Last chapter, we got a lot more Valen instead of Caderyn! Goodness, I forget who is the MC sometimes. LOL Oh well, not only does Valen have issues- but Caderyn has some serious problems as well. Not angsty once but just mental inconsistencies can be rather frustrating on a few people. Which makes this romance a lot harder than I intially thought it would be- but its interesting none the less~
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Never winter Nights. If I did, there would be gay bars.
Chapter 4
An Unfortunate Exchange
"Nathyrra, I'm sure you already know my decision."
Caderyn stepped out of the Temple of Lolth calmly and slowly, Deekin shivered under his calculating gaze as he approached the female drow standing at the edge of the stairs. She winced slightly at the intensity that he suddenly carried, as if his determination in something was so strong that she could have been knocked over. Unknowingly to her, she brushed off her knees before smiling wryly towards him.
"Its understandable that you would choose Valen's strength with your-," she began, shrugging her shoulders.
"I chose you. Aren't you ecstatic?" Caderyn grinned cheekily, cutting her off.
Nathyrra looked at him oddly. He wasn't the type to make foolish decisions when it came to battles- as frantic and insane as it may have seemed at the time. Nathyrra thought back to every action Caderyn had done in Undermountain and it was obvious the man had thought ahead of himself. He didn't survive only on luck- but a hidden potential of a strategist which he seemed dead set on keeping to himself. She was taken aback at his response as she stared at him confusedly.
"Deekin likes it when Boss has ladies on team- makes good for potential romance in book!" the Kobold laughed while clapping his head.
Caderyn rolled his eyes with an amused smile, allowing his arm to relax. He was glad for the Kobold in times like these, he always knew exactly what to say to calm him down. Sighting, he rubbed his already messy hair and stretched his other arm by moving the shoulder around in a circle.
"Oh Deekin, you silly, silly Kobold. If only you knew…" he muttered to himself.
His grand romance, in his opinion, had long come and gone before Deekin had arrived. Perhaps, it should have been even classified as a romance- it was more of a whirlwind that wrapped up his naivety and slammed him against the wall in unexpected kisses and passion. Maybe that should have been the time Caderyn had to accept he was gay. The man, after man passion filled nights, hadn't brought himself to the conclusion that he was a homosexual- yet, he didn't feel too bad, for he doubted his partner ever admitted the same to himself.
Caderyn licked his lips for a moment, as if he was remembering something which resembled a forbidden fruit.
"I don't understand your decision at all, Caderyn…" Nathyrra muttered, shaking her head.
Caderyn jumped from his day dream, blinking slightly at the girl before chuckling and shrugging his shoulders.
"Why? We got along well in Undermountain…" Caderyn replied, laughing flippantly.
Nathyrra sighed at the man's behavior, obviously ignoring the blaring problem against their pairing. She wasn't entirely ready to die beside an egomaniac in the darkness of the Underdark. She sighed before putting her hand through her hair tensely while she spoke.
"Because! With your limited fire power and my limited fire power would make it suicide to travel through! In Undermountain you had Daelan! Rightly so, he protected you and I from a lot!" she argued, folding her arms.
Caderyn stopped walking and turned to face Nathyrra with a serious expression.
"Daelan, I won't how that brute is going…" he mumbled, putting his hand under his chin in thought.
"Don't change the subject Caderyn!" Nathyrra demanded, putting her hands on her hips.
Caderyn closed his eyes against her command. He paused before looking at her under his lashes, lengthy and thick against his tanned complexion. His gray hair fell in front of his jade eyes slightly giving him a menacing appearance even though he was roughly the same height as the young woman.
"Don't try, Nathyrra, nothing is going to change my mind," he lifted his stern expression to match hers, "so accept it as a command of your savior."
Nathyrra felt her breathe escape her throat. Once again, after a simply display of antics, the serious expression of the confusing man forced her to lose her breath. She couldn't understand how a single man could hold so many sides and expressions- to change them within a second made him rather untrustworthy. She was almost terrified to put her life in his hands- thinking he may just change his mind at the last moment and his heart may suddenly sway to dislike and allow her to die.
"….You will regret this, Caderyn," she whispered behind him, as he continued to walk away from her.
Caderyn closed his eyes as his feet carried him.
"When we're dying in the darkness of this place," he muttered to himself and looking at Deekin with a sad expression, "I intend on it."
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"I'm sorry I couldn't greet you the other time you were here,"
The larger, taller man laughed at Caderyn as he swung the large sword around. He laughed loudly as Caderyn cringed, feeling entirely useless against a man of such strength. He mumbled to himself about getting drunk tonight before rubbing his head slightly- Deekin laughed while he scribbled something very quickly which Caderyn only caught the sight of a few letters: Low self-est
What in Tyr is that supposed to mean? He asked raising an eyebrow before shaking his head to forget it.
