Chapter 14
Ryltar
"Her dreams have gotten worse, Linu." I said to her.
"Wha... How do you know?" Linu asked me.
"You didn't see the stress and haunted look on her face just before we left?" I said. "She was trying to hide it all the time we were there. Her mask slipped right before we left." I said to Linu.
"Do you think there is anything we can do about it?" Linu asked me as we walked deeper into the woods.
"I'm not sure. It seems every time she speaks with us it seems to make the horrors she sees seem distant. Let us hope she can hold herself together till we get back." I said. I ran my hand over my amour. "Vith, I forgot to give her the letter from that gnome!" I said running my hand over it."
"Should we head back?" Linu asked.
"Well... we're just outside the druid camp right now let's see what the problem is and then we'll see what to do. Ok?" I asked.
"Very well dear." Linu said to me
I looked around the woods. Most of this forest had been my home for many years on the surface. I had only spent three years in the area around Mitheral Hall. But these woods I had lived here for over twenty years. Looking around I could see several trees, which I had used for lookout posts over the years. Taking a deep breath I said. "Ahhh, it feels good to be home."
Linu looked around. "Yes, Ryltar, dear. I can see how you love this forest it's quiet and peaceful, and beautiful." She said to me.
"Yes, but not as beautiful as you." I said.
"Work before pleasure, dear." Linu said to me in a tsk tsk sort of way.
"True, but don't both get the same result?" I said jokingly.
"Hush dear I think we're coming up on that Druid Grove you mentioned." Linu said to me.
I noticed a slight movement behind me. I swung around grabbing the person's left arm and slammed them to the ground. "Johnson! You never could sneak up on me." I said smiling.
Johnson got up and brushed himself off. "HAHA! Ryltar Kost'dora! Been weeks since we've seen you in these parts. Where have you been? And who is this fine elven lady with you? Did you finally manage to hook a wife? HAHA!" Johnson said to me. We have always had a jokingly relationship, but his comments towards Linu I could not ignore. Linu however interrupted me before I could say anything.
"A close friend for now, dear, Ryltar however, is dear to my heart." She said.
"And you to mine Linu." I said to her looking at her lovingly.
"Ah I see yours is a new found... friendship." Johnson turned to me giving me a wink Whispering in a hushed tone he said. "Feisty in the sack eh?" I was shocked that he would say such a thing. Again Linu heard this.
"Dear, our private lives are no concern of yours." Linu gave him a stern look before lighting her face she continued. "However if you must know, I do know my way around the bed. And Ryltar is... satisfactory." She said the last part with a wink to me that Johnson couldn't see.
I stood there aghast at what she had just said. Johnson looked at both of us and said. "Well... that was more then I wanted to know. Now then. Ryltar when your over your shock at her speech, please go see the ArchDruid Aawill. He wishes to speak to you about the Spirit." Johnson then turned and left with Mayra.
Once they were both out of hearing range I turned to look at Linu. I said in my best annoyed tone. "Satisfactory! That's all you got to say? I hurt." I gave a slight pout.
"Well if your hurt I can always cast a Cure Light Wounds spell on you. But there are other forms of medicine I know about as well. Perhaps I'll show you sometime." Linu then turned and walked away while my mouth dropped once more to the ground. Shaking myself from my stupor I went to find Aawill. He was a kind human male who I had the fortune of meeting shortly after coming to the Neverwinter Woods. Luckily he was willing to give me the benefit of the doubt and trust that I wasn't like other drow. I honestly think he was informed about my coming by Drizzt as Drizzt stopped by several days later. After much searching I found Aawill. He seemed re leaved to see me.
"Ahh Ryltar there you are. When I had heard from the trees you were no longer in the area. I got worried." Aawill said to me shaking my hand.
"Sorry, I didn't tell you I was leaving. I'm not sure you have heard, but the City of Neverwinter needed saving. A plague broke out there, and through my and a female elf named Linu's help. Along with Mayra. We were able to find the cure for it. Now were searching for clues to where a cult responsible for the plague is located. I heard of the problems with the animals and decided to investigate. So tell me my friend what is wrong?" I said. Noticing Linu trying to sneak up on me out of the corner of my eye. "You better get lighter amour if your going to try and sneak up on me wearing that. You sound like a pile of metal walking around. Which I guess you are."
