Chapter 20

Linu

Ryltar and I were ridding in a wagon on our way back to Neverwinter. I could see that Ryltar was on edge and it seemed no matter what I tried to calm him down it was only tempoary his times in sleep over the past several days, had been frought with dreams of these images he spoke of. He still retained his bluish glow to his body, and anyone that came near him gave him a wide berth. Many in the caravan were scared of Ryltar. But, I knew that it wasn't the soliders in the caravan that should be scared of him. It was the soliders and culitists of the Luskan armies that should be scared. I knew that when we got with in a few miles of Neverwinter Ryltar and I would be settting off ahead of the caravan to get inside the city unnoticed. Ryltar had explained that the element of surprise would further terrify the enemies we were going to encounter, and with us being the only really chance of saving the city I knew we would need every chance we could get. There was only one lingering concern of mine and that was the issue of Aribeth. Arain Gend as well as most of the soliders following us wanted her dead. I was sure that Lord Nasher and his advisors felt the same. Ryltar would listen to nothing that was planned in allowing Aribeth to die. He had screamed and flared in anger at every mention of someone killing her. "She's not to blame for her actions. Not directly." He would cry. But his protest fell on death ears. No one it seemed wanted to listen to him.

It was several hours later and I was walking along the trail when I heard the sound of crunching leaves off to my left I turned around quickly readying myself for who was there. "Who's there? Show yourself!" I commanded. A wolf bounded out of the underbrush and came towards me. "I see you can speak to some animals. Tell me can you understand me?" A familiar voice said in my head. "Yes I can... Mayra is that you?" I said out loud.

"It is. I see Ryltar's lessons haven't been lost. You've learned much in his teachings." Mayra said. I nodded glad to see her. She however seemed different and I said so. "Mayra, dear. Forgive me it's not that I am not glad to see you, but you sem different, somehow."

Mayra nodded. "With Ryltar's growth in strength so have I." Mayra said to me.

"How so?" I asked.

"I'm still not sure. Needless to say that I am stronger and faster then I once was. That is all I know." Mayra said to me.

"Ok, dear. We should go find Ryltar he will be overjoyed to see you I am sure." I said.

Mayra nodded. "Lead the way then." She said.

It wasn't long before we found Ryltar who once storming away from Aarin Gend's wagon. "Stupid. FOOLS!" Ryltar cried.

Mayra snuck on him in his rage and jumped behind him. "WHAT? MAYRA?" Ryltar said surprised.

"Is there any other?" Mayra said broadcasting her thoughts to both Ryltar and I. She gave Ryltar a couple of licks in appreciation and then let him stand up. "I see you've grown stronger." Ryltar said dusting himself off.

"As you have too. Nice glow there blue boy." Mayra said.

"Well I was trying for a more reddish color but it didn't happen." Ryltar said laughing. Ryltar leaned down and hugged Mayra. "It's good to see you again old friend. How what happened to the "wolf with promise?" Ryltar said grinning.

"Well seems he didn't have as much "promise" as I once thought." Mayra said.

"Its' good to have you back then." Ryltar said he soon took on a down cast look. " Do you know whats going on?"

Mayra shook her head. "Not really. I understand that Luskan armies are attacking Neverwinter, and that oddly Aribeth is leading them. Did you know that?" Mayra asked.

Ryltar nodded. "That and much more. Come there is much Linu and I need to tell you." Ryltar said to Mayra and me. We followed him off into a clearing. Where after two hours of story telling. Mayra was caught up with what happened after she left us for the male wolf, in the druid's grove in Neverwinter Woods. Mayra took all we said in and for a moment she was silent. She then said. "Your adventures have hardly been dull. Honestly, I would have thought without me you'd be bored. Course you to have Linu." Mayra said smirking at me.

I spoke up saying. "And what, dear is that suppose to mean?" I said crossing my arms over my chest, and looking at Mayra sternly.

"Oh, nothing. Let's just say that you need to keep your voice down at night." Mayra said grinning at me.

I gave Ryltar a shocked look and before I could say anything he said. "Don't look at me. She's got great hearing, plus our link allows her to sometimes see whats going on when I'm... distracted." Ryltar said lightly blushing.

