RESUME OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS
Chapter 1 - Arwen, the Neverwinter hero, enters Luskan in search of her friend Aribeth. At the Cutlass Inn she is helped by a barbarian named Phil before meeting Aribeth.
Chapter 2, 3 and 4 - Arwen discovers that Aribeth is subject to mental attacks. The two friends meet K'arla, a drow, who led them to Tina, her Captain, who is an old friend from Aribeth. Tina tests Arwen's skills in a friendly duel with K'arla.
CHAPTER 5 - Crisis
Tina had allotted them a cabin, beside hers, and had let them rest while waiting for the dinner. It was not a large cabin, but it was delicately decorated. Furniture included two bunk beds, a small table and a chair. A screen made of fine wood and red silk offered enough privacy to bathe in a small wooden bucket. A vase, posed on the table, filled with red roses indicated that their presence was awaited, or at least hoped.
Arwen put down her belongings, sat down on the bed and examined the nick that K'arla had made to her forearm. Aribeth sat beside her, a bandage in her hand. "Wait, little sister, I will help you."
Arwen nodded and tightened her wrist "We will be more at ease here than at the Inn … But, do you believe we can trust these people? They are pirates!"
"Tina is not a pirate. I will rather say that she makes trade, sometimes barely legal, but she is not a criminal. You can trust her. That said, I wonder what she wants of me?"
Hoping to make her friend speak, Arwen retorted, "In any case, she seems well aware of Maugrim's actions!"
Aribeth moaned "Arwen!"
Arwen shrugged her shoulders, "Forgive me Ari!", then, with a gesture typical of her happy behavior, she passed one hand in Aribeth's hair, "Ari, since how long have you done your hair?"
Aribeth had a strained smile, removed Arwen's hand and scolded. "I have other concerns in mind to think of than my hairstyle!"
"Ari … please don't be so nervous, I only try to distract you from your black thoughts …"
From the intonation of the voice, Aribeth understood immediately she had wounded her friend. She looked at her and felt guilty by seeing her sulky expression. "Forgive me Arwen." She sighed and passed her hand in her mixed up hair. "You are right, they are a bit ruffled. You would like to help me disentangle them?"
These words brought back a smile on Arwen's face. "Indeed! Your hair resembles your soul … it is currently an indescribable chaos. I want to put a little order in there. And then, I must also acknowledge you that if I had not succeeded in entering to the Academy, I would have wanted to be a hairdresser. "
Aribeth rose and kissed her friend's forehead. "I adore you, little sister. You have a talent to make me forget my concern. Give me time to finish your bandage, and then you will cap my hair. "
Shortly later, a guard sought them for the meal. Aribeth pretended a headache and the need to drink her potion. "Go ahead Arwen, I will join you soon."
The guard led Arwen to the main room. The long wooden table in the center of the room had been covered with an ornamented white tablecloth. The white crockery and crystal glasses, finely engraved, would not have spoiled the manor of a lord or wealthy merchant.
She had arrived ahead, and nobody, except for K'arla was there. "Perfect!" she thought, "I have some questions for her.' So she went resolutely towards the drow.
This time she welcomed her cordially, "Ah! Arwen, I hope you have made yourself comfortable. You know, Tina awaited you impatiently. "
Her remark re-awoke Arwen's suspicions, but she thought it was preferable to tackle the subject carefully, and to start rather with a more banal detail. "Can you explain to me why Phil seems so hostile towards me?
"Do not worry little elf; he is a bit grumpy sometimes, but he is a good comrade." Then she chuckled while adding, "It should be said that you didn't pull your slap a few moments ago."
Arwen justified herself. "He asked for it …"
"Calm yourself… if I was you, I would have acted in the same way… I believe he is jealous, little elf… he was responsible for our military operations, and feels your presence like an affront to his skills. He does not dare to turn against Aribeth, so he turns against you… but do not worry, let the storm pass… before long he will have forgotten his objections."
These words made Arwen start, and she replied in a suspicious tone. "Your military operations, what do you mean?"
Keeping her calm, the drow put her hand on Arwen's arm. "Be patient, little elf, Tina will explain you soon … See, the others are coming. Follow me, and enjoy the meal, there will be time to ask your questions later."
In addition to Tina, K'arla and Phil, two more women were present. One, named Armine was the onboard healer, and the other, called Rose was the chief of Tina's personal guards. After having made the presentations, Tina asked them to sit. She had placed herself between Aribeth and K'arla. Arwen was beside K'arla and opposite to Phil.
When they were all seated, Tina raised her glass. "I would like to make a toast to my friend Aribeth, and to Arwen. To our meeting and my hope for it, to our future profitable collaboration."
All guests imitated her. Shortly after, the waitresses brought the entrée, a plate of seafood.
