Chapter 28

Linu

I awoke at some point in the night. I turned looking at Ryltar, his face was cringed as if in pain, he was mumbling incoherently in his sleep, and as a result I couldn't make out what he said. A small cut appeared on his left cheek and his face turned as it appeared. Deep worry crossed me as I began shaking Ryltar.

End Linu

Ryltar Dream

I was fighting my evil side, I knew I was asleep, but the fight was already going bad for me. He had scored several cuts on my shoulder and face, but he was similarly hurting. However, for some reason he was faster, more powerful then I was. I brought my left scimitar around blocking his attack on my neck. My right scimitar parried away his attack on my right knee. We broke apart once more by several feet. Each of us breathing heavily.

"Your, good, I'll give you that." My evil side said. "But, you tire to easily."

I looked him over. I knew he was as tired as I was. "I'll give you that point, I am tired, but so are you. I can see your already weakening."

"Weakening? HA, your don't even know how much longer I could do this." My evil side said.

"Why must I face you? Why does this gift we share force us to fight each other?" I said.

"WHY? You have to ask? Think about it for a second, you idiot. For every good act in this world there is at least one evil act to balance it. If everyone was good... or evil. Well, there'd either be no one around, or the lands would be a bunch of weaklings." My evil side said.

"RYLTAR! WAKE UP!" A voice that sounded like Linu said. Whatever she was doing, caused me to start to wake up. As the dream world faded from around me, my evil side sneered. "We'll meet again."

End Ryltar Dream

Ryltar

I quickly sat up in the bed that Linu and I shared. "Linu?" I said slightly confused.

She nodded. "Yes, dear, it's me. You were having some kind of nightmare..." She looked at the wounds on my shoulders and face. "Your hurt! How, what... what happened?" She said.

I felt my wounds, wondering how they carried over into the real world. "I was fighting my evil side. He scored a few hits on me but he's just as wounded..." I said thinking that hurting him at this point was useless. Considering he would be fine next time I fought him. I only hoped I was as well.

"Did you learn anything about him?" Linu asked me. While she cast a healing spell on my wounds.

"Well its like fighting a mirror of myself, for one. Second, seems the reason I'm fighting him is cause it "balances" the world." I said the last part sarcastically.

"Balances? You mean like every evil act gets a good act and visa versa?" Linu said.

I nodded. "Correct." I said looking out the window. I walked over to it sighing. Linu came over to me in her sleeping robes, saying. "What's wrong?"

"I... well, a lot has been on my mind. I was just thinking, what happened to Aribeth? I mean... I know she's dead, and all. But like where is she?... Do you think... well... Never mind." I said.

"No, dear, please tell me what were you going to say." Linu said holding me close.

"Well, its just... I thought I heard her earlier I awoke shortly after we fell asleep, and heard the word... Despair." I said.

"Despair? Why would she be in despair?" Linu said.

"I'm not sure." I said turning to Linu and embracing her.

"I'm sure she's ok, and has finally found the peace she always sought." Linu said to me.

I sighed listening once more to the word in my head "Despair..." From the way it sounded it didn't sound happy, or at peace. "I hope your right Linu, but from the way it sounded, it was sad it doesn't seem she is at peace. Or is happy." I said.

"She's fine, dear. I'm sure of it." Linu said caressing my face. "Her Spirit rests now and she is at peace after all she has done. We can do no more to help her."

I sighed knowing she was right. "Yes, your right, Linu. I'm sorry. Come let us get back to sleep." I said heading over to the bed. I laid down and tried to quiet my thoughts. Linu curled up next to me her hand across my chest. Her very presence claimed me and after several minutes we were both asleep once more.

End Ryltar

Several Weeks Later

Linu

It was several weeks later, and I was deeply concerned for Ryltar. He was more withdrawn, depressed, and he attacked everything that came near us with a ferocity that I hadn't seen in a long time. He wasn't allowing his powers to control him, that I knew. He wasn't committing evil acts either, so I wasn't concerned about that either. What concerned me was that he wouldn't talk to anyone but me, and even then it was a short conversation. I was starting to wonder if all the pressure of saving Neverwinter, and all of Fae'run, Aribeth's death...and mine. Plus the recent events in Hilltop, were starting to catch up to him. We were traveling in a caravan through the Auaroch Desert, when we were attacked as I saw Ryltar and everyone else put down the last scorpion attackers, the head driver, Katriana, said. "Damn! Damn! Damn! Where is Zidan? Have you seen him!"

