Chapter 2

My few weeks into the academy saw me placed into the advanced training classes. The instructors here seemed to think I have a lot of potential as an adventure, I just waved them off saying it was due to my time as a druid and ranger in the NeverWinter woods. I even over heard people mentioning my name to this Paladin Aribeth. Walking down the halls to my room for the night I thought, "Wow, tomorrow I'm graduating with the rest of the advanced class, I wonder what will happen then?" My thoughts were interrupted by my familiar Mayra she said through our link What will happen you ask? From what I have been hearing you and the rest of your classmates will be looking for a cure for the Wailing Death. I replied with Really? And how may I ask did you find out about this? Mayra came back with Let's just say that the local dogs are...lonely and they where only happy to give me some information she said this with a small tooth filled grin. A bit taken aback by this I said OOOK, forget I asked anything that was too much information for my tastes Mayra just laughed back thorough our link and once reaching my room I went to meditate to ready myself for the final tests tomorrow.

The next morning i woke up to the sounding of the morning bell. Coming out of my meditation I stood slowly, stretching, and listening to the sounds of my back cracking. Though only sixty-five years old I after only being at the academy for the past few weeks, and the way the instructors drilled myself and my classmates made me feel much older then I actually was. I walked over to Mayra's sleeping form watching her sleep always brought back fond memories of the day I first came to the surface and saved her from certain death at the hands of her rabid mate. I slowly breathed in remembering that day.

FLASHBACK

After quickly dispatching the last of the orcs in the cave I had entered I looked around, not noticing anything dangerous still living I sheathed my scimitars and walked to the caves entrance. Being a part of many surface raids, my eyes were quicker to adjust to the blinding light of the sun. Every time I saw it on one for those raids I always thought "How can such a beautiful thing be so evil?" remembering my lessons on the horrors of the surface in the fighter academy. Shaking myself out of my thoughts I walked out into what I assumed to be what was called here on the surface, "the afternoon", I walked into a large gathering of trees submersing myself in the beauty and passion of what was called, "nature." I had always had a connection with what limited Underdark creatures were around Mezzordoran, and I knew that to survive on the surface I would need to make a new connection here as well. Sending out myself into the forest I heard a loud unnatural growling near by I slowly unsheathed my scimitars and carefully walked towards the sounds. When i approached I saw a foaming at the mouth, dog like creature I recalled hearing about called a wolf trying to get to another wolf which looked quite scared at the attempts. Sensing this wolf's cries for help I attacked the crazed wolf. Once i looked closer i saw that it was indeed sick and due to this I was able to sneak up on it and quickly dispatch the poor creature. Once the deed was done I asked the forces of nature to take care of this wounded wolf and allow it peace in the natural order. I sheathed my scimitars and looked at the other wolf. I was quite surprised when it responded to my wonders if it was alright

"I am fine strange and dark elven one you needn't worry for me. " the wolf said.

Seeing that the wolf could understand me I asked "Yes I am sorry for killing this one of your kin, he seemed crazed and sick. I picked up your cries for help and once I realized he was the way he was I figured he would be better off released from his suffering."
I said looking at the wolf's now silent form. I continued "If you don't mind me asking would you have a name?"

The wolf looked at me as though not fully understanding my question I felt it search my mind then responding "My name is...Mayra in your tongue and yours?"

"Ryltar Kost'dora, recently freed drow from Mezzordoran, I am pleased to meet you Mayra" I responded.

"Come with me Ryltar there is much I can teach you that you will need to survive here on the surface, from what I understand your kind is not liked in these parts" Mayra said to me. I followed here safe in here knowledge.

END FLASHBACK

BACK IN THE ACADEMY

From that day on I recalled I learned a lot about tracking and communicating with nature over time I was accepted due to meeting another like myself another famous drow named Drizzt Do'Urden but now wasn't the time for such memories I had to prepare myself for my final tests. I shook Mayra awake gently she awoke saying "So I sense you have your final tests today worried?"

