Chapter 11

Bishop watched from where he stood a couple feet away from the others. When he heard the tiefling yell that Natheran had been hurt bad, he felt the air leave his lungs as if someone had punched him in the stomach. Looking down at her, he saw how pale she was and how bright the blood was that flowed from her wound. He knew it was bad, life-threatening even, despite what she said. He had seen from her face that she knew how bad the wound was but still she found the strength to comfort the other girl. Casavir had placed his hands on the wound and was starting to pray. He wanted to yell at him to pray faster, and at the same time he wanted to be the one with his hands on her. He tried to tell himself that the only reason he cared was that if she died then he would never be able to clear his debt with Duncan. But there was this little voice in his head mocking him that there was more to it than that. He tried to ignore it. She was a paladin, she was nothing but trouble, she was just a little tease who used her looks and her smile to fool you into thinking you were something special so she could get her way. She was just like all the others, something to enjoy for a time and then cast aside. At least he kept trying to tell himself that. Other thoughts began to creep through his head. She was strong, a skilled fighter, a fierce opponent. She had spirit and humor. She was lithe, powerful, and graceful just like a panther he had once seen. He stopped and shook his head, angry with himself. Damn her! How in the hells did she get under his skin so quickly? Furious, he stalked away from the group and finding a clear patch of ground near the other wall, sat down with his back to them. He pulled a piece of wood from his pack that he had been wittling, and pulling his knife began to work on it, hoping he would be able to clear his head.

"She's going to be okay, isn't she?" Neeshka asked when Casavir had finally sat back indicating that he was finished. Natheran's eyes were still closed and she looked very pale. She couldn't bear the thought of losing her friend, the one person in her life who had ever been truly nice to her.

"She's going to be fine," he replied. "She's lost alot of blood so she just needs some rest to regain her strength." He got up and turned to look at the others to see how they were doing. He had only gotten some minor flesh wounds, which were quickly healed.

"I was able to heal my wounds and Khelgar's as well," Elanee told him, searching his face to try determine if he was hiding anything from them about Natheran's condition. She saw him glance over at Bishop and was disturbed by the look of disgust that entered his eyes. "I'll check on Bishop, you stay with her in case she needs you again," she said and turned away. As she approached the ranger, he turned to look at her, his expression unreadable. "Were you injured at all in the fighting?" she asked watching him closely. She knew that for some reason, these two men seemed to be constantly at each other's throats, and knew that Natheran was the cause. She didn't have much experience dealing with humans and was having a hard time figuring out why they behaved this way. "I'm fine so go away," he growled and turned his back to her. He really was a "pain in the ass" as Khelgar had put it. She smiled to herself as she realized that she had grasped that piece of colorful terminology. Having traveled this long with the others she was finally starting to understand some of the reasons they had for doing what they did. The only thing she knew for certain was that both of them wanted something from Natheran, but she wasn't sure what. Sighing, she went back to join the others, knowing that the answer would come in time.

"Casavir I want to ask you something," Neeshka said softly so that she wouldn't disturb Natheran. They had been sitting in silence for a while now and she couldn't keep her curiosity in check any longer.

"What is it?" Casavir answered just as softly.

"Well I was just wondering about that light that appeared around Natheran," Neeshka shivered a little at the memory. "You know that paladin auras' make my skin itch, but before the fight here, when the light got real bright around her, it actually caused me pain. What did she do and does it have something to do with what you said?" Seeing the puzzled look she clarified the last question. "You said she was chosen by Helm. What did you mean?"

Casavir saw that Elanee and Khelgar both leaned in closer, eyes showing eagerness at hearing his answer. "I should not have said what I did in Ember," he began. "Not because I don't think it is true, but because it is not something that is easy to explain. Also, Natheran should be the first to hear what I know, no offense."

"None taken lad," Khelgar said gruffly. "My concern is that our little girl there don't know what she's doing or how she's doing it. Whatever power it is, it is something outside my experience. However, experience has taught me to be wary of people with power like hers and the lack of knowledge to use it properly."

