Here is the next chapter. A bit of battle in it, as well as Keledrial's continuing struggle with Rosealliele. Enjoy and review!
To Arabwel, Aquila, Catspaw0913, Crazefanficboi, Raelli, and Silverwolf, thank you again! Azurielle
I really do not understand women at all, and I vow that I never will. Honestly, I think that they deliberately sit around and think up ways to annoy the males of whatever race they happen to belong to…and manage to annoy the men of all other races along the way. It's ridiculous!
She kissed me the second time. She said she liked it. When we talked, even before that night, she acted like she'd enjoyed my presence. Now I can't get within ten feet of her without some manner of problem occurring. If she isn't running off, then she's sending one of her friends over to stall me long enough to escape! And for once, I haven't done a damned thing wrong!
To make things just that much more frustrating, the others have noticed, and I swear if Bran makes one more insinuation that Rose's sudden distance has something to do with my lack of skill as a lover, I'm going to rage on him. By the gods! Women! Why couldn't Sera have been born male so I wouldn't have to deal with any of that scheming, evil gender?!
You know…it's rather hard to write when one's knuckles are split open. Still, for all the difficulty, I feel no remorse over the cause of the injury, as I truly enjoyed inflicting it.
I finally found out the reason that Rosealliele has been avoiding me, and why she left so suddenly after we kissed. The reason, if it is true, as I would almost guarantee that it is, is both intriguing and utterly frustrating to me.
According to a very irritating moon elf, who just had to stop by and give me the information, smirking smugly all the while, Rosealliele is betrothed to one Evyth Amarillis, a noble of the house Amarillis.
For the stunned moment after I heard this, Kellenes just had to get another hit in, adding that Rosealliele was an honorable etriel and had told him herself that she had no intention of betraying her family or losing her honor.
"Besides, Nightstar, even if she wasn't to be wed, do you really think that she'd want to be with someone as narrow-minded and violent as you are?" He asked me. You know, I just don't understand why he constantly feels the need to pick fights with me. He's yet to truly win, after all.
"Violent, am I?" I asked him quietly, a second before I lashed out, the knuckles of my fist connecting solidly with the flesh around his eye. He staggered back, one hand clutching his face, while he reached for his weapon.
"Oh, save it," I advised him, glancing down at my bleeding knuckles. I might have known he'd have a head as hard as my own.
"Normally I'd oblige you with a fight, but I'm not in the mood for it at the moment." I walked off, leaving him stunned enough…either by my comment, or the punch, that he didn't even bother to finish drawing his weapon.
So Rosealliele is betrothed. What shall I think of that? It wouldn't be the first time I had attempted to seduce someone who was already bound by a vow or promise of sorts. But it was certainly interesting that she had stopped, when she had been clearly enjoying what was happening between us.
As for Evyth Amarillis, I can say that I know of him, but have never met him. Although from what I have heard, he's stuck up, self-important, and a scheming bastard…all from the mouth of the "virtuous" Sylthas, whom has crossed paths with the other noble before. Sylthas, despite his friendship with Tobias, and myself, is a notably good judge of character and so I have to wonder why someone as nice as Rose would willingly betroth herself to someone like Evyth.
The explanation that immediately leapt to mind was that she'd had no choice in the matter, much as I'd had no choice in my engagement to the damned Moonflower girl. After all, among we "noble" families, it is still a common practice to make alliances between families by way of marriage…whether or not the participants in said marriage are willing, or even of age yet. Poor Rose was probably in the same situation. Well no matter. Betrothed or not, I still intend to have Rose. The idea of someone like her with an elf as rotten as Sylthas makes Evyth Amarillis out to be, is revolting. Besides, Rose likes me…better she should experience pleasure with me, than a lifetime of regret with the Amarillis rat.
I finally managed to corner her, although I did resort to slightly despicable tactics. Using Sera, I had my daughter catch Rose in a conversation, and while she was detained, I moved in. As soon as I approached, I could see Rose looking for a way to escape, but there was none to be had, for Sera kept firing question after question about the various nuances of the protection from evil spell. Rose was forced to stand and answer the questions, while I sidled up to them.
"Ah, Sera," I began. "There you are. I think I heard your little friend, Rina calling for you."
"Is she looking for me? Where?" Sera wanted to know.
