Disclaimer: To avoid any possible lawsuits (as if I have anything of worth, har har!) I own nothing and claim no ownership over anything Bioware, Atari, Neverwinter Nights, Baldur's Gate II, Interplay, Forgotten Realms, or Black Isle(r.i.p.) related. This fan fiction is simply a product of love and admiration for "Hordes of the Underdark" and of course my favorite tiefling, Valen Shadowbreath. The *only* character that belongs to me is Windeline Crystaliis.
Chapter Three: Trust Issues
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The door to the drow's room swirled to the side revealing the lone tiefling with his mace at the ready. A duo of kobold slaves could be seen scampering to get as far from the room as possible.
At once the drow warriors began to charge at the man while the mages began chanting their spells.
"I am one with my will," A swing of the mace hurtled a few drow warriors crashing to the ground.
"One with my mace," Another swing took down a mage.
"Its path is my intent," Valen swung his mace clockwise knocking those closing in around him to the ground.
"Its length my reach," Gripping the hilt tightly, he swiftly performed a whirlwind attack.
"It's thundering blow, my gentle kiss." As he landed on his feet, he swiftly brought the chain of his mace tightly around the neck of the drow emissary.
The drow within the room had been vanquished in a matter of moments right before the terrified eyes of the remaining dark elf.
"Tell me what I want to know." The deep growl of the tiefling had more than achieved the desired results.
~
A loud hiss escaped the eager slave's lips as it pointed to the central door in the tunnel. "This door does seem a bit larger than the other doors we came across, eh Deek?"
"Yup. Uhm… We waits for goat man now?" Windeline couldn't help but giggle.
"Yes Deek… We'll wait here for Valen." She sat against the wall across from the large door. It was nice to take a rest after the little journey the kobold slave had put them through.
The lesser elf leaned her head back as she gave a loud yawn. She couldn't help but wonder if Valen was alright. Her frown deepened as she remembered his last words he spoke to her.
"Uhm… Boss?" The trembling of his fear could be heard in his voice.
"What is it Deek?" She peered at the shaking kobold curiously.
"Deekin be thinking you look up."
Her upward glance was immediately met with several angry eyes. Damn those thoughts that cloud my senses! She managed to roll from underneath the beholder as it shot its magical beams from its eyes.
"Deekin! A song please!" Windeline begged as a few more beholders decided to join in.
A burst of energy coursed through her as Deekin began to play his songs. Arrow after arrow was plummeted into the advancing monsters. Windeline reached into her pocket and tossed a thunderstone into the oncoming horde.
Electricity shot out from the tiny stone, electrocuting the Beholders. Two fell while three remained. A few words to her goddess were quickly muttered under her breath. Suddenly vines reached up from the ground and entangled a couple of the beholders. They tried with all their might to wriggle free from the grasp that came from the earth.
Once the magical vines took hold of an object, the only thing it could hope for was that the magic fade before its caster caught up to it.
The free beholder shot several more beams at the ranger. Windeline managed to duck out of the majority of them, but a single beam managed to strike her leg. The beam managed to numb her entire leg making it almost impossible to dodge the rest of what the beholder had to offer.
She shot her arrows at the beholder closing in. It licked its lips and a grin formed showing the sharp teeth within its mouth. I will not die by the hands of such a foul beast!
Yelping his kobold battle cry, Deekin soared through the air and latched onto the beholder. With all his kobold fury he drove the dagger deep into the flesh of the beholder, making sure to give a sharp twist for good measure.
Windeline quickly shot her arrows at the trapped beholders until their movements finally ceased.
She wiped the sweat from her brow and looked over at Deekin who stood upright with his tail wagging proudly. "You're my hero, Deek," Windeline smiled her brightest at her friend as she leaned against a wall. "How may I ever repay you?"
Deekin considered the question for but a moment. He looked to her with his eyes and said, "Deekin need no rewards. Deekin needs only to write story!"
"It seems Valen was right about the beholders… I hope he's alright."
"Your concern is touching, my lady." The tiefling slowly emerged from the shadows with a tattered note in hand. He examined the hall and arched an eyebrow at the elf. "Caught a taste of beholder body guards?"
"Oh it was nothing Deek and I couldn't handle." She tried to stand but the numb ache that plagued her leg caused her to wince.
"You'll be of no use in that condition." Valen tucked the note in his pack and helped the woman to her feet.
"Oh don't think you're getting rid of me that easy! I can shoot arrows from any distance or any position!" His face was glazed with irritation but she continued to protest, "Please Valen! I won't be a hindrance."
"You didn't bring any potions or memorize any spells that might cure this ailment?" He already knew the answer.
A weak laugh escaped her lips, "I… No, I didn't. The only things I brought can cure flesh wounds... Did you bring any?"
