Chapter 19
"Donnia! Thank the gods you're alright!" Aarin Gend was not one to display his emotions but he was obviously very pleased to see Donnia walk into Nasher's Castle. He was rushing over to her when he noticed something a bit odd. Quickly averting his eyes, Aarin spoke to her, "Donnia, where's your armor?" The thin cloth tunic was dirty, bloody, and clinging to her body from her sweat and blood, leaving little to one's imagination.
Donnia glanced down at her shirt and then back up at Aarin. "It was damaged beyond repair and I was forced to leave it behind so that I could get to the source stone."
Forgetting his embarrassment of her in such attire, he quickly looked back to Donnia, disbelief and something else was in his eyes. "Wait. What happened? How long have you been without your armor?"
Donnia closed her eyes for a brief moment before saying, "I found Lady Aribeth. She and Maugrim were not far from the battle raging outside. They had holed up in a building that actually was over the ceremony room with the source stone." She paused a moment here, trying to calm the nerves she felt raging inside her body, but Aarin did not notice. "Aarin, Lady Aribeth is dead. I killed her." She felt the tears forming and did everything she could to prevent them from spilling over. Now was not the time for emotions.
Aarin could only guess how this was affecting her. He knew that it was Aribeth who had taken Donnia in back in Neverwinter, had trained her and helped her in every way when they were searching for a cure for the Wailing Death. "Donnia, it could not have been helped. You know as well as I that Aribeth made her decision long ago. Nothing you could have done could have changed this outcome. Right now, we are winning, and it is all because of you. It is you who have Neverwinter, and ultimately all of the Frozen North and beyond. I know that Aribeth was once someone special to you, but the woman you faced in there was not Aribeth. She left you a long time ago." It was then he noticed the gaping hole in her tunic. He was about to say something when Donnia spoke first.
"It's a little something she left for me. Whatever she did to her weapon caused this and the ruin of my armor. But it is not important now. Morag was defeated, the source stone was destroyed, Maugrim and La...and Aribeth are dead. Neverwinter is as safe as I can make it. Now, if there is nothing else, I must take this news to Lord Nasher."
Aarin said nothing, but told her where to find Lord Nasher. Before she left he called out to her, "Thank you, Donnia."
She said nothing in return, but gave a slight bow and walked out to find Lord Nasher.
* * * * * * * * * "Am I to assume that this rabble with you, was of some assistance to you, Donnia?" Lord Nasher gestured to Tomi.
"Yes, Lord Nasher, he was of great assistance to me. And I ask that in payment of his priceless help to me and to the city of Neverwinter that he be pardoned of his past charges in Calimsham."
Donnia had told Lord Nasher of all that had happened since she had left the castle. She left out any emotions that would have given herself away. She had not cleaned up but instead stood before Lord Nasher covered in the grime of battle, hoping he would see that Tomi looked no different than her when she asked for his pardon.
Tomi had told her of why he was in Neverwinter in the first place. True, he had committed several crimes, but he was different now. Donnia felt that it was important that everyone know how vital he was in the saving of the city. Without him, Donnia knew she would not have survived long.
Lord Nasher looked at the pair of them. They were filthy, bloody, and did smell quite offensively. He also noticed that Tomi was just as dirty as Donnia. Tomi stood there unwavering, waiting to hear his judgment. He stood not in defiance, as was his usual posture, but in acceptance. He was ready to bear whatever Lord Nasher decreed.
It was true that Donnia had saved the city before in finding the cure for the plague, then rescuing from Desther. She had also found the stronghold of the cult behind its release and the power behind that cult and defeated them all. It was obvious to him that she felt her companion deserved some payment equal to that of a hero. Nasher had fully recovered from the Wailing Death and supposed that he had the halfling to thank, at least partially.
"Do you feel that it would be fair payment?"
Donnia met his eyes and without faltering retorted, "It would be a fair payment to all the great things he has done. I could not have survived without him. Unless you can think of anything better to reward him with, I feel that yes, it would be fair payment."
