After she had spoken with Randar and had congratulated him, she walked back towards her room, escorted by two guards. She heard Nevalle s voice; he was congratulating Randar as well and Isabelle could hear the pride in his voice. The footsteps she heard, were moving away from her: the two men were walking towards Lord Nasher who would knight Randar. Isabelle wasn't allowed there. She would not be able to see one of Randar 's greatest achievements. The half –elf sighed and continued her way. There was nothing she could do about it, Nevalle had sounded too determined to change his mind.

Her footsteps made no noise, but at the moment she stepped upon the next step, she heard the sound of a door closing and gates falling down and the sound of an alarm. The 2 guards, who had been walking side by side with her, stared at each other. Their gaze shifted towards her and she could see the doubt in their eyes. They obviously had no idea what to do and when Isabelle heard the screaming of people who were on the lower level, she grabbed one of the swords and ran downstairs, back to the room where she had spoken with Randar.

"Wait, my sword!" one of the guards yelled. Isabelle ignored him and kept running. Her only concern right now was Sir Nevalle.

Someone had entered the castle and Nevalle could be dead. But he could also be fighting side by side with Randar against the evil which had entered Neverwinter castle. Because evil had indeed entered Neverwinter. Lady Aribeth herself had told her of the ancient alarm, constructed to save Neverwinter, should it ever be attacked. It had never happened before, but the sound of gates closing at a moment when that much nobles were present, was a sigh for evil.

Isabelle continued to the Great Hall and froze when she entered the room. Two vampires were chasing the nobles but that was not all. There were Shadow Priests as well and wraiths. Wraiths that could breed when they killed someone. Isabelle saw how a woman got attacked by one. She was too late to rescue her and immediately the woman turned into a wraith.

She searched the room and finally found Nevalle and Randar, who were fighting together against the evil. She wasn't very good at killing vampires, but Nevalle was a paladin and possessed a power against them that she had not. If she could make his way free towards them, than there was at least one problem less.

Isabelle attacked the wraith that was approaching her and killed it with a single blow. Randar, who had noticed her already, said something towards Nevalle. The knight turned to face her and Isabelle could see the frown upon his face. Before she could do or say anything, she had to defend herself against the next wraith.

After five attacks, she finally got a chance to get close to Nevalle.

"Nevalle, are you alright?" she yelled, when she ducked below to avoid the attack of another wraith.

"I'm fine, and Randar as well," he responded. "We were able to safe a couple of nobles, but most of them have turned into…"

"Wraiths, I know, I've seen it," she replied. Isabelle turned around to get a vision of the surrounding area and noticed how Lord Nasher was trapped inside his own throne room together with a couple of his guards and a Shadow Reaver.

"Yes, we have to get to him!" Nevalle yelled. He had seen her looking around and had read her mind easily.

"First this, than we can focus on saving the king," the half-elf concluded.

It took a while, but finally every wraith was killed and the vampires were easily defeated by Nevalle.

"We need to reach a more defensible location – there is a guard room in the hall, round the corner from here. There we can make our stand", Nevalle reasoned. He pointed in the direction and together with Randar and the remaining guards, Isabelle ran towards the guard room.

When they were there, Nevalle continued:

"The castle has been sealed… it is part of the ancient defences of the castle should it ever be attacked. Something we thought would never happen," Nevalle 's voice sounded calm, despite the evil they had faced already and the evil that they still needed to face, "Unfortunately, it had cut us from Lord Nasher. Randar, you must get to him, or all is lost."

Randar went a bit paler and Isabelle frowned.

"Why him? Why not you or me?" she asked.

"I have to stay here. If anything goes wrong, I can lead the men here. You are a prisoner, Isabelle, and though you have defended us tremendously, I can not trust you with the mission of saving Nasher. If there is anyone who can save Nasher, it is Randar. Of that I am sure."

Nevalle moistened his lips and gazed back at Randar.

"Got into the hall and search behind all the the tapestries there. One of them should hold an entrance to Neverneath, the chambers beneath Castle Never. Neverneath has always been closed to us, but it is said when the Castle is in danger, a path opens for defenders of Neverwinter," the captain concluded.

Randar nodded; his hand did not tremble. At that moment he was a true knight of Neverwinter and Isabelle could not have been more proud.

"Make your way to Lord Nasher's side…we will try to be there as soon as the defences are lifted," Nevalle tried to assure the young man, but seemed to know, just like Isabelle, that Randar had already found the courage to finish this mission.

"Be cautious, Randar," Isabelle said, while she gazed at the drow, "Not all secrets of Neverwinter are discovered."

Randar nodded and left the room.

"Now, all we can do is wait and pray," Nevalle murmured.

Isabelle couldn't agree more with him.

After a while (no one knew how much time had passed since Randar had left them), the alarm stopped and the gates finally opened.

"Let's get to Nasher," Nevalle said.

Isabelle and he ran towards the king, only to find him standing before Randar.

"And that includes you, Randar, you have earned this through your deeds – the title of knight in service of Neverwinter," Nasher said with a soft smile upon his face.

"Thank you, my lord," Randar replied, his voice a mere whisper.

"Don't thank me yet," Nasher 's voice altered and Isabelle could hear the concern in the king 's voice. "I haven't given you your orders."

"Milord, there are certain rites for inducting knights that must b-" Nevalle interjected hastily.