"Um…I think it was over by the eating hall," I lied. Although it probably wasn't so much of a lie, come to think of it. After all, I had seen Rina near the eating hall earlier in the morning, and she probably was looking Sera. Thankfully, Sera took the bait and scampered off.
"Well, I have to be leaving as well…"Rose began to move away.
"Oh no you don't," I told her, holding an arm out to bar her path.
"Lord Nightstar, please. I have things I need to…"
"Lord Nightstar?" I repeated. "Last week it was Keledrial," I reminded her. She sighed, crossing her arms defensively.
"Things have changed," she began.
"What things?" I interrupted.
"I can't do this," she stated.
"Do what? Talk to me?"
"No, I just can't be around you," she said.
" Why not?" She didn't respond. I think she was trying to come up with a valid excuse.
"I think that you're scared," I told her.
"I most certainly am not!" She exclaimed, sounding quite a bit insulted.
"Yes you are. Why else would you have suddenly decided to ignore me after kissing me?" Her face paled at the words, a faint bluish hint of a blush appearing on her smooth cheeks.
"That was a mistake…" she replied, backing up a little, when I took a step closer to her.
"Yes, ignoring me must have been a mistake," I agreed. " Especially since I know that you felt the same as I did about those kisses."
"You don't know what I feel, and that's not what I meant…" she protested weakly. Before she could say anything else, I pressed her up against the wall of the wizard's building and kissed her. She didn't try to stop me, nor did she resist once my mouth met hers. I can't really describe how sweet she tasted, nor can I explain why the scent of her hair and skin had me aroused in less than a breath's span of time.
When I stopped a few moments later, to let her catch her breath, I heard her sigh. Looking down at her, I met her eyes. There was pleasure there…but confusion as well…confusion and a battle.
"Keledrial," she began, her voice a little breathless. " You're trying to seduce me, like my cousin, and I won't let you."
"I am trying to seduce you," I admitted. "But this is nothing like your cousin. I told you, I can barely remember her. You, I could never forget." I kissed her again, this time putting my arms around her to keep her from going anywhere.
When we stopped again, she did not try to pull away, instead, leaning against me. I felt her shaking a little, and it took me a moment to realize that the shaking came from tears. I hate it when women cry. It has to be the most effective, and most annoying weapon in their whole arsenal.
"Rose, what's the matter?" I asked.
" I know this seems right…" she replied after a moment, her voice ragged sounding with tears. "But it isn't…this is wrong, Keledrial."
"How can it be wrong?" I wanted to know.
"I…" she didn't finish was she was about to say.
"You're betrothed, right?" I asked. Her eyes were shame-filled as they met mine and she nodded.
"So what? So am I. What does that matter? You don't love him, or you wouldn't be at Everall at all, let alone in my arms. I can't even stand being in the presence of my betrothed, and she likes me even less, if possible. Why should it matter then, if there is no feelings involved?"
"Because a vow is a vow, Keledrial, and once said should not be broken," she protested, pushing out of my arms. I could have held her there, but did not want to frighten her, or anything.
"It doesn't matter whether I love my betrothed or not. The truth is, I've never even met him. But I made a vow to wed him and I will keep it, and not dishonor my family" she told me in a resolute sort of fashion. I laughed. Maybe I shouldn't have, but I did.
"You actually believe that? Why in Corellon's name, would you rather spend your life with someone you don't even know, rather than take a chance with someone you're at least attracted to?" Her eyes widened fractionally.
"Are you asking me to break my promise and wed you instead?" she asked, her voice a little more high pitched than it had been a moment ago. That had me panicked for a moment. Only a woman would find that question in the statement I had just made.
"No!" I protested quickly. The last thing I wanted to do was give her ideas that there was no way in Toril I meant.
"I'm just saying that maybe you should try to…experience certain things before you decide to bind yourself to a stranger…whom, I might add, is not said to be the nicest of elves."
"Neither are you rumored to be overly civilized," she snapped at me. I took a deep breath, attempting to control my temper. As much as I like to think I am becoming immune to such insults, it particularly hurt coming from her, for some reason.
"All right, Rose. Fine. I'll leave you alone, to remain…pure or whatever it is you think you're accomplishing here, if you can honestly say that you feel no attraction towards me." She was quiet for a long minute, and I was betting that she would not be willing to lie. Finally, she replied.
