Revelations.

Kana stretched and sighed.
Crossroad Keep had seen an amazing transformation since she arrived so many months ago. From an almost forgotten, run-down shell of crumbling rock and mortar, to a mighty fortress that now stands at the Southern tip of Neverwinter Woods.
Many of the locals are beginning to call the keep, "Beacon of the Southern March". Kana smiled at the thought. The keep's role now not only function as the South-Western staging point for Neverwinter's forces but it is also the commerce hub for the area.
Even Nevalle is considering using Crossroad Keep as a military training center, where the Greycloaks can be given rudimentary training, before given official posts.
Her smile quickly died when she thought of the man responsible, for he was not only a sound military leader, his grasp of economics astounded her.
The only problem is, he is now gone.
While activity at the keep has not stopped, the past few days were clouded by a pall of sadness.
Though the men at the keep knew that their captain and his team had succeeded in their mission, they also knew that there were almost no survivors.
Its been two days since the unnatural darkness had lifted from the land and the nightwalkers driven off. Yet, no one felt like rejoicing.

"Poor Neeshka."
Kana thought as she got up from her desk, she knew was time that she spoke to the tiefling again.

Neeshka stared at the ceiling.
Since arriving back at the keep, she has kept to herself and stayed in her room. A room that now felt large and empty.
She turned, curled and pulled the covers tighter, as if to cocoon herself from the world. Neeshka closed her eyes and took long deep breaths to clam herself. Ever since coming back to the keep, she had this uneasy feeling, a crawling of the skin that made her nervous.
She shivered a little and tried to settle in.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood at times and she didn't like the way it felt.
Neeshka felt vulnerable.
Its hard being alone again, once upon a time she would have relished the thought of not being tied down, of not needing anyone. But she got used to having people whom she could call friends, used to people whom watched and protected her back as much as she thought of picking their pockets.
The smile quickly faded and her eyes teared again.
No longer hysterical, memories of her companions however, still pushed her towards emotional lows. Neeshka heard a knock on the door but chose not to respond.

She heard Kana's voice, "Neeshka, I know you are in there."

"Go away." Said the tiefling.

"I am not going to do that." returned Kana's voice, calm as always.

"I'll bet she'll stay out there and wait too." Thought Neeshka, sighing, she finally replied, "Oh, all right, come in then."

Kana stepped in and looked around.
Neeshka was still in bed.
Lightly dressed, she looked no different from any other young woman, if you can overlook the horns and tail.
Kana came to stand at the bedside.

"How are you feeling today?" Asked Kana.

Neeshka propped herself up on the bed before replying, "Has Aldanon found anyone else?"

The fact that she avoided her question did not escape Kana. Carefully, she framed her answer so as not to give the tiefling any false hopes.

"They found Khelgar. He's badly hurt, but the field cleric was able to patch him up somewhat."

Anticipating Neeshka's question, "He'll need Ivarr's attentions before he'll be able to talk to us about what happened."

Kana was cut off as Neeshka practically leapt out of bed and stood before her. Her eyes burned brightly as she spoke, "How soon will he be back?"

"In a few hours, Aldanon still thinks that there might be more survivors but you know how he is."

Neeshka mind raced, "Khelgar is alive! That stupid, glorious, stubborn dwarf is alive!"

Kana spoke again and broke her train of thought, "He might be able to help us find the Captain's remains..."

Kana was almost caught off guard when Neeshka whirled on her, had she not been expecting this very reaction.
Moving with precision, Kana caught Neeshka's wrists as she tried to strike. Then using an old wrestler's trick, hooked her leg behind Neeska's while allowing herself to fall forward, using her weight to pin Neeshka down on the bed. Cutting off any protests, Kana again hammered the thought home.

"People die Neeshka. Even the ones we love. You have to prepare yourself to accept that fact." Kana said.

Neeshka felt Kana relaxed a little, testing to see if she would try to fight back.
With her body pressed against her's, Neeshka could smell Kana's scent. Leather, perspiration, wood smoke with a hint of floral essence, almost sensual.
She wanted to hate Kana, to strike out at her, but she knew Kana was right.
Neeshka relaxed her body and relented.

Kana's voice softened, "He was loved by many here you know."

Neeshka stared at the face just inches away.
"He was loved by many." The tiefling thought, wondering if there was more to this.
"Did he and you..." Neeshka started to ask but found she could not complete the question.

