Disclaimer: Still don't own. Still don't make any money whatsoever.
Chapter Seven: Distraction
A Waking Nightmare
I shifted my cramped sleeping position and in turn, elbowed my new husband in the face. Husband. Damn the word! I didn't want to be married. But apparently, I was. With an elbow planted in his eye, Amendel stirred and pushed the offending appendage away. I was pushed against the wall and thus protested loudly. "Sorry! I wouldn't have elbowed you if there had been more room to move."
"Oh, I pushed you? Sorry Kestral, it was innate reaction." he apologized, while he helped me into a more comfortable position.
"How long do we have to stay here anyway? For all we know, whatever danger made you come up here is gone. Besides, I have to be at the Hall of Justice. Either today or tomorrow, depending on what day it is."
Amendel sighed. "I suppose we could."
I grinned in the dark and pushed the panel beneath my feet and promptly fell. I landed hard on the wooden floor and found myself looking into the face of death. I screamed. Amendel, who was already worried because of my fall, reacted instantly, flaring up with a black light. "Kestral!"
I must admit I felt tears filling my eyes as I looked into the sightless, pale, grotesque face of Kileen Highill. Out of the haze of tears, I saw Amendel return to normal and glance down at the body. Sadness filled his eyes. "Tell me you can bring her back." I pleaded, grabbing his arm.
He shook his head a negative. "She's beyond my aid."
I burst into a fresh bout of tears and felt the bile welling up in my throat. "I'm going to retch." I muttered.
Amendel muttered some spell and gathered me into his arms. "Don't look. Come on, let's see if we can find out how this happened and if there are any survivors."
We only found more death...worse than Kileen. Amendel found Gaelan's head and placed it respectfully beside his body. I was deposited in a corner while Amendel set to giving the dead their last rites. I felt foolish, but I knew very few people could stand seeing these kinds of deaths. Amendel was a necromancer, but I could tell by his face that he was as disturbed as I was. Presently, he returned and sat beside me, gathering my limp form into his arms. "Did you find the children?"
"No."
That both cheered me and at the same time I felt worse. Either they were alive and free or dead elsewhere or alive and captive. "Let's go find Pavel. He was watching in Gaelan's magic mirror, he probably knows what happened.
Merrik had calmed the young girl's tears enough for her to fall into a restless sleep. Kyton returned with Rapture not long after the girl had fallen asleep. The short woman glanced around the doorframe and saw the children. "Are they alive? You know I don't understand Kyton's speech. I was never proficient in Wolvish."
Merrik nodded. "They're alive, but the girl's seen the dead. I fear she will be much different when she awakens. This kind of shock is too much for a child."
Rapture nodded, her short black hair swinging into her eyes. "She'll be withdrawn for sure. Poor dear! She's so young! Did the boy see anything?"
"I don't think so."
Rapture bit her lip as she looked at the two children, both the only survivors of the terrible attack. "It's sunset, we'd better get them out of here before moonrise or we'll have trouble."
She took the small boy into her arms and Merrik took the girl. "Was there anyone else alive?"
"I didn't find anyone else."
Rapture sighed and hurried out into the evening.
Amendel half-carried me, half dragged me back to the Highill's shop. He set me down in the Highill's living room and went to talk to Pavel. It was then that I noticed the shop had been searched. "Bastards." I muttered, carefully examining the messy shop for clues.
The shock had worn off and only anger remained. A blood-lust for revenge on whoever slaughtered the Highill family. Amendel found me wandering the room with cold purpose. His brows raised only slightly at finding me up. "They ransacked the place." I told him, although he could clearly see the damage.
"Pavel's unconscious." he said, taking my arm and leading back into the living area.
"Shit." I swore yet again—I always swear when I'm stressed. "Do you think it's their fault?"
He looked at me questioningly. "The bastards." I clarified scathingly.
Amendel was taking this better than I and his calm observation of things was annoying me. "Damn it, Amendel! Fine! Finish thinking while I go meet Aribeth at the Hall of Justice. When you quit being so damn calm about things, come help. If not, don't bother finding me. I might end up sticking a knife in your back."
He nodded and let me leave. The bastard could go to hell for all I cared, I was going to stop the slaughter of innocents with a righteous indignation that even surprised me.
Lady Aribeth was waylaid to the Hall of Justice by a rather strange visitor. It was not that the visitor was unknown to her, for she knew his name quite well, but never thought that he might ever grace Neverwinter with his presence. "I hear the cure has disappeared." he went straight to the point unlike most members of his class.
Monks had the habit of turning everything into bizarre parables and tended to skirt around the main point, riddling one into the point of utter confusion. Yes, he was exactly as she had heard. She skipped the formalities herself and followed his lead. "They're hiding in the city. Rumor has it that the creatures are the cause of the mayhem that runs alongside this damn plague."
