Chapter 33

Ryltar

Linu, Drizzt, and I were traveling through a deep forest with the other five-teen drow warriors. I was still a little uncomfortable with traveling with them, and as a result, Linu, Drizzt, and I always made sure there were at least two of us awake at any given time. I was walking along with Drizzt ahead of the party, Linu was a short distance behind us, and was keeping an eye on the other drow. Looking at Drizzt I said. "So, Drizzt. What do you think we'll find once we reach Waterdeep?"

"Drow, maybe some Duergar." Dizzt said with a slight laugh.

I shook my head at his attempt at a joke. "True, I mean... do you feel.. well do you think were enough? Sure were probably the best fighters, in the land. But still, we can only do so much. Don't you think we should get some help?" I asked.

"As I said before, Ryltar. I believe it would be a wiser course of action to scout out the city first, find out what is needed. If it seems something more then what we can handle with the forces at the city, then I will head back to the Hall and get Bruenor, and the others." Drizzt said.

I nodded. "Yes, your right as always friend." I said. Trying to move onto other things that had been bothering me, I said. "Drizzt, I want to ask you something."

Drizzt laughed "Ryltar, we've known each other for over twenty years now, ask away you know you don't have to ask." He said.

I nodded once more. "I know but," I looked back at Linu who I was hoping couldnt' hear what I was about to say. "I want you to promise me something."

Drizzt looked at me quizzicly. "What?"

"I want you to promise me that if... if something happens to me, you'll look after Linu." I said.

"Do you expect to die?" Drizzt asked.

I wasn't sure and said as much. "I'm not sure, old friend, but... destiny is something you cant avoid. don't ask me how I know this, but... but I feel this fight with the drow is just... just another step into stopping this evil, and facing myself. Now, please promise me, if something happens to me, you'll make sure Linu is safe. Your the only one I trust to do so... please." I said the last part almost desperately.

After a few more moments walking, Drizzt nodded. "Very well, Ryltar, if you feel that something may happen then, I promise with all my being that, not a blade, claw, fangs, nor magic will harm her." He said. I smiled ready to reply. But he continued. "But, don't think that just because I say this this allows you to go out of your way to endanger yourself. You mean to much to her to, for her to loose you. So with this promise comes one from you. Promise you won't do anything to endanger yourself unnecessarily."

I looked at Drizzt for a moment still walking, he had surprised me with his words I hadn't expected him to have me promise to stay out of danger. But then again this was a friend who knew me as well, if not better, then I knew myself. I finally said. "Very well, Drizzt, I promise to not endanger myself more then is necessary."

Drizzt, nodded. "Then its settled. Come let's continue then."

I nodded following Drizzt towards Waterdeep.

End Ryltar

Linu

The drow we had been escorting to Waterdeep, left once we reached the city gates, where they had gone, we didn't know. For now, Ryltar, Drizzt, and I were walking around the city. We were in a merchant district where it seemed most of the drow raiding parties were coming from. We had already faced several and while the fights had been challenging enough, the warriors, priests, and mages they had sent had all fallen beneath our various weapons. I was getting quite used to using two weapons, and the ability to block with my longsword and then follow up with my mace had its advantiges when fighting the drow we faced in the city. We were just finishing up our partrol around the district and we were heading back to an inn called the Yawning Portal, it was run by a nice man named Duran. He greeted us as we entered. "Greetings, to you all. How goes the hunt?" He asked the three of us when we entered.

Ryltar laughed. "Well enough, the university district and this district are more or less cleared of drow, and the duregar allies." he explained.

"Good, good. You all should rest for the rest of the day. Tomorrow we'll be sending you down into Undermountain to try and find out what is going on there." Duran said.

Ryltar, and Drizzt, and I all nodded. "We'll see you tomorrow morning, then dear."

With that Drizzt went to own room, while Ryltar and I went to ours. I had found something out the day before and had waited till we had time to ourselves to tell him. I waited till he was settled down and said. "Ryltar, dear?"

Ryltar looked at me. "Yeah, what is it, Linu?" He asked.

"Well..." I started but was interrupted, by a knock at the door.

"Come in." Ryltar said.

A woman entered our room, from her appearance she was a half-elf. "Ah, good I found you both." she said.

