Chapter 52

It had been three days since Casavir had left and Natheran already missed him desperately. At least during the day she had the running of the keep and the studies with Meron to keep her occupied. At night however she missed his company the most and had been having a hard time sleeping. As she stamped the last of the reports, she tried to decide what to do next. It was still a couple hours before she was to meet with Meron so she figured she might as well go to the inn and get some lunch, although she wasn't that hungry. As she headed out of the keep she changed her mind about lunch. Instead she decided to stop in at the smithy and talk to Edario and Jacoby for a while to see how things were going. Afterwards, she went outside to the fields to visit Orlen and Calindra. She stood looking out over the land thinking this was all hers now and shook her head. She would never had been able to imagine this scenario when she was growing up. Sighing she turned back to the keep and entering the courtyard headed toward the inn. As she entered she was surprised to see that Bishop was there, because no one had told her he was back. Ignoring him she went to Sal and got an ale and then went to the kitchen for some food. She decided to sit at one of the tables near the fireplace so she could watch the crackling flames.

Bishop watched her walk in and saw the surprise on her face. So no one had told her he had come back this morning. He of course had been surprised, but pleased to find the paladin gone. He had known that the man would have left someone to look after his interests, but surprisingly it was the wizard not the dwarf. He now had the opportunity to remind the girl of what he had once made her feel, but he would have to wait. If he pursued her too soon the wizard would be more on his guard. If he waited a few days, without even trying to talk to her, then everyone would relax. He had waited this long, he could wait a little longer.

Natheran saw that the man wasn't going to voluntarily talk to her, so if she wanted to know anything about his hunting trip she would have to ask him. She turned her attention back to her food and debated whether or not to do it. Finishing her meal, she got up and went over to him.

"What do you want Captain?" he sneered up at her his face a mask of indifference.

"When did you get back?" she tried to keep her voice even.

"This morning and before you ask I managed to bring down a couple of deer for the keep which I have already given to the kitchen." His tone clearly said go away.

"Next time you should tell me when you're going to leave," she said as evenly as possible, so she was surprised when she saw anger flash in his eyes.

"I do what I want, go where I want, and kill who and what I want, and the gods help anyone who stands in my way." He got to his feet and glared at her. "You try to treat me like one of your lackeys and you will regret it. Now if that's all Captain, I think I need some fresh air." Pushing past her he stalked out of the inn.

Staring after him in surprise, she couldn't help but wonder what she said to piss him of this time. He took a simple request and made it into some huge deal. He was so annoying sometimes that she really felt the urge to hit him. How in the world had Neeshka gotten the idea that Bishop wanted her? He certainly hadn't given any sign since before the trial that he wanted anything to do with her. Shaking her head in annoyance she left the inn and headed to the keep. She was running a little late for her lessons with Meron, but she didn't have anything else planned for the day so no big deal.

Bishop watched as she came out of the inn and saw that she looked annoyed. A slight smile touched his lips as he realized that her reaction meant she had no clue of his intentions. Good because that would fool the wizard and the other fools that surrounded her. Then when he did finally approach her, she wouldn't suspect a thing.

******

Meron studied the girl out of the corner of his eye as they finished praying, wondering whether now was a good time to broach a subject that had been on his mind for a few days. He finally decided that he had nothing to lose so he waited until she had stood up and turned to him. "Natheran, I was curious as to how that ranger, Bishop, came to travel with you."

Natheran looked sharply at him wondering what brought this on. "Well, some time back we had to rescue Shandra and that meant following her captors into Luskan. Bishop knew that territory well and my uncle kind of coerced him into helping. Apparently Bishop owed my uncle a debt and Duncan called it due. Afterwards, he offered to stay on with us claiming he hadn't had as much fun as that in ages. I knew he had skills that would be important, skills no one else had, so I agreed to let him travel with us. Why?"

"No reason in particular," Meron shrugged, his voice casual. "He just didn't strike me as the type to be happy hanging around a keep. He also doesn't seem to be the type to like playing by other people's rules. I would imagine that his views and opinions are quite different from yours and others."

"He's useful to have around," Natheran told him. "I know that he doesn't believe as I do, but he's not caused any trouble for me or anyone else for that matter."

Meron didn't voice his opinion that the ranger was hanging around for some reason other than this debt he owed. He could tell by Natheran's tone of voice and her posture that she wasn't open to hearing anything negative about the ranger. He hoped that his silence would not prove to have any bad repercussions.

"Meron, I've been meaning to ask you about divine champions," Natheran looked at the priest, hoping Meron would take the hint and drop the subject of Bishop.

"Yes you had mentioned something in your letter about the possibility you were one," Meron looked at the girl, taking the hint and letting the matter go.

"Well, you remember I told you about the trial and the battle with Lorne?" Seeing him nod she continued, "I actually left something out of the story. Towards the end I was tiring, and I had suffered a nasty head injury. I prayed to Helm and all of a sudden I felt a great strength flow through me. After that I defeated Lorne easily."

"Was this the first time you had done this?" eron looked at her curiously, for what she had described sounded like divine wrath.

"No, I had done it a couple times before, and a couple more times since. But, it's not always a conscious decision on my part. It just happens sometimes when I'm angry. Well, after the combat we were sitting at the Flagon talking about it and the bard Grobnar overheard us. He told everyone that what he had seen me do was like the stories he had heard about divine champions, and he claimed that that's what I was." She watched as the priest sat back thoughtfully in his chair.

"What you described is an ability called divine wrath and usually it is something that only experienced holy fighters can use. You said that Casavir had told you that Helm chose you because of a birthmark on your shoulder. May I see it?" Meron smiled a little as she blushed at the request, her modesty was an admirable trait for a paladin.

Turning her back, she loosened the buttons on her shirt and carefully slid it off her left shoulder. She felt his fingers trace the birthmark there and when he finished she pulled her shirt back up and buttoned it. Turning to face him she saw a thoughtful expression on his face.

"The mark is definately one of Helm's symbols, but it is a rare one. I would have to look it up to be sure, but it seems to me that he has indeed marked you to be his divine champion. Which means that you are definately able to call down his wrath on your enemies at will." Meron saw that she looked puzzled.

"Then how come it only happens occasionally and sometimes by accident?"

"Natheran you are young and you have not had someone to help guide you in your faith. As your faith grows, so too will your ability to use this power. You will be able to channel more power each time you use it and you will be able to do so of your own will." He watched her face as she thought about what he had said. He studied her everytime she came for lessons and through prayer had discovered her potential. She had so much latent power that she hadn't tapped into yet. When she did learn to harness it she would be one of the most formidable adversaries one could face.

"So, these studies will help me to develop this ability?" She looked at him with a slight smile. Maybe defeating the King of Shadows wouldn't be impossible.

"Yes they will. The more you learn, the closer you will be to Helm, and thus the more powerful you will become. But remember, with this greater power will come greater responsibility. It is when the path seems darkest that you will most need to put your trust in Helm. He will be your beacon and your strength, and in these times of darkness that approach you will need him more than ever." Meron picked up the text they had been studying and sat down on the rug before the small alter he had set up.

"Now, let us continue with your lessons. All things will become clear in time my dear, and you will just have to be patient."