Chapter 22
(A/N: The respone I got from Chapter 21 was great. Thanks to all who reviewed, both e-mail and on looked at Ryltar, as he cried. I knew immeditaly he had succeded in destroying Morag, and the Old Ones. But his victory had not come without a heavy cost. Two of his closest companions were dead. He was obviously tired, and worn out, from the fight and from losing his closest friend, and the woman he loved. I reached out my hand to comfort him. He simply moved away from me saying. "Please, Aribeth just give me a moment."
I backed away from him giving him his space. "Oh course." I said.
After several minutes he dried his face and looked at me. "Forgive me, Aribeth. Recent events have finally caught up with me." He said. I could tell it was more then that and that he was covering up his feelings. He picked up Mayra and Linu once more. "If you'll forgive me, I must report to Lord Nasher. I nodded and helped him up. "I'll be back soon to tell you what happened." Ryltar said.
The guard opened the door, and Ryltar left. I sat down in my cell once more and tried to relax.
End Aribeth
Ryltar
Lord Nasher had Mayra and Linu spirited away to the Temple of Tyr, as soon as I had came up from the castle dungeon. I sighed grimly as I faced Lord Nasher. "It is good to see you back Ryltar. When the Source Stone had grumbled, and you had not returened we were worried for your safetey." Nasher said to me.
"Thank you for your words. But I'm not really concerned with my health right now. I'm more concerned about my companions and what you plan to do with Aribeth." I said.
"Ryltar you must understand what Aribeth, did she deserves death for. I've spoken with the representatives of each district and several people from each one. Almost everyone is in agreement she must be put to death." Nasher explained.
"Horseshit! Did you even show them Maugrim's journal?" I said in anger.
"Yes, he did." Aarin Gend said walking up to me. "It didn't change their decision. She must be put to death for her crimes."
"If you expect me to believe that I have most likely lost the only three people who have actually ever truly cared for me..." I trailed off barely able to contain my anger. My power still flowed thorough me and the results of it with increasing my height still effected me I got the feeling that the height change was going to be permenate.
"Ryltar, calm yourself!" Nasher said commandingly.
"What about exile? Would the citizens allow that?" I asked.
"I'm not sure what you mean, Ryltar." Nasher said.
"EXILE Aribeth! For the rest of her life she is not allowed within a certain number of miles of the city. For any reason. She will travel with me for as long as I live." I said pointing to Aarin. "Like Gend here you have him serving out his life term in the service of Neverwinter. She can travel with me for the rest of her life as well."
"Ryltar I don't think..." Aarin said I interrupted him.
"You people are useless! I risk life and limb and you can't do me one GODS DAMN REQUEST! She is innocent! She was tricked... BAH! your all useles. If you'll excuse me "LORD" I must see to my companions." I said storming out of the castle.
End Ryltar
Lord Nasher
I watched Ryltar storm out of the castle. I could tell he was angry beyond reasoning with him at this point. "Put loosing your closest friends will do that? Wont' it?" I said out loud.
"Excuse me, my lord? What do you mean?" Aarin said to me.
"I know Ryltar's right about Aribeth. She was tricked. Do I add another innocent life to my already bloodstained hands?" I said looking at them.
"We all must do what we must. You can't change the law. I sympethize with Ryltar, but if you allow Aribeth to live the city will rise up in riot!" Aarin told me.
"You've both made good points, you and Ryltar. Put the decision is mine to make. No on elses." I said walking away from Aarin.
End Lord Nasher
Ryltar
I walked into the Temple of Tyr several eyes looked at me in awe. I threw away there glances and words. "Where is Linu and Mayra?" I asked simply.
"I'm sorry, Ryltar. But we did all we could. They spirits are both gone. We could not bring them back." The priest said.
My shoulders twitched as well as my body at his words. With barely contained anger and sorrow I said. "Did you try, every last trick you knew of?"
"Yes, we did. There simply is no spirit to bring back to there bodies. It's as if they didn't exist." He said.
I turned and left the temple before I did something I would regret.
Several Hours Later
I returned to Castle Neverwinter, I had calmed my anger somewhat by dealing with the bands of Luskan soldiers that still were in the city. I walked into the Castle and approached Lord Nasher once more. "Forgive my eariler outburst, Lord Nasher. It was uncallled for." I said bowing slightly to him.
"It is alright Ryltar, you are forgiven, after what you have done. And gone through even I would be at my wits end. If I had made it this far. Honestly, I don't know how you did it." Lord Nasher said.
"Have you made a decision on Aribeth?" I said. Hoping he had taken my advice.
"I have. I'm sorry Ryltar but the law is the law. If I allowed Aribeth to live then the city would rise up in riot, around me." Nasher explained. "I'm sorry."
I nodded. "I wish to address the entire city populace. Can you do that?" I asked.
"It can be done. However it will take time to assemble everyone." Nasher explained.
"Fine, when everything is ready. You may get me, in the dungeon I wish to speak to the Lady Aribeth alone." I said heading to the dungeon.
End ryltar
Aribeth
I heard the guard leave and Ryltar approach my cell door, he opened it and came it closing it bheind him. I stood up and looked at him. "So... what has Lord Nasher decdided?"
"You are to be executed." Ryltar said looking at the floor. "I've requsted that I am to speak to everyone in the city. Lord Nahser would not listen to my plan, sadly."
"What plan?" I asked.
"I had proposed a plan for you being exhiled, from the city for life. You would have to travel with me for as long as I lived. A situation similar to Aarin Gend's." Ryltar explained.
"But I'm guessing he didn't go for this?" I asked.
"He supports it but the city would riot around him if you were allowed to live." Ryltar continued.
