Adahni had decided, after five days of alternately riding in the uncomfortable rented saddle of an uncomfortable rented mare and in overpriced inn rooms and haylofts, that she much preferred walking, no matter how cold the weather. Her mount was ill-tempered and smelled vile. She was almost looking forward to the ordeal she would face once she rode back through Neverwinter's walls. The pain in her behind, however, was nothing compared to the icy silence she endured from both the dwarf and the paladin the entire way. They think I'm guilty, she thought to herself. Upon returning to the city, she and Duncan hurried back to the inn while Khelgar, who scarcely spoke two words and avoided her gaze the entire way, took the horses back to the stable from whence they came. There was not the posse of watchmen Adahni had expected when she returned to the Flagon, only her old companions, all of whom mumbled their greetings and avoided her gaze. Only Neeshka walked up to greet her, and did so solemnly, her dark red eyes large and scared.
"I didn't do it," Adahni said, sighing.
"I know you didn't do it," Neeshka said, "I'm just saying... you go disappearing with that ranger for nearly a month... and everyone knows he's a bad egg..."
"I didn't do it!" she repeated, "I went right back to West Harbor, ask Duncan!"
"Well of course he would cover for you," she replied, "He's your uncle and all... I mean I trust you, but... it looks pretty bad."
Adahni did not have to wait long. Khelgar and Casavir returned from the stables, holding the door behind them for a man wearing a tunic emblazoned with the blue eye of Neverwinter. Adahni looked him up and down. She was not a little irked by the way her companions were treating her. Neeshka was right, it did look bad, but after all they had been through? Not even the benefit of the doubt? She stepped closer to Casavir, who still radiated an aura of calm, and waited for the man to speak. The paladin leaned in close to her. "That's Nevalle," he said, "The one I told you about."
"There you are," he said, looking her in the eye.
"And how can I be of assistance?" she asked, gazing back at him levelly.
"I am here because Luskan has accused you of murder - an entire village, no less. Have you heard of Ember?"
"I didn't do it," she said.
"Listen," he said, approaching her, "I've scraped things from my boot that I respect more than Luskan. But unless we find some means of clearing you of these charges, we will have to surrender you to them. We've signed a treaty - they have a right to dispense low justice for any crimes committed on their soil."
Adahni set her jaw.
"But..." he said, looking her up and down, "I'm not turning over a loyal member of the Watch to some Luskan dog on this day or any other."
"Well good," she said, "Because I didn't do it."
"You can repeat that all day and all night," he said, "But your guilt is preordained in a Luskan court. Now... if you were a lady, a knight, or even a squire, then matters would be different. You would be subject to high justice, and your trial would take place here in Neverwinter before Lord Nasher."
"Impressive," Adahni said, "I'm glad to hear that classism is alive and well. As much as I would like to protest such a double standard... I like my skin more. So what do I do?"
"I need you to go see Sir Grayson, one of the Lord Nasher's most trusted knights, and become his squire. I also may send a friend of mine to assist you. Mind you, the matter must still go to trial, and if you cannot prove your innocence..."
"Long drop short stop," she said, "I know the drill."
"You can find Grayson in Brelaina's office. And, since you know the drill so well, I won't have to remind you not to leave town."
She nodded. Nevalle gave her a cursory bow, turned on his heel, and swept out of the inn as suddenly as he'd come.
There was an uncomfortable silence.
"For the love of all the gods, I didn't do it!" she cried after a moment of it, "Duncan, tell them!"
"We went straight to Westharbor and came straight back," Duncan said, "No slaughtering, burning, rape, or pillaging."
"Unfortunately," Bishop muttered.
"It's just..." Khelgar said, "All those people... and you did just take off rather suddenly."
"Khelgar..." Adahni said, her heart sinking. If he didn't trust her, then no wonder none of the others did, "How could you even think that?"
He nodded, but still looked at her with suspicion.
"No matter," she said, sniffling a little, "I suppose I will just have to prove it to you along with the rest of Neverwinter."
"Don't be ridiculous, Ironfist," Bishop snapped, "You know she didn't do it."
"I know she didn't do it," Khelgar said, "Or at least, that it wasn't her idea."
