The Search for Lesle Mere


Disclaimer: This a fan-fiction based on the Neverwinter Nights game franchise; it is in no way, shape, or form, to be considered cannon.


Ophala's Wrath

In usual fashion, Boddyknock contacted Ophala through their magical means about the progress of their quest, but this time the Matron of the Moonstone Mask was truly at a loss. She made certain to pass the news to Eltoora, who then began penning a missive for Aarin by pigeon. The only amendment made was that he know nothing about Lesle's pregnancy –the Gods only knew how he'd react to that news.

As soon as this part of her duty was completed, Ophala wasted little time in getting to the Temple of Tyr. She paid little mind to the acolytes scrubbing the walls and floors, a job that had little to do with cleanliness and more with discipline, moving straight to the library where Reverend Judge Oleff Uskar was reviewing sermons for the upcoming week.

"You and I have words to trade."

He waned, instantly knowing the owner of that voice before he saw her face. Any time Ophala used that tone with a man meant that he had done something to cross her.

They'd had a mutually beneficial business partnership of sorts over the years, with their establishments so close together. He'd have healers produce high end wine purgatives and evaluate the health of Ophala's girls at a discounted rate, and she funneled in the faithful after recommending the Church to patrons that had particularly sinful evenings.

But today was not a business arrangement –that much he knew from the start.

"What words might they be?" he queried politely.

"Lesle Mere. With child. You told Lord Nasher, and I want to know why."

He blinked incredulously as the memories all came flooding back. It was as if a damn had broken in his mind, and years of hazy fog were replaced by vivid, painful recollection. Once again the enchantment that she and Eltoora had worked on became broken for another person, and the guilt on his face was all the evidence she needed.

"Ophala… what does any of this-?"

"-don't you dare change the topic on me," she snapped. "Why did you tell Lord Nasher? There is no reason for anyone outside of the couple to know of a child's conception."

Oleff knew that he wasn't getting out of this one, and his best hopes of discovering why Ophala wanted to know any of this was to tell her the truth.

"Because Lord Nasher had a vested interest in Lesle having a child. He'd purposefully arranged Aarin's schedule so he'd have the most time to spend with her while still performing his central duties to the city during its reconstruction."

"He used them as breeding cattle. Why?"

Oleff flinched at the description. "Because he believed that a child would make Lesle more likely to stay in Neverwinter, and take up a role as one of the Nine… in Aribeth's place."

Ophala gawked at him, with surprise turning into palpable disgust. "You were there, Oleff. You read, firsthand, Aribeth's sentence. I can't believe you'd have any part in forcing her to take her place."

"While… in poor taste," he admitted, "the city would have benefitted in the long term. As would Lesle's child –to be brought up in Castle Never with both parents, and with all the resources of highborn nobility-"

"Is that what Nasher told you?" she scoffed. "He was planning on turning her into a puppet. He didn't care about that child –it was his hostage, and you damn well know it. It's no wonder that she ran off when she did. You probably told him before she even heard the news."

Oleff's face burned red with shame. Ophala didn't know what else she could do to hide her disgust.

"Did you know that Lord Nasher told Aarin that Lesle had stolen from the crown? How can a mother steal her own child? He realized the instant she escaped from his grasp that he'd completely destroyed a man's chance at happiness, a woman's faith in him, and a child's life with its parents."

"Ophala I–"

"I only ask that if one of my girls is with child, you tell them first, and keep your precious Lord out of it –even if he fathered it himself."