"So my life is over then?" I said looking at the ground. "I guess I am getting what I deserve."
"Aribeth, I could get you out of the city." Ryltar said.
"No, Ryltar. You would be hunted by the Lord's Alliance for the rest of your life. And I could not allow myself to cause you more pain then what you have already, suffered. What is the news on Linu and Mayra?" I asked worried afraid of the answer.
"Gone... dead... permanetly." Ryltar said. He looked at the ground. "Once you are put to death my life will have no meaning. Those that cared for me will be all dead."
"I'm sorry for your lose Ryltar... and I'm sorry for what will happen to me as well. But I brought this on myself. I know you say otherwise, but the fact is that I chose to take Morag's offer. She may have tricked me into doing it, but I carried out her plans." I said explaining. "You should try to move on. You said you have a destiny, one which is tied to your gift. Learn to use this. Grow stronger, and move on after a couple of years. Never forget those you have saved, over the past couple of months. You are a hero. Now and forever Ryltar. No one can take that from you." I said trying to comfort him.
"But..." Ryltar started to say.
"I've made my decision." I said.
"Ryltar? Lord Nasher says that the city is ready to here your speech." A guard said Ryltar nodded. "I'll be back soon."
End Aribeth
Ryltar
I exited the castle doors to the castle roof, and saw the enormous crows gathered before me. Off to my left a gallows was being constructed for Aribeth's execution. My body had returned to its normal size but I was still faintly glowing blue. I was exhausted beyond reason. I had already lost the woman I loved, and one of my closest frinends I wasn't about to lose Aribeth to without a fight. I approached the edge of the roof the crowd grew silent ready to listen. In my left pocket I held Maugrim's journal. "People of Neverwinter, As you know I am Ryltar Kost'dora. I know many of you are gracious for my efforts in saving the city, and stopping the plague. But I come here to beg for mercy on behalf of the Lady Aribeth." I said pleading.
"SHE'S A TRAIOTR! DEATH TO THE TRAIOTR!" Hundreds cried at my words.
"ENOUGH!" I screamed over there shouts. Everyone quickly quieted down again.
I explained to them what I had learned throuhg Morag and read them Maugrim's journal. I then told them of my plan of Aribeth's exile, and her word that she would journey with me till She or I died.
"After everything I have done for this city. After everything I have lost, can not any of you find it in your hearts to allow me this one request?" I said pleading.
I saw many sympathic faces in the crowd. "I care not for your gold, or riches or rewards. All I wish is to retain a piece of those who have helped me win this epic quest for your safetey I ask. People of Neverwinter for this small request. Keep your gold, and rewards. All I wish is the sparing of the Lady Aribeth." I then turned away and entered the Castle. I was given a room, for the night while the city thought on what I had said. After several hours exhaustion, sorrow, and sadness, overtook me and I fell asleep.
Several Days Later
"The cities decision is final. Aribeth will be allowed to live, under the condition that she follows the Hero of Neverwinter known as Ryltar Kost'dora till the day she or he dies." The the twon crier yelled.
I smiled at the announcement as I stood over the graves and status that were built in honor of Linu and Mayra. I had found Linu's journal and although it went against my beliefs, I was reading through it. She had left a note on the inside cover that if something happened to her that I was to be given it if I was still alive. Faliing that it was to be sent back to her parents in Evereska. The first thing I was going to do when I left Neverwinter was to travel there and inform her parents of what had occurred between us, and return the three items she had been searching for. Sephanine's Chalice, Seth's journal, and the sacred seed the Sephanine had Linu search for. I had also found a letter for the elves there that I be shown respect and fair treatment, for my time there. I was pretty sure they wouldn't follow this but I hoped I would at least be able to tell her parents of the fate of there daughter and return the items she had quested for. I still carried a tint of blue around my body, and over the past several days I had tried to control my new powers. I was able to on a limited level call upon it, but as for it leaving me I was unable to do so. I was still in sorrow, and lost for Linu and Mayra's death. Anger filled me everytime someone soiled their or Aribeth's name. But for Aribeth's, Linu's, and Mayra's sake I kept my anger in check. A side effect of my power, was that my emotions were harder to control. This I knew I would have to learn to conquer and not allow my feelings to drive my actions. It was a hard battle but one that given time I was sure I could achieve.
"Ryltar?" A voice said behind me.
I turned around, seeing Aribeth approach me. "Yes, Aribeth? Is there something I can do for you?"
"Well since it seems your path and mine are tied till the other dies. I was wondering where do you plan on going?" She asked me.
I pulled out Linu's items. Showing them to Aribeth. "Well, I plan on returning these items to Evereska. Linu had quested for them for a long time. With my help she found them." I said.
"Evereska! The land of the elves? You realize that you will most likely be killed on sight." Aribeth said.
"Hopefully Lord Nasher's letter to the elves there reach them before, we get there. I owe it to Linu to return them, and inform her parents of... what transpired between us." I explained sadly.
"I understand. Well whenever your ready. I'm ready to go." Aribeth said.
I gave Linu's and Mayra's grave one last look. "I'm sorry, my friends that I exposed you to such danger." I said as a tear fell from my eyes. "I only hope that you both have found peace in the after life." I stood up and threw my pack around my back. "Ok, let's go."
Aribeth nodded and we left to the west and headed for the island of Evereska.
(A/N: Well heres chapter 22. I know its short. But I think till I finsih playing Shadows of Undertide a few times I'm going to keep the chapters short. Don't worry some action is in the next chapter. Plus a emotional scene with Ryltar and a few others. I've got it all planned out how shadows of undertide is going down so please as always read and review)