Valen scowled as he looked away, "No, I did not."
"Ok… Look, if the Eye Tyrant is like any other leader, it will try and defend its nest. It won't wait till its friends are dead. All I need is a clear position to shoot from."
Valen eyed her with his intense blue eyes, "You are sure of this?"
Deekin chimed in, "Of course! Boss has shot many baddies from afar!"
~
"Are you two ready?"
Windeline sat right at the foot of the door with her bow in hand. Her dexterity spell, Cat's Grace, was already in effect. She looked up to Valen and gave a reassuring wink. "Be ready to sing some lively tunes, Deek."
The kobold slowly nodded and waited with anticipation for the battle ahead. The tiefling looked to Winde to see if she was ready. With a nod of her head, Valen pushed his hand against the eye of the door. The ranger took one last deep breath as the door revealed what was beyond.
From what little time Valen had to think things through, he noticed the two beholders who floated right outside the door. The great hive mother, the Eye Tyrant, silently floated next to the central pillar of rock in the room. From what he could tell there were about three more beholders drifting about with their many eyes twitching and looking about.
Just one pressing thought was etched in the tiefling's mind. Absolutely nothing could get past him at all costs.
Valen charged into the room swiftly attacking the two beholders who were unlucky enough to be floating near by. With the gasps of the dying beholders, all eyes from the remaining creatures were on Valen. They swiftly darted in front of their enemy to protect their 'queen.'
The largest of the beholders slowly turned its large pulsating eye toward the intruders. Its purple veiny eye shifted its gaze between the three, trying deciding who would be cursed with its attack.
With the help of the spell, Cat's Grace, the lesser elf started showering the Eye Tyrant with her arrows. Each arrow sank deeply into the slimy flesh of the hive mother, causing her to wince and cry out in pain. As long as the ranger was able to keep her magical arrows in flight there was no chance of the Tyrant shooting its beams of light.
Swing after swing, the weapon master was able to crush the beholders who tried to get past his position. Another beholder charged up against the man, biting into his left arm. Valen let out a loud growl of pain. He thrusted his arm, with beholder attached, into the shower of arrows.
"Valen! Are you crazy?!" The angry ranger stopped shooting her arrows as soon as a few pierced the beholder's flesh on the tiefling's arm.
"Don't stop shooting the Tyrant!" Valen hissed as a dead beholder slipped from his bloodied arm. The Eye Tyrant had already recovered and was just about to shoot a concentrated beam of light onto the man who stood between it and the woman… until a kobold rushed in from behind with arms outstretched.
Deekin had been turned into stone.
"Deek!" With a new found fury, Windeline rapidly shot her arrows into the menacing beast. Her rosy lips began to tremble and she found herself fighting the hurtful lump that was rising in her throat. "Valen… move out of the way!" The tiefling turned his angry eyes at the girl, but quickly did as he was ordered the moment he saw her tear stained eyes.
Damnable creature! The Tyrant roared with each arrow that deeply penetrated its skin. He didn't deserve such a horrible fate! Her green eyes burned of anger and sorrow. The diamond trail of her tears were streaming down her anguished cheeks. The Tyrant's stance above the ground began to wobble while it was continually assaulted with the projectiles.
The Eye Tyrant knew it had to act quickly if it were to have any chance to survive. The smaller tentacled eyes on the hive mother began shooting at anything around them. Valen ducked behind the rocky pillar holding his wounded arm.
Winde continued to sit in her position defiantly daring the large beholder to strike at her with the magical beams of light. She flinched as a beam grazed her right cheek and cried out in pain as another shot into her left arm.
Her lips pursed together as she took care to carefully aim what would be her last shot. "You will not win today, beast!" The ranger's grip on the arrow released, letting the magical arrow soar through the air with a miraculous speed.
Nothing could prepare the remaining two for the scream that echoed through out the cave as the arrow pierced the pupil of the Tyrant's eye. Valen rushed in from behind the monster. The cracking of bone could be heard with each strike Valen unleashed against the wretched creature.
The Eye Tyrant was finally dead.
Windeline limped her way to the kobold statue that had protected Valen from the same fate. "Oh Deek!" Her arms flung around the statue and her eyes poured their river of tears. I never wanted this for you. Not as your boss and certainly…not as your friend.
"Fear not, my lady… The kobold is not doomed to a fate of stone." Windeline looked up to Valen with unbelieving tear filled eyes. Valen softly continued as he held onto his severely wounded arm. "With the Eye Tyrant dead… her magic should fade within the hours of the night."
Nothing could describe the amount of joy and relief the tiefling had given her with only a few words. Her heart felt lighter and her shoulders suddenly didn't feel quite as heavy. She rushed toward Valen to give him a hearty handshake of thanks, but stopped herself as soon as she noticed the pain he was in.
