Chapter 32

Lord Nasher

I was in the throne room of Castle Never, and I was enjoying a fine, dinner, when Arain Gend walked in. The past several years, since Morag's defeat, had been goon on the aging spy master. However, those same years, had not been as kind to me. I sighed once more, running my hand across my now almost bald head, age had also sapped much of my strength and dexterity, leaving me weak, but with great wisdom and intelligence. As Arain approached me I asked. "What news do you bring of the city, this time Arain?"

"Well, those reports of a new thieves guild, in the Docks district turned out to be false as far as I could tell. One interesting report did reach my ears however." Arain said to me.

I shook my head ready for the worst, although the time since Morag had been mostly peaceful, a few uprising had occurred in the poorer districts. "What now, Gend?" I asked, slowly eating the beef stew that had been prepared for my meal.

"Ryltar Kost'dora, and Linu La'neral are in the city." Arain said with a grin.

I coughed. "Wha? What! When, did they arrive? Why wasn't I told?" I spat out.

"I'm not sure, but Ryltar said he wished to meet you as soon as you could." Arain said with a hint of more but evidently didn't wish to say.

"Of course, of course, bring him here at once." I said, as Arain walked out I said out loud. "Wait, did he say Linu was with him?"

End Lord Nasher

Ryltar

Arain had come and told Linu and I that we were wished to be seen by Lord Nasher, both Linu and I aggreed quickly and now found ourselves once more inside Castle Never. As I approached Lord Nasher, both Linu and I gave the customary kneel of respect, Lord Nasher laughed at our movements saying. "Stand, stand. You are both famed Heros even outside the city, you needn't do that in front of me, indeed were my old bones able I should be the one to bow to you." Lord Nasher said as we came back to our feet.

"We may not have to, Lord Nasher, but rules and laws dictate otherwise." I said with a smile.

I saw Lord Nasher look at Linu and say. "Aren't you dead?"

Both Linu and I laughed at Lord Nasher's direct question and after a second he joined us. After we all recovered, Linu said. "I wasn't truly dead, more like trapped in a sort of Limbo on the planes. Ryltar and Aribeth, rescued me..." Lord Nasher said interrupting Linu. "Indeed, and where is Aribeth?"

I grimaced at his words "Dead, she sacrificed herself to allow Linu to live again." I said simply.

"I... I see, I had hoped... to apologize for what happened to Fenthick, I never got the chance." Nasher said sadly.

"It's ok Lord Nasher, I'm sure she knew." Linu said.

Lord Nasher stood back up, "Now then, Arain Gend said you wished to see me about something?"

It was three years later, and Linu and I were living a nice quiet life in the Neverwinter Woods. We lived in a small cabin, near the druid grove located there, Aawill had recently passed away and I was now an Archdruid in charge of the grove, though much of my duty was taken care of by my assistants. I was in a lightly wooded area, just down from our cabin when I heard a rustle off to my left, always on my guard and I turned towards the sound, placing a hand one of my scimitars. "Who's there? Show yourself." I said.

A large black panther leaped at me, but before I could draw my scimitars, it had pinned me flat, its heavy weight holding me down. "Ompph" I hissed as air rushed from me, I was able to roll the panther off of me after some effort and as I was ready to battle it I saw who it really was, laughing I said. "Guen! Where's Drizzt?"

Feelings of content and happiness to see me filled my mind, while, Guen and I couldn't speak like Myra and I could, we understood each other well enough to hold simple conversations, sensing that Guen was a distraction to allow Drizzt, to sneak up on me I pulled out my left scimitar and spun around, a smile filled my face as metal clanged on metal. A surprised look crossed Drizzt's face as I blocked his scimitar which he meant to poke me in the back with as I did with my dagger years before outside of Mitheral Hall.

"Ryltar, old friend, seems even I can't sneak up on you anymore." Drizzt said sheathing his scimitar. I did the same.

"Perhaps, or perhaps you would have had a better chance of doing so, had you not had Guen bound out on to me." I said with a smile.

