Chapter 22
The three of them stood once more before the opening of the cave. Its dark mouth leered at them, almost laughing as they stood there waiting for the leader to make her move.
Donnia turned to Valen and Nathyrra, "I need to ask you both for a favor before we continue on."
Valen quickly responded, "I will do anything you ask of me, my love."
Nathyrra glanced at the two of them, unsure as what to say having heard Valen's response to Donnia. She decided it best not to say anything and instead just responded to Donnia. "What is it that you require?"
Donnia answered them with something she hoped they would not take offense at her asking, "I need you both to wait here. If it truly is La...if it is Aribeth, then I want to meet her alone."
Nathyrra answered, "If that is what you require, then I shall be waiting here for your return."
Valen slowly measured out his thoughts. It took him longer than normal, having to continually repress half of who he was, to sort out what was really being said. All she was really asking them to do was to wait for her while she met the person who had tried to have her killed, tried to kill her herself, and then left a lasting wound that had never given Donnia a moment's peace in all of those years since that battle. However, he knew that this is what she needed and he could not be the one to say no to her after so long a time.
Donnia watched him as he debated what to do. She just hoped he would understand that this was something she needed to do. She had to face Aribeth alone, there was no other way.
Finally, Valen answered her request. "I will be waiting here for you, Donnia. I know that this is something that you must do and I am not someone who is going to try and stop you." Valen gave Nathyrra a quick look before stepping closer to Donnia. He took her chin softly in his hand, almost willing her to come closer to him so that they were just a breath away from each other. "Be careful, my love." With that he slowly placed his lips over hers, kissing her softly, before letting go.
Donnia smiled at him, thanking him for understanding, before she turned an entered the cave looming up behind her.
Valen watched as she walked into the cave, slowly vanishing from sight as the cave swallowed her. He suppressed a shiver as the image of her disappearing seemed all too permanent. He well remembered the last time he saw her vanish, when she had been summoned once again into the Valsharess's ceremony room. He hoped that this time it would not have the same ending.
The cave was cold, just as cold as the rest of Cania, but thankfully it lacked the harsh biting wind that never seemed to stop blowing. Donnia walked slowly, cautiously so as not to make a sound upon her entrance. She knew that she would be visible, red armor against the bleak, white walls, but she hoped that her silence would give her an advantage.
She walked around the entire perimeter before she found a way to get to the lower portion of the cave. As she neared the back of the cavern she saw the form of someone sitting in front of an extinguished fire. She knew even before her eyes could tell her that it was Aribeth, frozen in place from the harsh cold.
Donnia walked more quickly up to Aribeth's body, now knowing that she need not fear of being heard, and knelt in front of her. Even in death Aribeth was beautiful. However, before she thought on her too long, Donnia rose and wondered how she was supposed to talk to an ice-form. The kindling in front of Aribeth seemed to be the only answer. Hoping it was enough, Donnia took three of their precious velox nettles from her pack and caused them to light a fire.
Almost immediately Aribeth began to thaw and come back to life, such as it was. She quickly stood up before seeing Donnia standing there. Without a second thought Aribeth struck out with her sword.
Donnia was caught completely by surprise by this and the first blow caught her on her side, sending waves of pain radiating throughout her body at having that wound be injured yet again. She tried hard, but could not fully stop a small scream of pain from escaping her lips.
Outside, Valen heard her scream and made like he was going into the cave. Quickly, Nathyrra jumped in front of him, hoping to stop him. "Valen, you promised you would wait here. Do not go back on your word."
Valen said nothing but glared down at the Drow, his eyes quickly becoming tinged in red. "You think you can stop me from entering that cave?" He started as though he were going to move right through her to get inside, but Nathyrra braced her arms against his armor, hoping it would slow him down.
"No, but your own word should."
Slowly, Valen's tail stopped its furious movements, his eyes once again returned to their piercing blue and he watched the mouth of the cave, hoping to see past it to what was happening. He could not let himself think about what could be happening, only let himself hope, and even that could be dangerous.
While Valen fought himself outside the cave, Donnia was pulled back into a battle that ended years ago. She knew every move that Aribeth made. She had fought this once before. With each advance so similar to those all that time ago Donnia could almost feel herself being pulled back to that fight, as though this was the same battle. Her mind began telling her that everything that she thought had happened since then had all been a lie, that she was still stuck fighting Aribeth, trying to save Neverwinter.