"I don't know what your talking about dear." Linu said to me acting innocent.
"Anyhow if you two are finished I wish to relate to what the problems are in the forest." Aawill said to us.
"Sorry please continue dear." Linu said
"Until recently, this wood was a relatively peaceful place. The nymphs of the wood protected the creatures and the natural order reigned. But now something has gone terribly wrong. The creatures have become overly aggressive, attacking anyone they lay eyes on, including those who are considered friends of nature." Aawill said to us.
"So both Rangers and Druids are being attacked as well you mean, dear?" Linu said asking before I could.
"Yes, worse we can't even seem to communicate with the animals. It is like their minds have been driven mad. They simply want to destroy. I think that something must be wrong with the Spirit of the Wood." Aawill said continuing
"What do you think is wrong with the Spirit Aawill?" I asked.
"The Spirit of the Wood can use those who live in the wood to protect its existence. Now it is attacking even those who would be its protectors. I do not know what is wrong with the Spirit, but it is obvious that it is using the creatures to strike out at anything foreign. I need someone to find out what is wrong, even though the Spirit will surely try to kill that person, or persons." Aawill said to us.
"What about Mayra? She's been fine so far while we've been in the outer parts. What do you think might happen if she goes beyond the Grove?" I was concerned for Mayra's well being the last thing I wanted to do was heart her. Even if it was in self defense.
"She might be effected if she goes deeper in. She can remain her we'll keep an eye on her and make sure she is taken care of." Aawill explained.
"I swear I shall do my best to save the Wood. Aawill you know how I am." I said Linu nodding her acceptance as well.
"Yes, I do. I just hope you can succeed, where others have failed. We're missing four druids that went off to see what was going on. They haven't come back. If you find them in your search for what is going on I'd be most grateful." Aawill said.
"I'll do my best to find them."
End Ryltar
Mayra
"Why do I have to stay here! I'm linked TO YOU! Even if I was partly effected I wouldn't attack you Ryltar you know that. Remember that time the mage tried to charm me? Did effect me, and he got his throat ripped out as a reward." I said. I was angry that Ryltar was leaving me behind. I knew that if there was a problem with the Spirit that I would probably be effected. But I still didn't like being left behind.
"Mayra, I'm sorry. I'm not willing to take that chance. Besides, what the mage did is thirty times less then the power the Spirit of the Woods wields over animals. You know that." Ryltar said to me. He said it out loud so Linu could hear. Why I didn't know nor care. "Fine then I'll advise you from here ok?" I said giving up.
"We'll be back soon Mayra, dear. Keep safe." Linu said to me I just glared at her not being able to respond to her. While Ryltar was trying to teach her how to communicate with animals she was a slow learner, and I honestly thought she wouldn't succeed. But even more importantly I had this feeling that Ryltar would die if he was to succeed in this task. This alone worried me to no end.
End Mayra
Ryltar
As Linu and I headed way from Mayra, I saw the one person who never fully accepted me for who I was, and my actions. "Well. Well. Well. If it isn't the no good drow. See your back after all this time."
"I was only gone for a few weeks, Amera." I said to her.
"Yeah and look at how the forest turned out. Even though it's better off without your filthy drow footsteps in it." Amera said. She was a young Wood Elf Druid, and it seemed even no matter how many times I helped someone, or pulled her from certain death she still wouldn't except me. She tolerated me only when other druids or rangers from the area were around. Now wasn't one of those times. "Why I bet your responsible for everything that is bad in these forests! You've never once done anything for the well being of anyone. Always..." I interrupted her. "Look Amera, nows not a good time for this. There's people that need saving. When I come back we'll settle this in the challenge circle."
"HA, you'd have to get through two other druids first! And I highly doubt you'd be able to get past them." Amera said to me.
"Whatever we'll settle this when I get back." I then walked away.
