Chapter 31

(A/N: Thought I'd through in a special guest appearance here, from another game enjoy, again sorry for the shorter chapters as with those in between SOU and the OC, those between SOU and HOTU will be shot to probably. Please Read and review all comments welcomed)

Ryltar Several days later

It was several days later, and Linu and I had settled in at Neverwinter, many people were surprised to see me, but even more surpirsed to see Linu, alive and well. After a few days here Deekin set off on his own so he could publish his book about me. I was now sitting in the Musical Bard with Linu, sipping on some herbal tea.

"So, Linu. What do you want to do now?" I asked after taking a sip of tea.

Linu was sitting across from me obviously deep in thought. "Hm? Sorry, was just thinking about a few things. What did you say?" She asked.

"I said, now that it's just you and me, what do you want to do now? But that can wait if need be, what's on your mind?" I asked.

"Oh, nothing much, dear. You remember our conversation about settling down, correct?" She asked.

I nodded. "Yes, you said after we dealt with Heradious, that we would retire from adventuring, and raise a family. Do you still want to do that?" I asked.

She nodded, "Oh course I do, you of all people need it." She said.

"What do you mean?" I said coyly knowing she was talking about my troubles with my past.

"Your past, your problems adjusting to everything that happened after... Morag. I think the more important question is are you ready to settle down? You... well you just don't seem ready." She said.

"Linu, you of all people should know that I am ready to settle down. I am sick an tired of killing people, and seeing people die, especially friends that are close to me and which I have no way to protect." I said, thinking back on everything that had happened in my journeys.

"Ryltar... I... I know, but your destiny what about it? You said it yourself, that it drives you towards an fight which you can not avoid." Linu said.

"I know, but... but I don't think that will be for a while, maybe we shouldn't start a family yet, but... but maybe we could just... relax, retire to a peaceful life, till that day arrives?" I proposed.

Linu nodded. "Your right, that would be nice, I personally think we both need some healing, mentally and physically. You especially." Linu said.

I nodded. "Well then it's good your a cleric then, cause you be able to fix me right up then won't you?" I said the last part with a grin.

Linu laughed, smiling she replied. "Yes, I did say I would show you other forms of healing I know, didn't I? Well when we settle down I'll be sure to show you." Linu said the last part returning my grin. She then got serious. "Seriously though, dear. Both mentally and physically you need rest, I honestly don't know how you keep going. Maybe we could get a plot of land somewhere in the Neverwinter Woods? How does that sound?" She asked.

I nodded. "I don't think we'll have to worry about buying the land as it is not owned, the cloesest I can think of who might would be the Druids there but I'm sure they won't have any problem with it, as long as the Balance is maintained. Which I have every intention of doing." I replied.

As we were discussing this, Arain Gend walked into the Musical Bard, he was much older looking then when I had last seen him, indeed he looked to be in his early forties as he approached Linu and I. "Ahh, Ryltar..." Arain took a sudden surprised look on his face apon seeing Linu. "Wait wh? Linu? I thought you were dead!"

Both Linu and I laughed, I said. "It's... well its a long story, sit Arain, tell us how have you fared? I presume Lord Nasher is still around?"

Arain pulled a chair up, nodding after he sat. "Indeed he is ruling fairly and justly since you left the city as you can see as recovered much since you left... with Aribeth, where is she? If I may ask."

Linu must have seen the look of pain cross my face and replied before I could. "It's the reason I'm alive, I was trapped in a limbo of sorts and to come back to life Aribeth sacrificed her life to give me back mine... she's dead."

"A sad ending, indeed. I'm sorry Ryltar." Arain said.

I nodded, "I know, thank you. As to how we came here and why, its hard to explain." I said.

"Try me, Ryltar you'll fine that after Morag there are few things that can surprise me." Arain said.

I quickly explained to Arain what had happened after i left and lead up to the present. "And then you came in." I finished.

Arain and Linu both laughed at my joke, "I see your travels have not dulled your sense of humour. Well what do you both plan to do now that it seems your adventures are over with?" Arain asked us.

I looked at Linu and laughed lightly then turned back to Arain. "Well, we were discussing just that, before you walked in... tell me would it be possible to meet with Lord Nasher? That is if he is not busy with anything." I added.

Arain shook his head. "Ryltar, I'm sure when Lord Nasher hears you are in the city, he'll demand to know why you didn't come to visit sooner. Since you left he has been trying to figure out where you went, after Mitheral Hall, we couldn't find out though, I'm sure he'll be glad to see you both. If you'll excuse me I'll go and do just that." I nodded to Arain who got up and left.

After several minutes a hooded figure came into the Magaical Bard. I studied the figure as they approached the bar, from the way the person walked it appeared to be a woman, I also guessed this from her figure. "Odd, who would want to hide there face here?" I thought.

Linu saw my look and followed it to the hooded woman. In a hushed voice she said. "Who do you think it is?"

I replied, also in a low voice. "I'm not sure, you think we should see who it is?" I asked.

Linu seemed to study the figure for a moment before saying. "Why not, wait though, see what she does."