"It would be untruthful to say that I feel nothing for you. But what I feel for you is obviously not the same thing you feel for me, and so this will go no further. I will not dishonor myself, therefore you must leave me alone."
"Where is it written that you have to be a virgin to be married?" I asked her. If she had been a human, her face would have turned crimson at such a blunt question…as it was her cheeks and the tips of her ears certainly turned a lovely shade of blue.
"Oh! You…!" she seemed so almost too flustered and furious to respond for a moment. It was truly enjoyable to watch her scramble for an answer…or at least a proper set down.
"It's my choice, for you information, Lord Nightstar!" She hissed at me. She reminded me of an unhappy elven cat…pretty and dainty, even when riled. I wanted to smile, but dared not, for fear I would have to counterspell whatever curse or fireball she decided to hurl at me.
"Furthermore, I'll thank you to mind your own business, mind where you place your…mouth, and for Sehanine's sake, leave me alone!" With that, she brushed past me, storming off. I watched her intently, until she was out of sight, before I allowed myself to grin. All things considered, I think it went well. After all, she wouldn't have been nearly as…emotional about the whole encounter, if she despised me as much as she was trying to convince herself that she did. I am no longer the foolish elf who threw tantrums every time I got rejected, or merely smiled at a woman hoping for a proper response. The truth is, I am beginning to think that winning Rose over was going to be quite a challenge…and for once, it is a challenge that I anticipate facing.
I am making progress. After her little fit of temper, Rosealliele seems to be having more and more trouble avoiding me…and at least that much trouble resisting me.
Sera, you see, thinks I that I like Rosealliele and mean to marry her, or some such nonsense. I had Sanhandrian spy on Sera, and he overheard her talking with Rina. Apparently the "project" she and the dwarf girl have been "working" on is some sort of match making attempt. Seeing as Rina's parents only recently wed, Sera has been garnering advice and aid from the other girl.
So I have been using Sera's determination to garner herself a mother to my best advantage. Sera has been quite helpful in "arranging" encounters between Rosealliele and myself. She thinks she is making everything seem "coincidental," and I let her believe so, as it is helping me towards the greater goal here.
And thus far, each encounter with Rose had been more and more successful in my favor. She continues to try hold onto her excuses: her betrothed and my bad reputation, but it must be a struggle. After all nearly every time I have managed to get her alone we have kissed...and occasionally a bit more. Better yet, at least half of the time, she initiated it.
I don't understand why she'd fighting so hard. Still, it's intriguing. After all, I've never met a woman who tries so hard to hold onto her honor. After all, keeping promises, especially ones involving chastity and so forth hardly seems like a womanly trait. But, in the end, I'm certain she'll prove like all the others…and I will finally be rid of my bizarre fascination with a woman who is not all that unique!
What is happening to me? This is insane! Why can't I stop thinking about her?! It's becoming an obsession, which certainly cannot be healthy. Even my students have noticed my lack of attention to just about everything about me, judging by the giggles and whispers I hear coming from them, the moment they believe I am not paying any attention.
The whole situation is becoming absurd. Why, after all should this one woman be affecting me so? And for Corellon's sake, why can't she just act like most other women and sleep with me? It would let the both of us get over this…attraction and get on with our existences.
I tried to talk with Rosealliele about what is happening, but either I didn't explain things right, or she didn't understand. When I told her that I couldn't explain why I wanted her, explained that my need for her continual presence was bordering on obsession, she only shook and sighed. She told me that if an obsession was all I thought this was, that she felt truly sorry for me. And then, after uttering such an annoyingly cryptic statement, she refused to elaborate.
I would that I had someone to talk to about this, to advise me as to what's happening. Celedor would be ideal, but the priest, as far as I know, is still in Waterdeep, which is quite a distance from Everall. I dare not say anything to my friends here, or I know that Bran, with his massive mouth, would have it bandied about the school within a matter of hours. Frankly, though, I doubt that any of them would be much help in the situation.
I only write this to get out some of frustration, as I have no idea how to resolve the dilemma, short of getting Rose to agree to be my lover…which at this rate, might be sometime before my second century…if I am lucky!