He attempted to smile naturally towards the Commander as he rocked back on his heels slightly
"That's fine. I had a little romp and got my ass handed to me on a platter- but its all good, I'm sure it wouldn't have ended any differently if you were here, er-," he looked off to the side, to be sure Valen wasn't in sight.
"Commander Imloth, Isn't that a bit too vulgar of a language for a girlie like yourself to be saying? The large man asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Ah, right, gotcha," Caderyn licked his lips before frowning up tiredly at the Commander, "And I happen to be a man, thanks."
The Commander stared at him incredulously before shaking his head. Caderyn didn't seem fazed by the misunderstanding, it seemed years of existing and being mistaken for a woman constantly had grown on him to the point that it didn't matter anymore. The Commander coughed slightly to relieve them both of the awkward moment and brought his fist to his chest slightly as if he were beating it out.
"You said you wanted to get your weapon and armor fixed?" he changed the subject immediately.
Caderyn lifted his dire mace and old armor up to the Commander. He whistled as he took the metal into his hand and stared at the dents and rips as if something had ripped it apart with their claws.
"Indeed, they seemed to be rather useless against the creatures you drows have running around here," Caderyn emphasized on the final work, looking around slowly.
The Commander laughed, the implying message completely flying over his head much to Caderyn's displeasure.
"Just a bit of enchantment is all you need- except a new armor all together would aid your cause…" he responded finally, putting them down to another helder.
Caderyn sighed, thankful that it wouldn't take too long before pulling at the small, white shirt he wore which hung off his thin shoulders slight. His muscles slightly exposed thought the sleeves but they weren't very noticeable as the shirt hung off him carefully as it disappeared into a loose pants. It all felt very… silky against his skin. He shivered slightly at the thought.
"Perhaps something to put underneath, my last shirt was bloodied a bit too much," he mentioned, releasing his clothes.
"Your last shirt? What are you wearing now?" the Commander raised an eyebrow curiously.
Caderyn groaned before putting his fingers through his hair, making the left side of his face slightly more noticeable.
"..Its from Nathyrra…" he whispered to the man who's eyes widened.
The Commanded looked absolutely in shock at the man who was supposedly destined to save them all. The man was currently wearing the shirt of a woman… not even a large woman at that.
"Do all her clothes fit you?" he slowly questioned, eye Caderyn up and down.
The man grunted angrily before turning red at the question.
"….Look, do you have anything I can buy or not?!" he barked, folding his arms angrily.
The Commander laughed at his reaction.
"All we really carry is silk if you're willing to pay for it…" he trailed off, licking his lips.
Caderyn scratched his head before glaring at the man.
"I'd be forced too, wouldn't I?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
The Commander grinned, "Unless Nathyrra has a pretty dress that suits your curves a little better…"
Caderyn twitched.
"Name your price, old man."
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"He says he'll be finished shortly with my weapon…"
The silver haired man stretched out, glad to be out of women's clothing and free with a more open armed shirt and loose fittings. He felt Nathyrra's clothing hugged too tightly in all the wrong places. Which it probably did, judging by all the previous stared he gained from some of the soldiers who had been there to witness his rather embarrassing defeat to the tiefling. Laying back on his chair, he inspected the Maevir public house with the same scrutinizing glare he gave everything before settling back to his table.
Caderyn already felt his anger rise at the mention of Valen. He licked his lips before drinking his water, allowing it to quench his thirst for a moment. In Nathyrra's presence, he had promised he wouldn't make a drunkard fool of himself.
"That enchantment would work wonders against dark creatures, Caderyn- Where did you come up with the money for all that?" Nathyrra asked, frowning her eyebrows at the sudden mood change of the cleric.
"Adventuring…Pillaging, whichever term sounds better to you," he shrugged his shoulders.
"I see…."
Caderyn sensed disappointment in Nathyrra's tone. He could tell the woman expected so much more than him, and as currently feeling down with her position. Her dejected outer appearance influenced Caderyn to sigh heavily. He always felt uncomfortable with that disappointed look since they always brought back so many memories of quests he couldn't complete, promises he couldn't keep and the inner strength which he lacked that other people assumed he should have had.
Like Aarin. He frowned, holding his head in his hand in an intense level of frustration resembling that of a caged bird. He felt isolated by the regrets he held, not a day passed when the dark skinned spy failed to enter his thoughts or his dreams. It was exasperating and Caderyn found himself drinking the rest of his water thoroughly.
"I wasn't ready for it…" he muttered, hanging his head, "I wasn't worthy of it…."
Nathyrra tensed at the depressive state Caderyn seemed to drag himself into. She placed a hand on his head before frowning.
"Cadery-," she began, trying to call him back.
"Ah, well if it isn't our special savior~," a womanly voice called from above, "Isn't it a grand pleasure to meet you."
Nathyrra gritted her teeth slightly against the woman before Caderyn looked up- his emotions dead to the world already.
