalle, more than I thought possible. I never expected it to happen and I cherish each moment we have together for each one may be our last."
"Shh, don't say or think such things," Nevalle soothed as his hands moved to undo the laces on her shirt. "No one can say what the future holds, so believe in your abilities and believe in our love and leave the future to itself." He slid the shirt off her shoulders and gently caressed her breasts, his fingers teasing the nipples to hard peaks. He smiled as she closed her eyes and arched into his touch, moaning her desire for more. Starting at her neck, he placed kisses and nibbles along it, working his way down to capture a rosy peak in his mouth. Her hands came up to hold his head to her as he lavished attention on first one and then the other sensitive peak. Slowly, he began to kiss and lick his way down her body, dipping his tongue into her navel, feeling her squirm under him and moan his name. Taking the laces of her trousers in his teeth, he pulled them loose and then slipped a hand inside to stroke her gently, causing her to press up against his hand. Slowly he slid the trousers down her legs, kissing each inch of exposed skin as he went. Then, starting at her toes, he licked and nibbled at each one before slowly moving back up her long legs, pausing to kiss the sensitive backs of her knees, making her cry out. Then he gently parted her legs and lightly touched her little bud with his tongue, causing her to gasp and shudder. He continued to lick and suckle at her while slipping two fingers inside her slick channel, enjoying how she writhed and moaned under him. He kept doing this until he felt her body clench and then she screamed his name as he pushed her over the edge. After giving her a couple of soothing laps he lifted his head to see her staring at him, love and desire making her eyes glow brightly. Getting up, he quickly removed his own clothes before joining her in the bed.
Ashara eagerly embraced him as he moved to cover her body with his own. Lovingly, tenderly they kissed and caressed each other for the longest time, trying to draw out each moment of pleasure, to make it last as long as possible. Pushing him onto his back, she started to lavish his body with her lips, hands, and tongue. She slowly moved down to bite and suckle at his own nipples, enjoying how he squirmed and moaned under her touch. She ran her hands over his well-muscled arms and toned abs, delighting in the feel of him beneath her. She continued kissing her way down until she reached that part of him that showed clearly how much he needed her. As she took him in her mouth, she heard him gasp her name. The longing and desire in his voice stirred the flames inside her own body, his pleasure increasing her own tenfold. She didn't let up until he buried his hands in her hair and begged her to stop. Moving up his body so she could kiss him, she slowly lowered herself until he was buried deep inside her, the feel of him there causing her eyes to close and a moan of pure delight to burst forth from her mouth. As she moved up and down on him, she felt his hands move to her hips, guiding her movements. Spreading her legs wide, she took him as deep into her as was possible, crying out at the intense pleasure sweeping through her body. Faster and faster they moved together, the sweat running down their bodies. Soon she felt her muscles start to clench and tried to hold back, to savor the moment, but her body wouldn't listen. As he gave one final, hard thrust she came, screaming his name in her release, vaguely aware of his own cries as the heat of his release flooded her body. Exhausted, she collapsed on top of him, feeling his arms encircle her to hold her close.
Nevalle slowly came to his senses and opened his eyes to see Ashara looking at him, tears in her eyes. "What is wrong?" he asked, concerned that he had somehow hurt her.
"Nothing," Ashara gave him a tremulous smile. "I am just overwhelmed by how much joy you give me. It's not just physical either. It's the knowledge that you could have had anyone you wanted and yet you chose me. You have wealth, lands, and titles while I am just a poor girl from a back water swamp village, despite the honors Lord Nasher has bestowed on me. Yet I see in your eyes how much you love me, and I feel it in the way you touch my body. I hear it in your voice when you whisper my name as we lie together in bed. The knowledge that I have your love is the only thing that keeps me going these days, that makes we want to survive the coming storm. I have to, if only so that I might be with you for the rest of my life."