Why does it never fail, I wonder? In that I mean, that it never fails that interruptions come at the worst possible times. It has taken me months…quite literally, to reach the point I am at. I very nearly convinced Rosealliele to agree...I am positive of it. The trouble is, before she had a chance to finally put an end to our mutual misery, I felt a strange tingle of magic, as the amulet around my neck activated. I had mere seconds to grab my sword up, and give Rose…whose black hair was tangled from my hands in it, and her lips swollen from my kisses…an apologetic look, before I felt the teleportation spell activate.
A breath's span later, I was standing in the courtyard of Banshee keep. Before me, the Banshee, and about two dozen human and elven soldiers were geared up for battle.
"I assume you're ready to fight?" Rain the Banshee asked me, one hand resting lightly on the hilt of her cutlass. I nodded, clearing my head of the disorientation inherent in teleporting. I hadn't had time to grab my armor, so I was lent some from the armory there. Unlike my preferred forms of armor: either magic bracers, or a breastplate, what they had for me was a suit of blackened chainmail that had enchantments on it to allow the wearer to move more silent, more swiftly, ad hide better. I pulled the armor on. It resized itself to fit me as I did so, a fairly common facet of most magical armors. I was also given a small vial of potion to drink down, told that the nasty tasting concoction would keep the drow poison from effecting me.
"I trust you brought a sword that you can control this time?" An acidic voice asked. I didn't have to look to know that it was the dark elf, Dazelin. I glanced over anyhow, noting that he wore all black, as did most everyone in the battle party. I gathered that whatever we were going to be doing involved a degree of stealth.
"Don't make show you just how well I can control my sword, dark elf," I commented calmly. He snorted in a derisive fashion. I ignored him, not even bothering to rouse my temper…amazing how tolerant I am becoming, isn't it?
"Dazelin, knock it off," Rain told the dark elf, in a half-hearted manner. She was probably too used to his bad behavior to bother truly chastising him…much as I imagine the majority of my few friends, have become accustomed to my personality.
"So, Nightstar," the Banshee glanced up at me. "Ready for a bit of night work in the forest? Considering your name, and all, it would seem that you'd be appropriately suited, after all."
"Tell me what needs to be done, and I'll see to it," I told her, firmly. She chuckled.
"Gods, are you ever arrogant! Noble to the core, right? Oh don't get worked up now. Here's the run down. We got wind of a raiding party of drow headed for the Abbey of the Golden Sheaf. Dazelin will be taking us just outside the Abbey via Teleport circle. We think they're house Jaelre, but its just as likely they're common Underdark raiders. They're probably after the grain stores at the Abbey. All things considered, the drow aren't the best farmers, and still need to food. Seeing as the border forces and the people of Mistledale rely on the Abbey of the Golden Sheaf for grain and services, we thought we might have a bit of fun, and head the dark ones off before they get a chance to cause havoc with the priests. You game?"
"What?" I asked, not entirely certainly of what she had mean by the last comment. Human slang has never been one of my strong points. She laughed, and shook her head once more.
"I asked if you were willing to go with us," she translated.
"I wouldn't have put on the amulet otherwise," I replied, as I finished putting on the necessary gear. I was itching to have another go at the dark elves, but I rather hoped this would not take too long. I can only imagine the fit Sera will work herself into, otherwise.
Just as we were getting ready to leave, I heard Rosealleile's voice whispering in my ear.
"Keledrial?" she sounded concerned. "Where are you? Are you all right? Should I get help?" I knew the spell she was using was a sending spell. She would only be able to speak to me once, and I would only be able to respond to her once. I did not want her here…or anywhere near any battle for that matter, so I was careful to make what was going on sound nonchalant.
"No. I'm fine. Stay where you are. I'm just helping some people out with a vow I made them. I should be back by tomorrow…the day after at the latest. Tell Sera." I knew that Rose would keep an eye on Sera for whatever length of time I was gone. All things considered, perhaps a brief absence on my part would be a good thing. Maybe it would let Rose realize how much she would miss me. My thoughts on the subject were rudely interrupted by Dazelin's ringing sarcasm.
"If you finished talking to yourself, might we get on with this, while we still have night left in which to move?" Not waiting for an answer, he finished casting the spell that would allow him to teleport the whole group of us at once.