"I happen to have an offer for you, Miss, and a beautiful woman like yourself could understand it perfectly," the female drow smiled cattishly.
Caderyn shouldn't help but realized how much her silver hair, so long and flowing, reminded him much of his sister, Adorned in jewels and guards at her side in a simple dress made Caderyn's attention grow- with the expression of her rather dark skin, the woman seemed to be an imprint of his sister. Taking a breath, he smiled at her hopefully- entirely missing her comment about Caderyn's gender- and grinned.
"What can I do for you?" he asked, almost like a child.
"It's a simple situation really, dealing with my mother, who I hardly get along with," she flipped her hair, already enrapturing the man.
Slowly explaining her situation, she made it obvious that the main goal of the conversation was to get Caderyn to agree to the assassination of her mother: The Head of her House. Caderyn tensed at the idea. Indeed, he wasn't innocent- he has done his fair share of murder in Neverwinter during the plague. He has torched more bodies than he could remember- yet, there was a chill running through his spine that told him he would regret it if he accepted.
"So you're saying you desire me to kill your mother?" he finally asked, making sure that was his intention.
The woman smirked apologetically.
"She isn't very loyal to the Seer and would be willing to jump the chance of the Valsharess," she noted, flippantly throwing the Seer's name within the tale- knowing it would indeed give a rise.
Caderyn, still in his mood, lowered his head to the empty cup in thought.
"I see… That can be troublesome to my cause…" he mumbled, putting his head against his fist as he leaned to the side slightly.
The woman put her hand on the table. Nathyrra glared at her once more, studying Caderyn's reaction as Deekin fidgeted uncomfortably.
"Indeed, not that I'm asking you to do it for free after all," she stared at the amulet around Caderyn's neck, "I will reward you charmingly once I get the position."
The golden necklace tinkled against his skin slightly, he looked up with his wide eyes with his lips in a thin line of an obvious distaste as he spoke.
"How do I know you're not going to just toss me out as a murderer and what is done, is done?" he inquired, staring her straight in her eye.
"I wouldn't dare," she responded, leaning back to her height.
Caderyn stood slowly, trying to match her with his short stature.
"Cunning, women with that skill are very dangerous to any man, you know that miss?" he asked, glaring at her.
The woman giggled before tossing her hair once more.
"You would know, wouldn't you?" she laughed.
Caderyn groaned before falling back into his seat and burying his head in his hands. The fire in his gaze was lost as he hide his eyes- he left Zesyyr Maevir standing there in confusion as she stared down at him with a raised eyebrow. Nathyrra sighed, this had gone on long enough.
"Actually, Zesyyr Maevir, Caderyn IS-," she began raising her hand.
Caderyn's arm stretched out and grabbed it which cut her off immediately, he lifted his head tired off the bed making it seemed as he was rising off his bed. His hair had been tossed around messily and his lips pursed slightly in dislike as his lashes covered over his eyes slightly.
"No. No, just… Leave it be Nathyrra," he mumbled.
Images of a dark paladin shot through his mind, her desire for change and power. Her desire easily corrupted by the hands of simple beings with simple ideals. Caderyn had the change to stop it once more in the Underdark, he had a chance to not let it repeat itself.
"My offer still stands," chimed in Zesyyr Maevir.
Nathyrra sneered.
"These are the worst kind of people, mothers against daughers for the staff of power. Caderyn, how can you stand here and-," she paused as Caderyn seemed to honestly debate his answer within.
"Nathyrra…" he whispered while standing entirely.
"Yes?" she replied, scared of that he might say.
Stepping away from the table, he stopped and tilted his head slightly without showing his entire face.
"Don't wait up for me, I will meet you at the temple," he told her, easily and calmly.
Deekin became frantic with his expression as he trotted over immediately and gripped the talent man's arm.
"Boss!" he cried out, "What you plan on doing!? Deekin needs to document for boo-,"
Caderyn laughed slightly before taking his hand out from Deekin's and patting the creature on his head. He tossed his hair back in a charming manner before licking his lips nervously.
"Deekin, just stay with Nathyrra…," he closed his eyes, unable to look at the kobold, "It is one of those… things."
Deekin's expression changed into one of downcast before stepping away from his master. The silver haired man shot them one last smile, but it wasn't as exuberant and exciting at the others. It was empty, broken and looked as though he could collapse on the spot. Nathyrra felt as if her heart could wrench at the sight.
"Yes, Boss…" he muttered, stepping towards the drow.
Caderyn turned on his heels as the sound of his voice accompanying the drow woman's laughter was heard echoing through out the Maevir Public House.
"Allow me to discuss with you further, Zesyyr Maevir…."
Awww, no CaderynxValen time this time around? Oh well, I think they NEED some time apart...
Review? I wanna make sure Caderyn isn't turning into much of a Gary Sue LOL Don't mind of there are inconsistencies- I'm going off memory of the game here.