Arwen examined with embarrassment the three glasses and many forks and spoons posed beside her plate. While raising her head she saw that Tina examined her with a smile. "Arwen, use the forks and spoons in the order they are placed, most external for the first dishes, and so on."
After the entrée, and while waiting for the principal dish, Tina turned to Arwen. "I understand that you have many questions. I think I must first explain to you how I met Ari … It was a long time ago, in the North. I was…" The elf stopped and raised a hand to her face, obviously making a great effort to contain her emotions. "F… Forgive me. I still cannot speak about it."
Aribeth put one hand on her shoulder. "Let go Tina, I will explain for you." Raising her eyes towards Arwen she explained "Tina was captive of a particularly vicious slaver who beat and tortured her … I released her. Then Tina, who did not have any family, accompanied me for a few years. We survived many ordeals together. When I chose to become a paladin, our ways separated, but we continued to see each other, even if it was less frequent."
Arwen noted that Aribeth seemed almost happy, and except for readable sadness in her eyes, she appeared almost as gracious as she was before Fenthick's death, and seemed to have recovered some assurance.
The discussion became a little lighter with the arrival of the main dish, a salmon with cream and sorrel. K'arla nudged Arwen, and indicated Phil with her chin.
Arwen had to restrain from laughing. The barbarian pulled up a wry face while looking at the dish.
Tina addressed the barbarian innocently, "There is a problem, Phil?"
"We have only that to eat!" He responded.
"Exactly! You should eat fish, it is good for memory … but do not worry, there is a special meal for you." She raised her hand and the waitress brought an enormous turkey portion accompanied by stuffing and chestnuts.
The meal took its course again, but Aribeth ate only half-heartedly. Arwen mimicked with her lips the word "eat" accompanying it by a friendly grimace.
It made Aribeth smile Devil Arwen, you are a true sister for me' Her thoughts went to a more painful matter 'It's time to tell her what really happens to me.' She was about to speak, butan intense pain in her head prevented her from doing so. 'Ouch! She put her right hand to her forehead, 'No, not again! Not now!'
Arwen had noticed the grimace of her friend. "What has she? Another attack like the one she had this afternoon ?'
Noticing the anxious glance of the young half-elf, Aribeth forced herself to smile, in spite of the pain. She wanted to shout and ask Arwen's help, but could not. The voice in her head was imperious. "Aribeth sssshut up and leavess sssesssse people immediately … come to ssse tower !"
Increasingly anxious, Arwen exclaimed, "Ari, what is happening to you!"
Tina had noticed the silent exchange between the two women, she asked "Ari, do you feel well?"
Aribeth hardly heard the voices around her. All her remaining will was used to fight against the creature that tried to take control of her mind. She felt she would not be able to resist a very long time and shouted, "Help me!"
Arwen jumped from her chair and placed herself behind her friend. At the same time Tina told calmly "Ari, I am here! Give me your hands! Quick, your hands!"
Aribeth had understood the call. In an expression of will, she presented her hands palms opened to Tina, who covered them with her own palms. Arwen had heard about this process called communion by the elves. She could do nothing, except to tightly hold Aribeth's shoulders to show her presence by her side.
Aribeth regained a bit of will. 'No, I will not follow you, my friends are with me.' A new stronger pain tore her brain 'Ssslave, come to your mistresssss. Do not make me await more. It isss an order! '.
Another voice responded, 'Ari, I am here, hold on, I will fight this creature for you.' Tina's spirit had just come in contact with hers.
Tina now fought Morag, she used her own mental shield to replace Aribeth's destroyed by the potion. "Back foul creature! She is not yours!" She had closed her eyes and Arwen could realize her intense concentration. A few moments later the elf Captain slackened and Aribeth stopped groaning, and rested her head on the table, asleep.
Tina, although very weakened by the effort she had just exerted, reacted immediately. "Phil, take her to her bed … Armine, follow them and do your best to protect her mind. Her mental defenses are completely destroyed … Rose, place two guards at the entry of her cabin. Nobody, except the people present here, is allowed to enter her room." Then she turned to face Arwen "Have you already witnessed such a thing happening to her?"
"Yes, it is the third time today. Before, she had nightmares at night ..."
K'arla intervened "This was certainly not a nightmare! It was a mental attack, but I do not understand how a creature can reach her elven mind from a distance! Arwen, did you notice anything suspect?"
"No, besides the potion that she uses after each crisis …"
Tina, cut her short, "a potion! You know where it is? Can you bring it to me?"
Arwen agreed and ran towards their cabin.
When she arrived, she noted with relief that Aribeth was asleep.
Rose was sitting at her side, "do not worry, the crisis is over and her mind is now protected by the spell I have cast."
Phil had already gone out. He had made an error, and Aribeth rested on Arwen's bed.