"Nevalle, I knighted you at Redfallow 's Watch in the mud with orcs surrounding us. Ceremonies can wait."

Isabelle tried to hide her smile when she saw a blush appear upon Nevalle 's face. The man tried to save himself and said, "A knight of Neverwinter is entitled to land, a keep – and forces, milord."

"And he shall have them!" Nasher answered, self-assured, "But you, Knight Captain, and your efforts here. You have served Neverwinter beyond the call of duty, risking your life not once, but several times, without hesitation. If there is anything that I think will be the light against the shadow that comes against us – it is you and the fortress I have granted you."

The lord went silent and curious, Isabelle took a step closer towards him. She didn't want to miss anything he would say against Randar. As a result, she got an angry look of Nevalle and a surprised look of Nasher.

"I offer you an honour- to become one of the Neverwinter Nine, the protectors of Neverwinter, the surrounding lands, and most importantly, its people."

Isabelle gasped, Nevalle his gaze shifted immediately back towards Nasher and Randar stared in disbelief at the king.

"I am grateful..." the young man replied nervously, "and I accept, Lord Nasher."

"Very well," Nasher could not have sound more triumphant, "For your efforts at Crossroad Keep and your battles against these minions of Shadow… I convey upon you the mantle of one of the Neverwinter Nine."

The big smile upon Randar 's face and the surprised, but satisfied look upon Nevalle 's caused a warm feeling deep inside Isabelle. Even if she could not clear her name, at least someone she cared for, would be able to help those in need. Her mission was not a failure.

"But onto the matters at hand…" Lord Nasher continued, "You have done more to halt this beast's advances than any of my knights. When he strikes, you are there to counter it – but that is no longer enough. I am tired of waiting for this enemy to strike. I want you to find this King of Shadows, Randar, I want this beast to answer for the blood of every guardsman slain here tonight…"

"Well, congratulations again," Isabelle said while she helped Randar with his armour, "One of the Nine, there is no great honour than to defend Lord Nasher."

"Strange for you to say that," Randar replied, while he stared at the eye which stood in the centre of his armour.

"You know what I mean. Now you can finally do something against the thugs in the docks and the …"

"Wait, wait!" Randar interjected, hastily, "I first need to defeat this King of Shadows. Who knows, I might be death in a couple of weeks."

Isabelle took a step back and stared at the result. He looked like a second Nevalle, only with white hair and the obviously face of a draw.

"You will defeat him, Randar. You were meant to defeat him."

The two of them stood in his room in Crossroad Keep. To her surprise, Nasher had asked her to help Randar in every way possible. He had made clear that if she did so, her name would be cleared forever. She did not have to think twice. Nevalle went with them and would assist Randar. He would stay as long as needed and Isabelle hoped he would stay there as long as she would. The fact that she had defended the nobles of Neverwinter, without hesitation had changed the attitude of Nevalle towards her. Perhaps he did not believe in the innocence of Aribeth, but he believed in hers and that meant the world to her.

"So what will I do now?" Randar asked. He grasped his sword and stared at it. It was the ceremonial sword of Neverwinter and although it was a fine blade, she knew he missed his old one.

"Gather allies," Isabelle responded simply. "You know, you don't have to fight with that sword. Nevalle fights with another sword as well. This was just a ceremonial one."

"Really?" the drow asked surprised.

Isabelle nodded.

"I suggest we could to Clan Ironfist first. If there is anyone who might want to help us, it is there," she reasoned.

"You're right. Let's gather our things and get out."

Isabelle nodded.

"I just have to say goodbye to someone…" she mumbled, more to herself than to Randar.

"Go to Nevalle," Randar grinned, "You two are so in love, that you don't see how much hurt you cause each other by not being together."

"Why don't you keep your mind towards defeating the king of Shadows?" Isabelle replied sarcastic, while she walked away.

Randar smiled and shook his head.

"More stubborn than a mule…"

"So you're leaving than," Nevalle sounded a bit lost and Isabelle looked away from the look in his eyes.

"Yes, the dwarfs can be good allies. They are strong, trustworthy…"

"Stubborn and arrogant.." Nevalle continued, with a smile.

"Don't let Callum hear you," Isabelle replied, while she gazed in the direction of the Keep.

"Isabelle?"

"Yes?"

She turned around to face him again and saw the concern in his eyes.

"Be safe," Nevalle whispered.

They stared at each other and Isabelle just wished she could kiss him. She wanted to feel him again, because it would give her strength to defeat even that King of Shadows.

"I'd best be going…" she said, looking down at her feet.

"Yes, yes… We don't have that much time…"

"Indeed."

Nevalle stared at her and than suddenly he took a step forward and laid his hand upon her cheek.

"I don't want to loose you, Isabelle ConDoin. You mean too much to me."

Isabelle had to fight against her tears and tried to smile.

"You've never lost me, Nevalle, it won't change this time," she replied, trying to sound assured.

The knight smiled weakly. He leaned towards her and kissed her softly.

It took her by surprise, but before she could answer his kiss, he let her go and whispered:

"Good luck."

He turned away from her and walked towards the tower, constructed for the Nine.

"I love you," she whispered.

He froze.

"And I love you."

The knight continued but he could feel her smile behind him. He continued his walk more assured this time and everyone who passed him could see the happiness upon his face. Neverwinter was not defeated just yet.

"Neverwinter will never fall, my dear child, as long as you love Nevalle and all he stands for…"