"Indeed, I was hoping see her would distract you long enough for me to get the drop on you, seems though that I was wrong. How have the years been to you friend?" Drizzt asked me with a smile shaking my hand. He added, "I hear you are now an Archdruid of the Neverwinter Woods, is this true?"

I nodded, "Indeed, I've... We'll I've finally gotten over my mistakes of my past, with Linu's help. Looking back on my life, I suppose I was more of a druid, then a ranger all my life. Even in the Underdark." I explained.

"Truly, with what little life there is in the Underdark, this surprises me. So again I ask, how have the years treated you?" Drizzt asked again.

"Well enough, old friend, though life is more or less peaceful, forcing myself to settle down is not something that comes easy to me. However, goblin and orc problems are the most dangerous things that have plagued the area as of late." I explained.

"I was more asking about your... "gift" Drizzt said.

"Oh, that... well as you can guess, I have gained control of it, for the most part. But destiny is something that is hard to avoid I suppose, few dreams have plagued me over the last three years, and I am hoping that is a good thing. I must tell you old friend that having to fight an evil mirror of myself, is not something I look forward to, especially with the world hanging in the balance." I said grimly, moving on to other matters I said. "Well, I'm not sure you have been told or not, but Linu and I are now Harpers... so keep on your best behavior, or I'll have to kick your butt." I said lightly punching Drizzt in the right shoulder.

"Indeed I will friend, and your news about being a Harper is not new to me. I offer my congratulations on your success." Drizzt said laughing rubbing his shoulder in mock pain. "So, where is Linu?"

I looked around, "That... I'm not sure she said something about having to go somewhere today, but I was busy with tending to some hurt deer at the time, and didn't hear where she said she was going, though she did say she would be back by sun down. I must say though that, her training as a ranger is going well, she's starting to wear lighter amour, Hide to be exact, and works with her mace in one hand and a long sword in the other." I said explaining.

Drizzt nodded, "Yes, much better to slash at your opponent then simply bash them over the head, eh?" he said laughing.

"Indeed, though now she has both." I said laughing.

Off our right I heard a sound in the woods, reaching out to the trees I saw an elf, with yellowish hair, he carried himself with a fighters grace, but seemed to be looking for something or someone, a few feet back from him another elf, this one quite beautiful, was following she wore no amour but carried a staff so a kind that glowed a faint green, she too seemed to be looking for someone or something, telling Drizzt what I saw, I then said. "Maybe we should hide or at least move away, no reason to cause problems with these two." I said with concern about our race.

Drizzt jus shook his head, "No, Ryltar, there is no need, these two are friends of a sort." Drizzt explained he called out to them and in a moment both were standing before us.

Looking at Drizzt, I said. "So, who are these two?"

"Y.. you mean you haven't heard of us?" The female said with a slight anxious tone.

I shook my head, "No, I'm sorry, miss I haven't." I said looking at Drizzt.

Drizzt laughed. "This is Aeire, and Landal Tralap, I ran into a... companion of theres during my travels, helping the Elven city of Saldussh. I think her name was..."

"Viconia?" Both I and Landal said at the same time, we looked at each other. He was obviously wondering how I knew of her.

"So, your the great Bhallspawn Hero, of the Sword Coast, eh?" I said looking at him.

"Indeed, and your the great Hero Of Neverwinter... can't say I'm impressed. I was told you were more... built." Landal said with obvious sarcasm.

"Ok, let's... let's calm down, both of you. Landal be nice. This man has obviously suffered much." Aeire said.

"Very well, Drizzt you said there was a reason you wanted me to meet him, why?" Landal said.

"Due to your... heritage, I thought that given Ryltar's ancient gift you could... help him." Drizzt said looking at me. "Or at least... help him with resisting his darker side as you did with your Bhall taint." Drizzt continued.

"Well what is this... gift?" Lanal asked.

Aeire spoke up, "Indeed, I have heard much of what you are... capable of but have not seen you in action, what is this gift, Drizzt speaks of?"

I quickly showed and explained to them my gift, or curse as I thought sometimes. Drizzt looked surprised at how I could call upon it, and use it to fire small balls of magical energy, as were Aeire and Landal. "So, your saying that, like my Bhall taint you got a little voice in your head that wants you to kill things right?" Landal said half serious half jokingly.

