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.
*I use a good portion of dialogue from the games in this story. I do not claim those words as my own. (Entire story that is… :D I really should put this on the first chapter… ^^;;)
The maw of Callisto gently pushed against the palm of Windeline's hand. Her lips formed a melancholy smile while her fingers gently wove themselves in the thick fur of the beast. If there was one thing that Windeline hated about the journey so far… it was the awkward silence that had been plaguing the expedition back to Lith My'athar. She was more than grateful that her cherished friend was there to comfort her.
He has his reasons for his mistrust… although a man's pride always seems to be a reason for such. The ranger shot a sidelong glance at the man traveling a short distance beside her and she let out a soft sigh. Watching over me, indeed. What's the point in traveling together if we can't trust each other?
Her fingers lightly strummed her bowstring as she continued to think about the conversation she and Valen had shared the previous evening. Her leather boots seemed to take heavier steps with each pace she took.
The brown bear trotted next to the tiefling, eyeing the man as he continued to move onward. The blue eyes lowered and met the mysterious orbs of the bear. Callisto's silent stare swept Valen into a feeling of uneasiness. His agitated whisper was barely audible. "What is it that you want, bear?"
Callisto's eyes continued to examine the man, committing his form to memory. His long blood red hair tied back with a leather band, the cerulean eyes that pierced through those they gazed upon, the jade mithril armor that had been a present from the Seer… Perhaps it was a sixth sense of some kind, but the bear felt that she would be with him and her master for many long years.
A soft growl and a quick lick to the tiefling's hand softened the man's face. He may not have had a natural affinity for animals, but there was something about Callisto that calmed him. She was a gentle creature in spite of her razor like claws and the sharp teeth that were neatly rowed within the powerful jaws. A truly majestic beast she was. One that was feared by those that meant her cherished ones harm and loved for her motherly tenderness for those she grew to trust.
Windeline continued to march onward with her hands casually clasped behind her head. Her emerald eyes would shift ever so often at the two and her lips would form a brief smile.
Deekin's stiff movements caught her attention and she noticed the struggle etched upon his reptilian features. The poor kobold was still recovering from being petrified, trying to hold his own stoically, but he couldn't hide the pain that glistened in his large, dark eyes.
"Deek…, we can rest if you need to." Her voice was soft and full of compassion for her dear kobold friend.
The bard clutched onto the hem of the ranger's tunic and shook his head defiantly. "Deekin wants to be stronger." His shaky voice held a determination as he struggled to stand straight on his two wobbly legs.
A look of concern flashed over Windeline's face as her arms helped to support Deekin while they continued on with their journey. "If I didn't know any better my dear Deek… I'd say you've changed since the last time we traveled together." Her golden smile shined in the darkness and her words gently hugged the kobold's heart. "You've already grown stronger, my friend."
"Not what Deekin means, but… thanks Boss."
Something was faintly pulling at the tiefling's mind as he observed the kobold and woman. It had been bothering him since the first moment he noticed the bond of friendship between the two. His gaze was sad and his mind wandered off to a time and place where he had been accepted into the heart of a person such as she long ago… so very long ago.
Callisto nudged Valen, tearing him from his thoughts, and urged him to press on in order to keep up with the other two. He gently scratched behind the bear's ear and quietly whispered his thanks.
Deekin's eyes reflected a deep resolve and his voice was full of hope for the future. "The old boss once tell Deekin that he gots dragon blood, that it be strong in him. Deekin never knows what that means... Deekin be small and weak and not breathes fire or anything."
Windeline's eyes held a curious twinkle as her grin widened. "Ah so you aren't the only one here with mixed blood, eh?"
Valen's eyes widened with alarm at the remark and had the ranger seen his reaction she would have quickly called him on it. He was ever thankful that he and Callisto managed to slow their pace enough to follow behind the other two.
"You gots mixed blood, Boss?" Deekin could hardly believe the woman who was helping guide him through the dark terrain. Her features told those around her that she was nothing but a high elf.