"I will tell you truly that titles, wealth, and lands mean nothing if you don't have love," Nevalle said quietly. "I would gladly trade them all to be with you. I knew that my life was lacking something, but until I met you I had no idea what it was. Then you came to Neverwinter and stole my breath away with your beauty, strength and courage. When we started sparring together, I knew that I had found my match and no one else would ever come close. I never dared to dream that you would be mine someday, for there were so many others who wanted you and made sure that I knew it. Yet, you chose me and for that I thank you. I will never let you go and I would fight all the devils of the Abyss to be at your side." As he finished he gently kissed her, trying to show how much she meant to him.
Rolling to the side, Ashara snuggled her back up to him, feeling his body curl around hers protectively. The fighting and the lovemaking had worn her out and she soon fell asleep, dreams of a home and children making her lips curve into a smile.
Nevalle remained awake for some time watching her sleep, not wanting to take his eyes off of her. He feared the coming days for the battles would be fierce. He knew that Aldanon was close to an answer on how to reach the Vale of Meredelain. Once he had one, she would be gone from him, off to fulfill the destiny that fate had deemed for her. He feared to lose her when the time came, but he kept his fears to himself. As he had told her, no one could predict the future. He would just have to hold onto his faith in and love for her and pray for her safe return. Closing his eyes, he finally drifted off to sleep.
"I still can't believe he betrayed me! I trusted him!" Ashara yelled furiously at nothing and no one in particular. She looked wildly around her quarters, wanting to just smash everything to pieces.
Nevalle stood silently watching her vent her anger and pain. Everyone had spoken against keeping the ranger Bishop around. They had told her he was not to be trusted, but Ashara had refused to condemn him for past actions. She had been determined to show him trust, to give him a chance to make a better life for himself. He had repaid that trust with betrayal, sabotaging the main gate of the keep and leaving it vulnerable to Garius' army. He had mocked them for their foolishness in thinking they could win and then had run off to join the supposed winning side.
"How could I have been such a fool about him?" Ashara yelled at Nevalle as she turned to face him. "Everyone, including you, told me that he would do something like this. Why didn't I listen to you and send him packing when I had the chance? Becuase I trusted him, hundreds of loyal men are now dead, with my true friends almost among their number. Gods, how could I be so stupid?" she finished with a moan and buried her face in her hands, trying to hold back the tears that threatened.
Nevalle hurried forward and took her in his arms. "It is not stupid to want to believe that people can change Ashara. In fact, your willingness to give people the benefit of the doubt is just one of the reasons I love you so much. In this world, far too many people are judged on preconceived ideas or notions. You have always judged people by what they do, not what they are, or what they might have done. I have to be honest with you Ashara. For a while there I had thought that you were right and the rest of us were wrong about Bishop. He had seemed to change, and whatever his reasons for betraying you are, I would bet that they are not simple ones. Unfortunately, I doubt that we will ever see him again, so we will never know the truth of why he did it."
The feel of Nevalle's arms around her and his soothing voice finally enabled Ashara to let go of the tight control she had on her emotions. Clinging to him, she cried and cried, letting the tears ease the pain of her heart. "I'm so sorry that I didn't listen to you, so sorry," she sobbed against his chest.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Nevalle soothed as he gently stroked her back. "You were able to rally the men and meet the threat from Garius and you led us all to victory. Yes, men died, but who's to say that they would have lived if the keep had not been left vulnerable? Don't blame yourself my love, for neither I nor anyone else here blames you for what happened." He stopped talking and merely stood there, holding her and making soothing noises.
Ashara felt herself relaxing under his touch and finally was able to stop crying. Pulling back a little she stared into his eyes, seeing nothing but love and sympathy in them. "I was so upset about what happened that I ignored Aldanon when he tried to talk to me earlier. Do you know what he wanted?"
Nevalle hesitated to answer, not wanting to let her go just yet. He slowly kissed her, gently teasing her lips apart to slip his tongue inside to duel with hers. Then breaking off the kiss, he held her to him as tightly as he could. "He has figured out how to establish a portal to take you into the Vale of Meredelain," he said softly.
Ashara stiffened, Nevalle's words telling her that the time had come. "How long will it take him to do it?" she asked, unable to keep the trepidation from her voice.
