Chapter 25
(A/N: Thanks to all who review, as always please R&R)
Ryltar
Linu and I had set out from Mitheral Hall on informtion from Brueoner that a dwarven mage that trained adventurers might be able to help me control my powers. I shook my head once more at the thought. "A Dwavern wizard! I still can't get the oddity of that out of my head." I said to Linu
"It is truly odd for a dwarf to study arcane magic given there distrust of it. But it is not totally unheard of, dear." Linu said.
"I know it's... well it's odd thats all." I said.
Linu nodded in agreement. "That it is, dear. But perhaps he can teach you how to control your powers, and use them to grow even stronger." She said.
I grinned turning ot her flexing my muscles. "What you mean I'm not strong enough already?" I said.
Linu laughed. "You are strong Ryltar there is no denying that, but what I meant was that your powers could grow stronger."
I nodded. "Yeah I knew what you meant I just wanted to fool around with you." I said grinning.
"Think with you head, dear, and while I like having you constantly look my body over, you should be more aware of your surroundings." Linu said pointing behind me.
"What?" I said turning around ready to face some unseen threat.
I was suddenly knocked to the side from behind, hearing Linu laughing. "See what I mean, dear?" Linu said holding her mace. I rubbed my head once more.
"You know you may not look it, but damn woman you hit hard." I said.
She came over to me kissing me. "And I play hard too, dear. Come let's keep going." She said helping me back to my feet.
"Woman, I'll never understand them." I thought. "One minute there not interested in love making, then next, there teasing you out of your mind."
End Ryltar
Two months later
Linu
It had been an interesting two or so months since Ryltar and I left Mitheral Hall, the town we were heading to was called Hilltop. In these two months Ryltar and I had saved several people and a small village from a maurading orc band. Though the town was grateful for our help I could tell most wanted Ryltar gone from the village. We had left soon after and were now only a few days journey from Hilltop.
I walked up to Ryltar kissing him on the cheek. "So Ryltar, dear. What do you plan to do once you get to Hilltop?" I asked.
"Besides try to find this dwarven wizard and see if he's willing to help me?" Ryltar said.
I nodded. "Yes besides, that." I said.
"Well, I guess I'll see what life has in store for us wont' we?" Ryltar said grinning.
I smiled back, Ryltar and I had several intimate moments over the past year and a half, since we had defeated Morag, I knew he wanted to retire from the adventuring life, as did I, but I convinced him that we had hundreds of years, to start a family and that we should try to get his powers under control. "Remember our agreement, dear. No settling down till you are able to control your powers." I said in mock sterness.
"You mean no sex, till then. Right?" Ryltar said laughing.
"Right, dear. Now come on let's get going." I said. Moving ahead once more.
End Linu
Hilltop
Master Drogan
I was walking along the road from Blumberg, to pick up seveal messages that awaited me there. Hilltop was still to small to warrant a mage to allow magical messeges to be received there, and at the rate it was going I wondered if it ever was. I ran through the scrolls with the messages readin each one. "New spell... blah blah blah... Neverwinter hero.. blah blah blah... plague cured, Old Ones, stopped... blah blah blah... wait Neverwinter? Hero? Old Ones?" I thought. I read the message out loud. "A year has since passed, since the Hero of Neverwinter, Ryltar Kost'dora, famed drow, ranger of Neverwinter woods, and his companion Linu La'neral put a stop to the return of the Old Ones..." I kept reading the message. "So a drow and an elven cleric put a stop to these Old Ones? Huh? Nothing a dwarf couldn't have done, alone. I put the scoll away to read the attached refrences to it for my use. I read the next one this was from Bruenoer Battlehammer, king of Mitheral Hall.
