Chapter 3
Walking around the city the day after the attack on the academy I saw that the depression, fatigue, and sorrow press down on the city once more. I realized that the academy was the last true hope the city had. To further press down on the city I found that I was the only survivor out of all the classes, this I thought couldn't have sat well many people in the city. I realized that if I wanted to gain the trust and respect of the city I couldn't sit around for a week waiting for my meeting with the Lady Aribeth. I decided that I would find ways to help the city till then.
Mayra walked up to me trying to comfort me by rubbing against my left leg. I rubbed her head with my hand behind her ears. She growled in content saying "Oh you so know where to rub my ears" I watched as her back left foot patted in content.
"Yes well I have a feeling that this city could use a bit of what your getting know." I said.
"You mean your going to scratch everyone in the city behind the ears?" Mayra said jokingly.
Smiling at that that thought I replied. "Ha ha, funny Mayra no I meant that I can't just sit around waiting for my meeting with Aribeth in a week while the city suffers around me. I need to find things to help people, or at the very least make them feel better and giving them hope." I said.
Mayra nodded in understanding "Yes your right however what can you do one drow do for an entire city?"
Standing up straighter in determination I said "Do what I do best track the missing creatures down before my meeting with Aribeth and show everyone that I am not in this for money. Plus that Desther character we met yesterday didn't...well feel right. Regardless, tracking down either all or at the very least a one or two of the Waterdavian creatures would give the city great hope. Mayra nodded in acceptance. I looked around there was nothing in sight that I could see that would help the city so I decided on going to the Temple of Tyr, certain I could find leads to the creatures whereabouts from there. Walking to the City Core gates I was stopped by the gate guard. I pulled my hood around me as I approached before he could see what I was.
"Halt citizen, these gates lead to the City Core what business do you have there? And what is your name?" the guard said.
"Ryltar Kost'dora, and this is my animal companion Mayra." I said slowly removing my hood.
The guard must have overheard the rumours that there was a drow in the academy because while he appeared nervous around me he didn't draw his sword. I took this as a good sign. He replied after recovering from his nervous shock "Ryltar Kost'dora eh? Heard there was a drow elf in the academy well then don't cause trouble drow." the guard then opened the gate for me.
Walking through the gate I turned back around and smelled the air. Years of living in the wilderness had taught me a thing or two of using all of your senses in unfamiliar terrain. These same lessons I thought should hold true in the city. Going through the smells in my head I examined them. "Hmmm, rotting flesh...odd must be from those rotting corpse piles over by the gate." I thought but the way it left a lingering scent in my brain the danger bells in my head where going full out. Something was right, but without a lack of further evidence I turned and headed in the City Core.
The core itself was surrounded by ten foot high walls, as I entered I once more pulled my hood up not sure about how I would be held in regard. Walking around the Core I found out that the Wailing Death had started in the Beggar's Nest shortly before I came to the academy, however more odd was the fact that the Helmites around the core and city had shown up before the plague started claiming that they were sent here by there god Helm himself to stop it. I looked at Mayra and relayed to her what I thought "The Helmites showed up before the plague starts and claim that its coming does that not sound strange to you Mayra?"
Mayra replied "I don't believe in equal happenings Ryltar but to answer your question yes it is odd. Maybe you should tell Aribeth about it. Perhaps because of the stress of the plague she didn't think of it."
I nodded saying "Yes, you are right but theres a lot of Helmites in the city and to accuse them all of starting the plague wouldn't put me in the right light with the city. Hmmmm I think I'll keep this in mind though." I walked towards the Temple of Tyr and walked inside.
Inside there were many sick and dieing people my hood had come down just as I entered and I didn't have time to pull it back up. As a result I soon found myself with four longwords pointed at my throat. I slowly put my hands up in defeat I said "Uh hi fellas, listen if you could get the Lady Aribeth we can get this big misunderstanding cleared up." I looked at each of them and determined that if a fight did break out, I was seriously screwed. I wouldn't even be able to flinch before one of them had cut my head off.
Luckily for me Aribeth chose that moment to walk in she saw me thankfuly and rushed over.
"Guards! put your weapons away this man is here to help the city." She said.
"But milady he is a foul drow elf! He is evil and I would bet my sword that he is the one behind this horrible plague!" a older looking human guard said not turning away from me.
"Then that is a bet which you have lost. This is Ryltar Kost'dora, he trained at the academy and is the only survivor from there. Plus if he was evil do you not think I would be able to tell?" Aribeth said she added "As for your sword keep it you'll need it in these dark times."
The guards slowly put down there swords and sheathed them I let out the breath I had been holding since Aribeth came over. Mayra decided to show her displeasure with the guards performance. She went over to one and left a nice present for him on his boot he just glared at her and she bared her teeth. The guard quickly stood still once more.
