Chapter 3: Anthealda and Nyärith
Drizzt awoke to an empty house. It gave him a chance to look around. He was upset at first, but he realized that being ignorant of males did not mean being ignorant of her surroundings. She could not have survived a hundred years without knowing how to defend herself. He looked for Guenhwyvar's figurine, but it was not there. He groaned. It could have fallen from his pocket when he fell from the cliff. He would search for it later.
He looked at the shelf above where she had placed his clothes. It was full of books. Most of them gave heavily pictorial instructions on how to weave, sew, carve, and work with leather.
"What is this?" He said as he found a gilt and jeweled covered book. "A spell book?"
He opened it and looked at the words on the first page.
"The ways of Anthealda. First there was Anthealda, and Anthealda breathed forth children. These children were the first gods of Nyärith."
"Nyärith? I have never heard of that place," Drizzt said," Anthealda? Could that be another name for Lord Ao?"
He shook his head and put the book back onto the shelf. He wanted to get out of the stuffy cottage. He pulled on his boots and went outside.
It was a ranger's paradise. The forest was lush and teeming with life. A stone's throw from the cottage was a hot spring. The cottage itself was built partially into the side of a hill, which made it easily defendable. The sweet smells of nature hung in the air. The sight of it made him wonder if he did die in that fall.
"Good morning, Drizzt, did you sleep well?" Kyorlyn called as she walked into the clearing. She was outfitted in leather clothing, including armor. A bow was slung over her shoulder. She carried two, fat, dead rabbits in one hand while the other steadied a pack full of firewood.
"Very well, thank you. You look like a ranger in those clothes."
"That is because I am a ranger. I serve Seronamede, the goddess of forests." She said as she set down the wood. From inside her shirt, she pulled out a pendant on a leather thong. The pedant was in the shape of tree. A unicorn rested at its base.
"That is one thing we have in common, then, Kyorlyn. I am also a ranger. Although, the goddess I serve is called Meilikki." He said as he showed her his unicorn pendant.
"Hungry? I am going to fix a stew for supper, but I have some biscuits and some honey. The biscuits are on the stone shelf below the mantle. They should still be warm."
"Sounds good. Thank you Kyorlyn."
"Thank you, for giving me a name, Drizzt."
"You saved my life. It was the least I could do. Except, for one other thing."
"And what is that?"
"I can cook too. I make a good rabbit stew. I will help you cook."
"Alright. I will set the rabbits here. You can skin them. I need to go take a bath. You should probably have one too. After you have a biscuit in your stomach."
"Good idea."
"So which child of Anthealda is Meilikki?"
"She is the Lady of the Forest. The daughter of Silvanus. The unicorn goddess of rangers. I suspect it is the name of Seronamede on Toril."
"Toril?"
"The world. The world is called Toril."
"No, the world is called Nyärith."
Drizzt furrowed his brow in thought. "Could I have passed through a portal to another world altogether?" Something was very strange. He knew he would have to explore this place more to find his answers.
##########
He did not realize how hungry he was until he ate the first biscuit. Drizzt ate several biscuits before he was completely full.
He found the tome of Anthealda. He took the book down from the shelf and walked outside. The one window in the cottage did not cast much light. It was easier to read outside in the shade.
He could hear Kyorlyn singing as he read about the various gods and goddesses of the place called Nyärith. He saw many correlations between the gods in the book and the gods he was familiar with. Some of the gods were exactly the same in name, especially the Elven gods. He found Meilikki. Seronamede was listed as being the consort of Silvanus, Mielikki's confidante, but not as a goddess. There was no clue to where Nyärith was among the pages.
Kyorlyn's joyful singing turned to grunts and whining of annoyance. Drizzt set the book aside and went to the hot spring to find out what was making her so upset.
Kyorlyn sat on the edge of the pool. A comb was caught and wound in the tangles of her hair. She tried to untangle it with no success. With an exasperated huff she grabbed for a dagger sitting next to her.
"Wait, let me help you before you ruin that beautiful hair." Drizzt said as she put the dagger just above the comb.
Drizzt knelt behind Kyorlyn and slowly worked the comb out her waist length, red hair.
"Let me comb your hair. At this length, it is hard to comb it out yourself. I only ask that you return the favor, once I am finished. My hair is almost as long as yours is."
"That would be nice. Thank you."