To Drogan, famed adventurer trainer,
I'm writing to you to inform ye that a drow named Ryltar Kost'dora, also known as the Hero of Neverwinter, is on his way to your area. It seems he has some special power of anicient use, that I believe you could help him control. Ye know how the bloddy elves are not able to contorl themselves. HAHA, regardless any help ye could offer him I'd appreciate, he's a good frined of all here at the Hall, and he needs your help. All expenses towards his training will be paid for by me.
Brueoner Battlehammer.
I closed the scroll thinking. "It seems I have found my next student" I thought smiling.
End Drogan
Four months later
Ryltar
"FASTER YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING DROW! WHY MY DEAD GRANDMOTHER COULD MOVE FASTER THEN YOU COULD!" Drogan shouted at me. I was trying to lift an extermly heavy rock, which I was postive that even he wouldn't think about lifting. How he expected me to do this I didn't know. But his words as always had the desired effect, anger flowed through me at his words, while I knew he did not mean what he said. An entire day of trying to lift this one boulder was starting to tick me off. I reached down and with a final effort I lifted the boulder above me head.
"Urghhh!" I cried heaving the boulder over my shoudlers.
"Good now hold it there till I get tired of looking." Drogan said with a grin.
"WH... WHAT!" I said already feelig my legs shake from the weight.
"Hold it I said. I'm going to get something to drink I'll be back soon, I don't want that boulder dropped one inch till I get back." Drogan said.
"Sonva..." I said but stopped myself as he walked away.
I started to concentrate on keeping the boulder above me head. I thought back to what Drogan had said eariler in the day before this all started. "Rember, Ryltar, brute strength isn't everything. You have to use your mind to convince your body you can do something." So that's what I did. I calmed my mind, tuning everything out. I ignored everything around me, including the feelings, my loosing my arms. and legs. The boulder suddenly felt much lighter then what it did. "Huh, guess that dwarfs onto something there." I thought seeing Drogan coming back.
"Excellent, work drow. No how long can you keep that up I wonder?" Drogan asked me.
"As long as you want." I said.
"Really?" Drogan said smiling, "Then keep this up till I tell you to stop."
He then turned and went back into the two story building that was his school. I mumbled. "Me and my big mouth."
Linu came over to me about then, she looked me over. "See you finally passed his boulder test."
"Your lucky you needn't do this." I mumbled still not feeling tired any more.
"I'm not the one with an ancient gift tha needs training." Linu said coming closer. "I wonder how you'd do with distractions?" She grinned.
"Oh, shit, what's she got up her sleeve?" I thought.
Linu over the past couple of months had become increasingly provocative, and seductive in her ways around me. Part of me wondered briefly if this was Drogan's work to test me with distractions, but for right now I just concentrated on keeping this boulder from crushing either me or Linu. Linu came around the edge of where the boulder was and started running her hands across my body, she wasn't tickling me but was senuiously carressing me. It had its effect on me and it took all of my concentration to keep from loosing the boulder, this was one test I wasn't going to fail again and have to do. After a few seconds of doing this Linu stopped and whispered. "I'll see you inside later." She then waved her hips at me as she left. "What she mean by that?" I thought, still concentrateing on the boulder, then it hit me. "Ohhhh.." I said out loud grinning.
End Ryltar
Four hours later
Drogan
I had just finsihed showing a half orc sorceor, a dwarven rouge/cleric, and a human female palidan to there rooms, when I rembered that Ryltar was still outside. "Shit!" I said runing out to him. Amazingly he still hadn't lost an inch o the boulder. I was beyond impressed. "Ok you can put it down."
He put the boulder back exactly where he found it not dropping it. "Was starting to think that you forgot about me." Ryltar said.
"I did." I said smiling.
"Well just glad you remembered. Any longer and you'd have a flat drow pancake." Ryltar said rubbing his arms.
"Linu is waiting in side, she said something about a reward or something for ye." I said winking at him.
"Proably some work or something." Ryltar said, I knew that he knew what the "reward" was, but he was trying to keep it hidden.
"Proably you know how woman like to work men around." I said grinning.
"You have nooo idea." Ryltar said laughing.