I smiled at her saying "Not really there was little they could teach me in the ways of fighting or spell casting that you or nature couldn't teach me." Now standing I once again stretched watching as Mayra did the same.

"That maybe true however you should still heed there teachings you might find them useful in the future" Mayra said to me.

Now looking out my window which overlooked a decent part of the Beggar's Nest I saw and felt the despair which was even now spreading across the city of NeverWinter. I said slowly "The wailing death is spreading Mayra it is an unnatural disease and part of me wonders if I and my classmates can find those behind it when so many die everyday."

I hung my head the shook myself back to reality, dressing quickly I told Mayra to follow me. Walking out of my room I saw a new face in the academy a young human male approached me.

"Greetings, you must be Ryltar Kost'dora? I'm Pavel a new student to the academy, when some of the students told my brother and I that we would be sharing the same room-area as you I didn't believe they would allow a...drow in the academy" Pavel said with slight anxiety.

I adjusted my posture so it wouldn't seem so defensive and replied. "Please, calm yourself Pavel I am not like my kin I came here to help find the ones responsible for the Wailing Death, and help in any way that I can."

Pavel looked a little more less tense at this revelation he added. "For give me Ryltar my father was attacked by drow many years ago he...didn't survive." he said sadly.

I replied sympathetically "I'm sorry Pavel, maybe later we can get together and swap stories of our past? If you'll forgive me I must get going for my final tests."

Pavel nodded his head in understanding and said "Oh of course thank you are obviously different then most drow, and yes I would like to get together with you after your tests later on this evening. Good-bye"

Nodding and bowing slightly I walked thorough the door I sold my old travel cloak and bought a new one to hide my face just in case not every one followed the law about the id parchment I had on me. Mayra and I walked into the fighter hall and left after quickly proving to my teacher my final skills in both sword and bowman ship. Now finished with my tests I walked over to the graduation room where I was to finally meet the Lady Aribeth. According to Mayra she was a very beautiful High Elf (A/N: I'm assuming thats what she is if thats not right someone let me know) who was to be married to another elf named Fenthick a cleric of tyr. Walking into the graduation hall I saw the rest of my class waiting for the ceremony to start. Scanning the room my eyes came to rest on who I assumed was the Lady Aribeth. Here eyes came to mine and I saw signs of relief and wonder cross her face as I approached I gave a slight bow in greetings reaching my hand out to shake her offered hand.

She said "Greetings to you, I must be honest when the instructors here at the academy told me on your progress I was...surprised to say the least." she said looking me over. I wasn't sure but I thought I saw a look of interest cross her face for a split second before returning to a neutral look.

I replied "It's a pleasure to finally meet you m'lady, however if i may ask why did you invite me to the academy in the first place? I've noticed certain people here are...less then comfortable with me being here."

She nodded in understanding saying "Actually it wasn't I who originally recommended you for the academy your recommendation came from one very famous individual and the local druid Nytar."

Surprised at this I said "Who was the other individual?"

Aribeth said "The famous drow ranger Drizzt Do'Urden. He had spoken highly of your skills and talents Nytar a friend of yours I believe according to him confirmed this. So I sent out an invitation for you to join the academy. I'm actually very glad you accepted Ryltar perhaps later we can...wait do you feel that? Brace your self were under attack!"

Seeing a gate opening in each corner and not having time to draw my scimitars I told Mayra to help the others while I prepared my bow. "Destroy the invaders!" Aribeth cried. Reading my bow I shot two arrows at a time a technique I had perfected many years ago when I first came to the surface. My first two arrows hit on target on what appeared to be a hooded mage, he dropped dead with a slight thud in mid-casting a spell. Mean while Aribeth and two students killed another two while the reaming two students and Mayra killed the fourth one. Seeing that the fight was over i slung my longbow over my back and drew my scimitars.