"He said it would take a couple of hours and that he couldn't guarantee how long it would stay open," Nevalle answered. "That means that you would have to go through it as soon as it is established. He said that when you are ready to go, to let him know and he would begin. I told him that everyone who was going would need time to eat and rest and to replenish their supplies. Once you go through, you will be cut off from the rest of the world and will only have what you take with you."
"How long do we have?" she whispered, tightening her arms around him and pressing herself to him.
"Long enough my love," Nevalle murmured as he brought her mouth to his and pushed her back towards the bed.
"I don't know whether to be glad or not that you figured out how to do this Aldanon," Ashara told the sage, her gaze fixed on the portal standing before them.
"Yes, well it was quite the job that, if I do say so myself," Aldanon said cheerily. "I mean, this is magic of the kind not seen in these parts in decades, since the old Illefarn Empire fell as a matter of fact."
"While Aldanon may be optimistic and enthusiastic about this, I am not," Sand told Ashara, his voice heavy with sarcasm. "After all, we won't really know if it worked until we reach the other side. With the way things have gone so far, I would not be surprised if we ended up far away in Calimsham or some other distant place. However, this is the only road open to us and I suppose that you are going to charge blithely through, as you usually do, leaving us, your hapless companions, to follow in your wake as best we may. Am I right?"
Ashara felt her lips twitch at Sand's words. His razor sharp tongue and rapier wit had not been dulled in the least during their adventures. Despite the gravity of the situation, she couldn't help but find amusement in the fact that some things never change. Hopefully, the wizard would come out of the upcoming battle alive and well. The world would be a much more dull place without him in it.
"You may stay here wizard if you wish, but I have every intention of following Ashara through," Ammon Jerro growled out, his gravelly voice lending weight to his words.
"I never said I wouldn't go Jerro," Sand snapped at the warlock, his brows creasing in a frown. "I was merely trying to keep everyone from getting too excited about this little excursion we are planning to undergo."
"Trust me Sand, excitement is not what I'm feeling right now," Ashara said firmly. "The King of Shadows lies beyond that portal, and I only hope we are ready to face him. From the way Aldanon explained it this is most likely a one way ticket. That means that once we step through we are on our own with no one to rely on but ourselves."
Ashara looked around at her companions, seeing that each of them were feeling the same as her, but were just as determined to see this through to the end, whatever end that might be. Still, she felt compelled to caution them one last time. "I know I've said this before but I'll say it again. You are my friends, not my soldiers. I will neither ask nor order you to follow me through the portal. This is the last opportunity for you to decide to stay here. I may be leading all of you to certain death, or I may be leading you to a dark victory. I want you to know that you will still be my friends no matter what you decide. So I want everyone to take a few moments now to think and reconsider their reasons for going through with this."
Nevalle silently watched her speaking to her companions and could see that she was scared of what she had to do but she hid it well. Of course, the first to step forward and tell her he would follow her was Casavir. As the paladin moved back to stand against the wall again, Nevalle took a deep breath and moved to stand in front of him. He knew that Casavir harbored strong feelings for Ashara, so what he was going to ask of him would not be easy for him to accept or agree to.
Casavir looked steadily at the Captain of the Nine as he moved to stand in front of him. He could see in the man's eyes a question needing to be asked, but Nevalle seemed unable to ask it. Guessing at what it might be, he spoke first. "You wish me to promise to look after Ashara, do you not?"
Nevalle blinked once in surprise and then gathered his thoughts. "I know that you have very strong feelings for Ashara and that is why you will not let her face this alone. However, you should know that I would gladly follow her if she permitted me to do so. Unfortunately, as she has pointed out, my place is here and this is her battle to fight. While she may appear to be strong and confident, you should know that she is a little shaky right now. Bishop's betrayal has it her harder than she will admit and I fear that you might meet him on the other side. I know you can't promise to keep her safe, or bring her back alive, but you can promise this. Be her strength and her rock if she should need it."