End Drogan
Ryltar
I entered my double room, it had a large single bed in it plus a couch and a few other pices of furinture about. The entire room was dark, and I allowed my eyes to drift into the inferred sepcturem. I saw Linu was standing in the center of the room. I couldn't tell what if anything she was wearing, she slowly started to appraoch me. "See Drogan finally let you drop the boulder, dear." She said.
"Yeah, probably could've kept it up. I'll tell you though that he's really getting my endurance built up." I said streching.
Linu pulled me into a kiss. "Really? How long could you keep going now do you think?" She said seductively.
I laughed playing coy. "Oh probably could've fought thirty drow warriors without breaking a sweat, why?"
"Good, let's see how long you can last agaist me, then, dear." Linu said pushing me towards the bed.
I knew what it was she wanted. But we had agreed to wait till we both retired from the adventuring life. I sat back on the edge of the bed saying. "Linu we could just relax tonight, you know. We..." She interrupted me with a kiss.
"You talk to much, male. Shut up and enjoy this." Linu said in her best drow female tone.
I laughed. "As you say mistress."
End Ryltar
Four years later
Linu
Ryltar had two of the olders students were finally ready for their final tests. What these were none of them knew. During the four years and four months that Ryltar and I had come to be highly respected by the town of Hilltop. Though there were those still weary around him, Ryltar had proven himself time ang again in raids that he would protect the town with his life. I was the town hall talking with a pleaseant young half-elf who was often tending to the Mayor, who was at the moment in the cellar.
I heard, screaming from outside and looked out to see a large group of goblins attacking several villagers I grabbed my mace and rushed out to defend the town, hoping that Ryltar, would soon be here.
End Linu
Ryltar
It was early morning, and Linu had told me that she was going to vist some people in Hilltop while I readied myself for my final test. "Whatever that'll be." I thought. I opened more door, and as usual Xanos, Dorna, and Mischa, were arguing over something. I sighed "Not again." I thought entering the hallway.
"Aha! It is Ryltar! Tell me, Ryltar, surely you have heard how our dear Mischa fared in her last test?" Xanos said.
"I have had enough of your jibes, Xanos. You would have done no better." Mischa fired back.
"On the contrary, dear lady, I tend to do exactly what Master Drogan asks me to do. If he says to rescue the goblin child, then I rescue the goblin child! It is not so difficult." Xanos said.
"Hmph. I somehow doubt Master Drogan would ask you to rescue anything that he didn't expect you to rob, first." Dorna said.
"Ha ha! You are the aspiring thief amongst us, little Dorna, not I!" Xanos fired back.
I was starting to loose my patientce with all three of them but kept my cool.
"But a goblin is an evil creature, child or no. How can I be expected to lend it aid? It was not a fair test of my abilities." Mischa said.
"You are not a paladin, Ryltar. I would not expect you to understand. A creature of evil deserves no mercy from the righteous." Mischa said.
I opened my mouth to respond to this but Xanos beat me to it. "Oh, and of course the child could not be raised differently, could it? It will always be an evil creature? Look at Ryltar for example. A drow, known always for its evil ways. But is he evil Mischa?"
"This is not about you, Xanos... or Ryltar and besides, you have human blood within to redeem you from your orcish heritage, and Ryltar has proven himself with saving those in Neverwinter." Mischa said.
"You humans are all the same. Sometimes I wonder just how redeeming my human blood really is. Pfah!" Xanos fired back.
"Perhaps there is a lesson to learn in Master Drogan's test that you have not thought of yet, Mischa." Dorna said.
"Maybe he was trying to teach you that paladins are merciful as well as righteous, Mischa. There are always those among the races that are considered, "evil" that are not like their kind. Reember that, but always keep your guard up, if you think the goblin or whatever is good. Words to live by are, never leave your guard down, because when you do, they'll strike." I said.