Her long golden hair was tied back in a pony tail while her bangs danced about the elven features of her face. The ranger's fair skin, even in the darkness, seemed to hold the earthly glow of above. Windeline's almond shaped eyes shined with an emerald brilliance, the beautiful color only matched by the leaves of an oak in the climax of summer. Her ears were long and pointed like that of her supposed kin. Yes… a look at Lady Windeline Crystaliis would have anyone fooled.
"I guess you wouldn't believe that I'm mostly human then?" Her eyes were dancing with laughter as they took in the kobold's shocked expression. Even Valen raised an eyebrow at the woman.
"Boss! Deekin calls you high elf many times in book!" The weepy kobold exclaimed all the while the ranger's laugh echoed melodically through out the caverns. Deekin's eyes studied the woman as they continued on. "You don't looks human, Boss."
Windeline lowered her glance as a calm smile formed upon her face, "I know…," her voice was soft and held a fraction of pain. "I'm a rarity… So I've been told anyways. A freak of nature if you want to go so far…." She quickly dismissed the sad memories welling up in her mind and turned to Deekin with a smile. "So you wish to become stronger, Deek? What were you planning on doing?"
"Well... Deekin thinking maybe he tries to, ummm, focus on being dragon disciple. Old master never tells Deekin about this, but... maybe it be good thing?"
"It might be Deek! Just think of all the things you could learn about your heritage! When do you think you'd start your training?"
"It be up to you, boss. Deekin do what you tells him to. If you wants Deekin to just be faithful bard, instead, Deekin do that and be happy."
Windeline frowned as she shook her head at the little kobold beside her. "No, my friend… I will not be the one who chooses this aspect of your destiny. Let this choice be your own, Deek." The kobold's eyes widened and his tail cheerfully wagged in delight as the ranger's words continued. "Besides you aren't my slave… you're my friend. Whatever you choose I'll do my best to support you."
The tiefling continued to watch the woman curiously. There was only one thought etched in his mind the rest of the journey to Lith My'athar: What an enigma of a woman.
The dancing flames that stood atop small, lit candles were the only source of light in the dark chamber. A swirling smoke of sweet incense filled the air inviting those near its scent to fall into a deep trance-like state.
The Seer's eyes were closed as she sat in her meditative position. The moisture of the drow elf's sweat glistened on her dark skin as she remained lost in her visions. Her hand maidens silently watched over her form, as she continued to plunge deeper into the dreams.
Cloaked in the deep shadows of the Seer's bed chambers, Nathyrra quietly observed the priestess. A dagger was silently being twirled between her nimble fingers. Two days had passed since the surfacer left with the tiefling. Nathyrra hated being idle at the temple, but if she was not to be out with the lesser elf, she would see to it herself that the Seer remained safe from whatever the Valsharess threw at them.
Thankfully... the Valsharess had managed to keep her attacks minimal; Lith My'athar only having to suffer a few assassination attempts or the attacks of a few, obscure scouting parties. These were things Commander Imloth was more than capable of handling by himself.
The perfumed incense was slowly coaxing the drow assassin to follow the priestess into a trance. Her red eyes were becoming heavier with each dull moment that passed.
Suddenly, a movement from the corner of her eye snapped Nathyrra out of her sleepy state and the jeweled dagger she had been toying with flew from her hands in one quick, fluid movement. Just as gracefully as the dagger had been thrown, it had been caught in an ebony gauntleted hand. Nathyrra smirked with satisfaction as she crossed her arms. "Nicely done…There's no doubt that Valen was right in choosing you to watch over our forces…" The dark elf leaned against the wall as Imloth slowly made his way to her.
The ex-Red Sister was one of the newest recruits in the Seer's rebellion. In the beginning, she had been afraid and unsure of how the other followers of Ellistrae would accept someone as she, a former follower of Lolth the Spider Queen. To Nathyrra's surprise they welcomed her 'home' with open arms, as if she had been a lost child who had finally found her way.