Her shoulder blades were covered with old scars. Most were faint, but easily noticeable as he got close. They were not the marks of battle, but rather of a cane or short whip. She had been beaten. For some reason, the scars did not make her any less beautiful in his eyes.
As Drizzt began combing the auburn locks, he thought to himself that his chivalry might have been a mistake. Kyorlyn was still naked. Her coppery, pale skin glistened in the sunlight. Her perfect breasts were reflected in the water. It took all he could muster to keep himself under control.
"It has been way too long." he whispered as he parted her hair and made small braids from the locks at her temples.
"Too long since what?" Kyorlyn whispered back.
"Too long since I have made love," he haphazardly whispered as he was concentrating on styling Kyorlyn's hair.
"How do you make love?"
"Oh! I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. It is way too soon for me to be thinking about those things."
Kyorlyn turned partially around so her face was inches from his. Her pale, sea blue eyes stared right into his lavender orbs.
"What is the matter?"
"This," he said as he lightly kissed her.
She put her arms around him and leaned so they both fell into the pool.
Drizzt did a slight flip in the shallow, warm water and stood up from the shock.
"You're right! I should not have done that. It's not fair. I only just met you yesterday."
Kyorlyn laughed, jumped out of the pool, and grabbed a blanket to dry off.
"I will go get you something to dry off with. The soap is over by the waterfall."
Drizzt just smiled and shook his head. "Can you bring me a clean shirt and breeches?"
"Yes. I will be back to comb your hair. Don't worry, I promise to behave myself. I won't dunk you under."
She blushed as she finished what she was saying.
"Perhaps, I don't have to start entirely at the beginning."
##########
Neither of them spoke to each other again until they started cooking. Drizzt was not sure what to say and Kyorlyn was not sure what to ask.
Kyorlyn felt very strange around Drizzt, and it was not just because he was the first person she had seen in years. He was male. It made her view of her world come crashing down. If she was a female, and he was a male, then they were just like the animals there in the garden. Yet, at the same time, they were not. Her confusion became worse when he brushed his lips against hers. It was light as butterfly wings, but made her heart race. She felt bad for throwing him into the spring, but her own feelings scared her.
"Drizzt, would you do something for me?"
"What do you need?"
"Tomorrow is the evening the waning crescent hangs in the sky above. There is a place where I go to speak to Seronamede. Will you come with me?"
"Of course. Perhaps, I can talk to Meilikki. That is also the holy evening for her."
"I see that you were reading the Way of Anthealda today."
"Yes. I was curious about the gods of Nyärith. Many of them are the same as the ones I know of. I suspect that the ones I do not recognize are different names for ones I know. For example, the one the babbians worship, Malaraan, is the same as the god Malar that I am familiar with. Meilikki is in there as well."
"Do you think that Nyärith and Toril are two names for the same world?"
"Perhaps. Don't put too many turnips in the stew. It can make it bitter. This reminds me of when Wulvia first tried to show me she could cook. She put in too many turnips."
"Wulvia?"
"I have not had much of a chance to tell you about myself. Wulvia is my second daughter. I have eight children."
"You have children?" Kyorlyn said with confusion washing over her face. She went to one of the pillows and sat down.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No, it is just that this is all so confusing to me. I know the animals here in the garden mate, and have young. I did not know that people were like the animals in that way."
"Um, well, yes. People mate and have children. I have eight children and twenty six grandchildren."
"How old are you?"
"About one hundred ninety. drow elves tend to be very long lived. My father was four hundred when I was born. My wife was human, she died many years ago. How old are you?"
"I am one hundred and thirty two."
"There is not that much difference in our ages, at least for elves. Yes, you are an elf. You are, I suspect, a gold elf. You have a long life ahead of you. You have plenty of time to decide whether you want children or not."
"I see. "
"Not yet, but I will teach you every thing you will need to know about what it means to be an elf, and what makes you special. We are not mindless animals. We mate, have children, grow old, and eventually die, but that is not our only purpose in life. We were created for a reason. Each of us must do our best, so our souls can join with the gods. "
"The stew is trying to boil over."
"Aggh! I need to pay attention to this! I will tell you about my life so far, after, we have eaten."
"Alright."
##########
Over the next few weeks, Drizzt told Kyorlyn about his life in Menzoberanzzan, his adventures on the Sword Coast, Icewind Dale and Mithril Hall. The evening he told her of his life with Catti-Brie and his children, she begged for him to continue. It was well into the night when he finished.
