Chapter 12

Natheran looked at the strange door in front of her, knowing that this was the last barrier between her and Shandra. Her nerves were stretched to their limits from having to battle not only the gith but demons and devils as well. Dealing with that devil Mephasm had been the hardest thing of all. She had had to exert every ounce of control to not attack him on sight and this had seemed to amuse him. He had made her give her word to not abuse his true name before he would give it to her and she had done so since it was the only way they were going to be able to pass.

"What are you waiting for lass? Shandra's in there waiting for us," Khelgar was looking at her, puzzled at her hesitation.

"I'm trying to settle my nerves," she snapped angrily, causing him to step back a little.

"Look, I know that right now you probably are wishing you had cut that devil to pieces, but really what other choice did you have?" Neeshka asked.

Natheran glared at the tiefling briefly before nodding. "That's what angers me the most. That devil knew I had no choice and he enjoyed seeing me squirm. If we ever meet again, I won't be so forgiving."

"Listen, I understand what it does to you because I feel just a little bit of it myself," Neeshka said sympathetically. "Once we save Shandra and get back to Neverwinter we'll have a nice long talk about it okay?"

"What are you talking about fiendling?" Khelgar growled. The question was echoed by their other companions as well.

"It's her blood," she replied, rolling her eyes at them. "Celestials and demons have always fought each other, they despise each other, and the celestial blood in her is stronger than the demon blood is in me. To make a bargain with a demon, no matter how necessary, is one of the hardest things she'll ever have to do. To top it all off she is a paladin as well so it's like a double whammy."

Natheran smiled at the girl, glad that she had been able to explain the situation to the others, for she really didn't understand it fully herself. Merring had only made vague reference to it because he lacked the knowledge to do otherwise. Surprisingly, having it out in the open was relaxing her and settling her nerves. Taking a deep breath, she looked at the others to make sure they were ready, and then opened the door. As they stepped inside, she saw Shandra bound and gagged inside a cage off to the right. A wave of relief flooded through her now that she knew they had made it in time. Before her was a glimmering force field and standing inside was one of the oldest githyanki she had seen yet.

"Though these demons were unanticipated, your arrival was not," stated Zeeaire. "How long did you think you could escape us Kalach-cha? You have stolen our shards, defiled them with your touch, and now you will answer for that crime."

"I care little for your reasons, just return the girl now," Natheran demanded, glaring at the gith leader.

"You are in no position to demand anything from me. Know that I am prepared to offer mercy to you and your companions. Return the shards freely and I will grant you a quick and painless death," Zeeaire tried to make her voice sound magnanimous.

"Funny, I was about to offer you the same deal," Natheran snorted, not fooled one bit by the gith's tone. As she watched, a look of rage crossed her opponents face. Suddenly, she felt herself lifted off the ground and heard a tearing sound. The shards that had been in her pack were floating towards the barrier and passing through it to land at the feet of the gith. She saw the others trying to move towards her but they couldn't.

"Odd, I have all the ones you carry, but it seems you still possess one," Zeeaire said and reached out her hand.

Natheran suddenly felt a pain unlike anything she ever felt ripple through her body up to her chest. She screamed as the pain intensified right over her heart. It felt as though something was trying to burn it's way out of her.

"You have a piece of the sword inside you," Zeeaire whispered. "I shall remove it from you by force."

She felt herself collapse to the ground, breathing hard, the pain still so bad that she could barely see. She suddenly heard the sounds of fighting all around her and realized that the other githyanki in the room had attacked. She saw her sword on the ground a couple of feet away and gathering every ounce of strength she could muster, dove for it and got to her feet. Two gith were bearing down on her, and focusing all her will on the task at hand, she fought them off. She saw that Zeeaire had not moved yet and wondered what she was waiting for. Another gith soldier came charging up and she turned her attention back to the battle. As she fought, she tried to remember what Mephasm had said, knowing it was important. Suddenly, it came to her. The barrier! Zeeaire would stay behind it and she would be untouchable. Dropping her shield to the floor, she reached into the pouch at her side and removed the sphere that he had given her. She threw it at the shield before her and watched as it started to pulse and soon, with a brilliant flash of light, it was gone.