I nodded, "I'll go sit near her just stay here, if it looks like she's drawing a weapon or something give me a shout, ok?" I said getting up. Linu nodded as I went over to the mysterious woman. I sat down next to her and she saw me, a movement of surprise went through her, she said, in a hissed tone. "Who are you! Identify yourself, jaluk!"

A look of more surprise crossed my face, not hearing the drow word for male in many years, "So I take it from your words you are drow? Huh, very well, my name is Ryltar Kost'dora, famed Hero of Neverwinter, and Destroyer of Undertide, as well as a druid and ranger of the Neverwinter Woods. And who are you?" lightly moveing my hand to my scimitars readying them to be pulled if her movements turned out to be dangerous.

"Ryltar Kost'dora, eh, very well, perhaps you may prove of use to me," She said taking her hood off, "My name is Viconia, once a priestess of Shar. I will hazard a guess that the reason these weak humans don't attack you is due to your success in saving their pathetic short lived lives, yes?"

I nodded, "Yes, that is one reason, I've heard of you Viconia, you traveled with the Bhallspawn known as, Landal Tralap, correct?"

Viconia nodded, "Indeed, though it seems that for a Moon elf, he was quite tolerant of me, though his attentions turned to another later in our travels." She explained.

I lightly laughed, "So your saying that he wasn't interested in you?"

She flashed me a predatory grin. "Yes, seems he didn't want to sample, little Viconia."

I shook my head in annoyance, even after everything I had heard she had gone through it seems she wasn't willing to allow her drow heritage to leave her. "So, Viconia, tell me why are you in Neverwinter? I'm sure that had anyone besides me found out who you were regardless on your past with helping Landal, you would soon find yourself either thrown out of the city or dead."

Viconia nodded, as I asked this I saw Linu get up and head over our way evidently realizing that Viconia wasn't a threat. "At least for the moment." I thought. I had heard bits a pieces over the years, about how she was... outgoing in her relationships with surfarcers, both male and female. I had also heard on her attempts at sudeccing the young male Landal, he had however fallen in love with a winged elf of some kind, though as far as I knew they were all but wiped out. Turning my thoughts back to the present as Linu approached, Viconia saw Linu and immediately tensed. Glaring at Linu as she stood next to me she said in drow. "So, Ryltar, you seem... confortable around the surface elves."

"We are quiet close, drow wench. I may be a High Elf, but Ryltar has taught me much of the drow tongue, watch what you say." Linu snapped, in a way which was quiet unlike her. Indeed over the past few years, I had taught her much of the drow language, and Linu could also use the silent drow signs as well. At this I smiled trying to calm both of them, I said. "Easy, both of you, let's not do anything rash here. Linu, this is Viconia, she traveled with the Bhallspawn Landal Tralap."

Linu barely relaxed and inch, "I'm still going to watch her, dear. I don't trust her."

I noddded but before I could respond, Viconia said in a harsh tone. "You know nothing of me, Obok Darthirii! So keep your commnets to yourself."

I snapped my head back at Viconia flashing her a glare that if it had been used in the UnderDark would have meant my death, however here on the surface, I wasn't the least bit afraid. Viconia saw my glae and said simply, "Bah, whatever is between you two, I don't care. To answer your question, jaluk, I am in Neverwinter, searching for someone who could tell me where to find Drizzt Do'Urden."

I was immeditly on the defensive. "Why do you want to know where he is?" I asked.

She grinned. "Why to help him of course. I have heard of problems near the elven city of and was told he was going to help. I wish to lend my aide... if he'll allow it. So do you know where he is male, or do I have to make you tell me?" Viconia said.

"Listen, Viconia, this is NOT the UnderDark, and if I choose not to tell you where he is, then you can't really do anything to make me. But, I'll simply tel you that last I knew he was in the Dwarven Mines of Mitheral Hall. Now if there is nothing else?" I said.

Viconia nodded, "Very well, Ryltar. I will leave now." She said simply. She soon got up and left The Musical Bard.

Linu looked at me and sighed, I just smiled at her in a silly sort of way. "Well, that went better then expected." I said.

Linu laughed. "What did you expect to happen?" She asked me.

"Well, when she called me a julak, I immediately got ready for a fight of some sort. Though that isn't what happened, and for that I am glad." I said turning back to the door which Viconia had just left through I laughed.

Linu saw my look and said "What? What's so funny?"

"It's just that no matter how much she wants to say otherwise, she has some goodness in her heart. I only hope she doesn't do anything to get herself in trouble. Now then shall we go see if Lord Nasher is avaible to see us?" I said offering my arm to Linu. She took it and said. "Of course, dear. Let's go."

End Ryltar

(A/N: Short chapter I know, for those wondering Landal is the name of the Moon elf that I used in Baldur's Gate I&II& Throne of Bhall, in case those that read this haven't played that game or heard of it the winged elf was Aerie. Don't send me hate mail about not romancing Jaheria, the only reason I didn't is cause of all the bugs in her romance evcen with all the updates, and I haven't got around to getting those fixes from yet so there. As Always please Read AND Review. Hope to have Chapter 32 up by next week some time.)