"Tomorrow, I would like you to tell me everything about yourself. I want to know about the monastery where you grew up, and about your life here in the garden. "
"There is really not that much to tell."
"Then we shall discuss the gods of Anthealda, and how many of them are the same as the ones I know."
"Some of them are the same. I can tell from your story."
"Good. But, now, we need to get some rest. Do you want the bed tonight?"
"Are you positive we can not share?"
"Not yet. Not until we are both ready to know what that entails."
"I will take the bed then. We will take turns. Does that suit you?"
"Fine with me. Good night, Kyorlyn."
"Until tomorrow."
Kyorlyn could not get comfortable enough to sleep. She thought of the stories Drizzt told her. She though to herself how lucky she was to be in this place, despite the loneliness. She watched as Drizzt's chest rose and fell as he peacefully slept. He looked vulnerable. Her cheeks grew flush as she watched him. Slowly, she drifted off to sleep.
Kyorlyn's dreams were not pleasant ones. She usually could rouse herself from the nightmares, but her body was too exhausted this time. The image of red eyes, and leathery wings. Sharp teeth, biting, drawing rivers of blood. People with swords. Fire spreading everywhere.
A woman with two sharp daggers, killing everything she could reach. A huge green eyed monster, cleaving anyone who refused to bow down. A thin being with a small skull on his belt, swinging a long sword. A black leather clad being, tossing about daggers.
Opposing the terrible ones were the gods she knew. Renshyyda, goddess of war and thunder, Honoras, the siege lord, Arvvim, the bloody avenger, Saas, the great rainbow dragon, Seronamede and many other of the gods, all fighting for their lives.
It looked like the interlopers would be vanquished, until Renshyyda's mount fell. The enemy with the skull belt and long sword stabbed her in the back.
Kyorlyn heard her own voice screaming as she was being carried away by a large woman. She saw many others fleeing as the ground beneath them shook and fiery molten rock flew through the air.
"Kyorlyn, Kyorlyn, wake up! Kyorlyn!"
"Aieeee!"
Drizzt was cradling Kyorlyn in his arms, rocking her back and forth. She opened her eyes and looked around the cottage. Her brow was beaded with sweat and her breaths were ragged and uneven.
"Shh, it was just a dream. Everything is alright now. I am with you. It's alright."
"Drizzt?"
"Yes, it is Drizzt." he said as she put her arms around him and held tight.
"I'm sorry. I don't usually let my nightmares get this bad."
"Just calm down. Take a few deep breaths."
Kyorlyn calmed herself and slowly let go of Drizzt. He released her and went to one of the pillows so he could sit across from her.
"It is morning. Perhaps you should start your story now. I doubt either of us will be able to sleep."
Kyorlyn nodded and sighed.
##########
Kyorlyn gave a huge sigh and began:
"Most of what I remember comes in occasional flashes. Smiling faces, a forest, a meadow full of flowers and the like.
My earliest memory of before I lived at the monastery is of someone teaching me how to use a bow, and praising my progress. I think I was five.
I remember the name, Raven's Gorge. I think that was where I lived.
It happened when I was eight. I was practicing my bow when a shadow passed over me. I looked overhead to see a Rider of Renshyyda flying a hippogriff. She was being chased by a leathery winged thing, with the red body of a person. She, the rider, crashed to the ground, rolled over and came to her feet. Her black halberd slicing the air as she tried to hit the red thing.
I found a small hollow in a rocky outcropping to hide in as I watched the battle. More winged creatures and many of Renshyyda's paladins appeared. They were followed by people with swords, clashing against each other.
Renshyyda, upon her holy pegasus, appeared herself on the battlefield. She was chasing a huge being with green eyes. The being looked like a shadow, with a red streaked black cloak. There was a jeweled metal gauntlet on its right hand. The thing's booming voice laughed as she slashed at it with Patronus, her black halberd.
Many other gods, some of them I don't know came out to fight against the enemies.
Honorus , the gargoyle god, sent his faithful into the fray. They were being cut down by a thin person with skull on his belt carying a longsword.
The person with the skull was being aided by a person with long, black hair and two daggers.
A thing clad entirely in black leather was also fighting.
Arvvim rose high his silver sword, clearly showing the skull of his brother on the end of the blade. The god of vengeance issued a challenge to the thin one with the skull on his belt.