"You shame me with your wisdom, Ryltar. Of course you are correct. It is no wonder that Master Drogan holds you in such high regard." Mischa said to me. "Your ideals and saying are leassons in themselves that I should remember. You truly are a wise man."
"No, it comes form experience, give it time Mischa you'll learn." I said.
"Ryltar ... I heard Master Drogan saying that your final test would be coming very soon. Do you think you are ready for it?" Mischa asked me.
"I believe I am." I said simply.
"You sound so confident. I wish I could say the same." Mischa said.
I heard a door breaking downstairs, "Do you all hear that? something bad is happening downstairs, quickly we must find out what it is!" I cried unsheating my scimitar as the others followed me.
I came running down the steps just in time to see several goblins running out of the room, I dropped one with a dagger from my wrist but the others got away. I say Drogan, laying in the middle of the room, not moving, a mysterious woman was standing over him.
"That's it? The little beasts are all gone? Then I shall see to Drogan now. I can only imagine what they did to make him fall. Poison? I cannot tell the type, but I should be able to counter it with my magic. Hold on, good dwarf..." She said casting a spell on Drogan. She gave a surprised frown. "Nothing? The poison resists? How can that be? This is no simple toxin these kobolds have used, here. How could they have acquired such a poison, I wonder. And why did they come all this way just to strike at Master Drogan? There must be an answer!" She cried.
I approached her carefully, "Thank you for your help, but... who are you?" I asked.
She turned looking surprised evidently seeing a drow, "A drow! Well seems Master Drogan is taking in all kinds nowadays. Forgive me, I didn't mean to insult you." She said.
"It's alright, your forgiven, now please tell us who you are and why you are here?" I said again.
"I have been following the tracks of these kobolds for almost two days, now. I thought it odd that they would range so far from their home caves in the Nether Mountains. I never imagined they would do something like this, however. As soon as I realized they were headed for Hilltop I came as quickly as I could... but too late." She explained.
I nodded understanding. "What were you doing tracking them?" I asked.
"I was just passing through this area, to be perfectly honest. It's my responsibility to take note of strange occurrences and investigate them, however." she said.
"What do you mean it's your responsibility?" Dorna asked.
"I am a Harper, as is Drogan. Do you know what a Harper is?" She asked looking at each of us.
"Aren't the Harpers some kind of secret society that fights evil?" I said recalling a few times I was attacked by them, for them thinking I was evil.
"Indeed, you are well-informed. Doing so has left the Harpers with many enemies, however. It may be one of those that is behind this attack." She said.
A weak groan came from Drogan. "I... believe... I can shed some light on that..." He said weakly.
"Master Drogan!" Dorna cried.
"Drogan, you live! Mystra be praised!" Mischa said.
"It was... the artifacts they were after. They are stolen... all four of them. I could do nothing..." He gasped out.
"I thought as much. How could anyone have found out you even had them? This is terrible news."
"What in the name of the Spirit are you talking about woman?" I said slightly annoyed.
"When Drogan retired to Hilltop, the Harpers entrusted four dangerous artifacts to his care. We thought this area remote enough that they would be safe." She said.
"They were. I... do not know... how they were discovered..." Drogan said.
"We'll have to find out. Those artifacts are too powerful and dangerous to be left in unknown hands." The woman said.
"Well if they took these artifacts, we shoud get them back." I said. I turned to her. "I'll help in any way I can... as soon as..Vith!" I cried recalling that Linu was in Hilltop.
Without another thought I rushed out the door, hoping that Linu was alright.
End Ryltar
Alysaa
I watched as the drow, ran out the door. "What? Where is he going?" I said surprised at his actions.
"He's... he's going... to get... his love..." Drogan gasped. "Tell him... tell him this quest... is his final... test..." he then fell back to the floor unconsies
I quickly looked him over, I could possibly stablize him if I had a few herbs. I turned to the female dwarf. "You! Whats your name?" I asked.
