Chapter Three: Affirmation
The Council of Six- Athkatla, 17 Uktar, 1369 DR
"And so I ask the Council to ratify my claim of my lands- lands that have fallen into disrepair through the actions of the Roenall family, and through the evil of Cyric. I have destroyed a large force of goblins and gnolls, and have eliminated the threat of evil. A stronghold that could have been a rallying point for bandits and other rebels has been freed, and returned to my rule. Only now, do other Houses seek to take my lands, once they know the evil has gone. This is why I beg the Council to reaffirm my claim- my hereditary claim to the de'Arnise keep and lands."
Having finished her speech, Nalia sat on the soft cushion, and stared at the pale, gauzy curtain that prevented her from seeing the rest of the Council. The custom that the members remained anonymous was similar to the custom in Waterdhavian politics, or so she was told.
The sumptuous, regal room was filled with supplicants to the Council, who were kept a reasonable distance from the curtains and the current speaker by a line of elite Amnish legionaries, wearing their ceremonial armour.
Nalia noticed in the shadowed corner, a wizard shrouded in cowl and robe. She had to force herself not to sniff in distaste. She did not like Cowled Wizards. While the majority might by studious, and concerned about the craft, there were some powerful members who used the organisation to gain control of people.
People like Imoen, who they had kept locked in the magical fortress of Spellhold, far out to the ocean. Nalia was one of the only people in Faerûn who had been within that stronghold, without being a member of the Cowled Wizards. What she had seen had hardly made her feel any greater affection towards the wizards.
"We hear your request, Nalia de'Arnise. The Council is pleased to offer this simple thing to the Hero of Trademeet and Destroyer of the Five. The declaration of ratification shall be proclaimed throughout the Empire. Let houses invade the lands de'Arnise at their own peril."
There was a long pause.
"The Council wishes to bestow a further reward upon Nalia de'Arnise. For not only has she saved Amn and the Sword Coast from terrible chaos and bloodshed by fighting immense evil, but now she has done us another boon by removing an enclave of the Sythillisian Empire. For this reason we judge a reward of forty thousand golds sufficient. The Council has spoken, let our words be law."
Nalia bowed low. "My thanks, esteemed members of the Council. Allow me to make it clear that there is no more a loyal servant than you will find in Nalia de'Arnise. My thanks once more."
And, her fine silk robes moving lightly across the polished marble floor, Nalia walked past the crowding nobles and courtiers, and marched through the golden doors into the streets of the City of Coin.
* * *
Delryn Estate- Athkatla, 17 Uktar, 1369 DR
She sat, an hour later in a comfortable seat, holding a slender glass of rich, fruity wine. Her feet were bare, as she had taken her sandals off to enjoy the benefits of the warm, crackling fire that the servants had stoked for her arrival.
Anomen Delryn sat opposite her, wearing formal clothes consisting of a black tunic and trousers. Fine silk tunic and trousers, but black nonetheless. It was another sign of his change since the ascension of Kathryn to godhood.
It was no secret that this priest of Helm and knight of the Order had been madly in love with the young Bhaalspawn. It was no secret that Kathryn had loved him back. They had both intended to marry when they had settled, for their love had been that strong. But at the last, the Bhaalspawn had chosen to become a god. Anomen believed she had chosen it over their love.
The knight, often grim and duty-bound anyway, had become almost unbearable in his manner. Nalia had almost been driven away in annoyance on their journey from Saradush to Athkatla. He simply refused to feel anything now, except for duty, or a commitment to the greater good.
But despite that, Nalia honoured their friendship. They had travelled together for a week before they had met Kathryn, even cleansing a goblin lair in the sewers before joining the party with the bard. Six months fighting almost every monster under the sun and moon had created an unbreakable bond of friendship, even if they were taking different paths now.
"I heard of the proclamation."
Nalia took a sip of wine, "Yes, it was generous of them, don't you think? I can't help but feel there is an ulterior motive, however. The Council does not given anything away. We are in Amn, and this nation is not called the Merchant's nation for nothing, is it?"
Anomen smiled faintly, "No. I feel though, Nalia, that you are too cynical. The Council has seen what you have done for them, and have taken steps to see that you are rewarded amicably."
She sighed, "Have you been rewarded?"