Kana released Neeshka and sat on the side of the bed, "I'll only say this much. I have my memories of him to cherish. And now, I live as I think he would want me to. Do you not think that he would want you to move on too? If he was dead?"

Neeshka fell silent, but her eyes questioned Kana, "How could you?"

Kana seemed to be able to read her thoughts, "I am a soldier Neeshka. I have seen friends and lovers come and go, many whom are now dead. It hurts, yes. I can't say you'll ever forget the pain, but you have to learn how to deal with it. Otherwise, it will eat at you from the inside."

Neeshka sighed. "Its just so hard."

"Of course it is, nothing about love is easy." Kana replied

"I didn't say I was in love Kana." Neeshka said rather quickly.

Kana gave the tiefling a wry smiled. "You didn't have to." she thought to herself.

Looking at Neeshka, said instead, "You look a horrid mess. Some girls can cry and still look alluring but not you. Come now, go wash up and get dressed. You don't want to appear before the dwarf the way you are now, do you?"

Neeshka smiled a little smile. "Gods, no."

"That's the first smile since she came back" Kana thought.
Turning towards the door, Kana took a few quick steps and said, "I'll send someone up to get you once Khelgar is ready." and then left the tiefling to dress herself.

* * * * * * * * * *

Khelgar fumed, "I keep telling ya, I am fine!"

Ivarr shook his head, "No, you are not. You were dead or so close to death's door, that it would not have made a difference when we found you. Even with healing spells, you still need a few days of rest."

Khelgar was about start a yelling match when the door to the infirmary opened.

"Neeshka!"

Khelgar bounded past Kana and hugged the tiefling, "You're alive!"
Then suddenly conscious that he's hugging Neeshka, he quickly added with a grin "They got me wearing this frock. No pockets for you to pick."

Neeshka with a flippant tone teased, "Oh, that's all right, I already looked through your packs, just to make sure everything is still there."

Khelgar frowned but before he could say anything, Neeshka quickly raised her hands and said "Just kidding!"
She leaned close and bent to whisper into his ear, "I am glad you are alive too." and gave him a squeeze.

Neeshka's face then darkened a little, "What happened in there? I saw you run after Ammon just before the roof fell in."

Khelgar sat down and started to recount the events, "The elf girl pushed Silvarian in just as the roof fell in."
Neeshka nodded.
"A chunk of rock, hit him square on the forehead. Knocked him flat out. I keep telling him that he should wear a proper helmet but nooooooooo, you know how he likes that circlet of his. Had to drag him around in the tunnels for a bit"

"He is alive!" Neeshka's eye's flared with hope.

"They got him Neeshka. Someone's got him." Khelgar said softly.

Both Kana and Neeshka was looked confused and together they chimed.
"They?"

Khelgar continued, "We were attacked by these ...things. Gargoyles, but much tougher then any we have fought before. They swarmed over me and Ammon. The Gith ported out earlier and with Elanee gone, we didn't have a healer... I managed to take down a few before they got the better of me. But the last thing I saw, was one of these gargoyles carrying Silvarian off and Ammon chasing after it."

Neeshka grasped Khelgar's arms, "But he was alive?"

"Aye lass, at least, I think he was." said the dwarf.

Kana looked disturbed, "Aldanon said there wasn't any other living soul within the ruins. We tried scrying for him at the other Illefarn sites that we know of, but so far, nothing."

Then, Neeshka felt it again, like an insect crawling on her skin, but this time, no longer wallowing in her sorrow, no longer mentally incapacitated, knew what it meant.
"Everyone come with me." Neeshka said urgently.

Kana looked up, confused for a moment with questions in her eyes but saw Neeshka's sudden change and kept silent.

Neeshka was sure of it now, "Trust me on this, I should have noticed it earlier, but I ...wasn't quite myself."
Neeshka stood up and led them towards the keep's basement.

"What in the hells..." grumbled Khelgar as he hurried along with Kana.

"Not what Khelgar, whom." Neeshka shot back as she hurried past the keeps main hall.

The dwarf realized where they were heading, a look of incredibility crossed his face "You can't mean..."

Kana's brow furrowed, "What are the two of you babbling about?"

Down the steps and past the doors and past the work benches they ran, till they entered the end of the basement's large chamber. There, within the keep's summoning circle stood a figure.
Kana taken aback by what she saw, instinctively she drew her sword.

