Chapter 11

Ryltar

I was several yards ahead of the caravan heading to Port Last. We had left the city of Neverwinter several days ago and I had volunteered to scout ahead. I did this for two reasons. One I got the impression that although I was accepted by most of the caravan, there were many, the driver included, who didn't like me. The second reason was Linu had suggested she spend some time with Aribeth, to try to help her through her depression from Fenthick's death. The driver especially didn't like me, because I had to stop him several times from beating the horses pulling many of the wagons. I saw many times from coming back scouting that the horses had fresh marks on them, but could not prove it due to lack of witnesses. "If only some one besides Mayra were around when I confronted him." I thought.

"Stupid horses, I'll teach you to stop this caravan!" I saw the driver had once again been stopped by the angry horses. He approached them yelling, wielding a whip. Rushing back to the caravan to defend the horses, Mayra said to me. "If he hits those horses again, I'm ripping out his throat."

"Not before I beat him senseless, he's worse the Monty "Sureshot." I said. Recalling the owner of the NeverWinter zoo in the Black Lake District that I killed.

"Good for nothing..." The driver began, pulling back his whip to strike the horses. My left hand shot out and grabbed his wrist. I squeezed it tightly.

"Strike those horses again, and you will find that whip in places you didn't think it would fit. That is if you survive the beating I give you first." I said threateningly. I pulled out my right hand scimitar and faster than the driver could blink cut the whip in half. With it's reduced length it was now essentially useless.

"You again! Drow even if you did save the city, I will not listen to you. These are my horses, I've owned them for two years now, and not you or that damn druid Nytar will tell me how to treat them!" The driver said mockingly.

"Just give me one bite Ryltar. One bite." Mayra said to me, now growling at the driver.

Steadying my anger, I said "Listen, I will not allow you to hurt theses fair creatures anymore. They are intelligent beings and deserve respect."

"Intelligent! All they know how to do is eat, crap, and pull these wagons after a good beating! If that is your idea of intelligence, drow, then you are as stupid as they are."

I was obviously not getting anywhere with him by talking peacefully with him. Slamming him against the side of the lead wagon he called out for help before I could stop him. "You, will not hurt them, human!"

"What is the hold up? Why have we stopped? More curiously why are you acting so rashly against the driver Ryltar?" Arain Gend said approaching us

"This foul drow is harassing me again on how to care for my horses! Look how he's threatening me... this is the great Hero of Neverwinter? Bah, he should be like every other drow I've ever met. DEAD!" he said the last word spitting in my face.

"From the looks of your horses, sir, Ryltar is right in his threats." Arain Gend said.

"These horses are so unruly though with out a severe beating they won't move." the driver said now getting desperate. Seeing that Arain was not taking his side.

"Ryltar, if these horses were turned over to your care could you get them to get us to Port Last?" Arain asked me.

"Give me one hour to calm and reassure them that the misery they have suffered is over and we'll be there sooner, then if they were left in his care." I said.

"Than under Neverwinter's Equal Treatment Act. Section two, article three, sentence six-teen, I here by turn over ownership of these horses to Ryltar Kost'dora." Arain nodded to me.

"You... you can't do that! I demand to see this law on paper." the driver said angry.

"I'll give you a copy as soon as we get back to the city." Arain said. I smiled inwardly knowing full well that by then it would be to late to get them back.

After taking the reins from the driver, who mumbled a few profanities my way, I stopped the entire caravan and after having Arain Gend explain the problem, took all eight-teen horses in the caravan, and led them a small field. They were happy to be free for a time and gladly munched the fresh grass around them. One by one I walked up to each of them saying "My friend, you no longer need to fear the terrible life you have endured these past four years. You are under my care now and I will ensure that you are treated fairly for as long as I am able."

One horse who seemed to be the one "leader" of the group said to me "What do you wish for us to do?"

"All I ask is you complete this trip as fast as you are comfortably able. We are going to be in the area of the Neverwinter Woods, there is a druid grove located there. If you wish I can turn you over to their care." I said explaining my plan.

"Very well Ranger Ryltar, we'll trust you. We have all seen how you have fought for our well being at the expense of others of the Greater Races disliking you." the stallion nodded to the rest of the herd. "Let's go then Ryltar." After making sure each had there fill of water and fresh grass, as well as a bath. I lead the entire herd back to the caravan.

END RYLTAR

LINU

It was two days later, and the caravan had finally reached Port Last. Aribeth and Arain Gend had settled into a building in the small town. Ryltar, Mayra, and I had located a friend of Ryltar's who had informed him that the local Neverwinter Woods were no longer safe for anyone, Druids and Rangers included. The druid grove inside the woods had asked for Ryltar to come there as soon as he was able. Ryltar had agreed that as soon as the three of us had been briefed on what our mission was, we would head there.