"Ohhh, and who's your elf friend there? Probably some whore you paid to follow you around, no doubt." Amera sneered at me. I almost snapped, and was half tempted to settle this now. Luckily for me Linu stepped in. "Excuse me, dear. But you have no right to speak to Ryltar or I like that. For your information, I am a cleric of Sephaine Moonbow. Goddess of the Elves. And if it weren't for the efforts of Ryltar, the city of Neverwinter would be a dead city by now."
"I know who Sephaine is. But your wrong, the city probably would be mostly dead by now, but I'm sure someone else would have saved it. There is nothing a drow can do that a surface elf can't do twenty times better. He's weak, and worthless." Amera stared at me. "Tell me Ryltar, does she know about your little secret?" She looked at Linu who I saw doubt shoot across her face. "Ahhh, I guess you haven't told her. HAHA Well I 'll just leave it at that." Amera than walked away. I was stunned that she would bring that up. While It wasn't unexpected, I had hoped she would bring it up at a later date. I looked at Linu. "Linu... I..." she interrupted me. "Later dear, and don't' worry I'm sure whatever your secret it isn't that bad." I smiled at her. "Ok, later then." Linu smiled at me as if everything was going to be alright. "You think that now... but we'll see what you think of me after you hear my secret."
After several hours of knocking out animals, and dealing with a nest full of giant spiders. We had finally found all four of the missing druids. During our search Linu and I had spoken to a scared dryad. I recalled our conversation.
Flashback
"No, I will not allow you to kill me! Nature's creatures must be protected." The dryad said seeing me and Linu walk into the room. I had knocked out the few guards that had attacked us, so no one had been killed. "Now you are mine." She then attempted to cast a spell on both Linu and me but it didn't seem to work. "Foolish persons! I don't know why you thought you could just steal into my house, kill my slaves and destroy another of nature's protectors, but now you both have fallen to my charms. Now, bow to your mistress!"
"Excuse me, fair dryad. But if you were trying to dominate us with your powers, you have failed. I too am a protector of these woods. A Ranger to be exact. My name is Ryltar Kost'dora. I'm sure you have heard of me. This is my companion Linu. A cleric of Seaphaine Moonbow."
"No! How is this possible? What has happened to my powers?... Ryltar Kost'dora? You're that drow ranger that protects these woods. I've seen you save many animals and people over the years." the dryad said she shook her head as though trying to clear it. "Why is it you are here?" She said after a moment of shaking her head.
"We are here, because I had hoped you could help me find a way to help the spirit." I said to her.
"You... you mean you didn't come here to destroy me?" The dryad asked fearfully.
I sheathed my weapons and held out my hands. "Of course not. I am a protector of nature. Sworn to help in any way I can. I'm here because I had hoped you would not be effected by the Spirits strange behavior like other of nature's creatures."
"Oh, this is terrible. I'm so sorry, but I was certain that you... oh, I don't know why I thought that now. There is nothing I can do to make up for this. I was wrong; how is that possible? You were here to kill me. That was what I thought the moment I felt your presence near my tree. I... I just wanted to stop you. Could you ever forgive me?"
"Of course we can forgive you, dear. After everything that has happened, I too would be a bit... stressed out." Linu said.
"As I would be too. I also forgive you for your actions." I said to the dryad.
"Oh thank you Master! You are very kind. I will do whatever I can to help you. I just wish I still had my powers, I don't know why they have become so weakened." the drayd said re leaved
"Please, call me Ryltar. That whole master thing doesn't sit well with me." I said to the dryad
"Very well Ryltar. What is it I can help you with.
End Flashback
After finding out that the only way to reach the Spirits realm was to kill ourselves with the dagger I now held, I was worried. "What if this doesn't work? What if I cause both Linu and I to die. For nothing?" I looked at Linu once more. "Linu?" I said
"Yes, Ryltar, dear, what is it?" Linu asked me
"Before we do this. I wish to tell you about my... secret." I said slowly
"I see. Very well. I'll listen." Linu said to me siting on one of the rocks. I did the same.