"I'm Dorna, what is it you need?" She asked me.
"Find that drow tell him we need, a tressym tongue, some charcoal and some helmthorn berries. Then bring those back to me. I should be able to stablize Drogan's condition with those." I said.
Dorna nodded. "I'll be back soon." She then left running out the door.
End Alysaa
Linu
I was back inside the Town Hall, between myself and several of the town's guard and citizens we had kept the Hall safe. I had seen several goblins journey up to where the school was, but I wasn't that worried about Ryltar. He would be able to handle a few goblins by himself. I looked back at where, Haniah was trying to keep the Mayor from drinking more wine, the man was drink off his ass from the stuff. I sighed, "Where in the name of Sepahine is Ryltar!" I thought.
The door burst open causing everyone to look at the door weapons at the ready. Ryltar stood there, blood covering a lot of his arms and upper body. "LINU! Are you ok! What about everyone else?" He said rushing to me, he pulled me into a tight hug swinging me around. "I'm so sorry I didn't get here sooner. Master Drogan lies poisoned, the kobolds attacked the school and stole four items of some sort." He said explaing to me.
"Master Drogan is poisoned! Oh this is horrible. I had hoped he could help me with some problems I was having." Haniah said walking over to us.
Ryltar put me down. I straigtened out my amour and clothes. "What are these problems you are having Haniah, dear. We'll help any way we can, you know that." I said.
"Thank goodness you are both still well. I know Master Drogan holds you in high esteem, Ryltar, and you have both always been kind to me since I came to Hilltop." Haniah said looking at us both. "The biggest problem right now is with Piper, small surprise there. He has always claimed to have prophetic abilities, but now people are beginning to listen. A couple days ago, Piper claimed that death was coming in the dark and that only 'the chosen' would survive. An old farmer, Hol Halstrom, called him an idiot, and Piper claimed Hol would be dead within the week."
"And Hol was killed by the kobolds wasn't he?" Ryltar said.
"Hol's body was found near the edge of the village, with his throat slit so deep, his head was barely attached to his body. Piper has a number of people convinced that the kobolds are just messengers for a new, powerful god. I stopped listening to him at that point. Piper is spreading panic and chaos in our village, something we can ill afford if we are to rebuild and possibly fortify ourselves." Haniah explained.
"We'll speak to Piper for you." Ryltar said.
"And your other problems, dear?" I said
"Well, there was a Red Wizard here in town earlier today, he wanted to setup an enclave here. I simply sent him packing, though I fear he wants me to change my mind. If there's anything you can do to get rid of him without violence, I'd appreciate it." Hainah said.
Ryltar nodded. "Linu why don't you take care of Piper and I'll go check out this Red Wizard?" Ryltar asked me.
"That sounds like a good idea, Ryltar. While we're at it, dear, we can search for any remaining kobolds in the town." I said.
Ryltar nodded, "I was just about to say that." Ryltar said giving me a quick kiss. "Let's get going then." He said.
I nodded heading out the door.
End Linu
Dorna
I was running into Hilltop seeing the trail of dead kobolds, strewn all over the place, most with cuts that could only have been from Ryltar's scimitars. Though he was a drow, and I was uncomfortable with him at first, over the past four years, that I had known him, Linu, Ryltar, and I had become good friends. I was just passing the town hall when I heard the door open. Coming out of the door, were both Ryltar and Linu. "Ryltar! I got a message for you." I said.
"Dorna!" Ryltar siad more in surprise then confusion. "What is it?"
I quickly told him what was needed in helping Drogan and that this would be his final test. As well, as that should he need any help that, he was to take I or Xanos. "Preferably me if you do need help." I said grinning.
Ryltar and Linu both laughed. "I was about to say the same thing, dear." Linu said.
"Alright, Linu, you and Dornga deal with Piper, and scout around the town some. See if there are any lagging koblods, reamining." Ryltar said. "Meanwhile, I'll send this Red Wizard packing, and get those supplies that the woman needs." Ryltar turned to me. "Dorna, did she say what her name was?"
