Chapter 5

After two days resting, I decided it was time to seek out the creatures needed for the cure. I had come into the Blades at night to keep my identity a secret. Sitting up in my bed I quickly dressed and slid my leather armor on. I placed my scimitars in there sheaths and woke Mayra up.

"Mayra it is time I started looking for the creatures this city needs hope, and since I am the only person left that seems able to do this, it's time I made a stand." I said to Mayra.

"Uh ok Ryltar, I agree however you don't need to make it sound like the world will end if you fail." Mayra replied.

I shook my head "That is exactly what I am worried about. The whole Wailing Death doesn't seem right, no plague is this deadly, it's not natural something or someone is driving it. Add to that every time I pass near by either Desther or one of his Helmites, they give me a weary eye. Something's not right about them I can tell, and I will need help to get these creatures back."

"Oh that reminds me Ryltar, Fenthick sent this letter summons to you late last night." Mayra said dropping the letter into my hand.

Reading the letter did say I should meet both Fenthick and Aribeth at the Halls of Justice early this morning. I sighed inwardly starting to feel the pressure of everyone depending on my success in finding the cure press down. However, I was determined that nothing short of my death would stop me from finding the cure. I stood up and told Mayra to follow me downstairs. As soon as I had gotten to the last step, I looked around. I saw a tall half-orc barbarian, in a corner room to the far left I saw a stunning human female playing a lute. I assumed she was a bard of some sort; the room next to her had a dwarf who I also assumed was a monk of some sort however he gave off an odd feeling and I decided to check the far room to the right as I heard some noises from there. Upon entering I saw a stunningly beautiful elven woman cleaning a stain off her clothes. She had a wonderful smile on her face as I approached I was edgy about reveling my self as a drow due to surface elves known hatred for my race.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry sir I told you I didn't meant to step on your cat it jumped out….." She trailed off. "Oh your not him I'm sorry. My names Linu La'Neral and who might you be dear?"

Mayra said to me through our mental link "Do you think it is wise to hire an elf henchwoman? She doesn't look like she's a very good fighter or whatever she is..."

"Maybe so but I'm hoping she's better then she looks...uh I mean better with a weapon then her...well I mean I'm hoping she'll look past my race." I said stammering.

"I am Ryltar Kost'dora, perhaps you heard of me? I was a student at the academy." I said carefully.

"Ryltar Kost'dora? Hmmm well dear the rumors I heard of that name said that he was a drow of some sort you aren't he are you?" She said with a defensive tone.

"Yes, I am, however please I am not like the rest of my race please hear me out before you do anything." I said desperately

"Let me see if you speak the truth then lower your hood" She said still on edge.

I lowered my hood slowly, letting Linu look me over. She seemed to study Mayra and I for a few minutes before saying, "Hmmm well you are a drow that is true however how do I know what you say is true? Your race has a history of lying about there beliefs to further there case on the surface. What proof do you have that I can trust you?" Linu asked.

"I have none I can give you other then if I was truly evil like the rest of my race, do you believe that the Lady Aribeth would have allowed sent me an invitation to the Never Winter Academy?" I said handing her the paper Aribeth gave me. "Or charging me with finding the missing Waterdavian Creatures that were lost due to the attack on the academy?"

Linu read over the paper a bit then cast a spell on both it and Mayra and I. She seemed to peer deeply into our minds and I also believe she was checking the paper to see if it was true. She then nodded and said "Well from what I can tell you nor your wolf companion are evil and this seal is a true marking of the Lady Aribeth. I will give you a chance Ryltar." I raised my hand and she hers and we shook hands "Well then Ryltar you mentioned you were charged with finding the Waterdavian Creatures? Such a dangerous quest, you would be wise in healing me, I am good with a mace and I can heal you should the need arise. Would you be interested?" she asked.

"Yes, I would be interested in hiring you, actually that is why I'm here I was hoping a surface elf might trust me more then say that half-orc in the corner outside. How much to hire you would it be?" I inquired.