After several minutes of explaining my past. Linu looked at me. "Ryltar, you were tricked as Mayra told you. It wasn't your fault not directly. Regardless your not like that now. Your more experienced. Besides, I love you. Do you honestly think I care about what you did in the past? You made up for it by killing those responsible, and saving those that survived. That is what is important. Now is there anything else you wish to share with me dear?"
"No. Other then if this doesn't work. And I end up killing us both. I just want to say. That I'm sorry and that I love you." I then took the dagger and plunged it into my heart. I felt the life from my body slip away and everything became black.
End Ryltar
Linu
I was shocked that Ryltar so suddenly shoved the dagger into his heart. I watched in horror as his body slumped against the water fall rocks. A slight hue of light surrounded his body before it went still. "What was that?" I thought. I picked up the dagger and cleaned it off. "Sephaine protect me if this doesn't work" I said and before I could think better of it I plunged the dagger into my own heart. My last thought as everything went black was. "I'll see you soon Ryltar."
End Linu
Marya
I was walking around the Druid Grove when I felt my link with Ryltar suddenly end. I had picked up bits and pieces of his thoughts, but he had done a good job of hiding them from me. The last thoughts I had heard from him was "I'm sorry..." And then it went blank I felt myself suddenly weaken, like when Ryltar had died from the Yuan-ti fight. "Oh no! Ryltar's dead..." I thought. Others drifted through my mind. Like "Where is he? What happened to him? Will this mean I wouldn't live longer then most other wolves?" I kicked myself mentally for the last thought. "Ryltar you better come back. I will not be stuck with these druids for the rest of my days." I then let out a loud mournful howl to the sky.
End Mayra
Ryltar
I awoke in a grey plane, my head was throbbing but I strangely had all of my clothes and equipment. "Well if I'm dead at least I'm not unarmed... and naked." I said out loud.
"Yes, but you being naked would be a welcome improvement to this dreary place, dear." My heart leaped with joy when I heard Linu's voice. I spun around looking her over she too was clothed. "Unfortenetly" I thought and had all her equipment. "Linu!" I rushed over her and hugged her till she asked me to stop.
"Well, it's good to see you too dear. Now do you know where we are?" She asked me.
"Not really. This is nothing like the description of the Spirits realm that Aawill told me about. Course it too could be effected by whatever is causing the Spirit to act crazy. Come let's see if we can find anything out." I said to Linu.
After several fights with several WiloWhisps. We came upon a wooden bridge. Halfway across was a dwarf. He approached us. "Ooddle-olly, what's this man and woman, who shares me frying pan?" He said.
"Uh, I'm Ryltar, and this is Linu. Who are you?" I said to the dwarf.
"Who are I? Who be me? That's not the thing I told the tree." the dwarf said. "I tell ye once and then no more, me name be locked behind a door. The door can open if ye try, but if ye lose then say goodbye."
"Oh um we're going to try to ask some questions. Do you think you could answer some dear?" Linu asked
"I fly through the air or live in a shoe, take your time and think it through." the dwarf said.
I whispered to Linu "Careful he's crazy."
Linu nodded saying. "What has driven you crazy dear?"
"I must be hazy, my thoughts are lazy! It's not my plane, I say with disdain." the dwarf said.
I spoke up ."That almost made sense. Do you mean you've gone crazy because your trapped on this plane?"
"Too long, too long, could not hold on. Got me mind, now in a bind." the dwarf responded.
"I think I understand. Now I want to try to ask you some other questions." I said. "What are you doing here?"
"When out of luck, then me get stuck. They did say hi, but no goodbye." the dwarf said.
"Oh dear. You mean somebody left you here and you can't get out? How dreadfu!" Linu said.
"Like mice through holes, out they go, but closed the holes to me, said no." the dwarf replied. "The job me did, though not know why, was to the tree to say goodbye. The Spirit sick, but it no die, though I did me best to try. Me chopped it good, then poisoned well, but now me be stuck here in hell."
"So you poisoned a tree and that made the Spirit sick? Why would anyone want the Spirit hurt?" I asked.