Lord Nasher was not used to people talking to him as this woman was currently doing. He could have her exiled just for her tone alone. "Do you normally talk to royals in such a tone of voice, Donnia Thensbane, or am I to consider myself special?" Donnia started to speak, but quieted at the lift of his hand. "No matter. If you feel it would be fair payment, then yes, Tomi Undergallows, you are hereby pardoned of your past crimes committed within the city of Calimsham. I will send notice to the city of this decree and of your actions here and for this city."
Tomi bowed to him in thanks.
"Furthermore, you will be rewarded in gold for your service to me and to all of Neverwinter."
For the first time since arriving in the castle, Tomi spoke, "I thank you for your pardon, Lord Nasher, and for the offer of gold. However, I feel that the city itself needs it more than I do. As much as I would like to take it from you, I feel that I cannot. So, again, I thank you for the offer, but I will not take it."
Lord Nasher looked at the thief in shock then fought to keep himself from smiling. "As you wish, Tomi Undergallows. I wish you a safe and quick journey back to your home."
Tomi gave a formal bow to Lord Nasher and turned and left the great hall.
"As for you, Donnia Thensbane, this city will forever be in your debt..."
Lord Nasher trailed off as Donnia interrupted him, "Thank you for your kind words, Lord Nasher, but I cannot stay in this city a moment longer, or in your presence." At this Lord Nasher gave her an incredulous look, but said nothing. "My task here is complete and I wish to leave. There are reasons to my wish, but I fear I cannot give them to you. Just know that your city is as safe and whole as is in my power to make it so. I would wish you luck in keeping it that way, but it would be a waste of my words." Donnia pushed on before Nasher could order her exiled. "Do not waste yours either, Lord Nasher, for I am leaving soon. I fear this city will never be what it once was because of what you have done since the outbreak of the Wailing Death. When this city falls from your grasp, maybe you will understand what you have done to this once beautiful city. You killed it in one decree. And it will kill you in time." Donnia bowed to him and turned and left the old ruler stammering at her back in his seat.
Tomi was waiting for her outside the doors to the hall. "I want to thank you for what you did for me."
"Why'd you turn down the money?" Donnia did not want his thanks anymore than she wanted them from Lord Nasher.
A bit surprised at her question, Tomi then looked at her again. Her eyes were shadowed by something he did not fully understand, her body was tensed, as if preparing for attack. Through their shared adventure Tomi had seen her smile only a few times, and wished to have her smile once more. When she did it was as though she forgot everything else for it all just melted away from her features. He hated to see her shrouded in grief. "It wouldn't very much. Hell, I can earn twice as much as that on my way home. Prime-time for caravans into Calimsham."
Donnia appreciated his light-hearted response and manages a slight smile. "Tomi, I can never repay you for what you have done for me. Just know that I will never forget it and that if you should ever need my assistance, I will always help you." In a rare show of strong emotions, Donnia hugged him fiercely. Theirs was a friendship borne out of circumstance but it would not end as their travels together just had.
A surprised Tomi hugged her back. They stayed together like that for several long moments before Donnia pulled away. "Where are you going now?" Tomi asked her.
Donnia looked around at the castle surrounding her. The great stone walls seemed little different than the caverns in the source stone. "To find some new armor."
Tomi grinned up at her. "Wherever you end up, you'll be needed. Someone like you always finds a way to make it work."
"Try to stay out of serious trouble, Tomi. And get back to Calimsham. I'm sure they've missed you." A smile played at the corners of her mouth as she spoke to him.
Tomi said nothing to her, but smiled and walked away, leaving her, the castle, and Neverwinter behind.
Donnia watched him leave and said a silent prayer to whatever deity would hear her. She went out of the castle avoiding Aarin Gend. She did not know exactly where she was going, other than finding new armor, but she knew that there was something out there calling to her, beckoning her to come. She had no choice but to answer it.