"I think she mentioned her name was Alysaa, or something like that. You better ask her just to make sure." I said.
"Alright we got a plan, let's get going then. Whatever happens we meet back at Drogan's in four hours." Ryltar explained.
"Agreed, dear." Linu said.
Ryltar gave Linu a quick kiss. "Keep safe, my love. I don't want to loose you again."
"And you keep your powers under control, dear." Linu said pointing to Ryltar's blue glow. He nodded closing his eyes. Within a minute the glow was gone.
"I see you finally passed Drogan's lessons on controling your powers." I said.
Ryltar nodded. "Yes, but ask me to do that when I'm angery or under a lot of stress, and it probably won't happen." Ryltar said grinning.
"Come, Dorna, dear, were wasting time." Linu said moving off to find Piper. I followed her a few feet behind.
End Dorna
Ryltar
I had found the Red Wizard and was currently tell him that he was not wanted in Hilltop. "I've been asked for you to leave town, wizard." I said simply
"Umph, I would have thought your race would show you tolerance." Szaren said.
"I do, and were I allowed to I would at least give you a chance to prove yourself in this town. However, I am not in charge here. The mayor and his assitants have asked me to tell you that they do not wish for you to be in Hilltop. Please leave, without a problem." I said placing a hand on one of my scimitars
Szaren shook his head. "Very well, but one day bigotry will strike you down, drow. I hope when that day comes that you will remember our conversation." He said as he teleported away.
"Well that's one problem solved." I said to myself.
"HELP! Please someone help me!" A woman cried further down the trail.
I ran quickly done the path coming to a scared woman. She saw me running towards her she cried. "Help me! Somebody help me! Oh, Ryltar, thank the gods you are here! You must help me, please!"
I looked around for trouble but found nothing in the immediate area, "What's wrong? How can I help you?" I asked with concern.
"Kobolds attacked our house. Adam and I were still in bed when they burst into our room. We climbed out the window and Adam helped me down, then he went back in the front door. He went to save little Tynan, but he hasn't returned. Tynan is only two months old. Oh, please, Ryltar, you must save them!" She said pleading to me.
I pulled out my scimitars. "There's no time to loose. I'll be back as soon as your child and husband are safe." I said moving towards the door.
"Oh, thank you, Ryltar, please hurry!" she said.
I rushed in the front door. I saw who only could be adam attacking a kobold. "Die evil vermin." He said swinging a short sword at it.
I rushed to his aide, though I had met him a few times at town meetings he obviously was surprised to see me helping him. "I stepped in front of him blocking a blow that would have severaly injured him. And brought my other scimitar down killing the kobold.
I turned to him, "Are you ok sir?" I said.
He nodded. "Ryltar right?" he asked. I nodded. "You must hurry, a kobold has Tyran hostage upstairs, please save our child!"
I nodded rushing up the stairs.
I quietly snuck up to the room that had breathing coming from it however this kobold had the door shut forcing me to give myself away. "Yip, yip! Me stole the baby, stupid dark elven man! Me gots control of you now, yip!" the kobold said as I walked in.
"Just give me the baby and I will let you go. " I said, trying to get closer.
"Not another step yip, or baby dies!" He said holding a dagger to the babes throat.
I stopped moving, and sheathed my scimitars. "Ok fine, what do you want?" I said.
"You give me gem, you get babe back." the kobold said.
I had a gem, but if I allowed this kobold to live, he would only harm others in the future, I was positive that I could snatch the child from his hands before he could kill him but I was worried that I might miss. I reached into my hands pulling out a gem. The kobold looked at it in awe as the gem was quite large, and shiny. "Ok... here... you..." I said moving to give him the gem but instead I rushed him grabbing the child, as the child was secure in my left arm, I brought out my right scimitar and quickly cut the kobold down. Laying the child down for a moment, I took the dead kobold and through him out the window. Picking up the child once more I headed back downstairs.