"Excuse me, but do we know you?" I said slightly annoyed with being interrupted.

She showed us a pin, one which was exactly like Ryltar and mine on our belt. "Calm yourself Linu, all of us are the same. My names is Jaheria, you've heard of me?"

Ryltar nodded. "Yes, we meet both Viconia, Landal, and Aeire, during our travels a few years ago and Landal before we came here. What is it you want?" Ryltar said.

She seemed surprised at this. But simply said. "The Harpers, are concerned with what is going on in Waterdeep, not since Sulalndessar have the drow, mounted any serious attack on the surface. We want you to find out what is going on in Undermountain."

Ryltar nodded. "Of course, that's why we're here." Ryltar said.

I stiffled a yawn tired from the day fighting, and our long journey. Ryltar say this and said. "Linu, you should rest. I'll find out what we need from Jaheria, ok?" He said.

I hesitantingly agreed, "Very well, dear. But don't stay up to late, we have a long day tomorrow." I said as Ryltar and Jaheria, left. I readied myself for bed.

End Linu

Jaheria

I looked Ryltar, over. From all accounts I had heard of him, he was a serious warrior, but at his heart he was a druid, and ranger. Something I took heart in, as I myself was one myself. I had been surprised at hearing that, Ryltar and Linu had met Viconia, but I was even more surprised that they had met Landal, and Aeire. While I was happy for Landal finding true love a part of me, missed his company. We had been good friends since, Gorian had died, and after Khalid's death, by Ircierous, he had helped me move on. However, our point of conflict had always been maintaining balance, between good and evil, slowly over our journeys he had grown closer to Aeire, helping her with the lose of her wings. I smiled as Ryltar, and I walked downstairs, Viconia had tried several times to "interest" Landal in her, but she had failed, while he accepted her as a part of the group, he had not wanted anything more then a friendship with her. For this I was glad, better he love a wingless elf, then a drow. I looked once more at Ryltar as we sat down, he was well muscled, and for all intents and purposes, was quiet handsome. "So, besides the Harpers, wanting Linu and I to find out what was going on in Undermountain, why are you here?" he asked.

I looked at him with slight surprise. "What, do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean, I know you're a Harper and all, but, I also know there as those in the Harpers that don't trust me. Either due to my race, or my powers, or both. Are you here to watch me? As you did Landal all those years before?" He asked neutrually.

I was stunned that he had known this. "How, how do you know I watched Landal like that? Oh, course he told you didn't he?" I said.

Ryltar, shook his head. "No, he didn't. I never got the chance. However, you all were in the city of Ust Nassta, many years ago, hunting for that mage... if I recall correctly you all needed help from a mysterious drow." He said at last.

I nodded recalling the incident. We were on our way to retrieve some beholder blood. But all but Minsc, had been petrified by the beholder. Minsc was simply frozen in place. From what Minsc had said a drow, had come killed the Beholder, handed Minsc a vial of the blood, freed him and the rest of us, but before anyone could wonder why he had done it the drow had left. Realization hit me as I recalled the memory. The golden green eyes, the large build, the incrediable speed of his fighting style. I looked at Ryltar, "That was you wasn't it?" I said.

Ryltar nodded, "Indeed it was, but you needn't thank me, I did what I had to do." he said simply, "But my question is the same, are you here to watch me as you did Landal?"

I sighed, giving up trying to hide this fact from him, "Yes, I am. In truth I myself, don't fully trust you, Ryltar. But, you have yet to even sway towards evil, and even if you don't want me watching you, I will." I said simply.

"Very well, we'll welcome any help you can offer. If you'll excuse me, I must..." Ryltar began but was stopped by the front door opening, looking towards it I saw a kobold entering. "DEEKIN!" Ryltar cried out obviously happy to see this kobold.

"BOSS! You here! Deekin was worried you not, but here Boss, is!" Deekin cried. "Oh, Deekin forgot to gives this to yous." He said pulling something out of his pack, it turned out to be a book, of some kind. "This, is Boss's tale of Undertide. Deekin hopes you like book."

I walked over to the kobold, who was obviously named Deekin, "You know this... creature?" I asked.