We arrived in a fallow field that I was told was on the edge of the Abbey of the Golden Sheaf's land, less than a mile from the edge of the forest. There wasn't a great deal of conversation as we moved swiftly towards the forest's edges. As we passed into the trees, the group spilt apart, each taking a slightly different direction. Uncertain of where I should go, I moved straight ahead, until the smaller form of the Banshee slipped up beside me. I noticed that her bright red and white hair was hidden under a black hood, and her clothing was all dark as well.
"Our information says that they mean to cross the river sometime after dark, and move on the Abbey once they think the priests are asleep. We're to line the banks of this side of the river, hide as best you can, or at least stay far enough back that they won't easily see you."
"Drow see near-perfectly in the dark," I pointed out.
"Like I don't know that?" she remarked with sarcasm. "I've been fighting them for the past two decades, Nightstar. And yeah, they see well in the dark, but even drow can't see though trees if you sit still."
"So where do you want me to be?" I asked.
"Just pick a spot and sit there. Don't attack or do a damned thing until you see the signal," she warned.
"And what is the signal?" I asked.
"You'll know it when you see it," she replied cryptically.
"And what happens if the drow try to cross the river somewhere other than where we are?" I wanted to know. She laughed softly.
"Not going to happen. This is the only place safe enough for miles. Anywhere else and they have to deal with border patrols, watch towers, and natural hazards…or go so far out of their way that it'd be morning before they got near the Abbey." I had one final question for her.
"And what if this is a trap…as it was the last time?" I glanced down at her. She shrugged, seemingly unconcerned.
"Understand this, kid," she said. "The drow of Cormanthyr have set up traps before…I'm used to them. They've not caught me yet. And as for the keep, let's just say that another attempt like the last would be extremely inadvisable, as well as unattainable. It won't happen again. And a trap here just means that the drow think their plan is better than mine. I don't intend to fail…none of my men will fail…this here is our friends and our homes and we protect them. You're here out of duty…and tonight, you're duty is to make certain that the drow don't get near the church, got it?" And this woman was the same pick-pocket who'd robbed me? Strange how much people can change in such a small span of time, isn't it?
"As you order," I replied. She slipped away, reminding me of Lita in how she moved, blending in with the shadows and foliage until I could no longer discern where she was anymore.
A few moments later I heard the sound of flowing water, and saw the blackness of the river Ashaba through the trees. There was no moon, and few stars to grant light, but with my vision, I could still see clearly enough to pick out a few of the men who'd come from Banshee keep, hiding themselves up in the trees, and down in the underbrush.
I picked a position not too far from the water, behind a medium-sized boulder. It gave me considerable cover, all the while affording me a clear view of the river, and the opposite side. I had my weapon ready, and my spells as well, determined that no drow would escape my blade that night.
We didn't have to wait long this time. It wasn't long before midnight that I caught sight of the first shadow creeping across the river. Now being that it is a river, after all, I would have expected that they cross with boats or something…at the very least, I expected them to try to cross the river by swimming, or walking across a low area. The last thing I expected was for them to be walking across the water. I saw first one, then another, then a few dozen more. They were all walking on the surface of the water as though it were as solid as the ground, their boots making barely a ripple on the surface as they did so. I recognized the spell being used, a spell called Waterwalk, and that was not what shocked me so. It was the very idea of drow using magic on the surface that had me wondering. Oh I know that Dazelin and Kalanas are both wizards, but as far as I know they were both born on the surface, away from traditional drowish societies. That had to be the only excuse for their non-evil behavior…and I assumed it was the reason they were both able to wield magic, for I had always been told that with the drow, their true weakness is the sun. The sun not only blinds their light sensitive eyes, but also destroys the things that their magic had wrought, like their armor and weapons…and spells. This is something all of the People know as fact, for there is something about living underground that has always corrupted drow magic, making it near impossible to function normally on the surface…not so here. So I wondered if the things I had been taught were false, or if something had changed, or if, perhaps there was something unique to this group of drow that allowed them to use their magic on the surface after all. Yet for all the topic had me interested and confused, I banished the idea from my mind, focusing all of my attention on the enemy, which were nearing our side of the river.
My hands itched to cast a spell, or bring my blade up, but I did neither, knowing I had to wait for some mysterious signal.