A part of her wanted to believe it, that this was still then. Yet, there was another part of her, small but persistent, reminding her of everything that had happened. That all of those things could not be a lie, a part of her imagination trying to escape the inevitable end. She remembered her time in Undrentide, fighting through Undermountain to find Halaster, meeting the Seer, finding an unlikely person to trust in Valen. Having come to him, she held on tight to his image, knowing he was waiting for her outside, and changed her attack, no longer would she be on the defensive.
Aribeth was not prepared for this change, and was not able to stop her when Donnia used a move she had not seen since her training at the Academy. Having Aribeth off balance from her change in tactics, Donnia quickly maneuvered and brought one foot to Aribeth's knee in a hard kick, sending Aribeth at once to the icy floor. In a quick move, Donnia had her sword placed over Aribeth, almost waiting for permission to deliver the death blow.
Aribeth stared up at her, still no recognition on her face, "What are you waiting for? Kill me, let me go from this place. I deserve no better."
This admission from Aribeth nearly caused Donnia to drop her sword. This was not the Aribeth she remembered, from any part of their relationship. She looked down at Aribeth and was shocked she did not notice it earlier. There was no light behind her eyes, no life. There was nothing driving her anymore. "What happened to you?"
Aribeth looked away from Donnia, looking back at the past, "Nothing I didn't deserve. I killed so many people, nearly destroyed the city I once loved. What Tyr did to me was just."
Donnia knew that some of the last nightmares Aribeth had had were of Tyr telling her that choosing her had been a mistake, but those had been placed in her head by Morag. "That was not Tyr, Aribeth. That was Morag, Queen of the Old Ones. But it was so long ago, why are you still stuck there?"
Aribeth looked back to Donnia, "There is nothing else. I tried once here to redeem myself, but I wasn't meant to do anyone any good. It seems all I can ever do is destroy."
Donnia hoped she was doing the right thing. She slowly pulled the sword away from Aribeth and sheathed it. She offered Aribeth her hand.
Aribeth glanced from Donnia's face to her hand for several long moments before taking her hand.
Donnia pulled her to her feet, but still held onto her hand, "You did more good than you realize, Lady Aribeth."
Aribeth quickly looked at Donnia, shock evident on her face. "Lady Aribeth? It's been so long since anyone has called me that."
"It was because of you that Neverwinter survived the plague. Tyr chose you to be a paladin in his service for a reason. Don't be one to tell a god that he is wrong."
Slowly, a look of recognition crossed Aribeth's face. "It can't be you. You...you can't actually be here."
"I am here, Lady Aribeth, and I need your help once more."
A lone tear escaped from Aribeth's eyes, "I'm so sorry, Donnia, for everything."
"There is nothing to apologize for. You did what you were meant to do. But before I ask for your help in my current quest, I have a question for you." Donnia slowly and cautiously removed her breastplate and lifted her tunic high enough for Aribeth to see her wound. "How did you do this?"
At the sight of the wound Aribeth visibly grimaced. "I put a spell on my dagger. It wasn't meant for you, it was for Maugrim. I trust he paid for his crimes?"
"Yes, he did. But I need to know if there is a way to heal this. I can't go on much longer with it like this."
"There is a way. Just give me a moment." Aribeth closed her eyes and concentrated, searching for the right incantation. She placed her hands over the old wound and murmured the words softly. A light glow emanated from her hands, covering her wound. Donnia felt a slight pressure, but there was no pain. Aribeth chanted like this for a few more moments before removing her hands. Without looking down Donnia knew it was gone. The pain had finally stopped.
"Thank you, Lady Aribeth." Donnia looked at her side. The wound was gone, but a scar had taken its place. She did not care, the scar did not hurt. She quickly replaced her breastplate and turned back to Aribeth. "Will you come with me? I need your help."
"Yes, I will go with, my lady." Aribeth gave Donnia a small formal bow. "It is the least I can do for having caused you so much pain."
Donnia gave her a small smile before leading her out of the cave.
Valen was pacing in front of the cave, his tail swinging almost violently with every step. Nathyrra watched him carefully, not wanting to see his piercing red eyes ever again. When Donnia appeared coming out of the cave, Valen rushed over to her immediately, taking her in his arms, "Donnia! Are you okay? Were you injured?"
Donnia stepped back from him, "I am fine, Valen. In fact, I'm even better than before. It healed."
Without her saying specifically what it was, Valen knew that it was her injury from Aribeth. "How is that possible?"
Donnia motioned over her shoulder to someone standing just inside the darkness of the cave. At this request, a tall elf woman stepped forward, coming out from the mouth of the cave. "Valen, Nathyrra, I'd like you to meet Lady Aribeth de Tylmarande."
