I wanna thank Voltagelisa again for helping me with the grammar and spelling. Secondly, I'm really curious what everyone thinks about this story. It's my second attempt for a Neverwinter Nights story and I hope Sir nevalle 's character is alright. So if you got time, a review could be handy! Thanks already!

When Randar came back from his vigil, Neeskha let out a cry and ran towards him. "What has happened to you?" she asked worriedly, while she looked at his arm. A bleeding wound was visible and as all could see it was made by a blade.

"Luskans," Randar murmured. He seemed be less enthusiastic to talk about his vigil.

After him, Shandra entered the Inn. Shandra as well was injured, a bit more heavily though than Randar.

"Well Shandra, it seems you had your first lesson," Isabelle said smiling, while she walked towards the former farm girl.

Shandra smiled. "It is nothing, Isabelle, but thanks for your concern. We were attacked by three Luskans, but we dispatched of them easily. We found this strange ring, their leader carried it."

She gave it to Isabelle and the half-elf watched it closely. It was a circle surrounded by daggers. She knew what it was. Sand, who had looked over her shoulder, let out a sigh.

"The circle of blades means only one thing... Luskan Assassins. You're in a whole lot more trouble now. What have you done to the Luskans? They seem to be sure in killing you," Sand asked curious.

"How in the hell should I know?" Randar snapped. Angrily he went to the bar and grabbed himself a drink. "I was just sitting there, remembering the old days in West Harbor when suddenly she," Randar pointed at Shandra, "shows up and tells me she wants to protect me! As if she ever has been able to protect me!"

"Calm down, Randar. She was worried about you, as we all were," Isabelle tried to calm her friend down. She knew he was shocked by the attack and was afraid of the trial. But getting angry wouldn't make things better. In Luskan's case, it would only make things worse.

"Calm down?" Randar kept ranting, "I've just been made a squire and the first thing that happens to me is an attack by assassins? I've done nothing to Luskan. I made them leave the city, but they only spoke of 'The master of the Fifth Tower', not about Luskan."

"I know that, Randar," Isabelle soothed, "This trial could give us some answers. We know you are innocent, Sir Nevalle knows it and I'm sure Nasher knows it as well. We just need to find the right evidence and than we can win the case."

"You know, it almost sounds reasonable," Sand started sarcastic, "But you're forgetting one major thing, Torio Claven."

Isabelle turned around to face Sand. A worried expression covered her face. "Torio? She still lives? What has she got to do with this?"

"She's the ambassador of Luskan of course," Sand answered, almost happily.

Isabelle groaned. "You've got to be kidding me! That means I can't go with Randar to the trial. She and I are not on good terms with each other and she knows about my past. She could use that in the trial."

"How come she knows you?" Sand asked surprised.

"I was in Luskans' lands not so long ago and she was there too. She decided to arrest me on unjust grounds. Their sorcerers were strong enough to probe my mind and see my memories so they were able to figure things out. They did not expect though, that I was a sorcerer as well. I was able to free myself by burning a couple of them. Last thing I heard was Torio shouting: 'We'll get you back, Isabelle ConDoin, even if it's the last thing I'll do!' So I think you can understand now what I mean when I say 'not on good terms'," Isabelle explained.

"Does anyone else know who you are? Some of the nobles?" Sand asked hastily. During Isabelle's story a worried expression had covered his face.

"No, no one. It's like I said, I can't help him," Isabelle looked at the ground, disappointed.

"As if they day couldn't get any worse," Randar couldn't have sounded more sarcastic.

"Look, we need Isabelle, so I think we should take the chance," Shandra suggested. She touched her hand on one of the wounds and went a bit paler from the pain. "Who knows what will happen when we meet Torio? I actually think she is more focused on Randar, than on Isabelle."

Isabelle took some bandages and started to take care of Shandra's wounds. She decided to listen to the others before she said anything else. If everyone else wanted her there than she would take the risk.

"I agree with Shandra. Isabelle is needed. Without her, we will not be able to discover the mysteries surrounding this murder," Casavir replied. He stood their firmly and there was no doubt in his eyes. He would follow her, no matter what.

"I think differently," Bishop started. Only those three simple words made Isabelle want to slap the man. In her anger she pulled the bandages a little bit too hard and Shandra murmured: "its fine the way it was, Isabelle. There's no need in cutting my arm off,"

"Oh, I'm sorry Shandra," Isabelle apologized, "Bishop just makes thinking hard whenever he opens his mouth."