I nodded, and then turned to Mayra. She must have picked up on my intent, and I had to take off at a run to catch her.

End Linu

Ryltar

I laughed as Linu ran after Mayra. "Ahhh, it's good to have the old gang back." I said chuckling.

I was happy that Mayra returned, and that Linu and her were back to there old jokes and jabs. But deep down I was worried for everyone back in Neverwinter. Though they may not all care what I am doing for them, or anyone listening to me about Aribeth. I would fight life and limb for them to save them all. All including Aribeth, though she was considered a traitor I had promised her that I would save her. "If I could only convince her of the goodness that I know is in her heart. There's got to be something, anything!" I whispered out loud to myself. I ran my hand threw my white silky hair and felt the rings on my hand move. "The ring!" I said excitedly. I took off the ring Aribeth had given Linu and I. It still held the glimmer to it around my glowing hands. "I wonder?" I thought. Aribeth, or I, had somehow ended up in the others dream. It was close to night and a planned formed in my mind. I quickly located Linu and Mayra. Who now were talking about me when I came upon them. I quickly told them of my plan. Linu grimmly nodded saying. "What if it doesn't work, dear?" I sighed running my hand through my hair again. "Then I'll bring her the peace she wishes." I said simply. Linu nodded as did Mayra. Both were now serious. "I have another idea for tonight. Linu you remember that night several weeks ago, when I or Aribeth, ended up in the others dream?" Linu nodded. "Well I'm going to try that again. This time though I want both of you to be there."

"How, dear?" Linu asked. I told them and they both nodded.

Several hours later all three of us settled done to rest for the night we each held the other. I hoped that being in close contact would allow us to enter the others dreams. We were alone in our tent and no one would disturb us. This was mainly due to my odd power, and not to me request that we be left alone. Soon after all three of us were asleep.

Dream

I was now in a grey lite area, once more I was in the forest only now it held a evil nature to it, I looked around and after some searching found both Linu, and Mayra. "Ready?" I asked.

"Lead on." Linu said.

"Hope you know what you are doing Ryltar." Mayra said to me.

"So do I." I said, a little bit worried.

After much searching we found what I hoped was Aribeth. All three of us, sneaked up on her. When we were within ten feet of her she whirled around sword drawn at us. "Ryltar, Linu, Mayra? So you have come. What do you want?" Aribeth snarled at us.

"We're all here to show you Aribeth. That you are not alone. We will save you from this nightmare, you've created," I took off her ring and held it up to her. "We've kept your ring. Believe it or not Linu, Mayra and I all believe you have not totally lost yourself. Morag and Maugrim are powerful this is true. But deep down we all know you are the kind hearted person who gave us this ring."

Aribeth spit in my direction. "HA! You expect me to believe you kept my ring after my betrayal? What kind of fool do you take me for? This is a dream state. Where anything can be created." Aribeth said hatefully.

"Tell me what does your "great and powerful" queen say about me?" I asked. "Tell me, does she have a deep gash in her left shoulder, and a cut along her left cheek?"

"How... how do you know that?" Aribeth demanded.

"Because I put them there ten thousand years ago. Surely she's mentioned me?" I said.

"Yes, she has. She hates you Ryltar. If you somehow kill both Maugrim and I. She will finish the job." Aribeth said.

"You place to much faith in her powers, dear." Linu said. "She is mortal..."

Aribeth interrupted her shouting. "WRONG! SHE IS IMMORTAL and not you, the foolsih wolf of yours, or even you RYLTAR. Will be able to stop her return." the force of her anger cause all three of us to loose our connection with Aribeth and we all soon woke up in our tent. I rubbed my head. "Well that could have gone better." I said.

"She's probably questioning herself even now about what you said, dear." Linu said leaning over to kiss me. Mayra just gagged at the action. "I'll be outside." Mayra said to Linu and I.

End Ryltar

Aribeth

I awoke in a angry fit. I came out of my chambers and threw several daggers at the servants outside. All dropped to the ground dead. "Excellent." I said. Ryltar's words had worried me. How did he travel ten thousand years into the past? Why was he doing so much to "save" me? "Could he actually have kept my ring?" I thought but quickly banishing it. He wouldn't Ryltar was many things but he wouldn't' accept betrayal he only was trying to trick me, weaken me for our soon to be fought fight. But thanks to Maurgirm and Morag's powers, I would be ready for him. Guarding my sanctuary was a half-demon half dragon beast. If Ryltar somehow survived that, he would deal with me. "And you will die! Foolish drow." I said.