Yet, even though she had been accepted readily, Nathyrra had felt out of place at first. If she wasn't busy training or meditating, she was brooding in a secluded area. The destruction of her own house and the countless faces of her victims that haunted the assassin were among the many things in her troubled past that plagued her. The dark elf welcomed the loneliness she had surrounded herself in… that is until he decided to end all of that.
More often than not, she found herself thinking of Imloth. The drow warrior often invaded the protective wall that she had built to protect herself from outside influences. He had offered friendship and after many numerous attempts, Nathyrra finally found in him something she did not think she was ever to find in the other drow: They had both abandoned Lolth.
Even though they had forsaken the Spider Queen for different reasons, Imloth for his disgust and Nathyrra for researching the teachings of Ellistrae, they both saw a kindred spirit of sorts within the other. This new found knowledge eventually sparked a friendship of an utmost respect between the two. Yet there was something more to it, and though they dared not admit it, both felt a deep attraction to each other.
The warrior slid the dagger gently into the palm of the assassin's hand, both were very aware of the heat that was felt from the brief touch of their skin. Imloth tilted his gaze slightly towards the Seer, "Ellistrae?"
"Yes... It has been a few hours since she fell into her trance..." Worry was shown on the usually smooth brow of the woman. Nathyrra frowned as she looked upon the woman trapped in her meditations. "I hate seeing her so... vulnerable."
"With you guarding her from the sanctuary of your shadow... I highly doubt any harm could befall her..." His eyebrow arched and a wry grin formed upon his handsome dark elven features. "You nearly grazed my cheek with that dagger of yours, my lady."
Nathyrra rolled her eyes as she turned away from the commander. "You're only a male," she muttered beneath her breath. As she began to walk away, Imloth reached for her arm and pulled Nathyrra back to him.
Leaning in close with lips just centimeters apart, Imloth's eyes wandered over the woman's beautiful face. His grin seemed to widen as Nathyrra kept her eyes locked onto his defiantly. "I am only a man, my dear Nathyrra... and if so... then what does that make you?" Imloth leaned in closer and gently whispered into her sensitive ear. "Only a woman."
The woman scowled as she snatched back her arm from the man's grasp. "You are overstepping your bounds, Commander Imloth..."
Imloth merely shrugged his shoulders, his confident grin remaining. "Don't feel so insulted Nathyrra. We are who we are. Is the Seer greater than we are because she is a woman? Does she receive her visions because she's a woman?" His eyes were laughing as he noticed the agitation that began to paint Nathyrra over.
You are testing my patience," hissed the assassin. Her eyebrow seemed to twitch and Imloth nearly chuckled at how tightly the woman's lips were pursed. Watching her in this state suddenly reminded him why he had been looking for her.
"My friend...forgive me," Imloth's voice was suddenly serious and once again he reached out to her. She tossed him a cautious glance as she noticed the sudden change in his attitude. "Meet me tonight... Our spot... There have been some things I wish to discuss with you..." He glanced around the Seer's room and noticed the priestess's handmaidens had taken a keen interest in their conversation, "in private."
The assassin's mouth opened to respond but she found herself helplessly mute. A soft groan from the Seer saved Nathyrra the trouble and she was quick to the priestess's side.
Imloth merely laughed, "I'll be waiting after training. See you then, my lady."
Nathyrra remained silent as she watched Imloth leave the room. She found herself sighing and she felt somewhat afraid at what the man wanted to tell her. The unfamiliarity she felt with these new found feelings she had towards Imloth had forced her to be on edge. She wanted to let go of her old self... but how could she if she kept referring to him as such a lowly male?
"N...Nathyrra..." The Seer's eyes slowly opened and she reached out to young the woman kneeling beside her with a trembling hand. "They have returned to us..."
"Are you sure it is wise to send the kobold for such errands?" Valen eyed Deekin as he scampered off with a childlike glee towards the merchants circle, Callisto close behind him at his heels.