Ryltar flashed me a netural look, "Yes, I do. He traveled with me for a time in Undertide, which you well know what happened. He wrote a book about Linu, and I." Ryltar looked at Deekin, and said. "This Deek, is Jaheria, a member of the Harpers. It's good to see you again Deekin. How did the book fare?"

I watched Ryltar and Deekin, discuss what he had been up to over the past three years, since they had last met. Deekin's book had sold well, from all accounts, but he had gotten short changed due to his race. After this lengthy discussion, Deekin rented a room near Ryltar's and went to bed. Sitting back down with Ryltar I looked at him, while we both sipped tea.

"Don't you have a bed to get to?" I asked Ryltar.

"Yes, but Linu knows as well as I, that I don't sleep much." Ryltar said simply.

"So, you and her are... lovers?" I asked not sure how to ask.

"More so then that. We, I believe, were destined to be together, call it a hunch, but I can feel it in my bones." Ryltar explained. "You were married at one time, were you not?"

I looked at him not expecting him to bring up Khalid. "Yes... yes I was. Though he is... dead now, as you are well aware, I'm sure." I said.

"I know, I'm sorry, about your lose, though. My question to follow was, that when he was alive, I am sure you had similar feelings, correct?" Ryltar asked me.

I nodded. "Yes, I did. I see your point, you were using my history to show a correlation between you and Linu." I said figuring out his purpose.

Ryltar nodded. "Correct, but tell me, Jaheria, it has been some time, since his death, has no one come close to your heart?" He said.

"That... that is not a question you should ask, drow. Especially, given our... unfamilarity with each other." I said in annoyance.

"Forgive my question then, tell me if you would, what do you know of my travels, and about me, besides my gift?" Ryltar asked.

"I know what is common to most, your quest in saving Neverwinter, and destroying Undertide. Enthralling stories, to say the least." I said.

"I see, in truth Jaheria, there is nothing more I would like then, to forget about this whole gift that I have. I would rather settle down, with Linu, raise a family and simply tend to nature and my family as I see fit." Ryltar said mostly to himself.

"But like Landal you have a destiny of a sorts, correct?" I asked.

Ryltar nodded. "Yes, a great evil will be unleashed on this world, one which I am to destroy, after that..." Ryltar trailed off as if thinking hard on something.

"After that, what?" I asked wanting him to continue, his tale.

Ryltar looked at me. "After that, I face an evil, cold hearted, merciless, mirror version of myself, one who is as strong if not stronger then I am. All of this has the world hanging in the balance. If I fail, the world ends, I win... well I win then."

I tried to change the subject. "Grim indeed, but tell me, Why is it you don't have an animal companion? Surely..."

"Dead, but then again I could ask you the same question, you are a druid like I." Ryltar shot back.

I thought on what he said, while correct, I had never traveled with any kind of animal follower, to be honest I didn't have an answer for him said as much. "I guess I've never found the need to have one, animals shouldn't be tied to us in any way, I belive. I take a more active role in balancing nature, and those forces of balance."

Ryltar laughed lightly, "Whats so funny?" I asked him.

"Lendal had made a comment on me about being like you, when he and Aeire were asking about my... choice verses law and chaos good and evil, I simply told while I consider myself good, laws and chaos are hard to control in nautre. I see now he was right." Ryltar explained.

"I see Lendal hasn't lost his sense of dry humor." I said, slightly annoyed.

The door once more opened two guards were carrying a bound and gagged woman, as her cloak fell off her, I looked on in surprise as, it revelaed, Viconia. "What is the meaning of this?" Ryltar asked, looking at both the guards and Viconia.

"This, drow," The guard said with obvious distaste. "Says she knows you, Linu, and Drizzt. Do you?" the guard asked.

Ryltar nodded, "I do, ungag her." He said.

"You trust her?" I said walking up to Ryltar, as Viconia, was unbound and gagged.

"About as much as I trust you, Jaheria." Ryltar said helping her to her feet. "I'll take charge of her from here. You may leave."

"Any problems that arise from her, you will be held for, Ryltar." one of the guards said.

Ryltar nodded. "Very well." He then looked at Viconia. "Got that, best behavior or I'll beat ya silly."