The knight paused for a moment, taking a long look into his wine before drinking. He said quietly, "I have been rewarded yes. This estate received a donation of gold slightly less than yours, and the trading companies under my name have been given some beneficial trading freedoms."
Nalia pondered before speaking, "Then the Council wishes to strengthen two people who are known to have a good, loyal nature. They rely on us to defend them from evil and chaos. With us to protect them, they can bargain with evil, and let us deal with the evil that they do not ally with."
Anomen reddened with anger. "Preposterous! The Council is decadent, and money-grabbing, but it does not cut deals with criminals and vagabonds and other sorts. The Order would have something to say if it did."
They remained silent for a while. Nalia looked around the room, and was pleased to see that Anomen had bookcases and scrolls. He was no fool of a knight, that much had been apparent to her from their first meeting. But back then, he had a penchant for romantic novels of chivalry. Looking around now, she saw a far different collection of scrolls and books.
They ranged from philosophical works from Waterdhavien and Calmishite theologians, to treatises on the nature of magic by wizards of distant Halruaa. Nalia was impressed, and when she said so, Anomen smiled.
The conversation dried up, and the silence grew longer, until Nalia said, "How fares her playhouse? Tomas has visited it. He wants to convert the actors there to the worship of Kathryn. I have heard some strange rumours about it from my contacts in the streets. What do you know?"
Anomen sighed. He did not like talking about anything to do with Kathryn. "They say that a young woman shimmering blue, walks through the auditorium. At nights, harps play for no reason, touched by an ethereal hand. There is a feeling of power and sanctity on the air that is matched only by the temples, but there is also a feeling of bubbling happiness. Sometimes, a cheeky laugh can be heard, echoing through the eaves and rafters of the playhouse. I myself have never been there."
Nalia looked closely at Anomen. She saw the tightness around his eyes that spoke of tears held in. His eyes themselves glinted faintly, though his sorrow would not be apparent to anyone who did not know him well.
"I wish to go there. Will you come?"
Anomen shook his head. "No. I will not. I will instruct my men-at-arms to escort you there. The streets are less safe than they were when Bodhi ruled the night, and bandits ruled the day."
Nalia placed the wine glass firmly on the table between them, and stood. "Do not bother, Anomen. I will make my own way. I am disappointed that you cannot find it in your heart to accompany me, but deep down, I expected no less. Goodbye, Lord Delryn. Enjoy your solitude."
* * *
Delryn Estate- Athkatla, 17 Uktar, 1369 DR
"My lady, you came!"
Tomas turned to face her, his eyes glistening freely with tears. He bowed low before her, and then breathed in awe. He was so different to Anomen, with emotions so freely displayed, that Nalia found herself smiling. She smiled even more when she heard the harps plucking away in front of her eyes, without anyone moving them.
"Incredible…"
There was a cheeky giggle, and Nalia's smile faded, replaced by a look that mirrored the acute feeling of loss that permeated her mind. She faced the stage, where she had seen Kathryn act months back, and was aware of a tear tracing its way down her cheek. She bowed her head, and whispered, "So, my friend… this is your earthly abode upon earth, is it? I thought you told me you had taste. Imagine, a god making her first temple in the basement of a grubby tavern. Sounds like one of those stories of nonsense that you told us during our travels."
Another giggle resounded through the auditorium.
Nalia sat on one of the benches, and clasped her hands together. "Can you hear me, Kathryn? I need to speak with you… about Anomen. He hurts, every single day. A wall of duty has surrounded him. I cannot get through to him. His loyalty is there, but his love… his happiness. That is all gone."
A wistful sigh, like a breath of wind stirred the curtains on either side of the stage. Nalia watched a soft blue light begin to pulsate around each harp in the playhouse, and a soft melody sprang up. The wizard watched, intrigued, as Tomas held his own harp, and started playing his own tune.
It was his form of prayer, Nalia decided.
What was hers?
She could not play the harp. Instead, she would have to rely on her friendship with Kathryn. The goddess would surely listen. She had to tell Anomen the truth of their relationship. Anomen believed she had forsaken him, but in truth, he could not have been more wrong.
Nalia stood, and bowed her head again. "Until another time, my friend."
And so saying, she turned from the soft blue glow of the singing instruments, and left the playhouse. She missed Kathryn. She missed the old Anomen. She missed all of the companions. What made it worse was the fact that she knew nothing would ever go back to the way it was.
Ever.