Chapter 11

"Do you take pride in being ignorant, Qara?"

"Do you take pride in being useless?"

I massaged my temples with one hand, holding on to Pearl's pommel with the other. They been trading barbs nonstop for ten minutes.

"My, what an ingenious comeback," the elf drawled sarcastically. "Did you think that up all by yourself, or did the gnome help you?"

"Can't you two think of something better to do?" Elanee interjected, sounding as exasperated as I felt.

"Can't you-"

"Oh, for goodness sake!" I snapped, interrupting Qara. I half-turned in my saddle, glaring at the pair. "Ride at opposite ends of the group, would you? Why are you right next to each other, anyways?"

Sand arched his brow at me. "An excellent question, my dear. I believe that's your cue to leave, Qara."

"Why should I move? I was riding here first!"

"I was most assuredly here before you."

I groaned quietly and urged my little horse to go faster. We had arrived in Port Llast early this morning, and had been heading towards Ember for several hours. I was sore from riding, had barely slept last night due to nightmares about the murdered village, and I did not want to return there. Hearing about a massacre was bad enough- but seeing it, actually walking through the place it had happened, was something entirely different. I had been dreading this visit ever since Port Llast, when I had agreed to search it for clues.

An old storekeeper by the name of Nya had also approached me in Port Llast. She had been concerned about the bodies, worried that they hadn't been put to rest, and had asked me to put some sort of herb on them. I had been willing- I couldn't leave the murdered townsfolk to rot, no matter how much the idea of returning dismayed me.

On a brighter note, the 'survivor' had turned out to be none other than Alaine. Shandra had been ecstatic- the two of them had spent a good hour in private, comforting each other and reminiscing. I had also managed to convince Alaine that I hadn't hurt anyone in Ember, had never even dreamed of such a thing, and she had agreed to admit as much during the trial.

I yawned and slowed Pearl's pace- I had ridden far enough ahead that Sand and Qara, who were at the back of the group, were barely audible. Aside from their squabbling, the journey hadn't been too bad so far. Grobnar had spent most of his time drawing, though he had stubbornly refused to let me see any of his pictures until they were finished. Elanee, Shandra, Neeshka and I all got along well, so there had been no problems there. As for Casavir and Bishop… the ranger, being our scout, had been riding at the front of the group, and Casavir had thankfully made an effort to avoid him. The two men had spoken only once, briefly, during last night's rest, but other than that they had remained blissfully silent.

I found my eyes resting on Bishop, who rode ahead of me. I hadn't really spoken to him since he'd shown me how to ride. I tilted my head to one side, furrowing my brow thoughtfully. Maybe he wasn't really such a bad guy. I mean, he had threatened me, and been an overbearing jerk, but… well, everyone deserves a second chance, right? And he'd given me his drink, and shown me how to ride, so he couldn't be all bad. I knew he and Duncan had some sort of feud going on, and perhaps his initial hostility towards me had simply been a by-product of that grudge.

Who knew, maybe there was a nice guy hidden beneath his grumpy, scowling exterior. Okay, maybe not a nice guy, but still.

I urged Pearl forwards, resolving to try and talk to the ranger again. I turned to him, smiling affably, and had barely opened my mouth when he snapped, "What the hells do you want?"

My smile dropped a bit. Okay, so he was in a bad mood. But that was understandable, I supposed. "How long 'til we reach Ember?"

"An hour. Maybe less."

"Oh. Okay." I fell silent, and started looking at him from the corner of my eyes. He was staring ahead, mouth twisted into its usual scowl. I bit my lip and looked down at my horse's mane, running one hand through it absently as I realized the foolishness of my idea- I wanted to get to know Bishop better, get him to open up, but I had no idea how to. He was like… like that old jar of pickles from Duncan's pantry I had found the other day. I doubted that banging his head against a table would help the situation, though…

"If you're not gonna say anything, then shove off."

"How come you're in such a bad mood?" I asked without thinking. "I mean, it's a beautiful day, and there haven't been any random attacks, and-"

"And you're wanted for murder. Or did you forget?"

"No, I didn't forget. But we'll find evidence, and prove my innocence, and then this whole thing will be behind us."

He gave a mocking laugh. "You seriously believe that, don't you? And what if you don't get proven innocent, hm?" I winced and looked down again- that was one possibility I hadn't allowed myself to think about. "You won't be so cheerful when a noose closes around that pretty little neck of yours, believe me."

"That- You- Hey! That won't happen!" Okay, so apparently the 'nice buried man' was a little more buried than I had thought.

He sneered at me. "Yeah? What, 'cause justice always prevails?"

"Well, no, but…" I blinked, trying to think of an answer. "Sand seems like he knows what he's doing. I trust him to get me through the trial."

"Don't trust, ladyship. You'll die sooner that way."

I shot him a curious glance. "Is that why you're so… er, hostile?"

The ranger arched his brow at me. "Do I have a reason to trust you?"