"I don't know, is he in one of the wagons?" Ryltar said neutrally.

"No, he's not! He was out here, fighting... I saw him! Damn it anyway, we need him in order to cross the desert! Torias! Is there any sign of him!" She shouted.

"Nope. Nothin'. He's just up an' vanished, as near as I can tell." Torias said.

"Damn it! I knew this was too good to be true! We can't go anywhere without our guide or we'll be lost for sure!" She said.

"Should I look for him?" Ryltar asked. I came up to him as he was talking.

"Let me put it this way: we can head back to Blacksands and hope we don't get lost en route and delay our trip by about a week hiring a new guide. Or you can volunteer yourself to go and look for Zidan and pray to the gods that those stingers haven't torn him apart for a late-night snack. Your choice. Take one of your friends along. That's what their here for ain't they?" She said looking at me and Dorna, who had come over as she spoke. "Or take that kobold Deekin, he's a horrible cook, who I hired for cooking, and I'm convinced he trying to kill us with it!" She said the last part laughing. She then turned serious looking at Ryltar. "You know a little about tracking and such, don't you? Find out where the stingers came from, follow them back to their lair! I don't propose that it will be an easy task to find Zidan and bring him back, but what choice do we have, really?"

Ryltar nodded. "Very well I'll do what I can, I'll return in a few hours." He turned away from Katriana, and looked at Dorna and I.

"Ryltar, I..." I began but he cut me off.

"No, Linu. I'm going alone. The caravan needs protection and Dorna and you can do that. Besides these scorpion things were pushovers. I'll be fine." He said looking around from where the raiders had come from.

I grabbed his left arm saying. "Ryltar, by the gods! you might be good, but take someone with you!" I said with concern.

Ryltar looked around. His only choice was Dorna, the kobold Deekin, and I. I hoped he would take me but he saw the look in my eyes and said. "No, Linu, not this time. I don't want you to be put in more danger then need be... please stay here and guard the caravan..." he said pleading. He looked at the kobold who waved at his look. "I'll take the kobold Deekin with me if it will make you feel better?" He said turning back to me.

I sighed nodding. "Very well, dear. But you come back. If something happens to you... well, you'll find out just how drow I can be when I'm angry." I said grinning at him.

Ryltar bowed smiling once more. His depression for the moment lifted. "Yes, mistress as you command. No dieing." he said.

"You elves, I'll never understand either of you." Dorna said turning away and heading over to a bed roll.

"I'll be back soon. Don't worry, I'm sure this guide got lost or fell somewhere during the battle. I'll be back soon with him." Ryltar said he gave me a quick kiss and went over to the kobold.

Concern for his safety went out to him and I prayed to Sephaine that he would return soon.

End Linu

Ryltar

I walked over to the side of one of the wagons where the strange kobold, named Deekin was standing. "Oh... heh heh. The great hero has found little Deekin out. Ummm... maybe the great hero is happy to see Deekin, yes?" Deekin said as I approached.

"Deekin? The kobold who blackmailed me into freeing you, yes I remember." I said grinning at him

"Uhh... great hero not mad at Deekin, me hope?" Deekin said.

"Why, no. Why would I be angry at a kobold who was associated with inuring my teacher Drogan, and blackmailing me into freeing him from his white dragon master?" I said sarcastically.

"YAAA, Deekin was worried you might be mad at Deekin. But now that Deekin knows you not mad... well Deekin happy." He said.

I sighed not having the heart to tell him I was kidding. "So what are you doing in this caravan. I heard you were a cook... and a pretty bad one at that. There's got to be a better reason for you here then wanting to cook for some halflings." I said.

