Long Road to Luskan

The crew kept moving at a slow pace through the rest of the day and set up camp just as the first stars began to dot the darkening sky. The battle and road weary group were none too lively this night. Many still mourned the losses from the days fighting. The group consisted of mostly family and close friends and the losses were felt keenly for all. Ayus sat near to the fire trying to fend off the night's chill as the others sat quietly picking at their merger dinner. Ayus scooped up another bowl of the bland stew and carried it to a nearby tree, just outside the ring of wagons. Sierra had elected to take first watch and posted up on a low branch staring out at the starry horizon, lost in thought. "Dinner is served, milady. Tonight's meal is a finely crafted stew of dirty old boot and stagnate puddle water," Ayus said lightly in an attempt to lift her spirits.

Sierra started a bit at the unexpected arrival. "Damn that cloak, it's hard to keep an eye on you with that stupid thing on," she grumbled. "Don't know what a dangerous stranger like yourself is going to do to a poor defenseless girl like me, sneaking around and all."

Ayus smiled a bit at that, "Defenseless is hardly the word I would use to describe you. You were quite impressive in that fight. Remind me to stay on your good side."

"Well keep bringing me dinner and referring to me as 'milady' and you'll do fine. Although I would suggest something a little more flavorful to eat."

"I will see what I can do about that," Ayus grinned. "So where did you learn to fight like that?"

Sierra stared off into the darkness for another moment as she sorted out the best way to begin. "My father insisted all of his children be able to defend themselves, should the need ever arise."

"Sound reasoning by my observation. Your father seems like a smart man."

Humpt Sierra snorted at the irony. "Some people might not agree with you."

"What do you mean?" Ayus probed a bit further.

"Why is this all so interesting to you?" Sierra snapped coldly. "Why does it even matter?"

"You are interesting to me, that is all," Ayus said soothingly. "I would like to learn a bit more about my newest companion, since we seem to be sharing the same road for a bit longer."

"What about you?" Sierra said bitterly. "What's a drow doing on the surface? Shouldn't you be hiding out in the dark hole in the ground somewhere plotting your next great disaster?" She regretting the words as soon as the left her mouth.

Ayus once again assumed the stoic indifferent attitude he had worn throughout much of his life. "Seems I've struck a nerve. Well let me not keep you from your brooding any further, milady," he said trying to keep the venom out of his words, as he turned on his heel to leave.

"Ayus wait," Sierra whispered. "I'm sorry, it's just kind of a touchy subject for me."

"Well fear not, I will never ask you about your personal life again." Ayus replied unsympathetically. "I will escort you as far as Luskan, as promised."

"We are only going up to Neverwinter. That's where my family estate is," Sierra offered.

Ayus refused to take the bait however. "All for the better than, wake me for my turn on watch." With that Ayus turned and headed back to camp. Sierra slumped back against the tree and returned her gaze out to the darkness with even more things to think about.

The next morning dawned to the coldest temperatures of the season yet. The crew quickly broke down their camp and loaded up for the trip. Sierra hopped up into the driving seat of the lead wagon with an ease that revealed years of repetition. Ayus found a place on the last wagon in the train, as far from their leader as he could get. The day passed slowly with nothing to entertain the crew apart from sightseeing. For the well-traveled crew it was nothing exciting, but it was all new to Ayus and he drank it in. The walls of Neverwinter were barely visible on the horizon when crew set up their last campsite for this trip.

The first flakes of snow were just beginning to fall when Sierra headed out of the camp with a rewarmed bowl of stew. She found Ayus reclining on a small hill out of ear shot from the campsite. "Dinner is served, milord," Sierra offered apologetically.

Ayus did not even turn to regard her as he mumbled his half-hearted appreciation. "Listen Ayus, I'm sorry. I didn't mean those things. It's just that between the stress of going back home and the battle and my family's reputation, I'm a little on edge. I'm just so used to being defensive about my family that I guess it's just habit now. I guess I'm not used to being so open with my past."

Ayus did turn to face her this time, but still replied coldly, "Like I said, you need not worry about me anymore. I will leave your personal life alone. I am just here to see you safely to Neverwinter."

"I am glad you are here with me, err us. The caravan I mean." Sierra stammered. "And you are welcome to stay in Neverwinter as long as you like. I'll see that my father puts you up in a nice inn."

"I have my own agenda and need to be on my way as soon as possible."

Sierra sighed dejectedly, "What's so important about Luskan? Why are you in such a big rush?"

"I am looking for someone. The sooner I can find him the better."

"Luskan is kind of a nasty place. Who are you looking for in that dangerous place?"

Ayus smirked then quickly wiped it away. "Now who is the one with all the questions?"

"You are interesting to me, that is all," Sierra mimicked Ayus' smooth voice as best she could, sounding quite comical. The two shared a tension relieving chuckle, and Sierra pushed one of her dark brown locks behind her ear.

"Is that how I sound to you?" Ayus asked between laughs. "No wonder you never want to talk to me."

"Oh shut up, it's probably better that you can do," Sierra laughed. "So spill it. Who are you looking for?"

Her statement stole the joy from the moment. "I am searching for my father."

"Another drow on the surface? Are you looking for a ranger in a green cloak? There is a drow in the north that has made quite a name for himself. His name is Drizzt, although he doesn't make it too far past Baldur's Gate very often."

"Hmm, it could be," Ayus thought. "My mother is from this area actually."

"Was your mother a drow, also?" Sierra asked.

"No she was a human. She ran away after her fiancée died and she met my father."

"Is she still waiting on you somewhere down in the south?" Sierra giggled. "I bet she is worried sick right now. Her poor little boy is out in the dangerous world all alone."

Ayus' mouth twitched up in a painful smirk as he stared into his stew. "She's dead."

"Oh… Oh I'm so sorry. I-I didn't mean too…" Sierra said struggling for the right words to say.

"It's ok. That was a long time ago." Ayus looked up from his bowl and smiled. "And for now at least, I am not alone."