"A stone to get with magic rune, that Spirit hid like a sacred tomb. Me did not see what rune be like, it goes to mage, that's quite a hike! What thing it does me do not know, me did it because Maugrim tells me so." the dwarf rambled on.
"Who is this Maugrim dear?" Linu asked.
"If the mouse squeaks, the lion pounces, and swallows down those little ounces." the dwarf said a little bit looking like he was scared.
"You are scared of this Maugrim. Don't worry, I'm a much tougher lion than he is." I said trying to relate to the dwarf on his level. I wanted to know who this Maugrim guy was.
"This Maugrim be a mage who hides in tower, be wary of his awful power. It soars up high as it can, in evil city of Luskan. Like a queen bee in her hive, others he send to keep his works alive." the dwarf told us.
"Do you mean there are other cultists causing trouble? Like you?" I asked.
"Of other cultists me know three, but me not know who they be. One does walk in caves like fort, north of the city of last port. Two does hide, unless he ran, within the city of Luskan. The last would be number three, lost in Charwood, mad like me. And now it does be time to go, I'll just get me hat, but wait, oh no!" he said. "Me hat be gone, who would know? Ye hid it on me, now it's time ye go! Bye bye, now ye die!" the dwarf rushed me but I took his rush and flipped him over the edge of the bridge for several minutes I heard his crazy scream. Till it finally stopped. I looked around the area he was in and found a pack. Inside was a journal. One important notes came out to me
Entry # 32.
Word came down from Maugrim in the tower in Luskan today. I'm being sent to Neverwinter Wood with some lackeys to attack some spirit creature. The bloody wizard's given me a vial of poison, supposed to be incurable, short of the single-shot antidote he gave me. I'm not sure why he gave me the antidote though. Possibly I could use it for bartering for something, though Talos only knows what we're searching for. Some of his wizards are coming with us. They'd better not get in my way or I'll...
Entry # 34.
... stupid wizards want to kill me. They say it's the only way to enter this other realm. I'll be damned if I let some bony-arsed ...
Entry # 39.
Idiot wizards let it slip that there be three other cult agents in the area. One be holed up in Luskan, (and let me just add that the finest of whorehouses be in that town), the second be exploring some caves to the north of Port Llast, while the other be in Charwood, a place I know precious little about. I'm thinking that when me adventure here be done, there may be a wee bit of gold to be earned with such information.
Entry # 52
... and a damn-fine pickle me be in now. Hork and Tythit both are dead, killed by the Spirit while I poisoned the tree. Then those... wizards took off and left me here to die. I don't know how, but ya can count on Relmar to find his way back home and when I do...
Entry # 57.
What be wrong with this place? Every landmark disappears without a trace. It seems like there be no way out. It makes me want to shout... What the blazes am I rhyming for? I don't know what's happening, but I decided I had better hide the antidote to the poison, before I get jumped by the Spirit. All blasted night the thing wails. Last night I just about got up and took the antidote over to pour on its tree. Can't imagine what I was thinking...
The rest of the journal talked about birds flying and such. Seemed he went crazy shortly after the last entry. "Hmmm better keep this for Aribeth. It confirms that the cult is in Luskan." I pocketed it and started looking for the stone with the cure.
Twenty minutes later after subduing the Spirit I apologized to it for hurting it. All it wanted was for me to cure it. "I intended to my friend." I walked over to it and gently gave it the cure. After several minutes it shuddered and spoke in my mind with images of thanks. Few words come into context in my mind. "Thank you. Warrior of the forest. Nature is forever in your debt." I looked at the Spirit. "Please, nature owe's me nothing. I only did what needed to be done. Would you happen to know a way out of this realm?" I asked it.
"You've done a good thing here today Ryltar." Linu said to me kissing me on the cheek.
The spirit nodded and before I could see what it was doing. I was standing before Aawill who was surprised to see me.
"Ry... Ryltar! What are you doing here? I know you found the missing druids. Tell me how is the Spirit?" Aawill asked me.
"The Spirit is cured. No longer will problems such as these occur. At least not while I still breath." I said to Aawill.
"Thank you Ryltar. Once more you have shown you are a a true defender of nature. Few could have done what you did here today." Aawill said shaking both my and Linu's hands.