Saas, the glittering dragon, chased the leather clad one.
Seronamede also fought the enemy gods. I knew that is what they must have been.
Honorus was able to knock the shadow one away from Renshyyda. The shadow one fled.
In the process, the shadow one knocked Renshyyda's pegasus, Skycleave, to the ground. The long black, haired god went to the unsteady form of Renshyyda and tried to steal Patronus from her hands.
Behind Renshyyda, The thin god and Arvvim were locked in heated battle. The thin one whirled around and stabbed Renshyyda through the back.
I climbed out of my hiding place as Renshyyda made her dying scream. I screamed with her. One of her paladins rushed in and stole Patronus back from the long, black haired god, only to be captured by enemy people.
I was surrounded by a vine or a branch, something natural. It carried me into the arms of a very fat person.
The fat lady ran as the earth shook and fire rained from the sky.
The next thing I remember was waking up in the monastery."
##########
"I know who you saw." Drizzt said," The shadowy god is called Bane. The thin god with the skull on his belt is Cyric. The goddess with the long, black hair is Shar. The god clad entirely in black leather is Mask. To my knowledge, they are some of the cruelest, most evil gods on the face of Toril. What were they doing there?"
"I don't know. The people at the monastery did not talk to me much. Whenever I would ask about the battle, they would turn from me and lock me in a room. The only solace I had in the years I spent there was when I was allowed to roam the gardens and allowed to practice my archery."
"When they did not want you anymore, they brought you here, to die?" Drizzt said.
"Yes."
Drizzt stood and stretched. "Perhaps we should get dressed . I want to scout around the area. You can come with me, if you want."
"Yes, I will. I can show you what the garden is like."
"Of course. You know this place much better than I do. You can keep me out of trouble." Drizzt said with a bemused grin.
Kyorlyn immediately began disrobing and putting on her ranger's gear. Drizzt took a quick breath, grabbed his gear and quickly headed out the door to dress outside.
"That woman is going to drive me insane!" He thought to himself.
"What is wrong, Drizzt? Why did you run outside like that?"
"Because you are too beautiful, and too innocent to know modesty." As he walked behind a tree out of the line of sight of the cottage.
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Drizzt awoke to an empty house. It gave him a chance to look around. He was upset at first, but he realized that being ignorant of males did not mean being ignorant of her surroundings. She could not have survived a hundred years without knowing how to defend herself. He looked for Guenhwyvar's figurine, but it was not there. He groaned. It could have fallen from his pocket when he fell from the cliff. He would search for it later.
He looked at the shelf above where she had placed his clothes. It was full of books. Most of them gave heavily pictorial instructions on how to weave, sew, carve, and work with leather.
"What is this?" He said as he found a gilt and jeweled covered book. "A spell book?"
He opened it and looked at the words on the first page.
"The ways of Anthealda. First there was Anthealda, and Anthealda breathed forth children. These children were the first gods of Nyärith."
"Nyärith? I have never heard of that place," Drizzt said," Anthealda? Could that be another name for Lord Ao?"
He shook his head and put the book back onto the shelf. He wanted to get out of the stuffy cottage. He pulled on his boots and went outside.
It was a ranger's paradise. The forest was lush and teeming with life. A stone's throw from the cottage was a hot spring. The cottage itself was built partially into the side of a hill, which made it easily defendable. The sweet smells of nature hung in the air. The sight of it made him wonder if he did die in that fall.
"Good morning, Drizzt, did you sleep well?" Kyorlyn called as she walked into the clearing. She was outfitted in leather clothing, including armor. A bow was slung over her shoulder. She carried two, fat, dead rabbits in one hand while the other steadied a pack full of firewood.
"Very well, thank you. You look like a ranger in those clothes."
"That is because I am a ranger. I serve Seronamede, the goddess of forests." She said as she set down the wood. From inside her shirt, she pulled out a pendant on a leather thong. The pedant was in the shape of tree. A unicorn rested at its base.
"That is one thing we have in common, then, Kyorlyn. I am also a ranger. Although, the goddess I serve is called Meilikki." He said as he showed her his unicorn pendant.
"Hungry? I am going to fix a stew for supper, but I have some biscuits and some honey. The biscuits are on the stone shelf below the mantle. They should still be warm."
"Sounds good. Thank you Kyorlyn."