Windeline's harmonious laughter filled the air, "Are you worried for Deekin... or...," She adjusted her hood revealing a mischievous grin on her rosy lips, "are you worried for Callisto?"
Valen slightly scowled as he turned away, not wanting to give the woman the satisfaction she seemed to desire. "I was just hoping he was capable of finding the merchants instead of leading the bear into the roth pins"
"Heh, is that so?" She lightly twisted her heel into the ground as she considered her next choice of words. Then the beautiful ranger gave up all of her pride and dignity so that the two companions could travel together in ever lasting harmony. Oh the sacrifices that one such as she must endure! After clearing her throat, her words stumbled about from her lips. "Ah... Well hey... about last night...," The ranger could feel the awkwardness slowly creeping between them as she reluctantly made her way to face Valen.
A frustrated sigh left Valen as turned his gaze toward hers. Seeing the usually confident ranger clumsily search for words out of the air couldn't stop his amused grin from forming, however. "Yes? What about it?"
"I wanted to apologize for the way I acted. I tend to forget at times that everyone has a reason for what they believe, even if they do not understand the ah... 'whole of it.'" She held up her hand as Valen began to protest. "Now, now, let me finish. I'm sure you have been wondering why is it... I tend to 'lose' myself when I battle the drow..." She began to shift about uneasily as the tiefling's stare began to pierce into her at the mention of the dark elves.
"We all have our reasons..., my lady."
"Yes we do, but if I don't tell you... We...I won't be able to -" The woman stopped short as her gaze shifted behind Valen and almost immediately her eyes were welled with disappointment. She covered her face with the hood of her cloak; a discontent sigh was set loose. "Another time perhaps..."
"Lady Windeline! Valen!" Commander Imloth ran up to meet the two and gave a brisk salute. Valen regarded the dark elf commander, unable to shake the image of Windeline's crestfallen expression from his mind.
... You won't be able to what? Why is it that you seem so desperate to tell me, Windeline? Valen's smile was faint as his thoughts continued. Normally people, women especially, hardly care what I think about their personal matters.... Why then... are you so different, my lady?
"The Seer would like to see you two right away. She... we all are eager to hear of your progress."
"I see. we were both on our way to see her despite this summons... How has everything been since my absence, Imloth?" A hint of worry was woven within the tiefling's voice. Imloth straightened his shoulders in regard to the tiefling and began his report.
From the sanctuary of her shadow, Windeline quietly observed Imloth while the two men conversed. She noticed that the hint of malevolence that was typical among the followers of Lolth was absent from the dark elf warrior before her. His red eyes seemed to hold a deep admiration and respect for the tiefling. She began to wonder if all the drow held Valen in such a high regard.
Nathyrra, the Seer, the followers of Ellistrae..., and now this Imloth... A pang of guilt struck at the chords of her heart as she was reminded of her foolish prejudice. I... I am justified in how I feel towards the drow... aren't I? Her thoughts then turned toward the Seer. Perhaps... she will help me deal with this... foolishness of mine.
The feeling of a firm hand upon her shoulder broke Windeline's thoughts and she found herself the recipient of Imloth's attention, "I thank you for all that you have done so far, my lady," The gentle smile of the drow caught the young woman off guard and she sheepishly nodded in response while biting her lip. The dark elf gave a light chuckle, seeming to understand the reason behind the woman's 'shy' behavior. "Remember, the Seer would like to see you both." Imloth gave a short bow and with that, he was off toward the training grounds.
"Let us be off then," Valen was eager to return to the Seer. Just as he was taking his first steps toward the temple, Windeline had reached out for his hand, gently tugging him back. "... My lady?"
"I just want to ask you a question..." Her fingers reluctantly released the tiefling's wrist and she adjusted her hood to get a better look at the man before her. "It is something that has been at the back of my mind for a while now."
"A question is it?" Once again Valen was slightly taken aback by the sudden attention. He regarded the ranger with a curious interest. "What do you wish to ask?"
"I was just wondering... how the drow felt about your leadership. I mean they aren't exactly famous for accepting those outside their dark heritage." Slowly the two began to make their way towards the temple of Lolth.