"I'm not planning to stab you in your sleep, or anything. You're as much a part of the group as anyone else, so you don't need to be so-"

"Quit trying to get inside my head, girl."

I sighed. "I'm not. I just… I want to get to know you, is all. Like I said, you're a part of the group."

He scowled at me again. What was it with him? "Yeah? Well, like I said, shove off."

"Thanks for showing me how to ride," I said politely, changing the subject.

"What?"

"It was really nice of you, and I wanted to say thanks."

Bishop smirked, and for a moment I thought maybe I'd managed to get past his unfriendly exterior. "Oh? And just how grateful are you, hm?" I flinched a bit and he continued harshly, "Because unless you plan on thanking me in my bedroll later, don't bother."

I clenched the pommel of my saddle, trying to quell my anger. "Look, I was just saying thanks, okay? You don't have to get all defensive about it." He opened his mouth, and I quickly continued, "And quit it with all the 'repaying you' stuff. I don't owe you anything."

"No? Seems to me we already had this conversation, and you owe quite a bit."

I felt my resolve to remain polite slipping as I remembered our encounter in the woods. Without thinking I snapped, "Is that how you get women to sleep with you? You have to cajole it out of them, as a favor?" I continued, my temper rising, "Seems kind of pathetic, if you ask me."

I'd barely gotten the sentence out before he jerked his big black horse's reigns sharply, pulling in front of me and forcing meek Pearl to a stop. He looked angry, and he was leering at me again. "That so? Maybe you'll think differently once I've collected, ladyship."

I bristled. "How dare you, you-"

"We're stopping?" Neeshka interrupted me. "Great, I'm starving. Did we pack those pastries Sal made?"

"Is there a problem, my lady?"

I glanced back at the group. Everyone save Grobnar, who was eyeing a passing butterfly, was staring at us. "Yeah," I said flippantly. "Bishop's PMS-ing." Oh, snap.

Every female in the group snickered and the ranger's eyes narrowed dangerously. Elanee, whose little white mare was just behind me, offered sweetly, "You are welcome to one of my remedies, Bishop, if-"

He smiled suddenly and said, interrupting the druidess, "Relax, ladyship- I wasn't serious about you repaying me." He looked me up and down, still grinning. "After all, I'd need to be good and drunk to take anyone half as homely as you for a tumble."

I gasped, stung. I wasn't as pretty as, say, Shandra, but I wasn't that unattractive, was I? "You… you asshole!"

His smile widened, eyes lighting up. "Oh-ho, struck a nerve, did I? Don't worry, I'm sure the drunks of West Harbor still think you're passable."

I trembled with anger and hurt, and Casavir nudged his stallion up beside me. He looked pissed. "Their opinions are worth more than that of a dog such as you."

"Yeah!" Neeshka added vehemently, jumping to my defense. "You're just mad 'cause you know you could never get a girl like Brin!"

"Indeed: he lacks any sort of charm or courtesy," Elanee agreed coolly.

"Yeah, and 'cause…'cause he's too ugly!" Okay, so Shandra wasn't great at insulting people, but I was touched nonetheless.

"Whoa, now, Shandra, let's stay reasonable, here," the tiefling interjected. I was startled into laughing.

"Try, 'because he's an egotistical retard who has to pay women to sleep with him,'" Qara offered helpfully.

Neeshka chuckled. "Ooh, good one."

I felt my temper, and my hurt feelings, calming down as the ranger's face darkened. He might've gotten to me, but I had six friends to back me up.

"Well," Bishop snarled, scowling once more, "Isn't that sweet- lapdogs defending their master. What, girl, you can't speak for yourself?"

Casavir stiffened beside me. "She has better things to do than speak to vermin like you."

I laid a restraining hand on his mail-encased arm. He, and all of them, were sweet to stand up for me, but I could do it myself. "Bishop," I said calmy, meeting his angry, coppery eyes. "I don't give a fig about your opinion of me." That wasn't completely true- I did care what he thought about me. I had no reason to, I knew that, but I couldn't help it. "But we have more important things to do than argue, so I think we should keep moving." His glare didn't waver, and I continued diplomatically, "I apologize for being rude to you, and I hope we can put this behind us. Okay?" I offered one hand, a sign that I wanted truce, even though a little part of me still wanted to slap him.

He stared at my proffered hand for a moment before scoffing. "You can shove your apology up your ass, ladyship," he snapped, and wheeled his horse around. I watched him return to the trail before shaking my head and nudging my mare to follow.

I returned to my place in formation, completely calmed by now. He was a jerk, and my opinion of him had dropped, but I was over his insult. After all, my friends- including Qara, which had been a surprise- had all stood up for me. It didn't matter what Bishop thought of me- he was just a bitter, angry man, and he had no right to insult me. I lifted my chin, eyeing the ranger ahead. My friends were all riding behind me, ready to back me up in any situation, and their opinions were what mattered.

Still, I couldn't help but watch him for another minute. Did he really hate me so much? He seemed to, but I didn't know why. Maybe there was no 'buried nice man,' no 'nicer side,' as I had hoped. Maybe he was just… well, just liked he seemed. Just an untrustworthy, self-serving mercenary, like Casavir had warned me.