End Aribeth

Ryltar

It was several days later, and Linu, Mayra, and I stood outside the burning city of Neverwinter. Castle Neverwinter was cut off from us, but thanks to a hidden tunnel that Aarin Gend knew of we would soon be there. We emerged from the tunnel and after heading up several flights of stairs, we entered the Castle. We entered a large room where Aarin Gend and Lord Nasher stood, I gave a slight bow to Lord Nasher, and did Linu. Mayra did care who he was and did nothing. "We meet again, Ryltar Kost'dora. As you know, I am Nasher Alagondar, Lord of Neverwinter. I was once an adventurer like you - though that was long ago." Lord Nasher said. He looked me over. "I see you have changed since last we spoke." He sighed running his hand through his hair. "It seems like a lifetime ago since that day. Aarin Gend tells me you and your companions have done much in the defense of our city. For this I thank you, though I fear it was all in vain.Aribeth knows our defenses too well, we could not stand against her forces. The enemy has breached our walls. All is lost."

Aarin Gend spoke up. "Do not give up hope, my Lord. We still have the Words of Power, after all."

"And what good has that done, Aarin? We have no way to use them. Whatever magic is locked within those stone tablets is of no use to us." Nasher said.

"Perhaps Haedraline will reveal their secret to us - if you release her from the dungeons." Aarin said.

"I don't trust that creature, Aarin, and neither should you! We have done her no harm. If she was truly our ally she would tell us what she knows." Lord Nasher said.

"Haedraline told us about the secret door beneath Castle Never. Without her we would never have found the Source Stone." Aarin Gend shot back.

"And what good has that done, Aarin? That creature won't tell us anything about it. The Source Stone is as useless to us as the Words of Power." Lord Nasher countered.

"Perhaps Haedraline will speak to Ryltar and Linu. She has spoken with them before." Aarin said.

"Enough, Aarin. Ryltar, if you want to speak to Haedraline you are free to do so. But I will not release her from the dungeon while an enemy is within our city gates." Lord Nasher explained to me. I wanted to say several things about him right then and there but I held my tongue.

"Personally, I think this is all a waste of time: Words of Power, the Source Stone, Haedraline. What good is this against Aribeth's army? Our fate is sealed... we are all doomed.

"I want to ask you about Aribeth." I said.

"Aribeth? She is a traitor! The sentence for her crimes is death..." Lord Nasher shouted in anger.

I was about to speak when Aarin spoke up. "Her actions are not without reason, Lord Nasher. Neverwinter, all of us, turned our backs on her when we executed her lover, Fenthick. All excpet three people." he said looking in my direction I nodded thanking him silently.

"I understand you have an interest in her fate, Ryltar, and I see you will not be satisfied until I answer your question. As I said before the law states she must die. And yet, as Aarin said, we did turn our back on her, in her hour of need. Fenthick was sentenced by the same law to death. I cannot help but wonder if there is a lesson to be learned there." Lord Nasher said in despair.

"Her death will only continue the cycle of vengeance and bloodshed, dear. It has to end at some point" Linu said before I could.

"Aribeth's crimes cannot simply be forgiven with a wave of the hand, Linu. And yet... there is truth in your words." Lord Nasher said.

"Perhaps you can atone for what you have done. End this cycle of needless slaughter now. I plan on rescuing Aribeth, show her mercy. End this." I said quietly.

"You... you are asking me to show Aribeth mercy? After what she did? After raising an army against Neverwinter and slaughtering her people? I have often wondered if I made a mistake in Fenthick's sentence. Had he lived, perhaps none of this would have happened. At the very least he could have worked to atone for his mistakes. Perhaps Fenthick deserved a second chance. Perhaps we all do. I... I must think carefully on this matter before my decision is made." Lord Nasher said thoughtfully.

I nodded and turned with Linu and Mayra at my side and headed for the dungeon to see Haedriline.