"Your a fool to trust that drow Aawill!" Amera said walking up to us. "Hell, he probably caused the Spirits problems. And now, he and his whore high elf woman, are telling you the problem solved... how convenient."
I suddenly snapped but not wanting to uselessly kill Amera, I turned to her and said. "Alright that's it! I've had enough of your constant battering. I challenge you to a fight in the Druid's Circle."
"You? Challenge me? You tempt much cursed drow." Amera said pulling out her scimitar and pointing it at me. "I give you one last chance to withdraw your challenge." I looked un afraid into her eyes. She saw that I wasn't backing down and I saw worry cross her face.
"No, I don't think so. Aawill, could you arrange the challenge circle?" I asked.
"It's already for use. First one to pull the door open after the opponent is beaten to an inch of their life wins."
After preparing myself for the fight I decided to fight this one one one. This way Amera could not argue that it was an unfair fight. After being teleported to the challenge circle, I pulled out my scimitars they glowed brightly in the circle area casting a bluish glow all about.
"All the light effects won't save you from my wrath drow. I've waited for this for many years." Amera said from across the circle
"Amera, you know you have no chance against me. Concede defeat now and I won't have to hurt you for insulting Linu." I said.
"Oh, I know I have no chance against you. But then again. I'm not alone, unlike you." Amera said.
"What... do..." I started to say as several cloaked figures came out of the trees. Attacking me. "Curses I'm cut off from help. My only hope is that Aawill is seeing this so when I kill everyone he doesn't' think less of me." I thought. I parried away the first two attacks. A third figure swung at my ribs landing a blow. "OOMPH." I said as air escaped my lungs staggering back I overheard the maniacally laughter and words coming from Amera. "Foolish drow. Soon the cult of the Old Ones will rise to power. And all your foolish hopes of saving Neverwinter will die. Maugrim will pay me well for bringing your head to him."
I severally injured one of my attackers and he backed off. Bringing my other scimitar in a blocking fashion to block a swing at my head. "No you are the fool Amera if you think this Maugrim will pay you. Once I am dead, so shall you be. That is if you succeed in killing me." I said kicking back the attacker who had just swung at my head. I felt a sword cut into my shoulder pushing it back with all my effort I dropped my now useless left arm and lobbed off the head of the second attacker. Seeing that I was wounded and less likely to sin Amera now decided to enter the fight. "Your death will be sweet. Drow." Amera said coming at me. In my injured condition I knew I could now last long under two attackers. Looking at the trees I ran backwards and jumped as high as I could. Landing in a solid oak branch I quickly pulled out my bow. Ignoring the pain in my left arm I forced it to work in holding the front of the bow. I shakily fired off an arrow at the cloaked figure scoring a hit to the face. Now with the fight once more in a one on one fight I jumped back down from the tree. I landed on Amera and quickly took to beating the living life out of her.
"You no good, evil elf! I'll kill you then bring you back to life some how then kill you once more. Than after you are dead I will burn your body in the most humiliating manner I can come up with." I said between beating Amera's face in. After several minutes of beating her one handed." he he Literaly." I thought. I searched through her pack. Inside I found another journal this one again confirming that the cult is based in Luskan. Tucking it inside my pack I headed for the door opening it I was imeditly transported back to the Druid Grove.
End Ryltar
Linu
I had watched Ryltar enter the Druid challenge circle, and watched in hoor as he fought off the several attackers. He killed them all then savagely beat Amera to death. "Well that was unexpected." Aawill said.
"Did you know she was allied with the cult?" I asked
"No, I didn't. I only hope is she is the only one." Aawill said looking quickly around the rest of the camp.
Ryltar appeared shortly back with us then. "We now have three sources of information on where the cult is. Luskan. Let's head back to Aribeth and tell her the good news."
I nodded kissing Ryltar on the lips i said. "It's good to see you dear. I was worried for your safety."
"Nothing a few healing spells won't cure."Ryltar said adjusting his injured shoulder.