"I am not sure. Those who follow the Seer accepted me readily enough for her sake, but the others... they despise any creature who is not drow, themselves. I am no exception."
The lady ranger slowly nodded as she remembered the dark elves reaction when her hood was pushed back by the Seer... revealing her high elf lineage. Windeline peered at the tiefling beside her quizzically. "But... did that not make your job more difficult?"
"It did. For a time." A slight smile played upon Valen's handsome features and a twinkle danced in his eyes as he recalled a few fond memories. "I have a way of convincing even drow that my orders bear listening to."
"Oh really?" Windeline faced the direction of the drow army that could be heard training in the distance. The clang of metal against metal was a lullaby the refugee camp had become accustomed to.
"Strangely enough, I do not think my leadership would have been possible were it not for my demonic heritage." As if suddenly realizing his error, he stopped short and his sapphire eyes studied the lady ranger warily. "You... know what a tiefling is?"
Windeline managed to hide the initial shock as she continued to look away. D... demonic heritage? She remembered the first time she laid her eyes on his horns and that same night she peeked at him from behind her screen only to be surprised by the length that was his tail. She slowly turned her head towards Valen and regarded him with a soft smile.
"Hmm... What is a tiefling...?" She lightly tapped her fingers against her lips as she feigned to be lost in deep thought. Suddenly she looked up to him, playfully clasping her hands behind her back. "A tiefling is...someone with a handsome set of horns?"
Valen smiled bashfully as a gauntleted hand touched one of the goat-like horns on his head in a quick and self-conscious manner. "You jest, of course, my lady..." His blue eyes looked to the rocky ground for some sort of solace.
"Not at all," the elf felt a soft warmth upon her face while her fingers were clumsily fumbling behind her, tugging at the bottom hem of her tunic as she continued on. "You're quite handsome, you know." I... like this...
The tiefling's cheeks turned crimson with embarrassment. "Th-thank you, my lady. You are... too kind."; He suddenly cleared his throat and he was able to regard her once again. "But... do you know what I am, truly?"
"Honestly speaking... I do not." Her hand reached to scratch behind the back of her neck. The slight movements of her wrist moved her hood back a bit, allowing a few golden bangs to freely dance around her face. "Would you be willing to tell me?"
He tore his gaze from the ranger and looked towards the temple that slowly crept up in the distance. "My mother," slowly the words escaped from his lips, "bore the child of a being we call a cambion... a being half a man and half a demon. This makes me part demon, myself." His glance was back upon Windeline and she saw how his blue eyes trembled before her own with worry. "Does this bother you?"
From the stories that she had been told, he didn't look like what she had imagined one of demon blood to be. She had always pictured such beings to be hideous or cruel and the bards never painted such beings in a fair light; even though she had only known Valen for such a short period of a time, she couldn't label him as either.
Her nimble fingers began to fumble behind her back once more as she continued to look upon him with a gentle smile. "Actually, I find it quite intriguing."
Valen couldn't hide the startled look that suddenly appeared. It became clear that the tiefling had never encountered such a response before. A warm smile slowly appeared as his eyes wandered over Windeline's face. "You are... quite intriguing yourself, my lady."
The woman quickly shot her glance to the pebbles at her feet, fully aware that the heat upon her cheeks seemed a bit warmer. "So you were... saying?"
"...Oh, yes. The drow respected the part of me that was infernal, I think. I have a temper that some call frightening, and they did not have to see much of it for word to get around." He chuckled as he was reminded of how the defiant drow discovered just how convincing an enraged tiefling with a heavy mace could be. "That gave them respect enough that they didn't resist when I assumed command during our first... engagement with the Valsharess." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully as more memories resurfaced. "Three months ago... It feels like forever."
They've been battling the Valsharess for that long? "It didn't go well?"
"We weren't prepared for that first battle, and the Valsharess outnumbered us in every way. We lost three allied houses and the Seer's chosen General before I was able to drag the army into retreat."