She seems to consider my words then said. "Well how does two hundred and fifty gold pieces sound?" I cringed inwardly at such a high price but figured that it was fair due to my race and her distrust of me. "That will be fine. Here is the two hundred and fifty gold." I pulled out the correct amount of gold and she said "Thank you Ryltar now do you have any idea where the creatures might be?"

"Not yet however I have heard rumors that a wizard in the Black Lake District has a strange female companion that rumors say is a piece towards the cure. I am guessing this creature is either the Yuan-ti or the Dryad that escaped from the academy." I replied.

"Well that is better then nothing I suppose, lead the way." Linu said gesturing towards the door.

"However, Linu before we go I must report to the Halls of Justice and meet with Fenthick and the Lady Aribeth for something important. If you need to ready your equipment, I can come back when I finish meeting them?" I asked.

"No offense Ryltar, but you must understand my hesitant in…trusting you so soon if you don't mind I will accompany you to this meeting." Linu said.

"Not at all come let us be off.

Leaving the room I pulled my hood back up, and walked out the Trade of Blade's door into the City Core. There was a large pill of bodies nearby and the guard there was having trouble starting the fire I walked up and said here let me help you. Leaning down I saw he didn't have enough tinder to start it so pulling some from my pack I laid some more down and lit the wood on fire. After a short delay the entire pill of plague infested bodies was burning. I whispered a silent prayer to the Earth Mother to protect there souls in the Great Forest beyond. After getting thanks from the guard I continued towards the Halls of Justice. On my way there I was stopped by a sickly looking prostitute and after talking with her and politely declining her services she asked if I had any extra gold.

Pulling two hundred gold from my pouch, I said. "Here, take this two hundred gold. Find a warm place to sleep and eat tonight, and may the Earth Mother protect you." The woman was shocked that I so freely gave her so much she pocketed it saying "Bless you, now my babes will not starve thank you whoever you are! May I have your name?" she asked. "My name is Ryltar Kost'dora. Be well and may you and your children rest well tonight."

She nodded and walked off. Linu placed a hand on my shoulder and said "I hope you really mean what you say dear if it is you clearly are different from the rest of your race."

"Thank you Linu and yes I do mean everything I said. I understand completely if you don't trust me and even if you never do that is fine by me as well." I said. Linu nodded and all three of us headed into the Halls of Justice.

Linu, Mayra, and I walked into a room filled with the sick and dieing. Everyone it seemed was busy with either treating the sick, or covering the dead. Deep sadness filled my body at seeing these people suffer so and I was filled with even more determination to find the cure. I knew I couldn't save everyone here but I knew if I was quick enough that I could save some. Mayra nodded to me like she understood what I was thinking, and that was probably true due to our mental link. Fenthick approached me with Desther behind him he said.

"You were quick to answer the summons Ryltar please remove your hood all here know of you true nature."

"How can you so blindly trust this drow Fenthick? We know nothing of his true nature as you put it. The drow are an evil race! For all we know his appearance here could have been the cause of the Wailing Death and all who suffer here." Desther said.

"I care what happens to these people Desther and I will find the cure. I care not for gold, fame or great stories about myself. All I care about is helping people in need, and if you choose to not trust me fine, then don't. But I want to make it clear that I will find the Waterdavian Creatures and I will find out who caused this plague, and the deaths of so many innocent people." I said calmly

"Bah you and that wolf of yours could do nothing to find the ones responsible. You rescue suffering animals while people die all because the person who asked you was the local druid. To make matters worst you killed the zoo keeper in cold blood and several of his guards!" Desther shot back. Mayra growled at Desther. I placed a hand on her head to calm her. Desther continued. "You better control that wolf of yours drow. Otherwise she will have to be….dealt with." He said coldly.

Anger shot through my body at his threat. I took a few deep breathes to clam myself, but before I could respond Fenthick said. "Calm down both of you, please Ryltar you must forgive Desther the pressure of helping so many people over the past couple of weeks has put a strain on all of us."