His arm had been mangled by the beholder's teeth and blood was seeping from the deep wounds. He sat against the cavernous room's wall, flinching as his arm pulsed with pain. Windeline gently knelt beside the man and pulled out her potion sack.
The woman could feel the curious gaze upon her as she pulled out a few healing potions, a wooden bowl and pestle, and her small pouch of various dried herbs and leaves. She looked up at the man and managed a warm smile. "Do you mind if I dress your wound?"
Valen wearily nodded and the ranger began to untie the leather straps that held his sleeve together. She slowly pulled the drenched fabric aside and grimaced at the torn skin and muscle that lay underneath.
"I've… had worse." His voice was gruff.
Windeline arched an eyebrow at the tiefling. His face was covered with the grime and dirt of their battle. The red locks of his bangs stuck to his damp skin and his blue eyed stare was fixated on the woman. "Worse?"
He shifted his agitated gaze to the side while the woman chuckled lightly at his expense. Silly man… Windeline uncorked a potion of healing and kindly offered it to Valen. "Drink this up. I'll have a nice paste worked up for your arm, then I'll follow it up with a spell of healing." Her smile was bright within the dark room, "You'll be as good as new!"
He gazed at her, perplexed, as he gulped the cool liquid eagerly. His wounds were beginning to stir as the healing potion helped ease the pain. He tossed the bottle aside and leaned his head against wall. His eyes, never moving their gaze off of the ranger's female form.
She was quietly grinding at a few choice leaves and quietly humming as she worked the leaves into a fine powder. She'd look up to him once or twice gently smiling. He had seen so many faces of this one woman before him. He had seen her cheerful, afraid, angry, and sad. He began to wonder if there was more to be seen through out their quest.
"I… wish to know…what makes you so special." His voice was hesitant.
Windeline lifted her gaze to meet the intensity of his brilliant blue eyes. His face held a seriousness that she had seen only once or twice before. He thinks I'm special? She grinned at the thought and looked up to him with playful eyes. "Besides my charm and beauty?"
Her response caught him off guard and he found himself fighting off the smile that began to form upon his lips. "You have both of those qualities in abundance, my lady," She tossed her gaze back into her work hoping the darkness hid the rosy tint painting her cheeks. "But that is not what I am referring to."
Windeline began to slowly pour a potion of healing into the powder allowing Valen to continue. "I speak, of course, of the fact that you have replaced me as the leader of our forces." The ranger stopped stirring the paste in her wooden bowl and regarded the tiefling with a small frown. "I have kept us alive for months, and suddenly you appear," His right hand cut a slice in the air as he slashed it downward, "and it is over."
So this is why he was so against me once I arrived. "Isn't that just a bit … dramatic?" She gently applied the paste into the cuts and Valen gritted his teeth as he felt the painful tingling numbing his arm.
He tried to maintain a steady voice as the burning continued to plague him, "According to everything I've been told, being dramatic is one of my specialties."
"Oh is it now?" Windeline shook her head at the stubborn man.
He continued to hold the solemn mask until finally giving in. He let out a deep sigh as he rolled his eyes. "Very well." Windeline smiled to see Valen drop the act. "You are probably correct… I am making too much of this." Slowly the burning turned into a soothing cool sensation that danced over his wounds.
His earnest eyes watched as she applied the last of her medicine on his arms, "I would still like to know your thoughts."
"My thoughts…" She softly echoed. Windeline knew Valen wouldn't care too much for the sarcastic response that instantly sprang to her mind. A leader of rag tag rebels? Uh, no thanks! "Well... I don't think of myself as a leader or see myself taking such a position to gain all sorts of glory."
Valen's gaze seemed to slightly grimace in her response. Windeline looked away as she continued, "But from what I've heard from your Seer… She seems to think I can help win this war."
The tiefling lowered his eyes and his lips were set in a deep frown. He breathed deeply for a few moments and let out a sigh, obviously troubled by the thoughts that plagued his mind. His voice was soft and held a tinge of sadness in the air, "The Seer believes what she believes. Her goddess leads and she follows without question, and this has been enough… so far."
Windeline quietly whispered a prayer to the Lady of the Forest. Valen watched in awe as the healing light fused with the paste on his skin. There were no words to describe the feeling of Mielikki's healing magic. The light dazzled the room for a few seconds and then the light was gone. Valen's arm was fully mended.
"Are you telling me you don't believe in these visions the Seer has?" Windeline drank a healing potion as she leaned back in her sitting position. Valen stretched his left arm making sure everything was intact. His tail slowly swayed side to side as he considered the answer to her question.
"I believe that the Seer has visions. I believe it may even be that her goddess sends them. I am a being of the planes, however," Windeline regarded the tiefling with a curious gaze. A being of the planes? "And I ascribe no infallibility to gods and goddesses."