I cast a Cure Serious Wounds spell on it and it was soon healed. "Ahh thats better. I even think you got rid of that creaky bone that always bothered me." Ryltar said jokingly to me.
"Then come dear let's get back to Aribeth." I said to Ryltar taking his arm in mine.
End Linu
Aribeth
It had been two weeks since Ryltar and Linu started there quest looking for the cult. In that time they had yet to find anything. I was getting short on patience waiting for them to find something. "If only they could find one piece of information, so that it could get us looking in a certain direction." I thought. I knew that Ryltar, Linu, and Mayra were doing everything they could to find the cult. I just kept telling myself that. I had been also snappy and short of temper since the five days after Linu and Ryltar had last spoken to me. The dreams have increased in frequency so that even during the day I hallucinate what is happening when I sleep at night. I lash out at everyone, and blame them for not being able to do anything right. I only hoped that Ryltar and Linu were safe, and when they next returned they would have a piece of information for me.
End Aribeth
Ryltar
Linu and I walked into Port Last. I already missed Mayra. She had stayed behind in the Druid Grove cause she had found a male wolf who showed "Promise" as Mayra put it. Honestly I thought sometimes she was a female drow trapped in a wolfs body. As Linu and I approached the barracks Aribeth came storming out of the doorway. She seemed annoyed or angry about something. "Hmm hope she's alright..." I thought. Just as I was about to ask her she unsheathed her sword and ran towards me screaming "FOUL DROW I'LL TEACH YOU TO COME TO THE SURFACE" I quickly unsheathed my sword and parried her attack away. Luckily for me she wasn't using a second weapon.
"Aribeth! It's Ryltar. Snap out of it!" I shouted to her as I parried away another of her attacks. She was uncoordinated and what seemed to be exhaustion. After several more attacks I finally beat down her defenses, and knocked her to the ground. "So drow I see you've won. Kill me then, and get it over with you wont' get a second chance."
I knelled down to Aribeth's level Linu did the same. "Aribeth. It's I Ryltar, Linu's here. Listen to our voices come back to us." Aribeth seemed to study us then shake slightly. She then slowly stood up. "Rylatar? Linu? What happened?" She said.
"You attacked Ryltar, dear." Linu said.
"I... I did? I'm sorry can you ever forgive me?" She asked me
"Don't worry about it Aribeth. After everything thats going on I understand. I've got good news though." I said to her nodding to Linu. She pulled out the three journals we had found. "We have not two but THREE sources indicating where the cult is located... Luskan." I said.
Aribeth took them from Linu and paged thorough them. "This confirms it then. The cult is in Luskan." She seemed more energetic but also as if she had finally made a decision. I motioned for her to follow us once more on a walk out to the stream. Aribeth and Linu followed. Once there I said. "Aribeth, you seem angry about something what is it?"
"Aye, I am angry. I have been thinking more and more of how Fenthick met his end... and how I did nothing to stop it... and I grow even more angry!" She said picking up several rocks and throwing them across the stream. "Fenthick devoted his entire life to the service of justice and the performance of his duty, just as I have. And what did he get for it? Discarded. Discarded by his liege lord to appease the witless masses, discarded by his god for one foolish mistake. Tell me why I shouldn't be angry, Ryltar... Linu?"
"And what should have happened, do you think, dear?" Linu asked.
Aribeth shot her an icy glare. She said. "What should have happened? Perhaps he should have received some recognition of his long service and his good intentions! Or perhaps he should have been less trusting and more selfish!"
"Aribeth calm down I understand your grief but I don't like hearing you talk like this. It isn't like you." I said placing a hand on her shoulder.
Aribeth brushed it away gently at least she took several deep breaths before turning on me. Several times she poked me in the shoulder saying "And why shouldn't I talk like this? If Fenthick had questioned more and been less trusting, less devoted, perhaps he would be alive today! And so Fenthick got his final reward. Thank you, Tyr, Lord of Justice, for aiding your faithful servant! Shall I be next, then? Shall I, too, end my life a traitor, executed for being too adhered to my duty to question an injustice when I see it? Will Tyr abandon me then, too?" She said sadly at the last part
"Aribeth... I... What brought this on, all of a sudden? You seemed at peace after we left five days ago." I asked.