Shandra grinned. "I know the feeling and we both aren't alone. I don't think there is anybody here who likes Bishop. He doesn't seem to be bothered by it though. I guess being evil mean being lonely," Shandra said, while she watched Bishop.

"She's dangerous. If anyone finds out we are hiding a traitor than we will lose this trial before it begins…" Bishop continued.

"He shouldn't have said that," Isabelle whispered. She saw how Casavir turned to face Bishop and had to smile softly. It was nice to have someone taking care of you.

"Your opinion does not matter to us, Bishop. Only those who can speak true and who care about Isabelle have a say in this." Casavir snapped at the ranger.

"Is that so, Paladin?" Bishop sneered.

"Oh, why don't the two of you, shut up?" Randar snapped. "I'm sick of the both of you bickering like two little children. First, Bishop we need Isabelle. It's like Casavir mentioned: she's probably one of the few to unravel this. And secondly, Casavir, Bishop is a member of this group. He does have a say in this." Randar strongly emphasised the word does.

"My apologies, Randar. You are our leader and you speak wisely," Casavir apologized.

"Let's just get to Lord Nasher. Hopefully being a squire helps already," Randar said. He finally seemed to take control of his temper.

When they entered Neverwinter Castle, Isabelle glanced around nervously. It had been more than ten years since she had last been in the castle. It brought back many memories, some good, and some bad. Together with Randar and the others she walked towards the throne. Next to Lord Nasher she saw a familiar face: Nevalle. It was strange seeing him standing in the same place Lady Aribeth had once stood. Sir Nevalle saw them approaching and when he saw Sir Grayson walking together with Randar, he smiled softly. At least they were able to keep the trial here and as such prevented to lose a good officer.

"Ah, sir Grayson, it is always a pleasure to see you here in court," Lord Nasher's voice was deep and strong. He had always sounded like a king, as far back as Isabelle could remember.

"And what brings you here? It must be a matter of some urgency," Nasher continued.

"I understand that this man has been accused of a crime, and is to be turned over to Luskan for justice," Sir Grayson answered. Isabelle hadn't met anyone who was more devoted to knighthood than this man.

"You have heard correctly," Nasher said, but his voice made it clear he did not like it. "What concern is this of yours?"

"My lord, I am here to tell you that he is my squire, and as such, is not subject to the terms of the Luskan treaty," Sir Grayson stated.

"What is this nonsense?" Torio suddenly intervened. Isabelle immediately looked away from her.

"This knight has no squire!"

"I would choose your words more carefully, ambassador, lest I think you were accusing one of my knights of speaking lies," Lord Nasher's voice was calm, but no one could miss the threat in his words.

"I only hear the words of a man shielding a murderer," Torio replied.

"Then let the accused speak. What say you- does my knight speak truly? Are you his squire?"

"I am his squire and I swear to serve Neverwinter faithfully and well," Randar answered dutifully.

And that was that. Torio left Neverwinter castle angry and finally Isabelle could breath properly again.

"You seemed to fear her?" Someone suddenly asked. Isabelle turned to face the man and blushed when she saw it was Sir Nevalle.

"Sir, her presence is … she has something evil about her. I do not like the way she addresses the king and those loyal to Neverwinter," Isabelle replied nervously.

Sand, who stood not far from her, saw the two of them together and decided to listen more closely.

"Neither do I. But you should no worry about that. Torio Claven has a sharp tongue, but she is no threat to Neverwinter," Sir Nevalle said with a smile upon his face. He found her nervousness intriguing. She was a strong fighter, yet in his presence he did not see strength, but fear in her eyes. Was she afraid of him? That could not be. She was a loyal member of the watch and he was proud to have someone like her defending the city.

Isabelle started to blush even more when she saw how he kept watching at her without saying a word.

"Is there anything I can do, sir?" She asked while she tried to avoid his look.

"No, milady. I have just one question for you," Sir Nevalle watched her closely when he asked his question: "You seem to be nervous in my presence. Is it me or just the presence of Lord Nasher and the other nobles?"

Her eyes narrowed slowly. There it was, that intelligent look. She was more than anyone of her companions thought she was, he was sure of that. She moistened her lips and looked at him.

"I just find it curious," she started , "that the captain of the Nine has such a high interest in me."

Now it was Sir Nevalle 's time to blush.