I did not have to wait long. By the time the first of the drow reached the southern shore of the river, the majority of the raiding party was halfway across. A ball of light shot from the southern part of the forest, hitting the tightest grouping of dark elves. The shape of it was that of a fireball, but with one subtle difference: this ball was made of lightning instead. The scintillating sphere hit the water at the center of the drow, and exploded outward. The drow in the immediate area were electrocuted, their water-walking enchantments faltering as they died and fell into the river. The water conducted the lightning outward, causing it to arc across the water, and hit many other member of the raiding party. A small portion of them fell into the river, but a heartbeat later surfaced, and began to swim for the shore…wounded but not dead.
The rest, realizing an attack was upon them, began to fall back to the far side of the river, as a silent retreat was called. I knew our attack was on, when the hail of arrows came from the forest, cutting down several of the retreating drow, accompanied by the tell-tale scream of the "Banshee."
There were still more than half of the drow left standing, mostly unharmed. I refused to consider allowing any of them to escape, and so stepped forward to begin. As I did, there came a roar from the far side of the river, and a fireball shot across, hitting the trees on our side. I heard cries as several of the Banshee's men were engulfed by the flames. I looked over to where it had come from, and saw a glimpse of a shadow through the trees. I heard the ring of steel in the night, as the few drow who had made it to this shore attacked the forces of Banshee keep, determined, I suppose to kill as many as they could before they died.
I, however, ignored the melee on this side of the river, and focused on the far side. I used a spell to create a magical doorway before me. Stepping through, it brought me the distance across, to the far side of the river, only a few dozen feet from where the dark elf caster stood, with several fighters. They caught sight of me easily enough, for while the Dimension Door spell is effective, it is not particularly stealthy. Several of the fighters rushed me, while the wizard continued casting. I had a moment to throw up my sword in defense, as a uniform and complete darkness surrounded me. All sound was suddenly muffled, and I could see nothing, though my eyes were wide open. The first sword rang off mine, but as I swung about to where the drow had been, there was nothing. A muffled sound to my left alerted me to danger…and just in time. A sword thrust that would have killed me, piercing my heart, merely grazed off my ribs instead. Painful, but not life threatening. A second sword cut across my right shoulder, and I knew that I would not be able to fight effectively in the darkness. Taking a chance, I plunged my sword into the ground at my feet and cast the fastest I have ever cast in my life, my hands flying through the motions of the spell.
The darkness vanished like mist in the sunlight as I Dispelled it. My sword was back in my hand in a moment, as I swung hard at the dark elf who rearing back to strike once more. He had apparently not been expecting the darkness to fall, nor for me to regain my vision, and he'd left himself open. I took the shot, and did to him what he'd meant to do to me. His blood joined my own in staining my tunic, as I cut him nearly in two with my swing.
I turned my attention to his fellow, hearing the sounds of footsteps, as the wizard ran. Not wanting the caster to escape, I parried a few of my current opponent's attacks. He was good, and for a long moment, I couldn't find an opening. I had a split moment of time to think about the battle, and decided to be a little unorthodox. After all, the drow fight dirty…why shouldn't I? I stepped back a little, feigning a stumble. The dark elf lunged forward to take the obvious attack. I sidestepped him at the last moment, and tripped him. He was only down for less than a breath, when he began to flip back up again…but in the fraction of a second when he gained his feet, still searching for his balance, I had him. My sword came down, and his right arm, shoulder, and head were no longer attached to his body.
Not pausing for a moment, I bolted off, in the direction the wizard had gone. I may not be a ranger, but I am no novice at tracking, either, and the wizard had left a path plain for a blind orc to see, broken branches and disturbed foliage everywhere.
At the time I was chasing him, it never occurred to me that I might be running into a situation that was not ideal for only one fighter to be facing…nor did it occur to me that I was putting more and more distance between myself and my allies. All I thought at the time was that I could not let even one of the drow escape.
I caught up with the wizard at the edge of a small bog. The stench was quite unpleasant, and the ground beneath me feet grew muddy, beginning to suck at my boots. The wizard almost seemed to be waiting for me as I approached. Only as a small volley of crossbow bolts shot at me from the sides, did I realize that the wizard was no longer alone. Two hit me, one in the side, the other in my upper right arm. Both were painful and I could feel the bite of poison, but the counter potion already running though my body kept anything from affecting me.
I dropped one hand from my sword, and flicked my fingers through the motions of a simple spell: Light. The small area we were in lit up as though I'd lit a bright torch, illuminating the area. Though it slowed them for a minute, the light did not quite have the effect I'd intended…but I suppose I should have anticipated that, seeing as these drow have most likely been on the surface for sometime now.