I nodded slowly still very unsure of myself and how I should respond I said. "Yes I understand Fenthick the plague has pushed us all to the breaking point." I moved closer so only Desther could hear me and said "You better be careful Desther I am normally a very calm person however say that again to either I or Mayra, and you will wish you had never met me." I was worried he would tell Fenthick what I said but my threat evidently held his mouth shut because he said "Yes well perhaps you should meet with the Lady Aribeth she is in the other room nearby." I nodded still glaring at him. I gestured for Mayra and Linu to follow me and proceeded through the doorway to Aribeth.

Walking through the door I lowered my hood I heard a few gasps and whispers from some of the nurses but evidently seeing Aribeth not making a move to kill me was enough to calm them somewhat. I approached her and she said "Greetings Ryltar I am glad that your mission for Nytar went as planned. While part of me is glad you are safe, the other part wishes you had found peaceful solution to the problem."

I nodded saying "I was not proud of what I did Lady Aribeth, however the guards and Montgomery Shureshot did not give me a chance to reason with them. They all attacked me on site and I had no choice but to defend myself, and the animals."

Aribeth nodded continuing "Regardless you task now is more important then ever we can no longer wait to search for the creatures. You must realize that by now hundreds of people are dieing everyday. The academy was the last true hope the city had. Now with the slaughter there, you are all that is left. You must carry on the legacy of the academy and what it stood for. I only hope you are up to the task."

"Then tell me what I can do Aribeth and it shall be done with every once of my being." I said

"First you must find the four Waterdavian Creatures, a cockatrice, an intellect devourer, a Yuan-ti, and a dryad. We need a feather, the brain of the devourer, the heart of the Yuan-ti, and a lock of hair from the dryad. Secondly, you are tasked with finding any clues you can unearth as to the person or people responsible for the Wailing Death, or the attack on the Academy. Take this stone, it is a Stone of Recall and you will find it very handy on your journeys." Aribeth said to me as I pocketed the stone.

"How does it work and what does it do?" I asked curiously

"It is simple, just press down on the stone and it will transport you back to the Halls of Justice here. More importantly it will bring you back here automatically should you or any of your companions fall seriously wounded…..or die." She added.

"Well that is handy I would hate to die." I said half smiling half laughing at her, Mayra and Linu.

"Yes dear dieing is not the best option in these perilous times." Linu said.

"I know Linu I was trying to lighten the mood." I replied

"Regardless Ryltar keep it with you at all times." Aribeth said I nodded saying "Anything else?"

"Yes take these five-hundred gold pieces and buy any supplies you may need." Aribeth said handing a bag of gold to me. I said "No Aribeth there are surely people more in need of that gold than I, besides I have all the potions and equipment that I need now." I handed her the gold back. Aribeth and Linu both looked surprised at my words. Aribeth came out of her surprise saying "Very well then Ryltar may Tyr protect you on your quest."

I nodded once more and left the Halls of Justice. I walked back to the Trade of Blades saying to Linu. "It is late in the afternoon" I said looking at the sky "perhaps we should eat something quickly before setting off for the Black Lake District?"

"Yes you are correct about the time of day Ryltar perhaps the Musical Bard near the corner of the City Core would be to your likening?"

"Yes so long as it is private or usually empty around this time?" I said "Yes it usually is dear I'll lead the way." I nodded following her.

Approaching the Musical Bard I pulled my hood tighter around me Linu asked me if I was alright and I just told her that I was nervous about eating in the city. She nodded then went inside with Mayra and I following. A waitress approached us and said "Hi, welcome to the Musical Bard. Would you like a table or a booth?"

Linu spoke up saying "A booth if you have one, preferably near a corner."

"Oh of course right this way." The waitress lead us to the left corner of the Musical Bard and sat both of us after taking our order for a simple meal and drinks she left to fill it.

"Linu may I ask you a question?" I asked.

"You mean besides the one you just asked?" Linu said jokingly.

"Huh what…Oh HAHA I got that, yes besides the one I just asked." I said laughing.