"hiss I have been waiting for you, Ryltar Kost'dora. These other warm bloods are weak. hiss I do not trust them. Unlike you." Haedriline said to me. As I approached her cell. "They are weak, like the ones you call Aribeth and Maugrim. hiss They cannot stand against the Creators now that Morag stirs within the Source Stone. Maugrim has unlocked the magic of the Words of Power. hiss The Old Ones awake and the world you know shall be no more."

"But the Words of Power are safe here in Castle Never, dear." Linu said.

"Three of the Words are here in this castle. hiss But there are four Words of Power in all. Maugrim has found the final Word, strongest of them all." Haedriline said. "hiss I came here to warn your people against Morag's return, but the warm bloods do not trust me. hiss They cast me into this dungeon. Do not waste time trying to free me from this prison - it serves no purpose. hiss Instead, you must help me stop Morag's return before the Old Ones awake and I am made a Word Slave once more.

"Then tell us what we need to do." I said in acceptance.

"The fourth Word is close - I can feel its power. hiss Maugrim and Aribeth brought it here to this city you call Neverwinter. Bring the Word to me. I am Haedraline, leader of the Word Slaves. hiss With the final Word I can break Morag's power and trap her forever inside the Source Stone." Haedriline said.

"We'll return once we have the final Word of Power!" Linu said with determination, she glanced at Mayra and I and we nodded.

"You must hurry, all of you. hiss With each passing hour Morag's power grows. Soon I will not be strong enough to stop my Queen from awakening her people." Haedriline said as we left running out of the dungeon. We ran outside the castle and I looked around. The city core was being bombarded by catapult fire, a older looking man came up to me dressed in half plate amour.

"You! I know you! You are Ryltar Kost'dora, the Ranger or Druid or something, who saved Neverwinter from the plague! The city bards sing tributes to you, my lord. They claim a shining radiance emanates from your very features." the man said looking me over. "and from there words, they were correct." He said commenting on my bluish glow.

"Alas, it seems the city has need of your aid once again, if we hope to drive these Luskan dogs off! Will you join our cause, Ryltar Kost'dora?" The man said.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"I am Trancar, battalion commander of the Neverwinter militia. My men and I tried to hold the southern section of the city, but Luskan forces overran our position. We were forced to retreat and set up our base here in the City Core. But we haven't given up the fight! I still send my men out in small groups, trying to slow the Luskan advance through guerrilla tactics. We do what we can, but our numbers are too few. Between the catapults and the war golems I fear it is only a matter of time before even the City Core falls to the Luskan scum!" Trancar said.

"Anything we can do to help?" I asked..

"Normally I'd say one man, woman and and wolf can't make a difference, Ryltar Kost'dora. But you three are not normal." Trancar said in awe. "Someone has to take out those catapults and stop those war golems. It won't be easy, but you saved us from the plague, maybe you can save us from this."

"What must me done?" I said.

"The catapults are somewhere to the south, in the war zone. Don't know where exactly, seeing how they keep moving them around. If you find them, just kill the soldiers guarding them and smash the catapult to bits. Destroy all three catapults and we'll finally get a break from those boulders raining down on our heads." Trancar said.

"And the golems, dear?" Linu said.

"The war golems are a different story. Even you might have trouble going head to head against those brutes, Ryltar Kost'dora. But there's a better way. The war golems are controlled by Luskan mages. Kill the wizards controlling them and the golems are nothing but expensive statues." Trancar said.

"Where can I find these wizards?" I asked.

"That I don't know. They have to be close enough to control their golems, so they're probably in the southern war zone. But if they're smart they won't be standing out in the open." Trancar explained. I nodded.

"I'll take care of them. I said."

"I'd send my men with you, Ryltar Kost'dora, but the more people at your side the more likely you are to be seen." Trancar expalined.

I nodded, saying. "We'll return soon." Trancar waved us off and we soon were inside the battle area.