"Are you accusing me of something, half-man?" Bishop asked.
"Stop being ridiculous," Duncan said, "She's not been out of my sight for more than a few hours for the last moon, the most damage she's done is to her own damn liver. And no way in the hells will I let those Luskans get their hands on you."
"Yes," Casavir said, "Whether she is innocent or guilty should be decided by her own liege."
"Cas... not you... you cannot possibly think that I..."
"I do not," he replied, "If I thought for a minute that you were guilty of the crime of which you were accused I would have let them drag you from Westharbor in chains."
She nodded, the pain in her insides easing a little.
"Go to see the knight," Shandra said. Adahni looked over at her. She was sitting in the shadows at the corner of the bar. There was something different about her. She sat straighter, her shoulders back proudly, "Luskan won't be able to touch you."
"Aw, Addie," Neeshka said, "The slaughter of an entire village? That's going too far, even by Luskan standards."
Adahni had already started shaking her head in disagreement when Bishop spoke up. "Is it? If you have something Luskan wants, they'd kill any entire city for it. They don't care."
He was interrupted by a gust of icy wind that followed the latest guest into the inn. Silhouetted against the sunset stood a small, familiar figure. Adahni took a moment to place him, but then recognized that hedge wizard that she had encountered on her first day in Neverwinter.
"Oh... as if the day couldn't get any worse," Duncan growled, "What do you want, Sand?"
"I am here to help you," Sand announced, looking up at Duncan, "And your - " his steely eyes glided across the room to Adahni, " - kin, actually. Know that if you are sent to Luskan, you will be killed."
"If I were in Luskan I would probably be begging for death," Adahni said.
"I realize," Sand said, looking at her pointedly with something like sympathy, "That you might find my sincerity difficult to believe, but allow me to act on your behalf. There are laws, and there is right and wrong. While I believe you are quick to take liberties with the law, I do not believe you are guilty of this... and if they should get ahold of you..." He drew a finger across his slim throat and made a guttural squeak. "You see, I believe people should answer for their crimes, but it must be just."
"So what is it, exactly, that you suggest we do?"
Qara sneezed twice into her hand, making a noise that sounded like 'hedge wizard' and 'incompetent.'
"If we need to burn down Luskan, then parhaps we shall seek you, Qara, but your ignorance will cause more damage here than you spark of magic you think you have, you idiot girl, they will bleed from you by demon, spell, and curse until even your father won't be able to save you."
"Well you seem to have this all figured out, Master Sand," Adahni said, "Care to enlighten me?"
"Let me come with you to see Sir Grayson... I have considerable experience with these matters - and foiling Luskan plots is something I relish."
"I'm with you as well," Shandra said, sliding off the bar stool.
"All right," Adahni said, "Let's see what you're made of."
"Well I wouldn't want to miss you becoming a squire," Bishop said, "How's that for farce of the century..."
"I'll come." Neeshka volunteered.
Adahni looked at her witheringly, "Casavir? I'd like to bring along people who actually believe that I'm innocent. The rest of you..." she tried to think of something appropriately scathing to say to them, but just turned her palm to them and stalked out of the door into the winter night.
They were met outside by a woman with a man's haircut, her brows thick and black over icy green eyes. "You," she said accusingly, "You are the one who travels with Neeshka."
"I did travel with Neeshka," Adahni said, the betrayal still pricking her in the heart.
"Tell her Tasha is looking for her. I've got some news that I know she'll want to here."
"Not likely," Adahni said, "Thanks anyway... now if you don't mind, I've got somewhere to be."
"She'd be intereted if you mentioned that she is going to be beaten to the greatest score in all of Neverwinter. And she'd be especially interested if she knew who's pulling the job."
"I don't have time for this," Adahni said, trying to step past the woman.
"You know... I'll just wait until you get back."
"Whatever you want," Adahni sighed, glad to be rid of her.
Considering the gravity of the situation, Adahni was surprised to find Brelaina laughing and flirting with a blue-cloaked man who must have been Grayson. Adahni approached him cautiously, and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and looked her up and down. He wasn't terribly old, probably in his mid thirties, but his face was marred with frown lines and there was a permanent crease between his eyebrows, probably from furrowing them so much.