Arwen shrugged her shoulders and sought under the pillow of the bed intended for her friend. She had seen her putting the potion there. To her great surprise, a diary rested beside the potion. 'Her personal diary! She must have used it when she stood here alone, before the meal.' Following her intuition she opened the diary on the last written page, her hand trembling, and a bit ashamed to violate the intimacy of her friend.
"Will it ever stop?
It worsens from day to day.
It does not even hide anymore behind nightmares.
How long will I hold before becoming insane?
I have no more cause, and my God has abandoned me,
I am broken.
I am tired, very tired "
The writing became jerked and strewn with tears.
"All have abandoned me …
Except …
Arwen, Tina, my two faithful friends, help me!
Give me the strength that I no more have in me.
You are two small candles that prevent darkness from surrounding me.
This evening, I will acknowledge all to you… if I can. "
Arwen closed the book, with tears in her green eyes. Thus her suspicions were true, Aribeth was being mentally attacked. Why had not she understood earlier? It was perhaps too late.
Rose had risen, sincerely worried, and looked at her without knowing what to do.
Arwen had a forced smile. She bent down and kissed her friend's forehead "Ari, they will not corrupt you. I make you the oath of it." Then turning to Rose, "Take care of her, she needs rest."
A cold anger replaced the sadness. She tightened the diary against her breast, took the potion and ran down the corridor.
"It is hardly believable!" Tina closed Aribeth's diary. She had a questioning look at K'arla who was examining the potion.
K'arla shook her head in disbelief. "A true sh.." She turned toward Arwen and explained "It is a potion used by slavers. It destroys the will. Used in excessive amounts it causes fevers and headaches … as you can see actually the results on your friend … it is the last stage before the victim's brain is destroyed."
"NO!" Arwen had not been able to avoid a cry of fear and shock.
"Calm!" Tina answered by holding her by the shoulders "We will heal her, our healer is very skilled."
"Sorry to contradict you, Tina, but I believe that without an antidote there is no hope." K'arla had replied to her captain who grimaced, "where can we find some? Have you an idea?"
"I will see Inther Blackfeather at the Cutlass Inn. He directs many slavers' operations and certainly has such a product. I must only convince him to give it to me. The price may be high."
Arwen cried, "K'arla, I come with you!"
Phil, who had remained quiet, intervened. "It is not a task for you little girl! Too dangerous, I will accompany K'arla, I have some persuasive arguments."
It was too much for Arwen, already very irritated. She shouted "She is my friend! You understand that! I do not need a brute like you to help me!"
Phil retreated, mumbling "I only try to help!"
The others were quiet. K'arla broke the silence and put one hand on Phil's forearm "My poor Phil, I don't think you use the best approach to help Arwen." She turned to face her Captain "Tina, do you mind if she comes with me?"
"No, but be careful, I do not want us to be rediscovered. It is too early, we are not yet ready!" She paused and had a reassuring glance for Arwen before adding "That said, I want this potion, at any cost … You have carte blanche K'arla."
K'arla reassured Arwen, "Well, meet me on the main bridge in fifteen minutes. This gives you a little time to prepare yourself and see your friend. You will need a dark cape. Stealth is required to travel safely in Luskan at night. If you do not have any I can lend one to you."
During this time, at the top of the Arcane tower...
... Maugrim was sitting at his desk. He swept away the reports "Nothing ... nothing ... arrgg, and where is this elf promised by Morag?" He called his apprentice "Rimardo!"
A young man appeared at the entrance door, trembling, "yes master Maugrim!"
Maugrim threw a book at his head, which the young man ducked, "Have you any news from the Lady elf?"
"No ... nothing master."
"Go search for her, stupid boy. It must not be so difficult to find a woman elf in Luskan. She was at the Cutlass Inn, why didn't our men follow her."
"They tried ..." another book landed on the wall beside him "But The elf and her friend were helped by a hooded wom..." He didn't finished his sentence, having quickly retreated from the room to avoid a lightning bolt sent by an angry Maugrim.
Some times later a form appeared in the middle of the room. It quickly solidified and revealed a lizard like creature. Maugrim stood up "Greetings, Queen Morag!"
The creature cut him short. "Enough of your ssstupid esssaggerated politnesss! I have lossst contact wisss Aribeth!"
"I thought she was in your power?", replied the mad wizard.
"Sssilenssse, ssstupid warm blood. Ssshe wasss mine, but ssshe hasss found sssome alliesss. One of sssem isss ssse woman who hasss causssed usss ssso much trouble. Find her and kill her.!"
"Why don't you try to control her mind?"
Morag fidgeted impatiently. "I cannot! Her mind isss protected by a powerful amulet. You mussst kill her!"
"I have not many men here, most of them are searching for the Power Words in the North."
"Arrrg ssstupid man. I have sssaid KILL HER!"