"Keep close. We don't know what to expect." I said. As we rounded a corner house. Glancing inside the house I saw a mage preparing a spell of some sort. I jumped through the window and quickly killed him, and the summoned demon he called forth. Outside a loud crash was heard Linu, Mayra, and I poked our heads outside and found two golems weakned a few hits from my scimitar and linu's mace destroyed them. Several minutes later all of the catapults were destroyed as well. We also took out another pair of golems and a mage. We now stood in front of another house which lead through the walled area. Inside was an old man sitting on a rocking chair.

"Who... who are you? What do you want? I'm just a poor old blind man. Don't hurt me, please." The man said.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you, dear. We won't hurt you." Linu said.

"Hmmm... your voices. You don't have a Luskan accent. And I guess if you were a Luskan soldier you'd already have chopped my head off." the man said. "But if you aren't a Luskan soldier, I can only wonder what brings you here."

"We're searching for Maugrim and Aribeth. Do you know where they are?" I asked.

"I'm not sure, but the back door from my house will lead you to the heart of the Luskan command center." The man said.

"Back door? This place doesn't have a back door." I said.

"Ah, but it does. A secret door. Behind the book shelf there in the corner." The man said. Pointing to the corner as if he wasn't blind. "It's kind of funny, really. They built a huge iron gate guarded by a score of archers to protect their high commanders, and an old, blind smuggler's got himself a secret, unguarded way in. But please, don't go spreading news of it all about. If Neverwinter survives this war, I want to keep my little secret. You never know when it might come in handy.

"I thank you old man, I'm using it to save Aribeth, and kill Maugrim." I said. Readying my scimitars

"Use it to kill them both after what they have brought to this city. They deserve no less." The man said. I had to restrain myself from his words, and Linu, Mayra and I headed out the secret door.

It was an hour later and we had destroyed the final golem pair and fought our way past a cleric, mage, and a monk. WE had just destroyed a odd half demon half devil monster and were readying ourselves to enter a portal that had appeared after it's death.

"Ready yourself for anything. We don't know where this leads." I said to Mayra and Linu as I entred the portal.

End Ryltar

Aribeth

I felt the wards I had placed around my sancturary fade, and heard a portal open and close in the room next to me. "So they've finally come for me." I said readying myself. "Then they will die." I thought.

The door burst open dislodging Ryltar, Linu and Mayra. Into the room I approached them weapons drawn. "Ryltar, Linu, Mayra. - I am not surprised to see you here. You all have become quite the thorn in Maugrim's side. Though he would never admit it, I believe you have impressed him with your accomplishments." I said. With hatred. "I, however, am not too proud to admit my respect for you. You have thwarted us at almost every turn, Ryltar. Yet in the end Morag's will cannot be denied."

"If you surrender I will let you live. I promised we would save you and we are here to do just that." Ryltar said to me.

"I was about to make you the same offer, Ryltar - though I suspect Maugrim would rather sacrifice you to his new Queen. She's quiet angry with you for those wounds you caused her thousands of years ago. I imagine she would have much enjoyment in torturing your soul." I said gleefully. "Morag is a voracious mistress - it seems there are never enough dead to satisfy her hunger."

"Is that why you kill the innocent of Neverwinter?" Linu said to me.

"You dare call these people innocent? The citizens of Neverwinter screamed for Fenthick's death - and Lord Nasher gave it to them! His blood is on their hands, Ryltar. We are all guilty here, and we are all deserving of death." I said.

"Is that why you destroyed Neverwinter? Out of a perverted sense of justice?" Ryltar said to me.

I laughed. "Justice? There is no such thing. I came here for vengeance. But I am not responsible for Neverwinter's fall. My position at the head of the armies only hastened the inevitable end, Ryltar. Neverwinter was doomed as soon as Maugrim unleashed the Wailing Death. Can you not feel it in the air? An evil cloud covers the city - the shadow of Morag. The Queen of the Old Ones has awakened, and none shall survive her coming." I said.

"Morag is just using you, Aribeth! She'll kill you as soon as you've served her purpose, dear." Linu said with concern.

I waved her off. "I am no blind fool like Maugrim. I know Morag will betray me. In fact, I'm counting on it. I deserve death for what I have done. But when I die I will have the satisfaction of knowing Neverwinter was made to pay for what happened to Fenthick!" I said raising my weapons. I knew that with all three facing me I could not defeat them. So before Ryltar could act I fired three daggers at them. Two connected, with Linu's and Mayra's bodies and Linu fell to her knees gasping. While Mayra, fell to the ground, hopefully dead. I sneered at Ryltar's shocked face, he had avoided my dagger, I said ."There is nothing more to say, Ryltar. It is too late for words. We must settle this in blood."