"Blessings of Tyr be upon you, Adahni. Sir Nevalle has told me of your predicament, and it so happens that I have need of a Squire. This is unusual to say the lease. Usually, prospective squires spend months - even years - proving themselves before they are permitted to enter the nobility. But of course, they are also usually much younger than yourself. But Brelaina vouches for your character and your ability. Still... count yourself lucky to avoid years of caring for my horse and scouring the rust from my arms and armor. Your need is a great and so I will take you as my charge."
"And that's it?" Adahni asked, turning her head and peering at him sideways.
"Learn your place, squire, and speak when ordered to," Sir Grayson barked.
"Who in the hells do you think you - " Bishop started to protest, but Casavir stepped on his foot heavily.
"I am Sir Grayson Corett," he bellowed. Adahni had to put a hand to her mouth and pretend to cough so she would not burst out laughing, "My sword is sworn to Nasher, Neverwinter, and Tyr. And it falls to me to teach you chivalry, so that you will not dishonor me ovremuch as your knight."
Adahni sighed, "Let's get this charade over with."
"The brotherhood of knights," he began, looking over her shoulder and making eye contact with Casavir, "Is one bound by the ideals of chivalry and honor. Without honor," he said, glancing and Adahni, but shifting his gaze back to Casavir, "A knight is nothing more than an animal with a sword. To be a knight is to lead a life of duty and responsibility."
Adahni glanced back at her companion, who was scowling at Grayson.
"We are bound by a code that prescribes our every action," Grayson continued, "To be brave and valorous in battle against your enemies, to show no fear in their presence. To be just and righteous, to embody and uphold the laws of your lord and land. To be respectful to your enemies and kind to your fellows. To protect the weak and those who cannot defend themselves. All squires have these rules impressed upon them by rote and lash. But I suspect that you are mature enough to take the lesson without the cuffing."
"Words are words," she said, "I will consider them."
"Knowing that code of conduct is important, but living by that code is paramount. To be a knight is also to live a life of service to your lord and realm. You will be expected to perform certain duties for the crown. Given your unique circumstances, these duties will be waiting for you after the trial. However, there is one observance that cannot be postponed- the vigil."
"Go on."
"Enough rules and traditions have already been bent to accomodate you needs. One night is not so terrible a sacrifice. Your vigil is a time for reflection and contemplation. It is a sacred tradition - all who would become squires spend a night in the Solace Glade. You must spend the night alone, of course. Most choose to reflect on thier vows, or to ask the blessing of their gods. On the next morning, I will welcome you into our brotherhood."
"Well I suppose freezing my ass off in some glad isn't so bad, and there's no time like the present."
"Come then," he said, "I will lead you to the Solace Glade."
"A moment, Sir Grayson," Casavir said, "I would have a word with my companion."
"What is it?" she asked, turning to him.
"In private."
She followed the paladin out into the chill outside.
"It has been years since I took my vows," he said softly as soon as they were out of earshot, "But I still keep them in my heart.'
"What..."
"I would hope that you would take this seriously," he said, "I need to know, Addie, did you kill those people?"
"No!" she exclaimed, "Have you not been hearing me for the past six days?"
He seized her chin and tipped her face up to look her in the eyes. She glared back at him, looking at his eyes searching hers for the truth. "Cas, I didn't. I couldn't. I was in Barnslow the night it burned, the things I've seen... how could you even think me capable of that?"
His grip on her face softened but did not let up, "We are all capable of many things that might surprise us," he said, "I would hate to see you walk down a path of darkness."
"Well good thing I'm about to be leading a life of duty and responsibility," she said, imitating Sir Grayson.
The paladin chuckled, "He is a bit of a blowhard, isn't he," he said.
"Cas... you don't really think I did it, do you?"
"I don't know what to believe," he said, "Sometimes, men and women do things you would never expect from then in a thousand years."
"But me?"
"You... I would not expect you to do anything of the sort." He chuckled again and released her from his grip, "I would have been proud to have you as my squire."
And then, he did an odd thing. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head through the kerchief she wore. She could hardly disguise her grin as she returned to Sir Grayson and followed him through the city gates and into Solace Glade.