"The Seer believes that you will lead us to victory, but nothing is said of what such a victory might cost us." He tilted his head in the ranger's direction, his face grim. "Some costs, I think, are too high."
The lesser elf gently rubbed one of temples trying to soak in all that Valen had said. "And just what does that mean?" She already knew the answer.
"It means that the Seer assumes that you are here to help us. I make no such assumption." By sweet Mielikki! I should have brought Nathyrra with me! Windeline turned away from the tiefling annoyed by his mistrust. Does the fact that I have fought all day and night for their cause mean nothing? Does my geas mean nothing?
Her cheeks were flushed with anger as she started to put away her items in her sack. She could feel the intensity of his gaze from behind her. The tiefling continued on, "I have led these people through every danger so far and kept the Seer safe through out. I won't see them betrayed."
"Heh… I admire your dedication." If Valen detected her sarcasm he didn't let it show. Windeline buckled her sack tightly and tossed it next to Deekin the statue.
"Thank you…" His voice did not soften in response to her 'compliment.' "But that is why I must have an answer on this."
Windeline untied the fastenings on her cloak letting the fabric slide off her weary shoulders. She carefully rolled the fabric into a ball and placed it on the ground next to Valen. "So… You think that I'll betray the drow, eh? Leave the Seer at the mercy of the Valsharess?"
"And why not? You've no loyalty to beholden yourself to the drow or the Seer." Windeline snatched up her impromptu cushion and tossed it next to Deekin. Certainly a charmer! Oh please, please! Speak more pretty words! "For all I know you may see the death of any drow as a good thing…. Don't think I haven't seen how you act when we battle drow. The fight against Matron Myrune and the fight with the those in the earlier caves… Your eyes become lifeless. I've mentioned this before."
"Ouch." Windeline shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Her silence made it clear that Valen had struck a very sensitive cord. Slowly her words left her lips, "To be brutally honest… , I am not a lover of drow and like so many of their victims… I have my reasons." Valen's shoulders stiffened at the remark. "But I have met few drow that have tried to rise above the cursed reputation of their kin. They are … admirable people … who I cherish deeply."
Her eyes were sad as a memory flickered in her thoughts. She shook her head trying to push the memory away. She rubbed her temples and sighed with a slight agitation. "What do you want from me anyways? My word and honor as a ranger that I won't betray you?"
He was quick to respond, "Would you give it?"
She looked straight into his intense blue eyes and answered swiftly and honestly, "I would, Valen Shadowbreath."
Their eyes were locked in each others gaze, daring the other to cowardly look away. Windeline could see Valen's eyes travel over her face, intent on examining what lay beneath her own mask. Finally he broke the silence between them, "I am not asking you to give your word. Too much has been asked of you already." He leaned back against the wall and shifted his gaze to nothing in particular. "I said I would help you and I intend to do so faithfully," his voice was full of a renewed strength, "but I intend to watch you, as well."
"Watch me? For what, Valen?"
"I don't trust you, my lady… It is as simple as that."
"I see…," What's the point? She sighed and rested her head against her bundled cloak. "You can have the first watch… You know… So I don't end up betraying you in my sleep or whatever."
"As you wish."
What happened to the man earlier joking about beholders? He's so much more likeable....The ranger shifted her tired eyes to Deekin's statue. Hurry Deek... , I could really use a laugh right about now…
Author's note: That's it for chapter three!! As usual, I'd really appreciate any feedback you readers might have. ^^ Reviews are my life energy!! Rawr! *ahem* I hope you all are enjoying the story so far. Till next chapter!
Lady Winde~
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The further they traveled, the more rancid the fumes became. The ranger was forced to pull the neck of her tunic over her nose. Deekin was the only one who seemed unaffected. Perhaps all that time with his old master, the white dragon, had made him immune to such things.
The creatures of a dozen eyes would attempt to catch their prey off guard from the shadows. Each beholder met their untimely death from either a swift arrow, the bludgeoning of a large mace, or the crack of a note.
Her fingers reluctantly pressed the pulsating eye of the spiraled door that blocked their way. With a whoosh the door rolled to the side revealing a small fire-lit room. Deekin ran past the tiefling and the lesser elf and plopped down next to the inhabitant of the area, a very surprised kobold.
The creatures yelped to each other rather enthusiastically. There were tears of sadness and wagging tails of joy shared between the two familiar creatures. After Deekin barked his farewell to the other kobold, the bard merrily skipped its way toward the other two.
The gray kobold waved goodbye to Deekin and left in a hurry, as if it had wonderful news to tell to everyone it knew.
"So Deek, what did your little friend share with you?" Windeline gently knelt beside Deekin hoping to coax out any information the other dog-like creature might have shared.