The three of them stood once more before the opening of the cave. Its dark mouth leered at them, almost laughing as they stood there waiting for the leader to make her move.
Donnia turned to Valen and Nathyrra, "I need to ask you both for a favor before we continue on."
Valen quickly responded, "I will do anything you ask of me, my love."
Nathyrra glanced at the two of them, unsure as what to say having heard Valen's response to Donnia. She decided it best not to say anything and instead just responded to Donnia. "What is it that you require?"
Donnia answered them with something she hoped they would not take offense at her asking, "I need you both to wait here. If it truly is La...if it is Aribeth, then I want to meet her alone."
Nathyrra answered, "If that is what you require, then I shall be waiting here for your return."
Valen slowly measured out his thoughts. It took him longer than normal, having to continually repress half of who he was, to sort out what was really being said. All she was really asking them to do was to wait for her while she met the person who had tried to have her killed, tried to kill her herself, and then left a lasting wound that had never given Donnia a moment's peace in all of those years since that battle. However, he knew that this is what she needed and he could not be the one to say no to her after so long a time.
Donnia watched him as he debated what to do. She just hoped he would understand that this was something she needed to do. She had to face Aribeth alone, there was no other way.
Finally, Valen answered her request. "I will be waiting here for you, Donnia. I know that this is something that you must do and I am not someone who is going to try and stop you." Valen gave Nathyrra a quick look before stepping closer to Donnia. He took her chin softly in his hand, almost willing her to come closer to him so that they were just a breath away from each other. "Be careful, my love." With that he slowly placed his lips over hers, kissing her softly, before letting go.
Donnia smiled at him, thanking him for understanding, before she turned an entered the cave looming up behind her.
Valen watched as she walked into the cave, slowly vanishing from sight as the cave swallowed her. He suppressed a shiver as the image of her disappearing seemed all too permanent. He well remembered the last time he saw her vanish, when she had been summoned once again into the Valsharess's ceremony room. He hoped that this time it would not have the same ending.
The cave was cold, just as cold as the rest of Cania, but thankfully it lacked the harsh biting wind that never seemed to stop blowing. Donnia walked slowly, cautiously so as not to make a sound upon her entrance. She knew that she would be visible, red armor against the bleak, white walls, but she hoped that her silence would give her an advantage.
She walked around the entire perimeter before she found a way to get to the lower portion of the cave. As she neared the back of the cavern she saw the form of someone sitting in front of an extinguished fire. She knew even before her eyes could tell her that it was Aribeth, frozen in place from the harsh cold.
Donnia walked more quickly up to Aribeth's body, now knowing that she need not fear of being heard, and knelt in front of her. Even in death Aribeth was beautiful. However, before she thought on her too long, Donnia rose and wondered how she was supposed to talk to an ice-form. The kindling in front of Aribeth seemed to be the only answer. Hoping it was enough, Donnia took three of their precious velox nettles from her pack and caused them to light a fire.
Almost immediately Aribeth began to thaw and come back to life, such as it was. She quickly stood up before seeing Donnia standing there. Without a second thought Aribeth struck out with her sword.
Donnia was caught completely by surprise by this and the first blow caught her on her side, sending waves of pain radiating throughout her body at having that wound be injured yet again. She tried hard, but could not fully stop a small scream of pain from escaping her lips.
Outside, Valen heard her scream and made like he was going into the cave. Quickly, Nathyrra jumped in front of him, hoping to stop him. "Valen, you promised you would wait here. Do not go back on your word."
Valen said nothing but glared down at the Drow, his eyes quickly becoming tinged in red. "You think you can stop me from entering that cave?" He started as though he were going to move right through her to get inside, but Nathyrra braced her arms against his armor, hoping it would slow him down.
"No, but your own word should."
Slowly, Valen's tail stopped its furious movements, his eyes once again returned to their piercing blue and he watched the mouth of the cave, hoping to see past it to what was happening. He could not let himself think about what could be happening, only let himself hope, and even that could be dangerous.
While Valen fought himself outside the cave, Donnia was pulled back into a battle that ended years ago. She knew every move that Aribeth made. She had fought this once before. With each advance so similar to those all that time ago Donnia could almost feel herself being pulled back to that fight, as though this was the same battle. Her mind began telling her that everything that she thought had happened since then had all been a lie, that she was still stuck fighting Aribeth, trying to save Neverwinter.