"Deekin follow Ryltar after we last meets. Deekin wants to see world, but... Deekin not know where to go! World is so, so big! So, umm, Deekin watch Ryltar because Deekin sure Ryltar go on to more adventures. And Deekin was right! When Ryltar leave on caravan, Deekin follow it. Deekin ask halfling girl to hires Deekin on as cook. Then... then Deekin maybe be adventurer, too? " He said.

His words took me back at the absurdity of it. "You... you want to be an adventurer?" I said.

"Deekin wants to be adventurer, yes! Deekin could... travel with Ryltar as sidekick, maybe? Deekin write the great, epic tale of Ryltar's adventure!" He said he waved his left arm in the air as he continued. "Just thinks of it! Deekin's story would travel across land, and you becomes famous! What not good about that?"

I laughed. "Well, the fact I'm a drow elf not clue you into anything?" I said.

"Deekin not care you dark elf. Dark elves got there good sides too!... they just keep it hidden behind sharp edge of blade, or dagger." He said.

I once more laughed feeling my weeks long depression slowly fade. "Ok, maybe your right. Fine, can you fight at all?" I asked.

"Ummm...a little?" He said sheepishly.

"Well, how about spells do you know anything like that?" I asked.

"Me gots a few spells. Deekin is bard, after all, and not big, nasty sorcerer kobold..." Deeking responded.

"Righto then, your in." I said.

Deeking jumped into the air excitedly. "Yay! You not be sorry! Deekin make best, most epic tale of Ryltar Kost'dora ever! So-oooo... when we begins? We kills something now?" He said the last part looking at me.

I laughed once more. Happy that I hadn't killed him on sight back in Hilltop. "Yes, we kill stuff now." I said.

Deekin and I left the caravan and soon found a tunnel which lend to a cave of some sort. Inside we fought several more of the scorpion raiders, however these had some sort of acid attack to them which caused both of us some problems. After several hours of fighting however, both Deekin and I found a safe place to rest for the moment to catch both our breath. I watched the door we came through as Deekin rested. "Wow, Boss, Deekin not think adventuring be so hard. How you do it?" He said.

I laughed seeing him out of breath. "Lots of endurance, my kobold friend." I replied.

He nodded pulling out a ink pen and paper he started writing things on it. I said. "What's that Deekin? Is that your journal or something?"

"Oh, no Boss, Deekin he writes epic story of Grreeeatt Hero... that ok Boss?" He asked.

"That's find Deekin, but please, don't call me Boss ok?" I said.

"If not Boss then what you wants Deekin to call you?" he asked.

I thought for the moment about trying something humorous but thought better of it. "Just Ryltar, will be fine." I replied.

"Gotcha, Boss. Ryltar it is." He said. He wrote something else down then asked. "Ryltar? Deekin wonders you and elf lady, you friends right?" He said.

I smiled. saying. "Yes, her names Linu La'neral. She and I are friends."

"How you meet her?" He asked.

"Well that's a long story not one we have time for me to tell, right now. But I promise I'll tell you next time we aren't trying to rescue a caravan guide. You ready?" I asked.

Deekin stood up stretching. "Yep, Deekin ready to kill stuff again, Ryltar." He said.

Deekin followed me towards the door, after fighting our way through several more of the scorpion raiders, we found ourselves in a temple of some kind. Several scorpion raiders stared at us while several magical energy bolts connected to the caravan guide. He saw both Deekin and I and said shakily. "Please! I... I am being held here by a... a magical force! Free me, I beg you!"

"Ohhh, Deekin think he not like having magic beams on him, Ryltar. We free him, yes?" Deekin said.

I unsheathed my scimitars, saying. "Yes, Deekin, we're freeing him." I charged at the nearest raider quickly cutting through it, Deekin fired his crossbow, at another and after a few shots killed that one as well. I meanwhile was attacking the head priest raider, who though much weaker then I, was able to parry away a few of my attacks. I backed up restudying my opponent. I saw from his stance that he left an opening on his left leg. I once more attacked him using my new found knowledge, and quickly cut the priest raider down.

I sheathed my scimitars as Deekin came to me. "Oooo, Ryltar. This make great scene for epic story!" He said scribbling down some notes.