"Sir Nevalle, I know that it is you she loves," Casavir said quietly. "While I may wish things were different, they are not and I know that I can never be more than her friend. However, it is because I love her that I follow her, and it is because I love her that I will stand beside her to the end. I will do everything in my power to protect her and bring her back to you. I know that you would do the same if our positions were reversed, for that is what men of honor do."
Nevalle felt embarassment heat his face at the paladin's words. He had looked at him as a rival for Ashara's affections and never really got to know the type of man he was. He should have known that Casavir could be counted upon, even if all others failed. "You humble me and honor me with your words Casavir," he replied. "I don't know if I could be as generous as you when it comes to Ashara. I hope that I will have the opportunity to sit down with you after this is over and talk with you again." He nodded briefly and then turned back to where Ashara was.
Casavir returned the nod Nevalle gave him and watched as the knight walked over to Ashara. In the world they lived in, there were few men such as Nevalle left. Men with the ability to swallow their pride and do what was best for the ones they loved. He himself could have been resentful to be passed over by Ashara, but that would have tarnished his love for her and been disrespectful of one who was more deserving than most of such respect. While it pained him to see her in another man's arms, he would rather die than see her unhappy. There had been so little love and happiness in her life that he couldn't deny her what she had found. He made a silent vow to Tyr that he would give everything, including his life, to see her returned to Nevalle. She deserved no less from him.
Nevalle and Ashara moved away from the others and found a private corner to speak their farewells. All of the companions had firmly declared their intentions to follow her through the portal, so there was no more postponing the inevitable. They stared at each other, their eyes expressing the words they could not. Not the doubts, not the fears, not the dreams they both had.
"I swore to myself that I would be strong, but I don't know if I am," Ashara whispered, tears choking her voice.
"You are strong enough to face this Ashara, I have no doubts about that and neither should you," Nevalle answered and gently cupped her face in his hands. "Let my love be your shield and your strength and let my faith in you give you courage if you need it. I will be here waiting for you when you return." Pressing his lips to hers he kissed her fiercely, pouring all his love and hope into that one kiss, trying to give her everything he had. Finally he broke the kiss and gently ran his fingers over her face as he stared deeply into her eyes. "I would go with you if you or Lord Nasher permitted it. Sand has estimated that it should only take a couple of days for you to find and confront the King of Shadows. He says that the magic of the portal may well end if and when you defeat the enemy," his voice stumbled a little over the words. Taking a deep breath he continued. "That means that you will have to return to the keep on foot, a journey of a couple of weeks or so. However, he says he will find a way to send a message ahead so we won't worry. So know this," he said firmly. "If I do not hear from you and you do not return in that time, I will come find you. Even if I have to battle all the devils in the hells to do so, I will find you. I will not let you go without a fight, and nothing and no one will stop me."
"Nevalle, you have sworn oaths to Lord Nasher and Neverwinter," Ashara gasped in shock. "What you are suggesting would be a violation of those oaths."
"I told you before that nothing else matters in life if one does not have love," Nevalle stated. "I would sacrifice everything for our love, for without you I am nothing."
"As I would not see you throw away everything you have worked so hard for, I promise that I will return to you as soon as possible, if..." Ashara bit back her last words, not willing to voice aloud the possiblity that she could die. Kissing him one last time, she stepped back and placed her helm on her head. Turning she walked quickly back towards her companions and stood before the portal. Looking at each one in turn, she saw they were ready, and taking a deep breath she stepped through the portal, Casavir right behind her, and the others following one at a time.
Nevalle watched her and her companions go, biting his tongue to keep from calling her back. He knew the words she had thought but didn't voice and he was glad of that. Giving voice to such doubts sometimes leant them power over a person and that was the last thing either of them needed at this point. He reminded himself to have faith and left it at that.
"The Knight-Captain is strong and will prevail Sir Nevalle," Lt. Kana spoke up. "I have never served with any such as her before and as far as I am concerned there is no one more capable of accomplishing this task than her. I know you will miss her, as will I, but she will be back with us soon enough."
"I hope and pray you are right lieutenant," Nevalle answered quietly. As the portal gradually faded he turned away and headed towards her quarters, wanting only to be around her things and think back on the wonderful times they had spent together.