I smiled at this display and turned to Aribeth "Thank you Aribeth I wish to ask you a few questions. If I may that is?"
Aribeth nodded saying "Of course Ryltar I am here to help in any way I can."
"Obviously you want me to rest up this week for my coming mission however I can not do that I am a man of action I can't just sit idly by and let more people die while I rest. There must be something I can do to help this city! Or at the very least give them hope that the cure will be found!" I said.
Aribeth nodded once more saying "True Ryltar however you must realize that we have no leads as to where the creatures are."
"Then I will track them down I am a ranger after all. Or failing that I will find something to earn the trust of the city." I said determined.
Aribeth sighs saying "Ryltar I understand, and it looks like I won't be able to convince you otherwise very well I understand that the local druid, and your friend Nytar had mentioned several time to me troubles with the local Blake Lake zoo perhaps you could speak to him."
Bowing slightly Mayra and I turned around and left the temple. I looked around trying to recall what Nytar had told me where his grove was in the city. I knew it was in the Core but looking around the massive building I started to wonder if he was a little nuts.
Turning to Mayra I said "Mayra find Nytar's Grove." Mayra turned around and walked around sniffing the air the walekd to the west I followed her and after a few minutes walk we came abon a huge oak tree. Nytar was there and didn't seem surprised to see me.
"Greetings from the earth mother, Ryltar, it has been a few years since I last saw you. I must admit when I heard about the attack on the academy I was worried for your safety at first. But then I remembered that this was the only drow who could actually have a decent chance of out fighting the famous Drizzt Do'urden. I then thought that I should pitty all those that would face you in combat. Ah enough with my rambling what can I do for you my friend?" Nytar said to me adding "Oh and I see Mayra still follows you as well oh are you faring Mayra?"
"Well enough no thanks to this clumsy drow's adventures." Mayra said jokingly.
"Oh haha Mayra clumsy am I this coming from the wolf who has problems walking on ice!" I shot back
"I seem to recall that it was you who fell THROUGH the ice Ryltar." Mayra retorted.
"Grrr...I'll shut up now." I gave up in defeat turning back to Nytar I said."Well as you can see were doing well enough together. I had heard from the Lady Aribeth that you were having problems with the local zoo in the city?"
Nytar stepped closer to me and lowered his voice "Shhh...keep your voice down. Yes for many months now before the plague started I have been trying to get the zoo shut down. It is inhumane and unclean the animals there are not happy. The officials that were supporting my closing of the zoo have been killed by the plague. It has given the zoo a reprieve I fear and the animals will be killed out right. Please Ryltar you must free these animals. Here take this key and this scroll of teleportation. Use it on the tree in the courtyard at the zoo. You should have no problems with the guards and Monty."
"Who is this Monty character you mentioned?" I asked
Nytar said with obvious disguest "Montgomery "Shureshot" is the zoo keeper and in charge of the zoo. He only only cares for making money and not the animal's well being. He cares more for the sport of killing animals for the fun of it then for food or of supplies. He is an evil man and many, myserlf included would love to see him...gone from the city."
"I'll be back once I have freed the animals my friend." I told Nytar.
"I know you will succeed in this Ryltar you are a good man may the Earth Mother keep you safe, and watch over you on your adventurers always." Nytar said to me.
"And you too my friend." I said back.
As Mayra and I walked away from Nytar I started to plan out my rescue of the animals. From what I had heard about the zoo here in the city. It was small compared to most. This of course saved money for the person in charge as they would not have to furnish it with acceptable forms of comfort for the animals there. It also saved the owner on building costs as well. While the second option would have been a smart move on any other building this procedure just encouraged the animals mistreatment. I approached the black lake district gates and again was stopped by a guard. Stilling being cautious I lowered my hood, his hand went immediately to his sword but I said simply.
"Please human I mean you or this city no harm, my name is Ryltar Kost'dora." I awaited his response.
"Ahhh the drow that Aribeth mentioned I was wondering if I would get the change to meet you." he said quite friendly
"Hmmm a little too friendly I think. Got to play this smart." I thought. "Yes that is I. I need to travel to the black lake district zoo I wish to see the animals there."
He nodded to me saying "Very well Ryltar please go through the distirct is thorough the serveant's area and through their gates." He then opened the gate.
Mayra followed me thorough saying in my head "Something not right about him Ryltar keep your eyes and ears open."
I said back "And you keep your nose clear."
Mayra nodded as we went in the servant's area.
(A/N: ok got chapter three done sorry bout not a lot of action but I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do with ryltar after the zoo spree. R/R please