I turned to the caravan guide freeing him from the magical spell. "I... I am free! Oh, what sheer relief! I am forever grateful to you, sir! How can such a rescue ever be repaid?" He said.

"I was just glad to help. You remember me, yes? I'm Ryltar Kost'dora, the drow ranger traveling with you in the caravan." I said.

"Ryltar... oh yes now I remember. Well it's good you came when you did. I don't think i could have lasted much longer with these raiders." He said. "It was a close thing. The creatures were about to sacrifice me to their dread goddess... in a manner I would not wish on my worst enemy."

"Really? What kind of way is that? Deekin needs to know... he gots to write it down." Deekin said.

The guide turned to Deekin and said. "I would rather not think of it, kobold."

"Okay. Deekin just makes something up, then. He just thinks back to what Old Master would do... and that is lots, let Deekin tells you." Deekin replied.

"Please... I will follow you out of this place. I saw very little when I was dragged in, I do not think I can find my way out on my own." He said turning back to me.

"Follow me, I'll get us out of here." I said.

End Ryltar

Linu

I was pacing around the camp for several hours. Waiting for Ryltar to return, with the guide. "Blast it! Where is that stupid drow." I thought annoyed. Ryltar had taken the kobold named Deekin, with him when he left. While I didn't get any sense of evil from the creature, I was weary to trust him fully. I once more turned around and paced once more.

"Linu, by the Spirit! If you keep up this frantic pacing you'll end up digging yourself a hole in the sands." A familiar voice said.

I turned quickly around seeing Ryltar, grinning, with Deekin and the caravan guide with him. I ran up to him bringing him into a strong embrace. "You know I was worried for you. What took so long?" I said.

"Sorry, dear. But seems those scorpion raiders had a temple of some kind below the sands. It was several floors deep." Ryltar explained. "Plus on the way out Deekin and I had an extra traveler, to guard." he said the last part in a low whisper.

I pushed him in the shoulder. "Hush, dear, and be nice. Not everyone is as fast as you are." I said.

"Or as good looking." Ryltar said grinning, as both Deekin, and the caravan guide went back to the camp.

"Or as egotistical." I said heading back to the camp myself. "When your done giving your ego a boost, come back to the camp so we can continue this journey."

End Linu

Ryltar

I did a quick walk around the edge of the camp to ensure that there was not hidden threat out in the sands. I walked back to the caravan, hoping that we would soon be out of the desert. I disliked being in such a place even more then being in a city. "Nothing like the forests I traveled through with Linu and Mayra, back in Neverwinter." I thought. Sadness came back to me as I thought of Mayra, and Aribeth. How I failed to protect Mayra in the fight with Morag. How, even though Aribeth, made the decision to sacrifice herself, to allow Linu to come back to me. I knew, even though Linu had said many times that it wasn't my fault, that it was. I sighed thinking. "Who will be the next to die from my actions... or inactions?" I entered the campsite and ignoring the words of thanks from everyone, I headed into the wagon which Linu and I shared, closed the door, and sat down on the floor. It had been many weeks since I was last able to meditate, and I figured that now was as good a time as any. Sitting myself comfortably, I relaxed my mind, and allowed my thoughts to drift.

End Ryltar

Linu

I watched Ryltar come into the camp ignoring the words of gratitude from everyone. Explaining quickly to those concerned, that Ryltar had a lot on his mind I headed for our wagon. Deekin stopped me on the way saying. "Deekin wonders if Ryltar be alright? What you think elf lady?" He said to me.

I smiled at him saying. "Ryltar has a lot on his mind right now, dear. And please, call me Linu, if Ryltar thinks your ok then I guess I'll give you a chance as well."

"Thanks, Linu. Deekin wants to know though since Deekin is writing epic tale of great hero Ryltar. You's want to be in story too?" Deekin asked me.

"Of course, dear. I'd be honored." I said. "Now if you'll excuse me I need to see if Rylar is all right." I left Deekin to his writing and entered the wagon.

Inside the room was dimly lite, I saw Ryltar meditating on the floor, his body glowing a faint blue. I could see from his body posture that while his mind was relaxed his body wasn't. Sitting down on the floor next to him, I quietly and gently said. "Ryltar, dear?"