"Attiz say lots of things!" exclaimed the excited Deekin.
"Attiz, eh? Well then tell us only what we need to know, ok Deek?" The ranger patted Deekin's head softly.
"Uhm. Important things only? Uh… Many drow in west cave room. Eye Tyrant in north cave room. Slaves helps us find them!"
"Kobold slaves?" Deekin energetically nodded his head at Valen.
"Drow from the Valsharess to pay a visit to the Eye Tyrant no less…." Windeline lowered her gaze contemplating who to attack first. My arrows know the flesh of drow well… If the battle with the beholders goes awry… The drow it is then.
"Head for the Tyrant's lair and wait for me…" Valen was already on his way toward the drow.
"Wait! Let me come help you! It'll be dangerous all by yourself!" Windeline rushed to his side with her bow ready to face the foes within the tunnels. He looked down at her while gently pushing her back with one arm.
"Are you so eager and willing to see more blood of the drow splatter amongst these rocky grounds?"
Surprise was etched upon her features and she looked away as if drenched in shame. She knew of what he spoke of. "T...that's not why I want to help you."
"It's not? I've seen your eyes whilst we combat against the ebony-skinned elves. They lose the liveliness that your kin is so well known for. The soulless gleam does not suit you … my lady."
He vanished into the darkness, leaving the woman and the kobold alone in the fire-lit room. Windeline slumped to the floor and leaned against the kobold as she brooded about her past.
After a few quiet moments, the kobold was tugging at the hood of her cloak. "Boooooss! Valen might get scary if we not there!" He helped the ranger get to her feet and began pushing her towards their destination.
Oh if it were so easy to rid one's self of such prejudices…
The door to the drow's room swirled to the side revealing the lone tiefling with his mace at the ready. A duo of kobold slaves could be seen scampering to get as far from the room as possible.
At once the drow warriors began to charge at the man while the mages began chanting their spells.
"I am one with my will," A swing of the mace hurtled a few drow warriors crashing to the ground.
"One with my mace," Another swing took down a mage.
"Its path is my intent," Valen swung his mace clockwise knocking those closing in around him to the ground.
"Its length my reach," Gripping the hilt tightly, he swiftly performed a whirlwind attack.
"It's thundering blow, my gentle kiss." As he landed on his feet, he swiftly brought the chain of his mace tightly around the neck of the drow emissary.
The drow within the room had been vanquished in a matter of moments right before the terrified eyes of the remaining dark elf.
"Tell me what I want to know." The deep growl of the tiefling had more than achieved the desired results.
A loud hiss escaped the eager slave's lips as it pointed to the central door in the tunnel. "This door does seem a bit larger than the other doors we came across, eh Deek?"
"Yup. Uhm… We waits for goat man now?" Windeline couldn't help but giggle.
"Yes Deek… We'll wait here for Valen." She sat against the wall across from the large door. It was nice to take a rest after the little journey the kobold slave had put them through.
The lesser elf leaned her head back as she gave a loud yawn. She couldn't help but wonder if Valen was alright. Her frown deepened as she remembered his last words he spoke to her.
"Uhm… Boss?" The trembling of his fear could be heard in his voice.
"What is it Deek?" She peered at the shaking kobold curiously.
"Deekin be thinking you look up."
Her upward glance was immediately met with several angry eyes. Damn those thoughts that cloud my senses! She managed to roll from underneath the beholder as it shot its magical beams from its eyes.
"Deekin! A song please!" Windeline begged as a few more beholders decided to join in.
A burst of energy coursed through her as Deekin began to play his songs. Arrow after arrow was plummeted into the advancing monsters. Windeline reached into her pocket and tossed a thunderstone into the oncoming horde.
Electricity shot out from the tiny stone, electrocuting the Beholders. Two fell while three remained. A few words to her goddess were quickly muttered under her breath. Suddenly vines reached up from the ground and entangled a couple of the beholders. They tried with all their might to wriggle free from the grasp that came from the earth.
Once the magical vines took hold of an object, the only thing it could hope for was that the magic fade before its caster caught up to it.
The free beholder shot several more beams at the ranger. Windeline managed to duck out of the majority of them, but a single beam managed to strike her leg. The beam managed to numb her entire leg making it almost impossible to dodge the rest of what the beholder had to offer.
She shot her arrows at the beholder closing in. It licked its lips and a grin formed showing the sharp teeth within its mouth. I will not die by the hands of such a foul beast!
Yelping his kobold battle cry, Deekin soared through the air and latched onto the beholder. With all his kobold fury he drove the dagger deep into the flesh of the beholder, making sure to give a sharp twist for good measure.
Windeline quickly shot her arrows at the trapped beholders until their movements finally ceased.