Still, I was able to enter combat with the fighters, whom I could see illuminated against the trees, while the wizard wasted precious seconds dispelling my magic.
I imagine that the battle might well have gone downhill from there…or that I might have raged and trusted on my greater strength and faster reactions to save me, but as it turned out, the drow had chosen a poor spot for a battle, as there was something else there…something that apparently did not like being disturbed.
As the three dark elven fighters and I were exchanging wounds, there was a sudden and sharp cry of pain from where the wizard was. At first, no one turned or looked. I was too intent on staying alive, while being outnumbered by three better than average sword fighters, and they were far too busy trying kill me. Another moment later, and there was second cry of pain, suddenly and roughly cut off, with a sound of cracking bones, like twigs snapping.
The stench of rotting vegetation suddenly intensified greatly, to the point that it was causing both I and my opponents to gag. Then, a vine, as thick as my forearm suddenly wrapped around the throat of one of the dark elves I was fighting and jerked him back. It was enough to make us stop fighting long enough to turn and look. What I saw was…unpleasant to say the least.
At the edge of the bog, a mound of rotting, sticking vegatation and leave rose up, dripping water, mud and filth. It rapidly grew until it was over ten feet in height, with thick tendrils of vines coming from it "torso," an indentation near the top of it, at what might have been some form of "head." One of the vines was wrapped around the corpse of the wizard, whose arms and head weretwisted at unnatural angles. A second vine was steady constricting tighter around the neck of the drow fighter, whose was kicking and clawing at the vine…to no avail. It only took a few seconds for his struggles to grow weaker, and then cease suddenly as another snapping noise filled the night air…his neck suddenly at a right angle to the rest of his body. The creature lurched up a bit, coming out of the bog as it moved towards the rest of us…even as we, fighting forgotten, backed away.
Thinking to stop the shambling mound of a monster, I began to cast. A moment later, a bolt of lightning shot from my fingers, striking the thing squarely. The bolt did not even slow it.
Then it was too late. The rest of the vine tentacles shot forward at us with the speed of an arrow. I was grabbed about the waster, and dragged backwards, towards the thing, along with the two drow. It began tightening about me, constricting, and squeezing the breath from me…but my hands were still free. I swung my sword, hacking at it, not about to give up without a fight. Apparently the drow had similar ideas, for they two were struggling, even as the vines pulled tighter about us.
Bits of dead plants and mud flew everywhere. I actually seemed to be damaging it with my attacks…but not fast enough. I hacked a large chunk off the top, now being held over six feet off the ground as the creature wrapped another vine around me. I felt my ribs cracking, and it was getting very hard to breath. A glance over, revealed that only one of the drow was still moving, the other limp in the creature's grasp, bent nearly in half, his back broken.
I continued chopping at the thing for what seemed like forever, when finally, I felt the deathly hold it had on me loosen. As it "died" it fell, and from the height I was at, I fell with it, landing hard on my back. I looked up in time to see the huge mass of decay and rot falling forward…right on top of me. It with the force of a boulder being dropped from a like distance. I was completely covered by the suffocating matter, and started to try to claw my way out…but moving was hard, and I was disoriented…I was no longer certain which way was out.
Just as I was growing light-headed from the lack of air, and thinking angrily, about what ignomious way this way to die, I felt something grab my shoulders, and start dragging my out.
By the time my rescuer had pulled me out of the refuse-heap of a monster, I could hardly breath, and darkness was edging in on my vision. I must have been hallucinating, for I could swear I saw an elven woman standing over me. She had tanned skin, and green hair and eyes. She wore next to nothing, and yet though she might well have been sylvan elf, I did not think she was…there was something about her that was fey and strange…even for an elf.
"Nasty, awful, rotting, thing," I heard her mutter in the language of the forest. I speak that language, albeit not very well, for it had been a long time and I am out of practice. She looked down at me, and smiled prettily.
" Fear not," she said. "Safe now. Good that you killed it. Saved my tree so I saved you. Others coming now, so I go," was what I understood her to be saying.
"The drow?" I wheezed. She wrinkled her nose.