Ryltar's body took on a bright bluish glow, the power coming off of him was enormous. Deep down I was worried. But I knew he was no match for me. He had put away his scimitar's and simply said brightly glowing. His eyes stared into mine. "Then blood you shall have, Aribeth." He came at my swing knocking it away with the breacers which were around his wrists. I snarled in anger and brought my other sword to his shoulder, he knocked that one away as well. He brought out his scimitar's and parried away my next attack. "Surrender! Aribeth you know you are no match for me." he cried.

"FOOL! You will die here today drow. With your death all hope for this pathetic city will be lost." I shot back pushing him back against the far wall he braced himself against it and charged at me. I absorbed his first attack with his left hand but his second attack got threw and cut into my right shoulder forcing me to drop my sword. He took atvandage of this and kicked me in the stomach I fell to the ground on my knees. I looked up and saw that Linu was overcoming the effects of the dagger, and Mayra was on her feet, now growling at me. I dropped my other sword pushing it away. "I yield! I yield! Stop your attack." I cried. Despair filling me. "You have come far since our first meeting, Ryltar. I can no longer stand against you... any of you." I said looking at Linu and Mayra as well.

Rytlar helped me to my feet. I said. "Had Morag foreseen how powerful you would become, perhaps she would have chosen you to be her champion instead of turning her lidless eye in my direction. Your gift gives you obvious advantages over me."

"I would never bow down to the Old Ones, or serve them." Ryltar said simply.

"I... I suppose that is true. You have the strength of your convictions, something I lost long ago, and your actions in the past would probably have forfeited Morag's choice." I replied. "Tell me, Ryltar - how can you go on, knowing you fight for a city that is doomed to fall when the Old Ones return?" I asked.

"WE still believe Neverwinter can be saved." Ryltar said implying Linu and Mayra.

"I have seen the future in my dreams, Ryltar. Neverwinter will vanish in a blaze of flame when the Old Ones are reborn - it is inevitable." I said in despair.

"There's always hope, dear even in your darkest hour there is something that is worth fighting for." Linu said.

"Hope? All hope within my heart perished with Fenthick. He was taken from me, the light of my life, and I was left alone in the empty darkness." I said sadly.

"How did you come to this, Aribeth? Surely there is more to it than Fenthick's death." Ryltar said.

"Is the execution of my lover not justification enough for what I have become? They say I betrayed Neverwinter, but Neverwinter betrayed Fenthick first! With Fenthick's death I lost more than a lover! He was a devoted servant of both Tyr and Neverwinter, and I saw how his devotion was repaid! How could I believe in a god who allowed such an atrocity? How could I serve a city so mercilessly cruel? When Fenthick was executed I lost my lover, my faith, my loyalty - everything I believed in crumbled around me!" I said tears welling in my eyes.

"It sounds like you're trying to justify what you did, dear." Linu said to me.

"I... I am simply telling you what happened, Linu. How I... how I came to break my vows and betray all that I stood for." I said sadly.

"It is not too late, Aribeth. There is still a chance to make things right." Ryltar said.

"Look around you, Ryltar. Look at the death and destruction I have brought to Neverwinter. I can never make up for this. And I have been too long under Morag's power. The Queen has a... a hold on me. I could not stand with you against her, even if... even if I wanted to. I cannot help the city." I said simply.

"Your knowledge of the Luskan forces could save hundreds of lives, dear." Linu said.

"I could bring my information to Lord Nasher and Aarin Gend, true. But it would not be enough to turn the tide of the battle. Morag's power will bring victory to the Luskan troops. Perhaps a few hundred lives could be saved, though the city would still fall. But what will that avail me? Lord Nasher would still have me executed for what I have done." I said despari welling in me again.