A part of her wanted to believe it, that this was still then. Yet, there was another part of her, small but persistent, reminding her of everything that had happened. That all of those things could not be a lie, a part of her imagination trying to escape the inevitable end. She remembered her time in Undrentide, fighting through Undermountain to find Halaster, meeting the Seer, finding an unlikely person to trust in Valen. Having come to him, she held on tight to his image, knowing he was waiting for her outside, and changed her attack, no longer would she be on the defensive.
Aribeth was not prepared for this change, and was not able to stop her when Donnia used a move she had not seen since her training at the Academy. Having Aribeth off balance from her change in tactics, Donnia quickly maneuvered and brought one foot to Aribeth's knee in a hard kick, sending Aribeth at once to the icy floor. In a quick move, Donnia had her sword placed over Aribeth, almost waiting for permission to deliver the death blow.
Aribeth stared up at her, still no recognition on her face, "What are you waiting for? Kill me, let me go from this place. I deserve no better."
This admission from Aribeth nearly caused Donnia to drop her sword. This was not the Aribeth she remembered, from any part of their relationship. She looked down at Aribeth and was shocked she did not notice it earlier. There was no light behind her eyes, no life. There was nothing driving her anymore. "What happened to you?"
Aribeth looked away from Donnia, looking back at the past, "Nothing I didn't deserve. I killed so many people, nearly destroyed the city I once loved. What Tyr did to me was just."
Donnia knew that some of the last nightmares Aribeth had had were of Tyr telling her that choosing her had been a mistake, but those had been placed in her head by Morag. "That was not Tyr, Aribeth. That was Morag, Queen of the Old Ones. But it was so long ago, why are you still stuck there?"
Aribeth looked back to Donnia, "There is nothing else. I tried once here to redeem myself, but I wasn't meant to do anyone any good. It seems all I can ever do is destroy."
Donnia hoped she was doing the right thing. She slowly pulled the sword away from Aribeth and sheathed it. She offered Aribeth her hand.
Aribeth glanced from Donnia's face to her hand for several long moments before taking her hand.
Donnia pulled her to her feet, but still held onto her hand, "You did more good than you realize, Lady Aribeth."
Aribeth quickly looked at Donnia, shock evident on her face. "Lady Aribeth? It's been so long since anyone has called me that."
"It was because of you that Neverwinter survived the plague. Tyr chose you to be a paladin in his service for a reason. Don't be one to tell a god that he is wrong."
Slowly, a look of recognition crossed Aribeth's face. "It can't be you. You...you can't actually be here."
"I am here, Lady Aribeth, and I need your help once more."
A lone tear escaped from Aribeth's eyes, "I'm so sorry, Donnia, for everything."
"There is nothing to apologize for. You did what you were meant to do. But before I ask for your help in my current quest, I have a question for you." Donnia slowly and cautiously removed her breastplate and lifted her tunic high enough for Aribeth to see her wound. "How did you do this?"
At the sight of the wound Aribeth visibly grimaced. "I put a spell on my dagger. It wasn't meant for you, it was for Maugrim. I trust he paid for his crimes?"
"Yes, he did. But I need to know if there is a way to heal this. I can't go on much longer with it like this."
"There is a way. Just give me a moment." Aribeth closed her eyes and concentrated, searching for the right incantation. She placed her hands over the old wound and murmured the words softly. A light glow emanated from her hands, covering her wound. Donnia felt a slight pressure, but there was no pain. Aribeth chanted like this for a few more moments before removing her hands. Without looking down Donnia knew it was gone. The pain had finally stopped.
"Thank you, Lady Aribeth." Donnia looked at her side. The wound was gone, but a scar had taken its place. She did not care, the scar did not hurt. She quickly replaced her breastplate and turned back to Aribeth. "Will you come with me? I need your help."
"Yes, I will go with, my lady." Aribeth gave Donnia a small formal bow. "It is the least I can do for having caused you so much pain."
Donnia gave her a small smile before leading her out of the cave.
Valen was pacing in front of the cave, his tail swinging almost violently with every step. Nathyrra watched him carefully, not wanting to see his piercing red eyes ever again. When Donnia appeared coming out of the cave, Valen rushed over to her immediately, taking her in his arms, "Donnia! Are you okay? Were you injured?"
Donnia stepped back from him, "I am fine, Valen. In fact, I'm even better than before. It healed."
Without her saying specifically what it was, Valen knew that it was her injury from Aribeth. "How is that possible?"
Donnia motioned over her shoulder to someone standing just inside the darkness of the cave. At this request, a tall elf woman stepped forward, coming out from the mouth of the cave. "Valen, Nathyrra, I'd like you to meet Lady Aribeth de Tylmarande."