"Donnia! Thank the gods you're alright!" Aarin Gend was not one to display his emotions but he was obviously very pleased to see Donnia walk into Nasher's Castle. He was rushing over to her when he noticed something a bit odd. Quickly averting his eyes, Aarin spoke to her, "Donnia, where's your armor?" The thin cloth tunic was dirty, bloody, and clinging to her body from her sweat and blood, leaving little to one's imagination.
Donnia glanced down at her shirt and then back up at Aarin. "It was damaged beyond repair and I was forced to leave it behind so that I could get to the source stone."
Forgetting his embarrassment of her in such attire, he quickly looked back to Donnia, disbelief and something else was in his eyes. "Wait. What happened? How long have you been without your armor?"
Donnia closed her eyes for a brief moment before saying, "I found Lady Aribeth. She and Maugrim were not far from the battle raging outside. They had holed up in a building that actually was over the ceremony room with the source stone." She paused a moment here, trying to calm the nerves she felt raging inside her body, but Aarin did not notice. "Aarin, Lady Aribeth is dead. I killed her." She felt the tears forming and did everything she could to prevent them from spilling over. Now was not the time for emotions.
Aarin could only guess how this was affecting her. He knew that it was Aribeth who had taken Donnia in back in Neverwinter, had trained her and helped her in every way when they were searching for a cure for the Wailing Death. "Donnia, it could not have been helped. You know as well as I that Aribeth made her decision long ago. Nothing you could have done could have changed this outcome. Right now, we are winning, and it is all because of you. It is you who have Neverwinter, and ultimately all of the Frozen North and beyond. I know that Aribeth was once someone special to you, but the woman you faced in there was not Aribeth. She left you a long time ago." It was then he noticed the gaping hole in her tunic. He was about to say something when Donnia spoke first.
"It's a little something she left for me. Whatever she did to her weapon caused this and the ruin of my armor. But it is not important now. Morag was defeated, the source stone was destroyed, Maugrim and La...and Aribeth are dead. Neverwinter is as safe as I can make it. Now, if there is nothing else, I must take this news to Lord Nasher."
Aarin said nothing, but told her where to find Lord Nasher. Before she left he called out to her, "Thank you, Donnia."
She said nothing in return, but gave a slight bow and walked out to find Lord Nasher.
* * * * * * * * * "Am I to assume that this rabble with you, was of some assistance to you, Donnia?" Lord Nasher gestured to Tomi.
"Yes, Lord Nasher, he was of great assistance to me. And I ask that in payment of his priceless help to me and to the city of Neverwinter that he be pardoned of his past charges in Calimsham."
Donnia had told Lord Nasher of all that had happened since she had left the castle. She left out any emotions that would have given herself away. She had not cleaned up but instead stood before Lord Nasher covered in the grime of battle, hoping he would see that Tomi looked no different than her when she asked for his pardon.
Tomi had told her of why he was in Neverwinter in the first place. True, he had committed several crimes, but he was different now. Donnia felt that it was important that everyone know how vital he was in the saving of the city. Without him, Donnia knew she would not have survived long.
Lord Nasher looked at the pair of them. They were filthy, bloody, and did smell quite offensively. He also noticed that Tomi was just as dirty as Donnia. Tomi stood there unwavering, waiting to hear his judgment. He stood not in defiance, as was his usual posture, but in acceptance. He was ready to bear whatever Lord Nasher decreed.
It was true that Donnia had saved the city before in finding the cure for the plague, then rescuing from Desther. She had also found the stronghold of the cult behind its release and the power behind that cult and defeated them all. It was obvious to him that she felt her companion deserved some payment equal to that of a hero. Nasher had fully recovered from the Wailing Death and supposed that he had the halfling to thank, at least partially.
"Do you feel that it would be fair payment?"
Donnia met his eyes and without faltering retorted, "It would be a fair payment to all the great things he has done. I could not have survived without him. Unless you can think of anything better to reward him with, I feel that yes, it would be fair payment."