"Dead…like the shambler. All dead now. Bad evil elves," she shook her head. "Friends come, I go now," she told me once more. She moved from field of vision, and was gone, leaving me wondering what had just happened. It didn't occur to me until later that what the girl had been was no elf, but a dryad…the comment about her tree leading me to think so. Dryads are fey creatures, they resemble elves superficially, but are bound for all time to their trees, for which they will fight to the death to protect.
Just I had managed to catch much breath as well as I could with cracked and possibly broken ribs, and started to sit up, several people burst into the clearing. I moved to draw my sword up, but saw quickly enough that they were soldiers from Banshee keep, and lowered it once more.
Two of them helped me up, while a third, an elf whistled at the destruction and bodies.
"Well done!" he said. "Not many that I know of could have handled a Shambler of this size and drow at the same time, and lived to tell the tale!" He seemed impressed. I shrugged. After all, the Shambler, as both the dryad and the elf called it, had killed the drow. I'd only really killed it.
"Guess I'm just lucky," I told him. He chuckled.
"You surely must be." One of the ones who'd helped me up commented that we had to get back to the others and regroup.
When we got back, we found that the battle was over. A goodly number of the dark elves had been killed, and Dazelin and Rain were in the process of interrogating one that had been kept alive for questioning.
When they finished, Rain came over to the assembled group of us…many who were wounded. She told us that counting numbers, we'd killed all but five of the raiding party, with only two casualties on our side. She congratulated everyone on a successful battle, adding that she thought we had to be some of the best fighters in the dalelands to have triumphed so well.
One of the soldiers replied that it was only because they followed her that they were so good. All in all it was a rather nauseating display of loyalty…but at the same time, it was also inspiring, I suppose. After all, the Banshee was right about one thing…not many groups of soldiers anywhere could have fared so well against the drow, notorious for their fighting skills.
After the battle was through, Dazelin teleported us back to Banshee keep in time to see the dawn rays of the sun lighting up the night sky. He informed Rain that he was far too tired to be concerned with sending me back to Everall, and that I could just wait until tomorrow to return.
I was so tired from sneaking about the woods and the battle through the trees that I didn't even bother to argue with him. Merely followed the direction of the Banshee's pointed finger towards a place I could rest.
Before I could lay down, however, the inhabitants of Banshee keep descended upon us. Healers began moving about, doing their work. While the cooks brought out food for everyone to eat. I was rather tired and would have liked to decline all and just rest, but I was quickly told I wasn't going anywhere until I had a healer do something about my wounds…hardly the worst I have ever received I might ask.
This time it was not the farmer-priest, nor was it half orc who healed me. While they were busy healing others who were wounded far worse than I, a young girl whom I recalled having seen before, the last time I was here, approached. She had shoulder-length brown hair, and elven shaped green eyes. Her features were a mix of the Banshee's and the farmer-priest's…another of their offspring, no doubt. This one was older than my student, Jaelen, but younger than the other boy, Gully. I would guess her age at sixteen or so, but despite her youth, she moved with a strange surety and an eerie calmness about her. She wore simple robes that had been dyed various shades of gray and blue, reminding me of water. Around her neck was a holy symbol that was not familiar to me; a symbol of waterfall plunging into a still pool.
"May I tend your wounds?" she asked me a voice that seemed to radiate stillness and peace.
"If you want," I shrugged. I wasn't certain how much she'd be able to do, as she couldn't have been much more than a novice priest. She smiled at me, looking, at that moment, very much like the Banshee.
"Thank you. I'm Emiliana Hawklight, a novice druid of Eldath. I just gained my first spells a week ago," she told me, proudly. I didn't mind being treated by novice…being a teacher, one has to get used to being "practiced on," or so I've noticed after working at Everall.
"Who is Eldath?" I asked, less out of curiosity, and more out a need to keep talking, lest I fall into reverie on the spot. I'm always so tired after a battle…even when I don't rage!
As she cleaned, tended, and finally healed my wounds as best she could, she explained to me that Eldath was a human goddess of calmness, guardian of still groves and quiet places, and pacifism. Basically, a goddess of all things Tempus is not. Not really a very interesting goddess, I suppose, but still a necessary one. After all without peace, no one would no what war was, right?
The little druid girl, whom I learned is the second born child of Rain and her husband, finally declared I was fit enough to go rest if wanted. I left immediately for the room where Rain had told me I could rest, and I was in reverie before my head even hit the pillow.