Ryltar came out of his meditation and looked at me. "Yes?" He said simply.

"Is there something you want to talk about, dear? You've been distant with everyone lately, and your emotions have been all over the place." I said with concern.

Ryltar looked at me, shaking his head. "I guess I owe everyone an apology for the way I've been acting. Especially you." Ryltar said.

"Maybe, maybe not. But you could at least explain what is bothering you, dear." I said.

Ryltar sighed running his left hand through his silver hair. "It's just... well I've been thinking back over my life. All the events that have happened. First, Ren'ly, then Mayra, and now Aribeth. Who's next? You? Deekin? Dorna? All three of them died, either due to my actions, or inactions..." he said I went to tell him it wasn't his fault but he beat me to it. "Don't tell me it isn't my fault, if I hadn't been so caught up in leaving Mezzodoran in the Underdark then I would have picked up the fact that I was being trailed, on my way to see Ren'ly. If I had attacked Morag alone with you and Mayra at a distance, you both would have survived, and Aribeth would not had to sacrifice herself to allow you to live once more."

"But how do you know that, dear? How do you know if you paid more attention to the area around you in Mezzodoran that you would have known that you were being trailed. How do you know that had you attacked Morag alone that either I or Mayra or both of us would be alive? There is no way to know what life has planned for you, dear. You have to take each day as it comes." I said soothingly.

I saw Ryltar sigh, after a moment of absorbing my words. He then said. "You might be right, but your wrong on one point. I have a destiny, a destiny to save this world from some kind of great evil. And after that evil is destroyed, I'll have to face an evil mirror version of myself, a fight which will hold the fate of the world in the balance. If I fail... everyone dies. If I succeed..." Ryltar let the last part hang.

"You will be hailed as the greatest adventurer of all time, dear. Surely you know that." I said.

"Yes your right... but Every time I think along these lines, I get the feeling that I won't succeed. That I will loose myself. My identity." Ryltar said.

I didn't understand what Ryltar meant by that comment, trying to cheer him up, I said. "Dear, look at yourself, in the past couple of years, you have gone from a simple, ranger and druid of the Neverwinter Woods. To being the savior of Neverwinter, and possibly all of the Northern lands of Faeu'run. To now, your letting yourself being defeated by a destiny you don't fully understand. Gods! This is worse then that time in the Neverwinter cemetery when that smart zombie beat you!" I cried.

"Beat ME! I was not beaten!" Ryltar cried.

"Well even if you weren't your acting like you were now!" I shot back.

Ryltar laughed lightly figuring out why I brought up the cemetery. "You know, I always wondered what happened to that zombie. Never got around to killing it did we?" He said barely forming a smile. My joke had helped brighten his mood some but I knew he was still bothered by everything that had happened. We both felt the wagon around us start to move once more. "Guess were moving again, dear." I said.

Ryltar sighed, "Yes, I guess they got tired of waiting for me to come out so they could thank me." He said.

"Ryltar, you should rest, your exhausted, and drained." I said as we both sat on the bed we shared.

"I can't sleep, not with all the death that I have caused, through my actions and inactions." Ryltar said sadly.

I finally was starting to get annoyed, I knew that casting a sleep spell on him wouldn't work as he was all but immune to those types of spells. But another thought occurred to me while almost immune to charm magic, I was hoping the fact that he was already a close companion to me would help, as I left Ryltar to his thoughts I cast a strong charm spell on myself. Turning back to Ryltar I once more said. "Ryltar, come to bed with me, sleep, dear. We all need our rest, and I can't sleep with you not here."

Ryltar looked at me, and I saw a moment where he fought with what I had suggested, for a second I was worried he had resisted my spell and suggestion but finally his eyes turned complacent. I took off his gear and laid down on the bed with me. I mentally congratulated myself for my quick thinking, and curled up with Ryltar. After an hour of waiting for him to fall asleep and not, I quietly cast a sleep spell on Ryltar and between my charm spell and the sleep spell Ryltar soon fell asleep. Adjusting myself so that I was comfortable as well. I closed my eyes and allowed the gentle rocking of the wagon to lull me to sleep.

End Linu