"Thank you, for giving me a name, Drizzt."
"You saved my life. It was the least I could do. Except, for one other thing."
"And what is that?"
"I can cook too. I make a good rabbit stew. I will help you cook."
"Alright. I will set the rabbits here. You can skin them. I need to go take a bath. You should probably have one too. After you have a biscuit in your stomach."
"Good idea."
"So which child of Anthealda is Meilikki?"
"She is the Lady of the Forest. The daughter of Silvanus. The unicorn goddess of rangers. I suspect it is the name of Seronamede on Toril."
"Toril?"
"The world. The world is called Toril."
"No, the world is called Nyärith."
Drizzt furrowed his brow in thought. "Could I have passed through a portal to another world altogether?" Something was very strange. He knew he would have to explore this place more to find his answers.
##########
He did not realize how hungry he was until he ate the first biscuit. Drizzt ate several biscuits before he was completely full.
He found the tome of Anthealda. He took the book down from the shelf and walked outside. The one window in the cottage did not cast much light. It was easier to read outside in the shade.
He could hear Kyorlyn singing as he read about the various gods and goddesses of the place called Nyärith. He saw many correlations between the gods in the book and the gods he was familiar with. Some of the gods were exactly the same in name, especially the Elven gods. He found Meilikki. Seronamede was listed as being the consort of Silvanus, Mielikki's confidante, but not as a goddess. There was no clue to where Nyärith was among the pages.
Kyorlyn's joyful singing turned to grunts and whining of annoyance. Drizzt set the book aside and went to the hot spring to find out what was making her so upset.
Kyorlyn sat on the edge of the pool. A comb was caught and wound in the tangles of her hair. She tried to untangle it with no success. With an exasperated huff she grabbed for a dagger sitting next to her.
"Wait, let me help you before you ruin that beautiful hair." Drizzt said as she put the dagger just above the comb.
Drizzt knelt behind Kyorlyn and slowly worked the comb out her waist length, red hair.
"Let me comb your hair. At this length, it is hard to comb it out yourself. I only ask that you return the favor, once I am finished. My hair is almost as long as yours is."
"That would be nice. Thank you."
Her shoulder blades were covered with old scars. Most were faint, but easily noticeable as he got close. They were not the marks of battle, but rather of a cane or short whip. She had been beaten. For some reason, the scars did not make her any less beautiful in his eyes.
As Drizzt began combing the auburn locks, he thought to himself that his chivalry might have been a mistake. Kyorlyn was still naked. Her coppery, pale skin glistened in the sunlight. Her perfect breasts were reflected in the water. It took all he could muster to keep himself under control.
"It has been way too long." he whispered as he parted her hair and made small braids from the locks at her temples.
"Too long since what?" Kyorlyn whispered back.
"Too long since I have made love," he haphazardly whispered as he was concentrating on styling Kyorlyn's hair.
"How do you make love?"
"Oh! I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. It is way too soon for me to be thinking about those things."
Kyorlyn turned partially around so her face was inches from his. Her pale, sea blue eyes stared right into his lavender orbs.
"What is the matter?"
"This," he said as he lightly kissed her.
She put her arms around him and leaned so they both fell into the pool.
Drizzt did a slight flip in the shallow, warm water and stood up from the shock.
"You're right! I should not have done that. It's not fair. I only just met you yesterday."
Kyorlyn laughed, jumped out of the pool, and grabbed a blanket to dry off.
"I will go get you something to dry off with. The soap is over by the waterfall."
Drizzt just smiled and shook his head. "Can you bring me a clean shirt and breeches?"
"Yes. I will be back to comb your hair. Don't worry, I promise to behave myself. I won't dunk you under."
She blushed as she finished what she was saying.
"Perhaps, I don't have to start entirely at the beginning."
##########
Neither of them spoke to each other again until they started cooking. Drizzt was not sure what to say and Kyorlyn was not sure what to ask.
Kyorlyn felt very strange around Drizzt, and it was not just because he was the first person she had seen in years. He was male. It made her view of her world come crashing down. If she was a female, and he was a male, then they were just like the animals there in the garden. Yet, at the same time, they were not. Her confusion became worse when he brushed his lips against hers. It was light as butterfly wings, but made her heart race. She felt bad for throwing him into the spring, but her own feelings scared her.
"Drizzt, would you do something for me?"
"What do you need?"