I chuckled at his words. "Ha He, yeah more or less, look I know there's probably not much you can teach me or tell me, but I think... well I think the fact just meeting someone that has had a similar experience like I have, and not given in to it... well it helps it really does." I said.

Landal nodded. "So do you think yourself evil?" He said looking at me.

"I consider myself more of a man of balance then good or evil, though if i had to pick one, I'd have to say good." I said thoughtully.

I heard him mumble, "Jeez, this guys worse then Jaheria."

"What was that?" I said with a smile.

He looked surprised that I heard him. Quickly saying. "Nothing, never mind."

Aeire broke in, "And what of laws and chaos?" Aeire said. "Those are just as important as being good and evil are."

I nodded. "True, but laws and chaos have few meanings in nature, I try to find a balance between the two... it's not easy." I explained.

"But.." Aeire begun but I said quickly, "Quiet!"

Nodding to Drizzt and Guen then looking to Landal. "Hide." I said simply.

Both Landal and Aeire did there best to hide, I was aware that we were being watched as Drizzt and I both readied ourselves, and Guen, leaped into the trees ready to spring on our unfortunate attackers we watched from the trees as well. six-teen heavily armed drow warriors, came through the underbrush not really trying to hide themselves. "What are they doing here?" I thought, glad that Linu was not with me at the moment, I didn't want her fighting drow warriors, even with all the training I had given her, I was sure she wasn't ready. I looked to Drizzt who saw them as well, and we both nodded. Dropping out of the trees, followed by Aeire and Landal. Aeire cast a hold spell on them, thankfully catching all in its effect. Landal readied himself to attack but I held him back. "Let's see why there here." He nodded but kept himself ready to attack them. Turning to the drow I said. "Who are you, what do you want here, and more importantly do you mean harm to these woods?"

One drow female looked at me. "Ah, Ryltar Kost'dora. We find you at last, please you needn't fear us. We are not worshipers of Lolth. We follow Elesstiree." She explained though not able to move.

I looked at her plus the other fifteen drow, indeed they each carried a symbol of Elesstriee. Still not believing them I said. "Let's say I trust you, what is it you are doing here, and more importantly why are you looking for me exactly?"

She nodded. "Of course you'd be weary of trusting us. I would be the same if I were in your boots. We have a message for both you and Lord Nasher, from those in Waterdeep. We thought it best if we got your trust first before we should our faces in Neverwinter." She explained.

"A logical course, indeed. But why should we believe you?" Drizzt spoke up saying.

"Yes, why shouldn't we just kill you now, filth drow... present company excepted of course." Landal said looking at me and Drizzt."

I waved him off, "Fine then show me this letter you speak of." I said sure that the hold spell had passed by this time.

I was correct in my assumption as the female drow carefully reached into her pocket on her robe. All of us had our weapons ready and I truly believed that if someone sneezed that fighting would break out. I thought with a slight grin. As her hands came out of her pocket she held a scroll tossing ot me I snatched it out of the air with both my scimitars still being held. Sheathing one while Aeire, Landal, and Drizzt watched them, I read the scroll.

To Lord Nasher,

Drow our attacking the City of Waterdeep, I know your own city has suffered much over the years, but we here ask that you send any aide you can to assist us in defending our great city. The party of drow before you can be completely trusted. They are all faithful servants of Ellistree, and have our blessing to aide you in any way you see fit. Please send a response if no aide is coming with them, if you are sending aide then they will escort such aide back to the city as needed.

Thank you in advance,

The High Merchants

Below the final words was the seal of the High Merchants after checking over its authenticity, I handed the scroll back to them, leaving my sheathed scimitar where it was. Drizzt looked at me. "So, Ryltar shall we trust them?" He asked.

I nodded, still not sure but willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. "For now." I turned to the drow. "For the moment place your weapons on the ground, as a sign of good faith, you weapons will be moved to the Druid Grove nearby. You may reclaim them before you leave, Drizzt, and myself will escort you to Neverwinter." I turned to Landal and Aeire, "You are welcome to come as well, if you wish."

