A/N: Well, this is going to be my try of a longer Icewind Dale 2 story. And - as you can find out right now in the beginning of the story, it's also about Domi's Icewind Dale 2 NPC Project (which can be found over at Gibberling Three forum). I can only recommend you this mod - it made my play really enjoyable - trust me, you don't want to play Czech version of the game. And they even called it "proffesional Czech version of the game". I really don't want to know how the game would be, if the version wasn't "proffesional", eh. However, I hope you'll find this story at least partially interesting and will honor me with a review of yours, hm? Also - if you spot any errors (I'm sure there is more than one mistake in it), tell me about it, please. And now - onward to the story!
Disclaimer: I own nothing, just Sindal and this fanfic are all my fault. The game of Icewind Dale is property of Black Isle and IWD2 NPC Project is property of Domi.
Who will guide the boats ashore,
where, warriors, is your home?
Our voyage took already ten days and we still haven't reached our destination, Tentowns. Well, it didn't trouble me much - I had quite nice company; a halfling thief Nikosh, members of Order Nord and Hildury, cleric Valeero from Neverwinter and... Jaemal, the man from the docks. I was quite surprised to see him travel on the same ship - however, I couldn't bring myself to bother with it. I was too busy with trying to make him feel better, since he obviously wasn't created for travelling this way. He was positively green most of the time - which came nicely with the violet of his robe, if you ask me. He also had very nice voice, calm and gentle. I would be able to listen to his voice for hours. It could have been very pleasantly spent hours, if he didn't feel so sick for longer part of our voyage. However, asking him to he'll join us in Targos was one of the hardest things in my entire life.
"Tell me, Jaemal, what are your plans in Targos?"
"To help the defenders as well as I can."
"Then why don't you join us? We are going to help them the same as you do."
"Wouldn't you or your other companions mind eunuch travelling with you?"
Finally, after almost two weeks long voyage we finally reached our destination, town of Targos. And immediately we got attacked by... orcs? Yes, orcs. Have you ever tried to get the whole docks rid of so many orcs? We somehow managed to do it just in time - the orcs wanted to set aflame all the ships there. The defenders were really grateful for our help - after several days of fighting their numbers weren't many and all of them were exhausted. After finishing of the docks cleansing sir Nord came and then we had the craziest dialogue of my entire life.
"Listen, Sindal," said Nord, "I'm not sure what your Lord father wants from me, but I watched you on that cursed boat and here in Targos, and I think you're a decent lass with some talents." To my questioning glance he hastily added: "I'm not much into wet nursing, and I wager you're even less into being babied. I bet that the responsibility is exactly what you need to pluck the baby fluff and foolish airs out. So, here's the deal. From this point on, you lead us, and I'll step in if things start getting out of hand."
I found myself staring at him with open mouth, trying to tell him this is very, very bad idea. He patted my shoulder and spoke loudly: "Pull yourself together, lass, and stand tall. You're your father's daughter; it's in your blood to lead." Leaning to my ear he added silently: "And don't worry, I'm watching your back, so I won't let you screw things up too badly, girl. Go on, now. Lead us into town, and ask how we can get ourselves an audience with Lord Ulbrec."
I made a face at him, expecting that this was all he wanted to say. However, it wasn't all. Reaching to his backpack he pulled two things out - a sword and a ring - and handed them over to me. "Here, pup, take this. Your father thought to toughen you up, but you're green enough to need a little help and he knows it. And, well, there is one from your lady mother too." I remembered both things - it was mother's ring; the one she told me my father gave her when they met on their adventures. And the sword... I remember it was always hanging in the main hall; first sword my father got from his father. I turned aside from my companions - I didn't want them to see the tears which suddenly appeared in my eyes. I felt someone's hand on my shoulder. Turning my head I saw Jaemal looking at me, clearly worried. I tried to smile. His eyes slid off my face to the sky.
"Sindal, look!"
I looked up. The black sky was painted by the northern lights. Nowhere you can see such a mix of red, crimson, scarlet, orange and yellow; only here. Only here the sky looks like treasures of a dragon's hoard. I felt his fingers closing on my shoulder, when he leaned to whisper in my ear: "What is it, Sindal?"
I don't know what I was thinking, but suddenly I found myself touching his hand with my cheek and responding back: "Aurora Borealis, also called Northern Lights. You know, I've seen it before. I've seen it many times, in fact. But tonight... tonight I have a strange feeling that I see it for the first time."
I turned to face him. His eyes, so deep and unique reflected the northern lights. He added softly: "Maybe it's because you see them through my eyes." I felt his hand, still on my shoulder, trembling slightly. Looking deep into my eyes he continued: "They remind me of you, the bright Maiden of the North. Perhaps, I could call you Northern Light. Sometimes. If that's not too... presumptuous." He finished in a bit unsure, even tense manner. As if this meant more to him than just giving a nickname to someone. I felt myself grinning. "At least it's not 'snow maiden'. Sure, call me Northern Light. You can do it whenever the desire strikes you..." I would slap myself in that moment, afraid of offending him.
With a slight smile he said: "Don't catch your breath; you did not misspeak or offend. I do have desires, Northern Light." He winked at me and I felt my cheeks burning. "I like the name - it truly fits you."
We stood there, facing each other and gazing into the sky. I allowed myself to look back at him - his eyes were full of the celestial's red. And then - as if he felt my gaze on him - he turned his eyes back to look into mine. And the look in his eyes made me shiver a bit, because in the depths of his eyes was something more. More than what ever had been in them.
Only unwillingly I broke the spell of his gaze. With rueful smile I led 'my' group to the town centre to meet its mayor, Lord Ulbrec. I was quite curious about what kind of person can lead this place. Surprisingly, there were no signs of orcs further in Targos. Lord Ulbrec himself reminded me a bit of my father; strict, proud and maybe a bit too stubborn for his own good. His wife, lady Elytharra, welcomed us more warmly; to my surprise she was an elven mage. While I was talking to Ulbrec and Elytharra, the others were listening carefully.
"Just tell me, Ulbrec, how it's possible that the orcs were only in docks and nowhere else?" asked Nord in the end.
"In truth, I have no idea," replied Ulbrec unwillingly. Elytharra added: "Although we are afraid that there's a... a traitor amongst the citizens." Jaemal raised his head. "Maybe I have a solution of this. There was a scroll on one orc's body; it was partly burned, however, I took it for later examination, since on the first sight I couldn't decipher what it is about."
Elytharra stood up with excited expression on her face. "Give it to me, then. Maybe I will be able to decipher it." Looking on the scroll which Jaemal handled to her she said slowly: "Well, so this is how the orcs have done it. They had this scroll." Raising her head she met my questioning gaze: "It's only one scroll out of two. There's still the traitor amongst the citizens... and he has the other part of the spell."
I met Nord's gaze and on his raised eyebrow I just nodded slightly. Yes, the traitor must die. And the sooner it will happen, the better.