He nodded. "And your heroes?"
"Are failing." she admitted. "Although I might have found the right one."
"Good. Has this hero started?"
"No, I intend to give her the details today."
"Then I should meet her."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. I've waited long enough, if not too long."
"She's as fiery as ever." Aribeth warned.
"I'd hope so." the man smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
I hurried through the darkening streets. I would be late, but no one would care when I gave them a piece of my mind. I would make sure of it. Before I could get very far, I felt an invisible force stop me. I was no monk, but I could feel a ki slightly. It was Amendel. I has wondered how long it would take him before he came after me. He grasped my arms gently. "Someone's coming." he whispered, his breath brushing my half-pointed ear.
We hurried to a darkened corner beside a closed building and watched small girl in a green hat hurry past us. She was looking around and I knew instantly that she had been following us and was now looking for which way we had gone. Amendel stepped out in front of me and stood watching the small girl for a moment before stepping into the new moonlight. "Who are you looking for?" he asked harshly.
The child jumped and spun about. It was then that I realized that she wasn't a child, but a gnome—although for a gnome she seemed rather young. "You're dead!" she cried in surprise.
"Siado?" Amendel questioned, caught off guard for once in his life.
The woman/child nodded with a frown. "But, you're dead!" she repeated again. "I saw you die!"
"I'm a necromancer, Siado. I can't die."
"But the sword!" the girl protested. "There was so much blood! I assumed—"
"You assumed wrong. What are you doing here? Why were you following us?"
"Us?"
Amendel nodded and motioned for me to step out into the light. I was a sight. Dressed in my simple white gown that I had used as a wedding dress, but the gown was stained with blood, dirt, and substances I didn't want to think about. "This is Kestral Fynn. She's my…well…she's my wife." he paused, then added so low that even my sensitive half-elven ears barely picked it up, "At least I think she is."
Siado was gaping at me and I found myself nervous under her gaze. "Hello." I muttered.
Amendel looked annoyed at my behavior and turned to Siado. She really is more active than this. She was top graduate at the academy."
I glanced up at him. I didn't remember telling him that. I barely liked the fact myself. Why would I brag to him, of all people? "She seems nice. Your parents wouldn't approve."
Amendel glared at the girl. "I don't give a damn about what they think anymore."
"So you'll not accept."
"No, I won't. I told you that before I left. I don't want to hear anymore about it."
The girl sighed. "They're searching for you. And if they find out the she's with you, they'll kill her. If they can't kill you they'll kill her. And they'll make you watch as they torture her." she stated, glaring pointedly at me.
Amendel surprised me by grabbing my arm and pulling me towards him. "They do and they're dead. You'll be dead too. I gave you pity before. I don't intend to do it again."
"Whatever." the girl shrugged. "Just keep your bitch close."
I'd had enough! I broke from Amendel's grasp and drew my sword, all in one smooth motion. The sword nicked the girl's neck just slightly and held steady. "Want to run that past me again?" I questioned in a low, dangerous voice.
The girl smiled. "So you aren't completely lost." she said to Amendel. "Bravo Lady Silverhand. You're better for him then I thought you'd be."
"Do you want her dead or free?" I asked Amendel.
"Let her go back to her masters." he answered quietly.
I lowered my sword and watched as she grinned and ran off. I didn't sheath my sword until I was sure she was gone. Upon my sword's return to its sheath, Amendel lightly turned me about to look at him, his hands rested comfortably on my shoulders. Somehow, I could tell that he was slightly embarrassed. It was the first time he had admitted to anyone that he'd married a half-elf and somehow his pride was wounded. I had no pity on him for that. I did however pity whatever relationship he'd had with that girl. She betrayed him somehow. That was obvious enough. I knew she hadn't been a lover. Even as short as she was, I could tell that she was young. Somewhere around 15 years old in human years. She was probably like a sister-of-sorts to him. Carefully I laid my hand on his cheek and poured whatever comfort I had into his spirit. It was a trick I'd learned from my mother. Whenever I was sad, she'd pour comfort into me and everything would feel better. It seemed to work only slightly for Amendel, but the results were good enough. He straightened, took my hand in his and we hurried on to the Hall of Justice.
The Hall of Justice had been turned into a infirmary of sorts as nurses fruitlessly tried to save the dying. Unlike the city, the Hall didn't smell as bad. It must have been a spell. When we reached the Hall of Justice we found Aribeth in conversation with a tall monk. He was unimposing as monks go—until you feel their attacks—with dark reddish hair that was pulled back into a long pony-tail and a goatee on his chin. He was half-eleven, with his ears a bit more pointed than normal and vibrant green eyes. For some reason I felt as if I should know him, but I dismissed the thought quickly. Amendel noticed my hesitation and wrapped an arm about my waist to propel my forward. "Lady Aribeth?" he asked in a commanding voice.