But then again, he had shown me how to ride, and he had given me his drink. At the time, I'd been sure that he's been trying to help me. So… what was different? He'd been nice, briefly, but now he was acting like a jerk again. I shook my head- I was too tired, and too worried about the shard, the trial, and Ember, to try and puzzle Bishop out.

Sand, sitting easily on his chestnut mare, trotted up beside me. "Well, that was certainly entertaining," the elf said dryly. "But if you don't mind, perhaps we could discuss more important issues…?"

I glanced at the wizard, surprised. We'd been traveling since yesterday evening, but he'd barely spoken to me. Or anyone, for that matter- he'd spent most of his time reading what looked like a spellbook. "Oh, sure. Like what?"

"Your impending doom. What else?" I blinked. That was hardly reassuring. "I suggest that, in addition to putting the bodies in Ember to rest, we search the village thoroughly. Whoever the true culprit is may have been sloppy, and made mistakes- perhaps he or she left evidence, or did not thoroughly cover their trail." He was rubbing his hands together, planning. "It is our job to find and exploit those mistakes."

"Okay. Sure."

"Hopefully Ember will contain leads," he continued methodically. "It was attacked at night, and hurriedly. I doubt whoever the murderer is managed to conceal every bit of evidence."

"You're probably right."

He nodded thoughtfully. "My dear, I am always right. Now, on to the trial itself." I felt queasy again at the idea of standing in front of a courtroom. "Your personality is something I want to play on. You are a member of the City Watch, correct?"

"Yeah. I have been practically since I came to Neverwinter."

"Excellent. And you travel with a paladin," he waved a hand to indicate Casavir, behind us, "Which will go in your favor. You'll have the opportunity to call witnesses. So my question is- who can vouch for your character?"

"Um…" I thought through my travels, staring up at the clouds. "Well, maybe my commander, Brelaina. She supervised a lot of my work for the Watch."

"Very good. Who else?"

I was thinking, and eyeing a suspiciously noose-shaped cloud, when Casavir asked, "What about Callum?"

Sand half-turned, brows going up. "Callum? One of The Nine?"

"Oh, yeah!" I nodded emphatically. "He was at Old Owl Well when we fought off the orcs attacking it. He was really grateful, and he's a friend of Casavir's. I'm sure he'd be willing to help."

A pleased grin slid over Sand's mouth. He looked like a cat who'd just gotten into a dish of cream. "Oh, very good. His testimony will prove infinitely beneficial, I have little doubt."

"We will need to send messengers to him quickly, though," Casavir warned. "It will take days for the news to reach him, and perhaps longer for him to reach Neverwinter."

"True. Mm… perhaps the captain in Port Llast can send a messenger."

I made a mental note to take care of it, once we had returned. "There's someone else, now that I think about it. Elder Mayne, in Highcliff. We convinced a tribe of Lizardmen to stop attacking the village, so maybe he'd be willing to testify."

Sand looked pleased. "Excellent. You certainly get around, my dear." His expression turned stern as he instructed, "As for your behavior during the trial- you are to sit quietly and look as sweet and innocent as possible. You are by no means to speak, unless you are asked a question directly. Understood?"

"Fine with me." Better than fine, actually. If he wanted to stand in a courtroom and deal with the whole 'speaking-in-public' issue, he was welcome to. I was more than happy to sit and look at the floor.

"As for your attire- once we return to Neverwinter, you should purchase a dress. Something pretty, but not too much so." Pretty, but not too much so? That was… unspecific. "Take the farm girl with you. Remember, you want to look sweet and innocent, and like you would never even consider murdering a village. Am I clear?"

"Okay…"

"Ooh, we get to go shopping!" Neeshka squealed from a short ways back, where she was riding with Shandra. "And we'll get to dress you up!"

I blanched- knowing Neeshka's taste in clothing, I'd likely end up with some lacy, cleavage-baring outfit. And then my lack of said cleavage would be brought to attention- and in a crowded courtroom, no less. Crap.

"Yes, yes," Sand waved his spidery hand dismissively, "Just make sure she looks presentable."

"Will do," Shandra promised.

"Good. That's all you need to know, for now." He slowed his horse's pace, falling into line behind me.

"Alright. Oh, Sand?"

"Hm?"

I turned and gave him a heartfelt smile. "Thanks a lot for helping me with all this. It's really great of you."

He colored faintly and waved his hand again. "Ah, no need to thank me, my dear. It's completely unnecessary, I assure you."

"No, really- I know you aren't real happy about this, but I do appreciate your help."

His blush deepened as he muttered something unintelligible. I turned around in my seat, still smiling, and noticed Bishop had stopped. I moved towards him, unwilling to get too close.

There was sudden silence behind me, and my smile faded as I looked past the ranger. I shuddered, staring down the slope before us, and heard Shandra whimper, "Oh," in a small voice.

We had reached Ember.