Aribeth ran over to me saying "Quickly you must get to the Waterdavian creatures here take this key and go...the door in the middle of the hall outside will eventually lead to you there."

Nodding I called for Mayra and ran through the door on the other side was another hooded figure I paused to determine his intent he said "What? who is this I was expecting Aribeth not some poorly armed and trained drow! No matter attack my minions!" Three goblins teleported in an attacked me while the hooded figure teleported away.

Moving to attack the goblins I said threateningly "Leave this place or die!" the goblins moved to surround me but faster then they could blink I killed two of them and Mayra ripped the throat out of the other. Moving to the door I used the key Aribeth gave me and continued on I thought back on what Aribeth said about Drizzt recommending me for the Academy I recalled my final day training with him.

FLASHBACK

Drizzt scimitars moved quickly at me but both he and I matched each other almost perfectly we had been dueling since early in the morning to now around noon. We both had a thick stream of sweet on both our bodies and both of us were exhausted. However, we had both agreed that we wouldn't stop till one of us conceded the fight. We were both to stubborn and proud to allow the other to stop and we moved back to observe each other.

Drizzt spoke "Impressive Ryltar you might even be better then my rival Artemis Entreri, you are truly meant for greatness one day Ryltar."

Pausing just a split second to ponder what he said I quickly found myself on the ground disarmed. I said "Humph distract me with compliments and take me down I suppose this is another lesson I must learn, yes?"

Drizzt nodded saying "Yes, a most important one for while your are an impressive fighter and tracker your down fall will be your ego. If you are not able to ignore things such as this when you are in a fight I fear your life will be all to short." he helped me back up sheathing his scimitars as I did the same. Drizzt went on "Regardless one day you will prove yourself to this land and make yourself a great hero of that I am sure. Now come Bruenor wishes to give you something before you leave."

Following a few feet back I looked around at the wonderful lands around Mitheral Hall, truly there were few places to match the beauty here. Mayra came up to me out of some rocks and said "So where are we headed now Ryltar?"

I replied still following Drizzt "Well, Bruenor wishes to give me something before I leave, probably a dwarven feast so he has an excuse to get drunk again." I started chuckling to myself and was followed by Drizzt smiling. Now entering Mitheral Hall we had no sooner gone in one hundred yards when Bruenor approached carrying a bag he handed it to me.

"So lad I hear you plan on leaving us today Eh?" Bruenor said

"Yes, I feel it is time I moved on while I have appreciated everything you and your clan have done for me over the past ten years I have been here I feel I must find my own home. Do not worry my dwarven friend I will return every now and then I visit I still have that arm wrestling match with Wulfgar." Everyone around me smiled at this well knowing how both Wulfgar and I were evenly matched in strength and that any test of strength came down to whoever was feeling generous that day in loosing.

Bruenor said "So ya darn elf where do you plan on going?"

I replied "I was thinking of heading west towards either Baldur's Gate or the forests of NeverWinter. I heard the forests are quite beautiful and peaceful, and there is always the need for rangers to patrol the forest of orcs and goblins."

Bruenor nodded saying "Ah lad your as bad as the other darn elf seems I got a thing for hanging around you dark ones more then my own clan." he said smiling he continued "Well, I made ye a present open the bag already and pull them out." I opened that bag looking inside were two of the most beautiful scimitars I had ever saw the gleamed lightly with a faint greenish glow and almost seemed to compel me to wield them. I felt tears of appreciation knowing that my easy life of acceptance was about to get a lot harder once I left. However looking at each of them I noticed the markings of clan Battlehammer identifying me as a trusted friend of the clan.

I smiled at Bruenor tears welling in my eyes I said "Thank you so much Bruenor Battlehammer there wonderful I've known very few friends in my life however everyone here is just that a true friend." thanking them each again and gathering my stuff Bruenor, Drizzt, Cattie-bre, Regis, and Wulfgar bid me fair well as I left Mitheral Hall.