"Mephasm." drawled Neeshka.

Expressionless, the devil greeted them, "Welcome little one, I was beginning to wonder if I had to wait much longer. You have brought friends I see."

"Why is that fiend here?" Rumbled Khelgar.

"Did he had anything to do with the captain's adduction?" Kana quickly asked.

A flicker of amusement crossed his features, Mephasm said, "I assure you, I have no reason to steal your captain away from you. As to why I am here, while I am not bound to this circle, it is a link I have to your captain. And while he still he lives, if I so choose, I can use this circle to appear to you, as I am doing so now."

"While he still lives." So He is alive!" Though Neeshka.

Neeshka wasn't the only one who caught the hint, "Where is he now? Can you tell us that?" Khelgar voiced the question that was on everyone's mind.

Mephasm turned to the dwarf, "At the moment, he's bleeding in a cave somewhere in Rashemen."

Kana was dismayed, "Rashemen? That's on the other side of the Sea of Fallen Stars! It'll take weeks, months even to reach if we travel over land."

Khelgar practically screamed at the fiend, "Bleeding? What do mean bleeding?"

Mephasm in a matter of fact tone replied, "Its something that happens, when someone cut a rather large hole in your chest I would imagine."

Neeshka's skin crawled with dread, "Why are you telling us this? Its not like you are doing this out of the goodness of your heart."

Mephasm remained silent for a moment, his demeanor unreadable, "I have...an interest...in him and you, little one." the devil eventually replied.

Neeshka did not like what that implied.

Kana cut in, "Is there a way for us to get to him, to help him?"

"No." Said Mephasm.

Everyone fell silent.

Mephasm seemed thoughtful as he said, "While I can't get all of you to him, there is perhaps however, a way for one of you to be where he might be. Assuming he lives through his current ordeal."

Khelgar was starting to loose his patience.
"By Tyr's right buttocks! Explain yourself. What do you mean where he might be?"

Mephasm closed his eyes, then as if trying to explain something to children he continued, "Can I guarantee that your captain will be at this location when you arrive? No. But that he will be there at some point is a certainty. The only thing left for you to decide, is if you want to be there when he eventually is."

"And you'll help get one of us there?" Questioned Khelgar.

"For a price."

Khelgar started to object but Mephasm cut him short, "Understand this, I cannot help you, or aid you in any true fashion without extracting something of equal value. There are rules that I have to abide with."

Neeshka immediately understood that for whatever reasons, Mephasm had chose to help, but its the nature of the lower planes especially the ones governing his kind that demands some form of payment.

Khelgar growled, "All right, I'll go. Let me get my equipment, some potions and I'll be ready to kick some backsides."

"No Khelgar." Neeshka knew exactly what she had to do.
"I'll go. You aren't in the best of shape and I really want to do this, I need to do this."

Khelgar's brow furrowed. "Why lass?"

Neeshka hesitated then said,"Because I love him."

Kana smiled.

Neeshka hurried on, "And because Mephasm said that he isn't there now, just that he will be...eventually. Whoever it is that goes to where ever that place is, will need to wait. How long we do not know. But I know you aren't one for waiting. I can do this Khelgar. I must."

Mephasm turned towards Neeshka, "What have you to offer?"

Neeshka took off the chain around her neck. Attached to the chain was a simple looking coin, her lucky coin. The coin that against the advice of everyone else in the party, Silvarian went ahead and retrieved for her. It was the only thing she had left that reminded her of him and of his act of kindness towards her.

Mephasm took the coin and then in a tone that almost sounded kindly he addressed Neeshka directly, "Ahhh. There is much of you and him invested in this item. It will do."
In a more serious tone, "I cannot tell you that where I am sending you, will be safe. In fact, it may very well mean your death to continue. Do you still wish to do this?"

Neeshka nodded.

Mephasm gestured and a portal opened beside the circle, "This is a single direction, single use portal. It will take only one person to its destination and it'll close after that person passes through. You still have a choice if you want change your mind. Any one of you can choose to walk through it or choose not to. Either way, the moment when someone does or come mid-day tomorrow this portal will cease to exist."

Neeshka took a deep breath, "No time like the present." and stepped through.

There was a loud pop as the portal closed in on itself and then silence.

"Mephasm, where did you send her to?" Khelgar turned towards the circle.

The devil was no longer there.