The Lady turned to look at us and smiled. "Ah! Kestral Fynn! You're a bit late."
"I'm sorry. We had…trouble. Oh, yes, this is Amendel Silverhand. And um…it's no longer Kestral Fynn, it's Kestral Silverhand."
Aribeth's eyebrow raised interestedly, but she didn't question, she simply nodded. "Would you like the information?"
"Please."
"Okay, you might have heard rumors about finding a possible for the plague. Well, the fact is, the rumors were true. We found four creatures with the elements to create a cure. Unfortunately someone set the creatures free. We think one went to each area of the city. You'll be looking for a Intellect-Devourer, a dryad, a cockatrice, and a Yuni-tu. You'll have to kill three of the creatures, but the dryad should come easily. We'll need the Intellect-Devourer's brain, cockatrice feathers, and the heart of the Yuni-tu. It shouldn't be too hard for you. You're the best fighter to come out of the academy in a century. And with a necromancer now at your side…I hope to announce the cure soon."
I nodded feeling slightly nervous. This was a big task. I could only hope I…we…could accomplish it before more people had to die. Suddenly a terrible thought came to the front of my mind. What if Amendel doesn't want to go on this difficult quest with you? What if he leaves you? As much as I hated to admit it, I depended quite a bit on Amendel in all the few days I'd known him. I had no idea what I'd do if he left me. Get on with your life? My mind supplied.
I hoped I'd never have to find out.
My
thought were thankfully interrupted by Aribeth's voice. "Oh, Lady
Silverhand, I'd like to introduce you to Brother Gariel Fynn. He
has recently journeyed here from the north to assess our situation
and help in any way he can."
Brother…it had a double meaning.
Aribeth was smiling and Gariel had a small smile on his own face. I
did recognize that face…those eyes. It had been years. I thought he
was dead. "Hello Kestral. It's good to see you again." he said
calmly.
How could he be so calm? He's been gone for years! He's the one who left mother and father to die! I snapped and ignored his proffered hand. "You…" I hissed. "You had the nerve to come back here? Finally through with your precious training. Or did you come back because there are no more distractions?"
Amendel's arm tightened about my waist and his other hand grasped my shoulder. Gariel's face dropped. "Kestral, I'm…I'm sorry about mother and father…"
"You're sorry? That's it? Mother and father aren't coming back. They're gone. It's not something you can just be sorry for! How could you? Damn you fucking bastard!" I screamed in his face causing anyone within a mile radius to look up. The sick groaned from their places on the mats and the nurses looked on in worry. "Kestral.." Gariel began again.
I shook my head furiously. "I don't want to hear your excuses."
I turned to Aribeth. "I'll get started in the morning. I won't fail you. I curtsied and pulled Amendel into a bow. Then I yanked myself from his grasp and stalked back to the Highills' shop. Upon reaching it, I collapsed on the rug in front of the fireplace, bursting into wrenching sobs. Seeing Gariel had opened up the pain of when my parents first died. And the pain of my beloved twin leaving for what seemed to be forever. Through my tears I could sense Amendel's uneasiness. He hesitated by the stairs before going up and muttering something about checking on Pavel. I don't know how long I cried. But it was quite awhile. Deep, hoarse sobs, shaking my entire body as I lay on the rug. Amendel came back down and finally ventured toward me. Slowly he pulled me into a sitting position and gathered me into his arms. "Kestral, stop. You'll make yourself sick."
I shook my head and then promptly retched on the rug. He sighed and released me to get water and towels. When he returned, my sobs a trickled down into a silent downpour of tears. He gave me the water and cleaned up the mess. When he came back a second time, he gathered me back into his arms. "You're going to bed. We have to fulfill your promise to Lady Aribeth tomorrow."
There were no questions, no words of comfort. But I didn't need those things. It was uncanny how he knew exactly what I needed. He hoisted me into his arms and carried me up to his room. "Get changed." he said softly and left the room to check on Pavel again. I changed into my clean, white, thin shift and silently wished I could have bathed. I felt extremely dirty. I crawled into bed when Amendel came in. He sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Pavel's getting worse. You're not to go near him. He's very contagious now."
"But what about being in the same house…on the same floor?"
"We'll have to move downstairs and I'll spell the stairs as best as I can."
I nodded. "Thank you."
Amendel gave what could have been a ghost of a smile and blew out the candle. My unadjusted eyes were thrown into darkness and I heard rustling as Amendel changed. Then the bed shifted as extra weight was added. I felt his presence next to me and wondered if I'd be able to sleep that night with him so close. "Goodnight." he whispered in the dark.
I scooted over as far as I could and tried to will my over-anxious mind to rest.