She wiped the sweat from her brow and looked over at Deekin who stood upright with his tail wagging proudly. "You're my hero, Deek," Windeline smiled her brightest at her friend as she leaned against a wall. "How may I ever repay you?"
Deekin considered the question for but a moment. He looked to her with his eyes and said, "Deekin need no rewards. Deekin needs only to write story!"
"It seems Valen was right about the beholders… I hope he's alright."
"Your concern is touching, my lady." The tiefling slowly emerged from the shadows with a tattered note in hand. He examined the hall and arched an eyebrow at the elf. "Caught a taste of beholder body guards?"
"Oh it was nothing Deek and I couldn't handle." She tried to stand but the numb ache that plagued her leg caused her to wince.
"You'll be of no use in that condition." Valen tucked the note in his pack and helped the woman to her feet.
"Oh don't think you're getting rid of me that easy! I can shoot arrows from any distance or any position!" His face was glazed with irritation but she continued to protest, "Please Valen! I won't be a hindrance."
"You didn't bring any potions or memorize any spells that might cure this ailment?" He already knew the answer.
A weak laugh escaped her lips, "I… No, I didn't. The only things I brought can cure flesh wounds... Did you bring any?"
Valen scowled as he looked away, "No, I did not."
"Ok… Look, if the Eye Tyrant is like any other leader, it will try and defend its nest. It won't wait till its friends are dead. All I need is a clear position to shoot from."
Valen eyed her with his intense blue eyes, "You are sure of this?"
Deekin chimed in, "Of course! Boss has shot many baddies from afar!"
"Are you two ready?"
Windeline sat right at the foot of the door with her bow in hand. Her dexterity spell, Cat's Grace, was already in effect. She looked up to Valen and gave a reassuring wink. "Be ready to sing some lively tunes, Deek."
The kobold slowly nodded and waited with anticipation for the battle ahead. The tiefling looked to Winde to see if she was ready. With a nod of her head, Valen pushed his hand against the eye of the door. The ranger took one last deep breath as the door revealed what was beyond.
From what little time Valen had to think things through, he noticed the two beholders who floated right outside the door. The great hive mother, the Eye Tyrant, silently floated next to the central pillar of rock in the room. From what he could tell there were about three more beholders drifting about with their many eyes twitching and looking about.
Just one pressing thought was etched in the tiefling's mind. Absolutely nothing could get past him at all costs.
Valen charged into the room swiftly attacking the two beholders who were unlucky enough to be floating near by. With the gasps of the dying beholders, all eyes from the remaining creatures were on Valen. They swiftly darted in front of their enemy to protect their 'queen.'
The largest of the beholders slowly turned its large pulsating eye toward the intruders. Its purple veiny eye shifted its gaze between the three, trying deciding who would be cursed with its attack.
With the help of the spell, Cat's Grace, the lesser elf started showering the Eye Tyrant with her arrows. Each arrow sank deeply into the slimy flesh of the hive mother, causing her to wince and cry out in pain. As long as the ranger was able to keep her magical arrows in flight there was no chance of the Tyrant shooting its beams of light.
Swing after swing, the weapon master was able to crush the beholders who tried to get past his position. Another beholder charged up against the man, biting into his left arm. Valen let out a loud growl of pain. He thrusted his arm, with beholder attached, into the shower of arrows.
"Valen! Are you crazy?!" The angry ranger stopped shooting her arrows as soon as a few pierced the beholder's flesh on the tiefling's arm.
"Don't stop shooting the Tyrant!" Valen hissed as a dead beholder slipped from his bloodied arm. The Eye Tyrant had already recovered and was just about to shoot a concentrated beam of light onto the man who stood between it and the woman… until a kobold rushed in from behind with arms outstretched.
Deekin had been turned into stone.
"Deek!" With a new found fury, Windeline rapidly shot her arrows into the menacing beast. Her rosy lips began to tremble and she found herself fighting the hurtful lump that was rising in her throat. "Valen… move out of the way!" The tiefling turned his angry eyes at the girl, but quickly did as he was ordered the moment he saw her tear stained eyes.
Damnable creature! The Tyrant roared with each arrow that deeply penetrated its skin. He didn't deserve such a horrible fate! Her green eyes burned of anger and sorrow. The diamond trail of her tears were streaming down her anguished cheeks. The Tyrant's stance above the ground began to wobble while it was continually assaulted with the projectiles.
The Eye Tyrant knew it had to act quickly if it were to have any chance to survive. The smaller tentacled eyes on the hive mother began shooting at anything around them. Valen ducked behind the rocky pillar holding his wounded arm.
Winde continued to sit in her position defiantly daring the large beholder to strike at her with the magical beams of light. She flinched as a beam grazed her right cheek and cried out in pain as another shot into her left arm.