"Tomorrow is the evening the waning crescent hangs in the sky above. There is a place where I go to speak to Seronamede. Will you come with me?"
"Of course. Perhaps, I can talk to Meilikki. That is also the holy evening for her."
"I see that you were reading the Way of Anthealda today."
"Yes. I was curious about the gods of Nyärith. Many of them are the same as the ones I know of. I suspect that the ones I do not recognize are different names for ones I know. For example, the one the babbians worship, Malaraan, is the same as the god Malar that I am familiar with. Meilikki is in there as well."
"Do you think that Nyärith and Toril are two names for the same world?"
"Perhaps. Don't put too many turnips in the stew. It can make it bitter. This reminds me of when Wulvia first tried to show me she could cook. She put in too many turnips."
"Wulvia?"
"I have not had much of a chance to tell you about myself. Wulvia is my second daughter. I have eight children."
"You have children?" Kyorlyn said with confusion washing over her face. She went to one of the pillows and sat down.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No, it is just that this is all so confusing to me. I know the animals here in the garden mate, and have young. I did not know that people were like the animals in that way."
"Um, well, yes. People mate and have children. I have eight children and twenty six grandchildren."
"How old are you?"
"About one hundred ninety. drow elves tend to be very long lived. My father was four hundred when I was born. My wife was human, she died many years ago. How old are you?"
"I am one hundred and thirty two."
"There is not that much difference in our ages, at least for elves. Yes, you are an elf. You are, I suspect, a gold elf. You have a long life ahead of you. You have plenty of time to decide whether you want children or not."
"I see. "
"Not yet, but I will teach you every thing you will need to know about what it means to be an elf, and what makes you special. We are not mindless animals. We mate, have children, grow old, and eventually die, but that is not our only purpose in life. We were created for a reason. Each of us must do our best, so our souls can join with the gods. "
"The stew is trying to boil over."
"Aggh! I need to pay attention to this! I will tell you about my life so far, after, we have eaten."
"Alright."
##########
Over the next few weeks, Drizzt told Kyorlyn about his life in Menzoberanzzan, his adventures on the Sword Coast, Icewind Dale and Mithril Hall. The evening he told her of his life with Catti-Brie and his children, she begged for him to continue. It was well into the night when he finished.
"Tomorrow, I would like you to tell me everything about yourself. I want to know about the monastery where you grew up, and about your life here in the garden. "
"There is really not that much to tell."
"Then we shall discuss the gods of Anthealda, and how many of them are the same as the ones I know."
"Some of them are the same. I can tell from your story."
"Good. But, now, we need to get some rest. Do you want the bed tonight?"
"Are you positive we can not share?"
"Not yet. Not until we are both ready to know what that entails."
"I will take the bed then. We will take turns. Does that suit you?"
"Fine with me. Good night, Kyorlyn."
"Until tomorrow."
Kyorlyn could not get comfortable enough to sleep. She thought of the stories Drizzt told her. She though to herself how lucky she was to be in this place, despite the loneliness. She watched as Drizzt's chest rose and fell as he peacefully slept. He looked vulnerable. Her cheeks grew flush as she watched him. Slowly, she drifted off to sleep.
Kyorlyn's dreams were not pleasant ones. She usually could rouse herself from the nightmares, but her body was too exhausted this time. The image of red eyes, and leathery wings. Sharp teeth, biting, drawing rivers of blood. People with swords. Fire spreading everywhere.
A woman with two sharp daggers, killing everything she could reach. A huge green eyed monster, cleaving anyone who refused to bow down. A thin being with a small skull on his belt, swinging a long sword. A black leather clad being, tossing about daggers.
Opposing the terrible ones were the gods she knew. Renshyyda, goddess of war and thunder, Honoras, the siege lord, Arvvim, the bloody avenger, Saas, the great rainbow dragon, Seronamede and many other of the gods, all fighting for their lives.
It looked like the interlopers would be vanquished, until Renshyyda's mount fell. The enemy with the skull belt and long sword stabbed her in the back.
Kyorlyn heard her own voice screaming as she was being carried away by a large woman. She saw many others fleeing as the ground beneath them shook and fiery molten rock flew through the air.
"Kyorlyn, Kyorlyn, wake up! Kyorlyn!"
"Aieeee!"
Drizzt was cradling Kyorlyn in his arms, rocking her back and forth. She opened her eyes and looked around the cottage. Her brow was beaded with sweat and her breaths were ragged and uneven.