"Khelgar is correct Casavir," Elanee said softly. "I thought it was because of her celestial heritage, but regardless of the source, it is something she is using without really understanding it. That could be dangerous for her and us."

"I know, which is why I will have to find the time to talk to her about it, in private," Casavir nodded in agreement. "Her celestial heritage may be part of it as well, but until Natheran and I talk about it, nothing more should be said amongst us." He saw them nod and then the talk turned to other things.

It was very quiet when she opened her eyes. Her arm was sore but she could feel the healing energy that Casavir had poured into her and knew she was going to be okay. She turned her head a little, and saw the others sitting nearby talking quietly. She didn't see Bishop, and for just a second she feared that he was dead, then she heard what sounded like a knife on wood, and realized he was over near the far wall. Ever the loner, the outsider she thought. Yet, she was glad that he was alright. That thought made her pause and try to determine why she should feel that way. He was the most annoying, selfish, rude, insensitive jerk she had ever met and she couldn't wait to get back to the Flagon so she could wring Duncan's neck for making him go along with them. So he knew the territory and had been able to get them deep inside the borders without getting caught. So what? That didn't give him the right to treat others like so much garbage. Knowing that her anger was starting to get the better of her, she took several deep breaths to calm herself, catching the others attention.

"Natheran, you're awake," cried Neeshka happily, coming over to sit beside her. "You had us all worried there. Next time take care of yourself first and don't worry about me so much. You're a more important person anyway."

"No Neeshka, that won't ever happen, because you are important to me," she replied, looking directly into the tiefling's eyes. "You're my friend, and friends don't ever turn their backs on each other. They watch out for each other and take care of each other." She saw tears come to the girl's eyes but they didn't fall.

"Gods you paladins do like to get all mushy and sentimental," she rolled her eyes at them. "And I thought all I had to put up with is your auras."

Everyone burst into laughter at her words, even Khelgar, who seemed to agree with the assessment. "Help me sit up here, this floor is too uncomfortable to lay on for very long." After they had helped her sit up and lean against the wall she looked over to where she had heard the sounds before. She saw that Bishop was standing looking straight at her. His face was in shadows so she couldn't see the expression on it, but she felt the intensity of his stare. Suddenly, she felt sorry for him as she realized how alone he must feel and how left out of things he was. She couldn't imagine what that must be like as she had always been surrounded by people who cared about her, even now. However, she knew that he saw emotions such as pity or sadness as a weakness, and he would just scorn her if she ever said anything.

"How long was I out?" she asked, bringing everyone's focus back to matters at hand.

"Maybe a couple of hours," replied Elanee. "Everyone agreed it was best that you wake up on your own. Sleep is the way a body heals itself, and we all know that there is more fighting ahead. How do you feel?"

"My arm is a little sore, and holding my shield is going to be a little difficult, but otherwise I"m fine. We'll rest for another half-hour and then we'll head out. From what that githyanki said...," suddenly she couldn't finish, and she felt the tears start. She tried to hold them back and couldn't.

"Don't worry lass, we'll get Shandra back safely, regardess of what that filthy mucker said," Khelgar said fiercely and the others echoed his words.

"Filthy mucker? I'll give you credit, you do have a way with words," Natheran chuckled as she dried her eyes.

"See, like I said, mushy, especially if you think moss-breath here has a way with words," snickered Neeshka.

"And I suppose you could do better, fiendling?" the dwarf snorted.

Natheran just shook her head as the two started up again and closed her eyes. She thought about Amie and the good times they had shared with Bevil. Would those times ever come again? Sighing she hoped that she would soon have time to return to West Harbor. She wanted to see how everyone was doing and also wanted to visit Amie's grave. When it was time, she put on her mail, picked up her shield, and saying a silent goodbye to Amie, led the others onward.