"NO! Without the portal I will die," Zeeaire screamed and launched a furious assault at her. They battled back and forth in front of where the barrier had been. Every muscle in her body aching, Natheran blocked every stroke that came her way, holding her sword with both hands. She could feel herself tiring, but she also saw that Zeeaire was weakening. Suddenly the gith leader overextended herself, leaving her middle vulnerable, and Natheran thrust her sword straight into the heart of her enemy.

As Zeeaire collapsed in front of her, she saw her companions gathering behind her. The battle was over and they had won. As she looked down, she saw the dying leader was trying to say something. Blood bubbled from her lips as she tried to speak.

"You think you have won Kalach-cha, but a worse fate is in store for you than death at our hands," she cackled. "We were not the ones you needed to fear, and now you will stand alone against what comes for you."

"What comes for me, more of your people? I have defeated you and I will defeat them," she stated flatly.

"No. My people will hunt you no more. A great evil has awakened and we needed the sword to fight it. The King of Shadows comes, already his presence is being felt in your realm, and he will destroy you. I will see you in death and I don't think I will have to wait long." With a last gasp her eyes closed and her body started to crumble to dust.

Natheran just stared at the remains, trying to absorb what had been said, but she hurt too much to think clearly. Looking up, she saw that Neeshka had managed to unlock the cage and was helping Shandra over to where they stood. The farmer looked tired and dirty, but otherwise okay. Looking around she saw the the others seemed to be alright as well.

"You'll have to let me save you sometime or I'll never be able to pay you back," Shandra said, exhaustion and relief in her voice.

"Oh there will be plenty of time for you to pay us all back on the return trip to Neverwinter," Bishop drawled at her.

"You all put me in danger. I'm not paying you a single coin," Shandra rounded on him, anger in her voice and face at his words.

"Well then, you'll be paying me another way. My bedroll's a little cold at night, and I'm thinking you can fix that," he practically purred in response.

"Oh please, the smell would kill me first," Shandra's voice was filled with disdain as she looked in disgust at the ranger.

"You wound me girl, but I"ll have you soon enough," Bishop's voice wasn't quite as smooth as it was before, a hint of anger coloring it.

"If you don't watch your tongue Bishop, I'm cutting it off," Natheran said without really thinking about it.

"Jealousy is thick in this little band I see," Bishop laughed softly as he walked towards her. Looking up she saw his eyes glinting with some strange emotion. "I haven't forgotten your pretty face fair leader," he murmured in her ear.

His voice, once again as smooth as honey, washed over her, setting her heart to racing and shivers running up and down her spine. Natheran felt herself flushing as she gazed into the ranger's eyes. She quickly stepped back a couple of paces and attempted to gather her composure.

"I won't have you speaking to her or anyone else that way Bishop," Casavir growled as he closed the distance between himself and Bishop. He stepped in front of Natheran and glared at the ranger, daring him to make a move.

"Oh really, what a surprise. How about if I left you here in Luskan territory with your rightousness to keep you company paladin?" Bishop spat in loathing. The paladin was really beginning to get on his nerves. He didn't own Natheran and had no right putting his nose in their business.

Seeing the anger building in both of them, she realized that things were starting to get out of hand. "Enough! We have a long journey ahead so let's get going." Gathering up her pack she saw the hole in the outside pocket where the shards had torn through. Now I'll have to buy a new pack as well as a new shirt she thought. Placing them instead at the bottom of the main compartment, she hoisted her pack, and without looking at anyone headed for the door. She was troubled by what she had seen in Bishop's eyes and by the feelings his voice had stirred in her. She was not completely innocent, despite what others might think. She may not have slept with a man before, but she new that what she felt for the ranger was desire. She knew he was not to be trusted and knew he cared only about himself, but that didn't stop her from wanting to experience what his voice promised. What bothered her most was that she even felt this way about him at all. He was a despicable, selfish man who used people for his own purposes. He was cruel, spiteful, and arrogant.

Frustrated, she hissed through her teeth. This had been one of the most trying days of her life. Her chest still hurt from whatever it was that Zeeaire had done. Every muscle in her body screamed with fatigue. She couldn't wait to get back to the Flagon so she could have a nice hot bath. She also wanted to get some answers out of Duncan. She knew he had been keeping something from her and she had a feeling it had something to do with what Zeeaire said. A piece of the sword was inside her and she needed to know how it got there. Duncan knew about her scar and everything that had happened all those years ago, and this time she wasn't going to let him dodge her questions. There was too much at stake.