Viconia flashed him a deathly glare, "As much as I hate, following a lowly male of a worm as yourself, seems, once more I will be following someone." Viconia noticed me about this time, "Ahhh, I see our old Harper is once more with me. It is sooo good to see you, mongrel."

I was ready to punch her in the head, but a look to both of us, from Ryltar, kept us in check. "No fighting, we will each respect each other, or you can all leave," Ryltar then looked at Viconia, "And if you leave here now, then you will find yourself, without help. Is that clear?" He asked.

"Very well Julak, I will follow for now. Tell me, where is that elf of yours?" She asked.

Ryltar looked at her for a moment. "She is asleep, and don't even think of trying anything Viconia. If Linu doesn't knock some sense into your first... then I will." he said.

I shot back to her, "And if he doesn't get through to you, then I will."

"HA! Firey as always, druid, its one thing I like about you. Very well, I will leave you two love birds alone, but who will be next showing up? Lendal? That weakling wingless elf, Aeire?" Viconia said with obvious sarcasam.

"I for one am wondering why YOU are here, drow." I said annoyed, although she did have a point the odds of all of us showing up here, even a few of us, were huge compared to the time we spent in the Underdark.

"I came here, because I knew that both Ryltar and Drizzt, would not allow a city, of rivval, to fall to the drow. There sickening ideals of goodness, rech in my stomach, but there goals will lead to power, of that I am sure. I am here to help, in whatever way I can." Viconia explained.

"Fine, but be warned, Viconia, I am the one in charge here. Don't forget that, we do as I say, understand?" Ryltar said.

"Very well, Julak what is your first command?" Viconia said in annoyance.

"We sleep. Tommorrow we head into Undermountain, to find out what is going on down there. From there we see what happens." Ryltar said.

Viconia nodded, after she left for her room, I sat back down with Ryltar. "You should get to sleep, even leaders need rest." I said.

"True, but leaders also need to prepare, without plans of action all other courses are mineut" He said.

"Rumour has it your not good at planning," I said.

Ryltar looked at me surprised. "Oh don't give me that, you honestly think that we didn't have agents inside Neverwinter, during the plague? A few were watching you, one of them overheard your talk with Aribeth, explaineing your attack on the Intellect Devourer." I explained.

"Excuse, me but as you said leaders need rest." Ryltar said getting up and heading to his room with Linu.

"Hmmm, such a mystery, we have." I thought. "He's hiding something, something from all of us, even Linu... but what?"

End Jaheria

Ryltar

I was asleep, and in the strange gray realm that i usually was in when I met the "guides" as I called, them. Landing once more before them, they spoke. "The time grows close, when all will be reviled, life twists before you Choosen One. Dangers not yet faced by you or most mortals will either fall before you, or cause your own." all the "guides said"

They were once more different, appearing as those newly met before me, from left to right they were. Jaheria, Linu, and Viconia. "Oh goody, I get a drow female as a spirit guide." I said rolling my eyes in sarcasm.

"We only appear as those that will effect your future, Choosen One, we are nothing like those that travel with you." The one showed as Viconia said.

Worry crossed my mind, realizing something. "Last time you changed forms, the ones Mayra and Aribeth, since they... died. Since Drizzt is no longer shown. Does that mean he will die?" I asked.

"No, the one known as Drizzt Do'Urden, is to important a force in this world to be effected by your destiny, however, he will journey with you, and will be a great help in your darkest hour. But, all those who travel with you are just as important. Over the past several years, we all have watched as you followed a more balanced way of life. Tell us why have you done such a thing?" The image of Jaheria asked.

"I have chosen such a life to conform with my current, life as a druid. Nature is not ruled by laws, and chaos. Balance is the key between the two. With my previous way of life as a ranger, I could not maintain such a standing." I explained I sighed then continued. "I have learned much in my life, not everything can be solved through goodwill somethings require reasoning and the fury which is only found in nature. That is why I have chosen the life I have before you."

"An interesting, view point. But you realize that maintain this balanced life you now lead, slowly give strength to your other self, correct?" The image of Linu said.

"Whatever comes from my actions, I will deal with. They were my chose and no one elses. If fate is kind, I will emerge victories... if not. Well then I guess it won't matter then will it?" I said in acceptance.