"You would do this to save the people of Neverwinter, not to save yourself. But if I can find a way to save you from that I will" Ryltar said quietly

"I should sacrifice myself for the sake of the people who demanded Fenthick's blood? Do you really believe me capable of so selfless an act, Ryltar?" I said surprised. "Once I would have gladly sacrificed myself for this city. But I have changed, Ryltar. I am no longer the Aribeth you knew. Now I walk a different path."

"The woman who gave Linu and I this ring would not have said such a thing." Ryltar said taking off his glove and holding up my ring in his hand.

"You... you kept my ring? After my betrayal? After all the death and misery I have brought to you and the city? But... but why?" I said surprised, that what I had dreamed had been real, and that he wasn't lying.

"To remember you as you once were, Aribeth. And in the hopes you would one day remember yourself." Linu said coming up next to me. Mayra rubbed against my leg whinng in support. I sighed. "I... I am not who I once was. I... I cannot... it would not be possible... I cannot go back. Not after what I have done.

"Then go forward. Leave your hate and vengeance behind. Everyone deserves a second chance. I'm willing to give you that... please take it." Ryltar said pleading.

"Your words are... wise, Ryltar. Perhaps... perhaps I can set aside my hatred." I said taking several deep breaths, forcing back the whispers of Morag's words to destroy them all. "If I... if I turn myself over to Lord Nasher for execution... Many lives may yet be saved. At least... at least then my own death would have some meaning. But you... you will have to trust me in this, Ryltar. Maugrim waits for you behind this door, you must face him now - time is of the essence." I said feeling Morag screaming in my mind. "But I dare not accompany you, for fear I will fall once again under Morag's spell. Do you trust me enough to let me go, if I vow to surrender myself to Lord Nasher? Can you take that risk?" I said worry filling me.

"We trust you to do what is right, Aribeth." Linu said placing her hand on my shoulder.

"Then... I shall leave Maugrim to you, and I... I shall deliver myself to Lord Nasher and tell him what I know of the Luskan troop movements. If we are lucky, my information may help some of Neverwinter's citizens escape with their lives. And I... I will submit to Lord Nasher's judgment, whatever the consequences may be. I am grateful to you all for this - this chance to... to do what is right. I wanted you all to know that before I go, in case... in case Lord Nasher has me executed before you return." I said.

"Go to meet your fate with honor, Lady Aribeth." Ryltar said giving me a slight bow of respect. "Always the gentleman. Linu is lucky to have him." I thought. His words touched me. "Lady Aribeth? It has been a long time since anyone called me that. Thank you, Ryltar." I said

"Lord Nasher maybe more merciful then you think, dear." Linu said

"Your words are kind, Linu, but I am ready for whatever awaits." I said. "I... I must go to Lord Nasher now, while my resolve is still strong. You must face Maugrim without me. Goodbye, Ryltar, Linu, Mayra - and good luck." I said turning for the portal room they had entered from.

End Aribeth

Ryltar

I straigthened myself up and checked Linu and Mayra over. Besides the wounds they had suffered from Aribeth's dagger, they were fine. After a quick healing spell from Linu they were back to perfect health.

"I see Morag was right, Ryltar Kost'dora - Aribeth was not strong enough to defeat you. But she has served her purpose. You have come too late, the ritual is over, the awakening of the Old Ones has begun! The Creator Race will be reborn - and you shall be the first to taste the power my Queen has given unto me!" Maugrim cried as I moved to attack him. He cast a time stop spell and I watched as he summoned two undead... things to his side. Linu and Mayra attacked the undead while I attacked Maugrim, after the spell had expired. I crashed into him crying "Those that you have brought to death, say hi"I said as I pummeled his face. He was thrown back against the wall and I was quickly on him. His face and amour soon took up the appearance it had on the Host Tower. He cried out in his dying breath. "No - no, this cannot be! I am immortal! No! NOOOO!"

"Sorry but guess your not immortal after all?" I said as I opened a chest. Inside was a journal detailing plans on using Aribeth's tragedy to bring her to their side. And the fourth Word of Power. Linu came over and looked it over all three of us nodded and I used the Stone of Recall to teleport back to the City Core. Hopeing that Aribeth was still alive.

(A/N: HAHAHA three days without sleep! I've got chapter twenty done. Will get chapter 21 and maybe 22 up by tomorrow. As always please read and review.)