Her lips pursed together as she took care to carefully aim what would be her last shot. "You will not win today, beast!" The ranger's grip on the arrow released, letting the magical arrow soar through the air with a miraculous speed.
Nothing could prepare the remaining two for the scream that echoed through out the cave as the arrow pierced the pupil of the Tyrant's eye. Valen rushed in from behind the monster. The cracking of bone could be heard with each strike Valen unleashed against the wretched creature.
The Eye Tyrant was finally dead.
Windeline limped her way to the kobold statue that had protected Valen from the same fate. "Oh Deek!" Her arms flung around the statue and her eyes poured their river of tears. I never wanted this for you. Not as your boss and certainly…not as your friend.
"Fear not, my lady… The kobold is not doomed to a fate of stone." Windeline looked up to Valen with unbelieving tear filled eyes. Valen softly continued as he held onto his severely wounded arm. "With the Eye Tyrant dead… her magic should fade within the hours of the night."
Nothing could describe the amount of joy and relief the tiefling had given her with only a few words. Her heart felt lighter and her shoulders suddenly didn't feel quite as heavy. She rushed toward Valen to give him a hearty handshake of thanks, but stopped herself as soon as she noticed the pain he was in.
His arm had been mangled by the beholder's teeth and blood was seeping from the deep wounds. He sat against the cavernous room's wall, flinching as his arm pulsed with pain. Windeline gently knelt beside the man and pulled out her potion sack.
The woman could feel the curious gaze upon her as she pulled out a few healing potions, a wooden bowl and pestle, and her small pouch of various dried herbs and leaves. She looked up at the man and managed a warm smile. "Do you mind if I dress your wound?"
Valen wearily nodded and the ranger began to untie the leather straps that held his sleeve together. She slowly pulled the drenched fabric aside and grimaced at the torn skin and muscle that lay underneath.
"I've… had worse." His voice was gruff.
Windeline arched an eyebrow at the tiefling. His face was covered with the grime and dirt of their battle. The red locks of his bangs stuck to his damp skin and his blue eyed stare was fixated on the woman. "Worse?"
He shifted his agitated gaze to the side while the woman chuckled lightly at his expense. Silly man… Windeline uncorked a potion of healing and kindly offered it to Valen. "Drink this up. I'll have a nice paste worked up for your arm, then I'll follow it up with a spell of healing." Her smile was bright within the dark room, "You'll be as good as new!"
He gazed at her, perplexed, as he gulped the cool liquid eagerly. His wounds were beginning to stir as the healing potion helped ease the pain. He tossed the bottle aside and leaned his head against wall. His eyes, never moving their gaze off of the ranger's female form.
She was quietly grinding at a few choice leaves and quietly humming as she worked the leaves into a fine powder. She'd look up to him once or twice gently smiling. He had seen so many faces of this one woman before him. He had seen her cheerful, afraid, angry, and sad. He began to wonder if there was more to be seen through out their quest.
"I… wish to know…what makes you so special." His voice was hesitant.
Windeline lifted her gaze to meet the intensity of his brilliant blue eyes. His face held a seriousness that she had seen only once or twice before. He thinks I'm special? She grinned at the thought and looked up to him with playful eyes. "Besides my charm and beauty?"
Her response caught him off guard and he found himself fighting off the smile that began to form upon his lips. "You have both of those qualities in abundance, my lady," She tossed her gaze back into her work hoping the darkness hid the rosy tint painting her cheeks. "But that is not what I am referring to."
Windeline began to slowly pour a potion of healing into the powder allowing Valen to continue. "I speak, of course, of the fact that you have replaced me as the leader of our forces." The ranger stopped stirring the paste in her wooden bowl and regarded the tiefling with a small frown. "I have kept us alive for months, and suddenly you appear," His right hand cut a slice in the air as he slashed it downward, "and it is over."
So this is why he was so against me once I arrived. "Isn't that just a bit … dramatic?" She gently applied the paste into the cuts and Valen gritted his teeth as he felt the painful tingling numbing his arm.
He tried to maintain a steady voice as the burning continued to plague him, "According to everything I've been told, being dramatic is one of my specialties."
"Oh is it now?" Windeline shook her head at the stubborn man.
He continued to hold the solemn mask until finally giving in. He let out a deep sigh as he rolled his eyes. "Very well." Windeline smiled to see Valen drop the act. "You are probably correct… I am making too much of this." Slowly the burning turned into a soothing cool sensation that danced over his wounds.
His earnest eyes watched as she applied the last of her medicine on his arms, "I would still like to know your thoughts."
"My thoughts…" She softly echoed. Windeline knew Valen wouldn't care too much for the sarcastic response that instantly sprang to her mind. A leader of rag tag rebels? Uh, no thanks! "Well... I don't think of myself as a leader or see myself taking such a position to gain all sorts of glory."