We had left Mayra with the ranger allowing Rlytar and I to have an evening to ourselves. We were sitting at the local Inn, The Dancing Penguin. It was an odd name for an Inn but the food was wonderful and the prices cheap. Looking at Rlytar across the table he seemed to have something on his mind. "Ryltar dear, do you have something on your mind?" I said.

"Huh? What? Sorry Linu, yes I do. It's about you actually." he said.

This surprised me. "Me? What about me?" I asked

"Well I've heard about your... first husband. About how he was lost around this area. Have you... ever searched for him?" he said.

I hadn't expected him to ask such a question and was momentarily taken aback by it. "Well... No actually I haven't. Why do you ask?"

"Well... why don't you tell me what happened to him. Maybe I can help you find him... or his body." Ryltar said.

Shock overtook me as he said this. "Wha... Why would you want to help me find him... or his remains?" I asked

"To help you find closure Linu, everyone needs it when it's in regards to a loved one. I've seen it in your eyes Every time we discuss our relationship, or when you bring him up." Ryltar said.

"Well I have been hesitant to discuss it with you. I'm afraid that if we do find him what might happen." I said.

"Linu, if we would find him alive, I won't be angry if you wish to return to him. He after all is your first love." Ryltar said.

"That's not what I meant Ryltar. I mean if we find his remains. I'm positive that he's... gone, and if he was still alive he certainly would have came back to me. This was over three years ago."

"Ok, well if you don't mind, why don't you tell me what happened?" Ryltar said.

"Ok dear. Well we had been using magical journal's to keep in touch with each other while he was on his adventure. The last entry he wrote, he spent several pages telling me how much he loved me, and that no matter what happened to him, I must go on. I knew something was wrong and I begged him to tell me, but he ignored my pleas. The last thing he wrote was that he could hear them coming again. That was the last I heard from him. Someday I shall find the caves Synth was exploring and I will try to find that journal. I think that if I could do that, I would be able to get past his ghost that haunts my dreams."

"His ghost haunts your dreams?" Ryltar said.

"Yes, it's gotten worse since I met you. I... I fear he is angry with me." I said sadly.

"Have you tried to speak to him at all? Either in the dream or with his spirit through a speak with dead spell?" Ryltar asked me

"No, I'm afraid to. Especially since I... fell in love with you. I'm afraid for what he will say." I said grasping Ryltar's hands in mine.

"Linu, I'll help you find him or his remains so you may find peace. I'm sure he's not jealous maybe... he feels it's odd you would love a... drow but, I'm sure he wouldn't want you to waste the rest of your life alone." Ryltar said standing up and sitting next to me. He pulled me in to a tight hug, one which I used to cry into his shoulders. After wipeing my eyes dry I said "Ryltar you are true companion, I don't know what I would do if... something happened to you."

Ryltar pulled a lock of hair out of my face saying. "Linu, nothing is going to happen to me. We'll find this cult, bring it to justice, then we'll continue our journeys together in life."

Nodding I said. "Very well Ryltar dear. Now let us rest for the night. Do you wish to share a room tonight?"

"Linu I leave that choice for you to decide. If you wish to just to share a room with me tonight I would very much enjoy that. However, if you need time to yourself than I understand that as well." Ryltar said looking at me.

I leaned in kissing him. I said. "Ryltar you must be the perfect man in this world. No normal person would ever say that."

"It is just how I am Linu." Ryltar told me.

"Than lead me to your room." I said

Smiling Ryltar led me upstairs to his room, for the night.

End Linu

Aribeth

I woke up in a damp sweet, chilled to the bone. "A nightmare that is all I have been having. Nothing more." I got out of my bed and went to the bucket full of clean water. After casting a purifying spell on it I took several drinks from my cup. Splashing some on my face I turned back to the bed. "I can't sleep again. Why? Why do these dreams haunt me so! What are they trying to tell me? Why does Fenthick keep hating me in these dreams." Anger filled me at the thought of his death I took the drinking cup still in my hands and smashed it against the wall. Outside I heard the servant's talking about me. I didn't care. I knew I would not sleep for the rest of the night. Strapping my Plate Mail amour on I went out into the barracks it would be several more hours before Ryltar and Linu showed up to receive their mission orders. Taking my sword out of it's sheath I started my practice parries on a practice dummy. Venting my anger, and waiting for Ryltar and Linu to show up.

End Aribeth

(A/N: Yes I know it's a short chapter again. I've been busy trying to get chapter two of the game done I want to get more side quests in, as well as make sure I get most of the chapter right. I MIGHT have Chapter 12 up by Sat or Sun so check then. Please R/R as always all comments wanted)