"Your decision to retreat probably saved them, then. Being able to retreat is a relatively hard thing to do at times... You want to be able to defeat the enemy right then and there... or die trying." The two companions stopped as they reached the door of the temple. Windeline gave the tiefling a reassuring look, "You made the right decision... I'm impressed."
The tiefling paused as he considered the woman's words, finally nodding as he glanced meaningfully at the ranger. "I've kept them alive and on the run since that first battle, but only barely." Windeline noticed the sincerity in his eyes as he continued, "I would truly hate to see them... come to harm."
The Seer's eyes couldn't hide their disappointment upon hearing the ranger's report. "Why? Why did you do this, Windeline?"
A plague upon that wretched being... Zesyyr... The ranger hadn't expected the weight of her guilt to press so heavily on her shoulders.
The tiefling vividly remembered how hard Windeline had taken the success of that mission. His hand unconsciously drifted into his pack, his fingers lightly brushing the young woman's pendant.
Valen stepped to the ranger's defense, "Matron Myrune would have betrayed us the moment the Valsharess marched upon Lith My'athar. Zesyyr had offered us her promise not to betray us as her mother was surely scheming to do."
Windeline reached for an invisible object around her neck. She was no longer there in the large chamber. The stone walls with the intricate spiders etched upon them faded away as she fell deeper into her pool of guilt.
She recounted the sinister gleam within the daughter of the matron mother upon asking for her 'simple' request. Windeline could hear the shouts of the drow guards as they realized why the lesser elf and her companions were inside the tall tower of Myrune. Finally the defiant scream of the elderly drow echoed within the ranger's mind as the arrow tore through the matron mother's elegant clothing and pierced the beating chamber of her heart.
Never again...
"Never again," Windeline whispered beneath her breath. "You have said it yourself that we have little time... I felt that if we are to have... victory that we could not afford the loss of the allies we already have. However..." She held her head up high and she clenched a fist at her bosom, "I will not abandon my principles for the sake of... someone's ambition ever again. Even if it means they remain an ally or not..."
The Seer's enigmatic smile appeared as she looked upon Valen and Windeline. She did not expect the tiefling to defend the ranger's actions... so soon. Then there was this spark of determination that glowed faintly within the ranger. She was ever thankful that Ellistrae had sent the surfacer to her.
"Through your efforts you have managed to disable one of the Valsharess's allies and managed to secure one of our own... I am ever thankful." She gracefully walked down the steps of the altar of Lolth, her long silver tresses gently swayed along with the fabrics of her robes. "Let us celebrate in the name of Ellistrae for our first steps in our coming victory-"
Windeline shook her head in disagreement. "No Lady Seer... I've already sent out my kobold companion for enough supplies to last us a few weeks. Valen and I will continue to thwart whatever efforts and allies the Valsharess has or hopes to acquire."
The dark elf priestess's eyes sparkled with satisfaction upon hearing the elf's words. "When you three return to us then." She looked upon the ranger curiously. "Will you be staying here the night then?"
"As nice as that would be..., no." Windeline's smile seemed somewhat grim. The thought of remaining in the wild of the Underdark for so long was something she less than desired. "We plan on leaving as soon as Deekin gets back. However..." The Seer waited patiently for the words she knew were to come, "I have some things... I feel I must discuss with you... upon my return."
The dark elf nodded and she placed a cool hand upon the lesser elf's cheek. The priestess's smile seemed somewhat unnerving to the ranger. "Certainly my dear...."
A sudden gasp flew from the elf's lips as a sudden tremble ran along the spine of the young woman. What... did she do to me?
The Seer leaned in close, her delicate words barely audible. "Have courage... descendant of Bhaal. You will find... that he will be more than understanding... for it has been... foretold."
Finally chapter four has been completed! :) I thought it would be nice to say I have broken my "forget about the stories after chapter three" habit with this new chapter! :D Please read and review! Reviews are my life force!!!
Lady Winde