Lord Nasher was not used to people talking to him as this woman was currently doing. He could have her exiled just for her tone alone. "Do you normally talk to royals in such a tone of voice, Donnia Thensbane, or am I to consider myself special?" Donnia started to speak, but quieted at the lift of his hand. "No matter. If you feel it would be fair payment, then yes, Tomi Undergallows, you are hereby pardoned of your past crimes committed within the city of Calimsham. I will send notice to the city of this decree and of your actions here and for this city."
Tomi bowed to him in thanks.
"Furthermore, you will be rewarded in gold for your service to me and to all of Neverwinter."
For the first time since arriving in the castle, Tomi spoke, "I thank you for your pardon, Lord Nasher, and for the offer of gold. However, I feel that the city itself needs it more than I do. As much as I would like to take it from you, I feel that I cannot. So, again, I thank you for the offer, but I will not take it."
Lord Nasher looked at the thief in shock then fought to keep himself from smiling. "As you wish, Tomi Undergallows. I wish you a safe and quick journey back to your home."
Tomi gave a formal bow to Lord Nasher and turned and left the great hall.
"As for you, Donnia Thensbane, this city will forever be in your debt..."
Lord Nasher trailed off as Donnia interrupted him, "Thank you for your kind words, Lord Nasher, but I cannot stay in this city a moment longer, or in your presence." At this Lord Nasher gave her an incredulous look, but said nothing. "My task here is complete and I wish to leave. There are reasons to my wish, but I fear I cannot give them to you. Just know that your city is as safe and whole as is in my power to make it so. I would wish you luck in keeping it that way, but it would be a waste of my words." Donnia pushed on before Nasher could order her exiled. "Do not waste yours either, Lord Nasher, for I am leaving soon. I fear this city will never be what it once was because of what you have done since the outbreak of the Wailing Death. When this city falls from your grasp, maybe you will understand what you have done to this once beautiful city. You killed it in one decree. And it will kill you in time." Donnia bowed to him and turned and left the old ruler stammering at her back in his seat.
Tomi was waiting for her outside the doors to the hall. "I want to thank you for what you did for me."
"Why'd you turn down the money?" Donnia did not want his thanks anymore than she wanted them from Lord Nasher.
A bit surprised at her question, Tomi then looked at her again. Her eyes were shadowed by something he did not fully understand, her body was tensed, as if preparing for attack. Through their shared adventure Tomi had seen her smile only a few times, and wished to have her smile once more. When she did it was as though she forgot everything else for it all just melted away from her features. He hated to see her shrouded in grief. "It wouldn't very much. Hell, I can earn twice as much as that on my way home. Prime-time for caravans into Calimsham."
Donnia appreciated his light-hearted response and manages a slight smile. "Tomi, I can never repay you for what you have done for me. Just know that I will never forget it and that if you should ever need my assistance, I will always help you." In a rare show of strong emotions, Donnia hugged him fiercely. Theirs was a friendship borne out of circumstance but it would not end as their travels together just had.
A surprised Tomi hugged her back. They stayed together like that for several long moments before Donnia pulled away. "Where are you going now?" Tomi asked her.
Donnia looked around at the castle surrounding her. The great stone walls seemed little different than the caverns in the source stone. "To find some new armor."
Tomi grinned up at her. "Wherever you end up, you'll be needed. Someone like you always finds a way to make it work."
"Try to stay out of serious trouble, Tomi. And get back to Calimsham. I'm sure they've missed you." A smile played at the corners of her mouth as she spoke to him.
Tomi said nothing to her, but smiled and walked away, leaving her, the castle, and Neverwinter behind.
Donnia watched him leave and said a silent prayer to whatever deity would hear her. She went out of the castle avoiding Aarin Gend. She did not know exactly where she was going, other than finding new armor, but she knew that there was something out there calling to her, beckoning her to come. She had no choice but to answer it.