Valen's gaze seemed to slightly grimace in her response. Windeline looked away as she continued, "But from what I've heard from your Seer… She seems to think I can help win this war."
The tiefling lowered his eyes and his lips were set in a deep frown. He breathed deeply for a few moments and let out a sigh, obviously troubled by the thoughts that plagued his mind. His voice was soft and held a tinge of sadness in the air, "The Seer believes what she believes. Her goddess leads and she follows without question, and this has been enough… so far."
Windeline quietly whispered a prayer to the Lady of the Forest. Valen watched in awe as the healing light fused with the paste on his skin. There were no words to describe the feeling of Mielikki's healing magic. The light dazzled the room for a few seconds and then the light was gone. Valen's arm was fully mended.
"Are you telling me you don't believe in these visions the Seer has?" Windeline drank a healing potion as she leaned back in her sitting position. Valen stretched his left arm making sure everything was intact. His tail slowly swayed side to side as he considered the answer to her question.
"I believe that the Seer has visions. I believe it may even be that her goddess sends them. I am a being of the planes, however," Windeline regarded the tiefling with a curious gaze. A being of the planes? "And I ascribe no infallibility to gods and goddesses."
"The Seer believes that you will lead us to victory, but nothing is said of what such a victory might cost us." He tilted his head in the ranger's direction, his face grim. "Some costs, I think, are too high."
The lesser elf gently rubbed one of temples trying to soak in all that Valen had said. "And just what does that mean?" She already knew the answer.
"It means that the Seer assumes that you are here to help us. I make no such assumption." By sweet Mielikki! I should have brought Nathyrra with me! Windeline turned away from the tiefling annoyed by his mistrust. Does the fact that I have fought all day and night for their cause mean nothing? Does my geas mean nothing?
Her cheeks were flushed with anger as she started to put away her items in her sack. She could feel the intensity of his gaze from behind her. The tiefling continued on, "I have led these people through every danger so far and kept the Seer safe through out. I won't see them betrayed."
"Heh… I admire your dedication." If Valen detected her sarcasm he didn't let it show. Windeline buckled her sack tightly and tossed it next to Deekin the statue.
"Thank you…" His voice did not soften in response to her 'compliment.' "But that is why I must have an answer on this."
Windeline untied the fastenings on her cloak letting the fabric slide off her weary shoulders. She carefully rolled the fabric into a ball and placed it on the ground next to Valen. "So… You think that I'll betray the drow, eh? Leave the Seer at the mercy of the Valsharess?"
"And why not? You've no loyalty to beholden yourself to the drow or the Seer." Windeline snatched up her impromptu cushion and tossed it next to Deekin. Certainly a charmer! Oh please, please! Speak more pretty words! "For all I know you may see the death of any drow as a good thing…. Don't think I haven't seen how you act when we battle drow. The fight against Matron Myrune and the fight with the those in the earlier caves… Your eyes become lifeless. I've mentioned this before."
"Ouch." Windeline shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Her silence made it clear that Valen had struck a very sensitive cord. Slowly her words left her lips, "To be brutally honest… , I am not a lover of drow and like so many of their victims… I have my reasons." Valen's shoulders stiffened at the remark. "But I have met few drow that have tried to rise above the cursed reputation of their kin. They are … admirable people … who I cherish deeply."
Her eyes were sad as a memory flickered in her thoughts. She shook her head trying to push the memory away. She rubbed her temples and sighed with a slight agitation. "What do you want from me anyways? My word and honor as a ranger that I won't betray you?"
He was quick to respond, "Would you give it?"
She looked straight into his intense blue eyes and answered swiftly and honestly, "I would, Valen Shadowbreath."
Their eyes were locked in each others gaze, daring the other to cowardly look away. Windeline could see Valen's eyes travel over her face, intent on examining what lay beneath her own mask. Finally he broke the silence between them, "I am not asking you to give your word. Too much has been asked of you already." He leaned back against the wall and shifted his gaze to nothing in particular. "I said I would help you and I intend to do so faithfully," his voice was full of a renewed strength, "but I intend to watch you, as well."
"Watch me? For what, Valen?"
"I don't trust you, my lady… It is as simple as that."
"I see…," What's the point? She sighed and rested her head against her bundled cloak. "You can have the first watch… You know… So I don't end up betraying you in my sleep or whatever."
"As you wish."
What happened to the man earlier joking about beholders? He's so much more likeable....The ranger shifted her tired eyes to Deekin's statue. Hurry Deek... , I could really use a laugh right about now…
Author's note: That's it for chapter three!! As usual, I'd really appreciate any feedback you readers might have. ^^ Reviews are my life energy!! Rawr! *ahem* I hope you all are enjoying the story so far. Till next chapter!
Lady Winde~