"I... I don't know, Ryltar. Tyr brought me here, put me on this path. I want to know why. Why teach me true justice and then throw it in my face? All I know is that... I am tired of being sad. I am tired of feeling helpless. I feel guilty for questioning myself... but I feel I must be questioned. Vengeance is not Tyr's way, but I... I fear I see no justice being done, here. There is no justice to be had for Fenthick, only vengeance... and I cannot do it. Perhaps it is just... the dreams. They continue to come, and get worse each night, Ryltar. I hear voices crying out, so many voices... even during the day at times I cannot escape there cry."
"The dreams have gotten worse, dear?" Linu said coming closer to Aribeth seeing that she was calming down.
"Aye. I see Fenthick killed before me, over and over. I hear laughter, and so many crying out to me for help. I almost cannot bear it. Promise me, both of you... promise me as my dearest friends that you will find this cult and visit upon them the vengeance that I cannot!" Aribeth said looking at both of us desperately.
"I promise, Aribeth. On my honor as a Ranger and Druid of Nature. That I shall find those responsible and bring them to justice." I said placing my hand on her left shoulder.
"As do I dear. By Sephanine's power I will bring those to justice. That haved caused a fellow elf such misery and pain." Linu said placing her hand on Aribeth's right shoulder.
Aribeth's mood seemed once more to lighten and grow soft. She said. "Thank you, my friends. It... it is all I can think of to silence the dreams. I must do something, and to have you help me brings me great relief." Aribeth moved back a step and removed a ring from her finger. "You both have been fine friends, please both of you take this. It is a ring that belonged to my father. I want you to have it. Let it symbolize our friendship. Perhaps if... something were to happen to me... it would remind you both of me in days to come..."
I was ready to take the ring but stopped for a second I was concerned on her words. She seemed as if she was signing her death. "What do you mean Aribeth?" I asked concerned.
"I don't mean anything, my friend. It is... simply fatigue and worry that make me speak such. Please... take the ring." Aribeth said placing it in my hand. I glanced at Linu who nodded to me.
"Very well, we'll will take it" I said placing the finger around my hand.
"That makes me glad. You do me a great honor by carrying it. I... Well I'm embarrassed to say this to you." She said glancing at Linu.
"Go ahead dear. The less that is on your chest, the better." Linu said comfortingly
"Well... I'm glad both of you have found true love. You remind me both of... Fenthick and I when we first met... it brings joy to my wounded heart to see you both so happy. I prey with all my heart... that nothing happens to either of you." She looked at me then Linu, then back to me. She seemed to study me for a second before saying. "I just want to say Ryltar that you truly are an honorable man. You truly are nothing like your race. I want you to remember that. Get rid of that hood, a hero like you shouldn't need to hide behind it anymore. You've proven to many people your intent. You've risked life and limb to save the city of Neverwinter, and through all this you have found true love, I hope." She turned to Linu then and continued. "Linu, you couldn't have found a better man then Ryltar, to love. He's strong, kind, witty,... handsome, and he has one of the deadliest fighting styles I have ever seen. You couldn't find a better man in all of Fae'run if you tried. Keep him safe." Aribeth gave each of us a kiss and a hug before heading back to the barracks.
Once I saw her enter the barrack's door. I turned back to Linu. "She sounds like she's going to die or something... do you think she's hidding something, dear?" Linu asked me.
"Actually I was just about to ask you the same thing. And to answer it yes I do. I'm going to keep a watch tonight. I'll see you in the morning." I said drifting into the shadows. Linu nodded and headed back to the barracks where our room was. I only hoped she would be safe there, and that I was wrong about Aribeth hiding something.
End Ryltar
(A/N: WOW! finally got that done. I worked on the final part there for over an hour trying to come up with the correct thing for Aribeth to say to both of them. Don't worry one more speech with Ryltar and Aribeth before Luskan. I've got a job now so updates will come once or twice a week instead of three like lately I'll try to have chap 15 up by Sat or Sun. See ya's all PLEASE R&R!)