"Sure dear go ahead" Linu replied

"Well I know you don't trust me very much yet but I figure if were every going to trust each other we should get to know each other. So if you willing I'd like to get to know you better." I said quickly.

"Hmm well on one condition if I tell you about myself you must tell me about yourself?" Linu said.

"Yes of course Linu would you like to go first or should I?" I asked

"Well let me ask you a question first. I'm pretty sure of its answer but I want to hear it from you" Linu said "Yes what is it ask away" I replied. "Why is it you are helping the city. Honestly what does a drow, even a supposedly good one, hope to accomplish here?"

"Well I've protected the areas between the city and the Never Winter woods for around twenty five years now. Most merchants and a few city officials know of my reputation, so they accept me. Also, I have seen to much suffering in this world and I figure if I can help out where ever I can I do so. I rarely ask for payment unless I need it and even then I take the bare minimum I need to purchase supplies. So to answer your question, I can not stand idly by while the people in this city suffer." I said.

"Well I'll give this to you either you really are unlike the rest of your race or else you're the best liar in all of Toril." Linu said listening to me. "Very well I'll tell you about myself."

After a good twenty minutes of Linu recounting her reasons for being in the city she finished with. "And that is my task I must recover the Chalice of Sephanine Moonbow I know I will never find it but I have searched this long and I shall continue my search as soon as I am able."

"That is a very interesting tale Linu thank you for sharing it, and if I happen to come across the Chalice in our journeys I will let you know." I said. I then noticed that Mayra had fallen asleep beneath the table at my feet. I smiled looking down at her then looked back at Linu. I said "What something wrong?"

"Huh? Oh nothing Ryltar, thank you for offering but I truly doubt someone in the city has the Chalice. With my luck it is lost some where in the Nine Hells." Linu said sadly

"Don't worry Linu I'm sure we'll find it." I said trying to comfort her, she just nodded still looking at me. I waved my hands in front of her to bring her out of her staring saying again "Something wrong now?"

"What? No Ryltar I am sorry dear but I was lost in thought." She said distantly as though she was caught doing something wrong.

"Ok well if you want to talk about it I'll listen." I said "No Ryltar its nothing never mind. Here dear our foods coming we can continue this later." I nodded and proceeded to eat my food.

Linu

As I ate my food I was again struck at the wonder of the drow before me, I thought. "All my life I was raised to hate them. Yet here I was sharing a meal with one, and helping one find a cure for thousands of people. If the others back in Evermeet could see me now they would be screaming at me for not attacking this drow on site. He however I could almost tell was not like the rest of his kind, and seemed to genuinely help everyone. Surely his comments and actions with the sickly prostitute were true, as were his actions with the gold Aribeth was willing to give him. His wolf companion Mayra, as he told me her name was, just as stunning as he was, both in intelligence and grace. Ryltar seemed to hold a fascination with me and a mystery as well and I was determined to figure out what it was." Shaking myself from staring at Ryltar again, I returned to my meal finishing it. I reached into my coin purse to pay for my share of the food, however he stopped me with his hand saying "Don't worry Linu I'll pay for it." With that he got up paid for our meal and called for Mayra. She stretched for a second and walked to him they seemed to talk for a second then Ryltar turned to me once more saying "Coming Linu?"

"Yes dear I'm com…" I tripped on the booth corner and fell towards the floor faster then I could follow Ryltar was there by my side catching me. He said jokingly "Well Linu seems I swept you off your feet." I just glared at him saying "No I just…was dripped by the booth's corner leg." He just smiled and helped me to my feet. I thanked him then followed him out the door. I was even more determined to learn more about him.

End Linu

(A/N: sorry bout the lack of action but I thought I'd start off with Ryltar hiring a henchman/woman in this chapter plus get his reaction to a threat from Desther. Ryltar does have a deep secret but he hides it well. Not even Mayra knows of it. I'm also thinking of having Ryltar following a romance with Linu for the story and being just a friend with Aribeth what do you guys think? Please R/R I'll try to get another chapter up by mon or tues.)