"Hello Ryltar. Is... is Tynan alive still? Did you... kill the kobold?" Adam asked me as I came downstairs.
I held out the child. "Here is your child, Adam. Your wife is outside, still safe. You should go to her." I said heading for the door.
Adam gently grabbed my left arm. "Thank you for rescuing my child. I will stay here and take care of him. Would you please go and tell my wife that it is safe to come inside now?" Adam asked me, Nora came running in at this point.
"Thank the gods, Adam that you are still alive, and you too, Ryltar." She said, as she saw Tynan her Adam's arms she rusehd to hold him. "Oh, Tynan, you precious little boy. How I feared you were dead. Oh Ryltar how can we ever repay you." She said looking at me.
I smiled. "I need no reward, your thanks is good enough. Now if you'll excuse me, I must see to the rest of the town." I said heading for the door.
"Really? Oh, Ryltar, that is so kind of you! When Adam and I have our next child, we will name it Ryltar.. after you! Thank you so much." Nora said as I reached the door smiling.
"Ryltar one more thing. A question more or less." Nora said to me.
"Yes? Is there something else you need?" I asked turning back towards them.
"Would you train our children when they are older? Few surive in this world without training in swordsmanship, or magic." Nora asked me.
I nodded smiling. "I'd be happy to, while I don't know much in the way of arcane magic, I know a few nature based spells and would be happy to show your son... or daughter " I said indicating their second child. "the ways of swordcraft... and how to be a ranger if you wished." I said.
Adam smiled back. "We'd be honored to have you teach our children, Ryltar."
"then next time I return to Hilltop I will do so." I said getting ready to once more leave.
"When do you think you will be back?" Nora asked me.
"I'm not sure, a few years, maybe. Hilltop is nice, when I'm ready to settle down from adventuring I might retire here... now I must really get going." I said.
"Of course, forgive us." Nora said still craddling Tyran
"Non needed." I said leaving the home.
End Ryltar
Linu
After Dorna and I had dealt with Piper, by convining him to leave the town for Waterdeep, Dorna and I were on our way back to the town hall, and we heard a loud commotion from inside the tavern. "We should see what is going on in there. They might have some problems." I said rushing to the doorway.
Dorna followed me. We entered the tavern and found a large barricade around the kitchen door. Several people from the town were screaming curses and threats at seveal kobolds in the kitchen. The tavern keeper, Lodar. Rushed up to the two of us. "Thank the gods you are here, Linu. Those damnable kobolds tore in here a while ago, looking for a fight, and now they've barricaded themselves in the kitchen with Mara!" He said.
"Stay calm, we'll see what we can do, dear." I said moving towards the barricade. Ryltar had tuaght me a few languages over the years, goblin, and kobold among them. "Yip! Who you be? We wants no more fights! Yip yip! You lets us go! Yip! Or we kills cook-woman!" The kobold said. Another shook his fist at Dorna and I. "You hears that? You lets us go! We no fight, we takes cook-woman with us! We smarts, you not tricks us!" He looked like he was their leader and I talked towards him.
I was unsure on what do to. They had a hostage so any move to attack them would likely find her dead, before we could do anything to stop them. This I didn't want. I sighed knowing that Ryltar wouldn't like what I was about to do. "Take me as a hostage instead, dear. Let the cook woman go." I said.
One of them said to me. "Umm... you not tries to trick us?"
"She be much important! Much better hostage! We takes, we takes! We have more control with her." The kobold who seemed to be their leader said. "Not if Ryltar came in you wouldn't" I thought with a grin.
"Mmmm... yip... okays, maybe. But if you comes in, you comes alone! You gots friend they waits out theres!" the leader said.
Dorna spoke up. "It will be alright, Linu. I'll wait here and watch for your lead." She leaned in so only I could hear, "And if they do anything to harm you, well... you know there all screwed, when Ryltar finds out." Dorna said stiffling a laugh. I controled my own laugh. Nodding to their agreement.