"Shh, it was just a dream. Everything is alright now. I am with you. It's alright."
"Drizzt?"
"Yes, it is Drizzt." he said as she put her arms around him and held tight.
"I'm sorry. I don't usually let my nightmares get this bad."
"Just calm down. Take a few deep breaths."
Kyorlyn calmed herself and slowly let go of Drizzt. He released her and went to one of the pillows so he could sit across from her.
"It is morning. Perhaps you should start your story now. I doubt either of us will be able to sleep."
Kyorlyn nodded and sighed.
##########
Kyorlyn gave a huge sigh and began:
"Most of what I remember comes in occasional flashes. Smiling faces, a forest, a meadow full of flowers and the like.
My earliest memory of before I lived at the monastery is of someone teaching me how to use a bow, and praising my progress. I think I was five.
I remember the name, Raven's Gorge. I think that was where I lived.
It happened when I was eight. I was practicing my bow when a shadow passed over me. I looked overhead to see a Rider of Renshyyda flying a hippogriff. She was being chased by a leathery winged thing, with the red body of a person. She, the rider, crashed to the ground, rolled over and came to her feet. Her black halberd slicing the air as she tried to hit the red thing.
I found a small hollow in a rocky outcropping to hide in as I watched the battle. More winged creatures and many of Renshyyda's paladins appeared. They were followed by people with swords, clashing against each other.
Renshyyda, upon her holy pegasus, appeared herself on the battlefield. She was chasing a huge being with green eyes. The being looked like a shadow, with a red streaked black cloak. There was a jeweled metal gauntlet on its right hand. The thing's booming voice laughed as she slashed at it with Patronus, her black halberd.
Many other gods, some of them I don't know came out to fight against the enemies.
Honorus , the gargoyle god, sent his faithful into the fray. They were being cut down by a thin person with skull on his belt carying a longsword.
The person with the skull was being aided by a person with long, black hair and two daggers.
A thing clad entirely in black leather was also fighting.
Arvvim rose high his silver sword, clearly showing the skull of his brother on the end of the blade. The god of vengeance issued a challenge to the thin one with the skull on his belt.
Saas, the glittering dragon, chased the leather clad one.
Seronamede also fought the enemy gods. I knew that is what they must have been.
Honorus was able to knock the shadow one away from Renshyyda. The shadow one fled.
In the process, the shadow one knocked Renshyyda's pegasus, Skycleave, to the ground. The long black, haired god went to the unsteady form of Renshyyda and tried to steal Patronus from her hands.
Behind Renshyyda, The thin god and Arvvim were locked in heated battle. The thin one whirled around and stabbed Renshyyda through the back.
I climbed out of my hiding place as Renshyyda made her dying scream. I screamed with her. One of her paladins rushed in and stole Patronus back from the long, black haired god, only to be captured by enemy people.
I was surrounded by a vine or a branch, something natural. It carried me into the arms of a very fat person.
The fat lady ran as the earth shook and fire rained from the sky.
The next thing I remember was waking up in the monastery."
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"I know who you saw." Drizzt said," The shadowy god is called Bane. The thin god with the skull on his belt is Cyric. The goddess with the long, black hair is Shar. The god clad entirely in black leather is Mask. To my knowledge, they are some of the cruelest, most evil gods on the face of Toril. What were they doing there?"
"I don't know. The people at the monastery did not talk to me much. Whenever I would ask about the battle, they would turn from me and lock me in a room. The only solace I had in the years I spent there was when I was allowed to roam the gardens and allowed to practice my archery."
"When they did not want you anymore, they brought you here, to die?" Drizzt said.
"Yes."
Drizzt stood and stretched. "Perhaps we should get dressed . I want to scout around the area. You can come with me, if you want."
"Yes, I will. I can show you what the garden is like."
"Of course. You know this place much better than I do. You can keep me out of trouble." Drizzt said with a bemused grin.
Kyorlyn immediately began disrobing and putting on her ranger's gear. Drizzt took a quick breath, grabbed his gear and quickly headed out the door to dress outside.
"That woman is going to drive me insane!" He thought to himself.
"What is wrong, Drizzt? Why did you run outside like that?"
"Because you are too beautiful, and too innocent to know modesty." As he walked behind a tree out of the line of sight of the cottage.
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