"You've learned much, Choosen One. Most in your history, have choosen either the side of good or the side of evil. Only one other, has ever been able to maintain the balanced life you lead. He sadly did not survive for his destiny to come about, his own destiny, was never achieved and we wonder still to this day how it would have turned out." The image of Jaheria said.

"So a balnced Choosen One, has never occurred, huh, well guess there's a first time for everything then." I said.

"Many dangers yet await you, those around you will all be effected to some degree or another. You too will effect those, how those effect turn out, must be waited on and seen." The image of Viconia said.

"Will those around me die? Will Linu, or the others, will they be effected as well, by my decisions?" I asked.

All three nodded, "Indeed, Choosen One. You needn't worry for the one known as Jaheria, her time with you will be short. However others, will travel with you, and it is those you must be careful of... even those you love." The image of linu said.

The world around me faded, and I was watching several drow, they were performing a cermony of some kind, the valsheress, or queen in the common tongue, summoned an image of myself. "This... this is the image of the one who shall defeat you, dread mistress." A male drow said obviously afraid.

"This, julak!" She said angry she cast a kill spell on him, and he died quickly. "No, this male rogue will not defeat me, but you male, you will perish."

The dream world around me faded, and I realized something as it did. The other drow around the edges of the room, three of them I recognized when I was held, and could not stop Ren'ly from being killed in front of me. I quickly woke up.

End Ryltar

Linu

I awoke with a start as Ryltar, awoke. The room was dark, and my eyes took a moment to adjust, but in those few seconds, Ryltar had rushed from the bed tackling a mysterious woman, after a second of watching this a realized she was a drow. Ryltar knocked the dagger from her hand and drew one of his own. Pinning her to her back, with the dagger at her throat. "Who are you! TALK!" Ryltar cried.

The drow woman spit in his face, "Foolish, julak! You escaped our attack once, you won't do so again." She said.

"Foolish! You are the foolish one, wench, you attack not only myself, but my loved ones as well. Now, I say again who are you, and who commands you! Tell me or die!" Ryltar raged.

"HA, you won't get anything from me, all you need to know is that we are the Red Sisters, and we will hunt you and that whore woman till your both dead. Dead just like Ren'ly ...ERCK" She explained the last part ended with Ryltar ripping her throat out.

"No... you are the ones who will end up dead." Ryltar said grimly wipping the dagger clean and placing it back on the small wrist launcher he wore.

"Ryltar, dear?" I asked appraoching him carefully. "Are you ok? Who was she? Why did she want to kill us?" I asked.

Ryltar gave the dead drow woman a good kick into the side, "This wench, is a Red Sister, an elite group of assisans among the drow, they hunted me tirelessly on my journines out of the UnderDark. Seems the one in charge of the attacks is also in charge of the Red Sisters. This is bad if they already know we are here." Ryltar seemed to be hidding more then he was telling. I quickly ran over what the drow woman had said and how Ryltar reacted.

"She was one to the assisans who attacked you and Ren'ly that day wasn't she?" I said.

Ryltar nodded. "Yes, and if there so desperte to kill me they won't hesitate to do the same to you. I won't endanger you like that, Linu. You mean to much to me for that to happen. If something happened to you..." Ryltar trailed off. "I'm not sure what would happen." He finally said.

Pulling him into a tight embrace, I said. "Dear, nothing will happen to me, you've taught me much, and I have learned much in our travels together. But always remember yourself, never allow yourself to forget who you are." I was about to continue when the door to our room was thrown open.

"I heard fighting, is..." Drizzt said with Guen at his side. "Oh, sorry. I guess I came to late. Are you allright?"

We both nodded, "Yes, is the Inn under attack?" Ryltar asked.

Drizzt nodded, "It was for a short time, my guess, is they weren't sure where you were at in the Inn, they launched an attack up stairs here in, each room with one or two drow assisans each. Downstairs was a larger attack, but we were able to drive them off." Drizzt explained.

"Let's get, Jaheria, Viconia, and everyone else who's going down together, better we work together then, head off on our own." Ryltar said readying himself.

(A/N: Please Read and Review all commentes welcome.)