"Yip yip yip! Okays! We takes you, gives away her! You be much betters! You not try to tricks us, now..." The leader kobold said.
They allowed me entry and let Mara go. "Okays! Now you be our hostage! Yip yip!" the leader said.
"Err... what we do with it?" One said poking my leg. I moved out of its reach.
"Me not know. Maybe it cooks? You cooks something goods to eat! You cooks now! Yip yip!" the leader said. "HAHA tell Ryltar that! Sometimes he hates my cooking." I thougth to myself at their words.
I quickly chamed several of the kobolds including the leader. " Just put your weapons away, dear and give yourselves up. You can trust me." I said soothingly.
"Me trusts you. Me trusts you lots. Okay, we comes." the leader said.
"What you talks about? You go crazy?" one said that had avoided being charmed by me.
"She be okays. She not hurts us. We go out now! Yip!" The leader said as he lowered the barricade.
All five kobolds came out looking fearfully at the angry citizens. "Hah! Good job, getting these vermin out of the kitchen! Now, shall we get rid of them once and for all?" Lodar said raising his sword.
"Yip! We kobolds surrender! We leave, you say! You no harm, you say!" The leader said looking at me.
"Don't be stupid, you little evil beast! If we let you go, you'll just do the same somewhere else! You deserve to die, right, Linu?" Lodar asked me.
I placed a hand on Lodar's sword arm. "So then we're no better than they are then, dear? Is there no other way to let this end with out bloodshed?" I asked.
"What are you talking about, Linu? These are evil creatures! There's no reasoning with them!" Lodar said starring at me in disbeleif.
"So your saying that just because Ryltar, is a drow he's evil? Your saying that because Xanos is a half-orc he's evil because of his orcish blood? Not every monster you meet is truly evil, besides, dear, I convinced them to surrender, didn't I? And they let Mara live didn't they?" I said looking at both Lodar and the Kobolds.
"Well, yes... but that's because they had no choice! They're monsters! As soon as we let them go, they'll be off to kill again!" Lodar cried.
I shook my head. "That's my point. There should be a difference between us and monsters. Every evil creature deserves a chance to redeem themselves." I said.
"So we should just let them go? Let them suffer nothing for what they've done? Because that's the only option, Linu." Lodar said to me.
"Then yes, we let them go on one condition." I said turning to the kobolds. "That you promise you will never attack another town, for as long as you are in this area." I said.
"Yip Yip... we promise, elven lady. Yip Yip" the leader said. I nodded satisfied.
"Ahhhh, fine. Have it your way, Linu. I tell you that they'll just be back to torment us again! Go on then, you little beasts. Get out of my tavern! Go!" Lodar said to the kobolds.
As the kobolds ran out of the tavern, Dorna turned to me. "A deal is a deal, I can respect that." she said.
After helping some to the citizens in cleaning up I found some helmthorn berries cooking in a pot in the kitchen after making sure it was ok to use them for Drogan, Dorna and I left the tavern, and headed for the herbalist shop. On our way we found Ryltar.
"Find any of the herbs, dear? Or Kobolds?" I asked.
He nodded. "Saved Adam and Nora's baby, and got rid of the red wizard, didn't find any Kobolds though." Ryltar said.
"What about the herbs?" Dorna asked.
Ryltar lifted up a bag. "Got all but the Helmthorn berries, you find them?" Ryltar asked.
I held up our bag with the berries. "We got them in the tavern, let's hurry back to Drogan and help him, dear." I said rushing after Dorna and Ryltar.
End Linu
(A/N: and SOU starts! changed a few things story wise for Ryltar's powers but mostly its the entire SOU text. Hopefully I can get Chap, 26 up by Sat, maybe Sun or mon even. Not sure got to see how things play out. As Always plese R&R)