"My apologies milady, if I made you feel uncomfortable, but Lord Nasher and I, have a lot to thank you and Randar for. People like you are needed in higher positions. My interest comes from military view, milady. I am eager to defend my city," he hastily replied.

"I see," she murmured. She looked away, to the throne where Nasher was seated. "You seem to be devoted to Lord Nasher and Neverwinter. I have never witnessed such devotion before. Marshall Cormick is a good and lawful man, yet he does not seem so devoted like you are, sir," she continued.

Sir Nevalle had to smile. It was something he had heard before. That she did now know he was a paladin, proved to him that she certainly was not Isabelle ConDoin.

"You ask something many people have asked me before, milady. It is a long story, and I do not wish to bore you with it…"

"I'm sure you will not bore me, sir. You have never bored me before," Isabelle interrupted with a strange expression in her eyes. It looked like tenderness, but that could not be.

Nevalle didn't continue immediately. The phrase she had used was strange. After all they only had met yesterday and they did not know each other. How could she be sure that he did not bore her?

"A woman in my youth was very important to me," he started, "She still is, although she has been long gone. Her name was Isabelle ConDoin and she will be in my heart and thoughts forever,"

Isabelle immediately looked away. She knew she would start crying if she watched his eyes more closely. She saw the love for Isabelle ConDoin in his eyes and it caused an ache in her heart. She wanted to respond to his love, to hug him and kiss him and to show him that she was not dead. But by doing so she would destroy his faith. She could not do that. Not now. Not when he had just declared his love for her.

"Was she killed, sir?" Isabelle asked, while fighting against her tears.

"Yes, milady," Nevalle 's voice was sweet and tender and she felt the pain inside his words, "She was killed by thugs. My father tried to save her, but he arrived too late. It was an unfortunate event, and every day I wished my father could have arrived there moments earlier, but it was not meant. In her name I'm fighting against the thugs and evil that is spreading through the land. I'm sure she would be proud of me."

"She… would, sir," Isabelle responded, her voice filled with emotion.

Sir Nevalle gave her a strange look. "Milady, are you alright? I did not mean to…"

"Ah Nevalle, I see you still do what you're good at, making people cry," Sand suddenly intervened.

He laid his hand upon Isabelle's shoulder and whispered: "Go to Randar, I will solve this mess,"

Isabelle nodded softly and walked away. She glanced back at him, and saw that Nevalle's attitude was completely altered. He know stood their firmly, there was no tenderness in the expression on his face. Instead his face showed his irritation for Sand 's intervention. She couldn't help it, she had to smile. It was so him.

"I did not make her cry, Sand. I told her the story of Isabelle ConDoin, she was interested in the story," Nevalle defended himself.

"Ooh yes, that tragic story of that bastard kid, which made you go to the temple to become a paladin. Oh, It almost makes my cry," Sand replied sarcastic.

"You will not talk about her in that way, Sand. I will not allow it," Nevalle said, his tone full of anger.

Isabelle decided to go back immediately. A fight between the two men was not something they needed right now. It surely wouldn't help her cause.

"Sir Nevalle, Sand, I think it is best we focus on the trial. There is no need to protect me, Sand. I'm quiet capable of defending myself. As for you, Sir Nevalle, you're story sounded familiar. I too lost someone, a boy, who meant the world to me. He made me become this, made me become this woman," she interfered hastily.

"Who was this man?" Nevalle asked curious, with a surprised look upon his face. There was no sadness seen any more in Isabelle 's eyes. She sounded academic, without any tenderness or sadness like he had heard before.

"I cannot tell you his name, sir. It means too much to me. He lives, but does not know that I still exist. People told lies about me. After all, I am half-elf and not everyone appreciates that," Isabelle answered.

"Now," she continued and as such she impeded Nevalle from asking more questions, "I think it's time we search for clues, Sand. I do not wish to see my brother get executed."

The wizard nodded.

Isabelle bowed for Sir Nevalle and than walked away.

"Good save. I should take lessons from you," Sand said, while he walked next to her.

"What were you thinking?" she suddenly snapped, "Pissing him off is not going to help me."

"I'm sure, dear, but my feelings got the best of me. It will not happen again."

"It does not matter," Isabelle sighed, "I think the harm is already done."

She gave one last look at Nevalle and saw him looking at her, with a thoughtful expression upon his face. Oh yes, he is figuring it out. This is going to be harder than I thought…