Both nodded, "We were heading this way anyhow, so we might as well follow you to Neverwinter... from there your on your own." Landal said with a slight discord. Even though I thought he trusted both Drizzt, and I, I still got the impression he didn't like either of us fully. I nodded leading the way to the city.

End Ryltar

Linu

I was walking back from Neverwinter, after purchasing some supplies, and other things I needed. I was half way back to the cabin that Ryltar and I shared, when I heard much movement away off to my right. pulling out my mace and longsword, I carefully made my way towards the sounds. I saw at least sixteen drow warriors though none carried weapons, I was ready to demand what they were doing here but I then saw both Drizzt, Ryltar, and two elves, one I believed was a Moon elf. Still being careful I came towards them. "Ryltar? What's going on?" I asked looking at Ryltar.

Ryltar came up to me, giving me a warm hug. He smiled then said. "Relax this party of drow are supposedly worshipers of Elistree, they have a message for both I and Lord Nasher. Seems the city of Waterdeep is under attack from large raiding parties of Drow. So I fiugre what better way to stop Drow, then use two of the best drow fighters in the land?" He said the last part looking at Drizzt. "Your coming right?"

Drizzt nodded. "Of course, Ryltar. I'm sure you could use my help. Though if our fight leads into any of the Drow cities I'm going to go back to Mitheral Hall to get some help." Drizzt said.

"Sounds good. I'll take come guerrilla warfare while you get the reinforcements." Ryltar said.

I looked at him like he was going to go to war. "You don't even know what your facing yet! And your talking like your going to war!" I said with concern.

The elf I thought was a Moon elf walked up. "Excuse me, but who exactly are you?" He said.

I looked at him a little annoyed with his words. "I am Linu La'neral. Cleric in the service of Sephaine Moonbow, and Ranger in training for the Neverwinter Woods. Who are you Moon one?"

The man laughed. "Calm down, I didn't mean to start anything about our races. I am Landal Tralap. This is my wife Aeire. As I'm sure you are aware I was a Bhallspawn."

I looked at him, then the drow behind him, still not sure how to take this. But the fact that Drizzt and Ryltar both men I would trust my life with, had not attacked them, I was willing to give them a chance. I nodded to each of them then followed Ryltar who was taking the mysterious drow with him back to Neverwinter.

End Linu

Lord Nasher

To say I was surprised was the least of my worries, besides Ryltar, and Drizzt. I had a former Bhallspawn, a wingless elf, Linu, and fifteen unknown drow warriors in my throne room. Many soldiers and warriors were guarding them, while I read the note from the High Merchants in Waterdeep. I sighed looking at Ryltar, Drizzt, and Linu. "Do you think there is anything you can do?" I asked them.

Ryltar looked deep in thought. Then looked to both Drizzt and Linu who he quietly talked with for a few moments. After this he turned back to me. "Lord Nasher we'll do everything we can to help the city." Ryltar said he turned to the Bhallspawn known as Landal and the wingless elf named Aeire. "You coming with us or not?" He asked them.

Landal and Aeire both shook there heads. "I'm sorry but we can't, our son is being watched by a friend only for a short time added to this Aeire is... with child. I don't want to place her in any more danger. Besides our adventuring life is more or less complete." Landal explained.

"Then to answer your question Lord Nasher it'll be just us three." Ryltar said turning back to me.

I nodded, preparing a return note for the High Merchants to be sent via magical means to the city ahead of the help these three offered plus there strange escorts.

"Then go, you all have much experience under your belts. Perhaps this will turn out to be a simple matter. If not, I only hope this matter does not turn into something of epic proportions.

Ryltar, Drizzt, Linu, as well as all those in attendance after bowing left. As I saw Ryltar, leave I got the distinct impression the man was hiding something.

End Lord Nasher

(A/N: So starts HOTU. I've gotta decent story plained out and HOTU WILL be much longer then SOU, probably almost as long as the OC. As always please read and review. Probably will have the next chapter out by tuesday. Also much of the game story will be changed dialog approach wise with Naytheraa and Ryltar. Got a rrreeaaalllly nice plot with Nat planned.)