END FLASHBACK

Smiling on the memory while making my way through a storage room I came through another door on the other side were several dead goblins Pavel was standing there he came to attack me but then recognized who I was he spoke "Thank the gods Ryltar I'm sorry for almost attacking you I thought if goblins weren't bad enough that were attacking us that drow were as well. You've got to help me everyones dead or dying. My brother and I were in the training hall when we were attacked by a horde of goblins they killed him and I just made it out in time to here where you found me."

I said "Well then join me I could use the extra help, I must find the Waterdavian creatures Aribeth said they were for a cure."

Pavel nodded pulling out his longsword he replied "Very well then lets make ourselves hero's and get these creatures of Aribeth's. Lead the way Ryltar."

Mayra said to me mentally "We must hurry I can smell some strange scents beyond these doors nearby they might be the creatures we seek." I nodded to her and continued on.

After killing several more goblins and a few very weak skeletons I reached another training hall area with several goblins and the hooded mage he looked at me and said "What! you survived no matter your life ends here you pathetic drow."

I told Mayra and Pavell to deal with the goblins while I dealt with the mage. I ran to attack. He must have had some fighter training as well at some point because he was able to block my first attack with his quarterstaff. However, my second attack came in low he tired to block but his quarterstaff broke under my hit my other scimitar came in high lobbing off his head I watched it roll towards a door with grim satisfaction. I turned to Pavell and Mayra to see how they were fairing I noticed Pavell was hurt but all the goblins were dead I rushed over to him pulling out a healing potion I told him to drink it. I chugged it down and I watched as his wound healed up I saw a look of fear in his eyes he stood up saying "Ok lets continue I'm fine now thanks"

Continuing through the door we found several more goblins freeing a dryad, a yuan-ti, an intellect devourer, and a cockatrice. All mysteriously teleported away. Quickly killing all of the goblins a human and an elf were teleported in I readied myself for there attack but they just stood there, the human was surprised to see me, the elf approached me.

"Greetings, I am Fenthick cleric in the service of Tyr and companion to the lady Aribeth." Fenthick said.

The human shot back "All is lost Fenthick! Aribeth trusted the academy to protect the creatures and where was she during the attack in a training hall helping healing students! Plus to make matters worse she sends this...welp of a dark elf who probably could care less on the suffering of this city."

I growled at him angrily saying "I care about this city rivvel even if you don't!"

Fenthick interrupted "Please Desther Aribeth thought that it was best if she stayed where she was and Ryltar has shown himself to be a capable warrior in his own right. In either case I will not have you speaking ill of my lady Aribeth."

Desther said "Bah the whelp hides behind the surface elf he's probably to afraid to face me himself"

Mayra growled lightly I silenced her remembering that Drizzt once said that sometimes the only way to earn respect was the show it I approached Desther I said "Look Desther regardless of what you think of me I will recover those creatures for the city and I don't expect anything in return expect acceptance."

Desther said "Pretty words drow however actions speak louder then words. I'll leave you now Fenthick to clean the mess you and your lady Aribeth have made. I must make plans to recover the cure."

Desther left Fenthick said "You must forgive Desther the Wailing Death has weighed heavily on all of us he and his helmites showed up shortly before the plague started. Since then the helmites have done much to help the city. Please meet me in the Halls of Justice in a week"

I nodded as Fenthick turned and left as well Pavell approached me saying "I'm no hero all I could think about when I got wounded back there was why I decided to be an adventurer. My brother is dead and I myself almost died."

"You just need time to train Pavell and stick with it." I said reassuringly

"No Ryltar you are destined for greatness, hero's are born not made. Good-bye I'm going to return to my farm and lead a quite life. I doubt we will see each other again." I nodded in understanding waving good-bye to Pavell. I gestured for Mayra to follow me as we walked out of the academy.

(A/N: WOW long chapter sorry bout that I got on a roll and didn't stop till here so again what does everyone think? Please R/R)