Ruxy: Thanks, I love your fic too ;-)
Tash : Thanks too, Not very much actio in this one but some very important disclosure.
Arrow : You could not have quarrel with my sister ;-)
Jailex, Shadow0015and Guan I hope you are still reading J
Chapitre 8 – Disclosure
Tina had spent most of the night at Aribeth's bedside; twice she had to use her magical capacities to push back new attacks from Morag.
Morag! The only evocation of the creature's name made her shiver. She incarnated evil, and she seemed to be particularly aiming her friend Aribeth.
In the morning, exhausted, Tina had returned to her office with Phil, leaving only Rose and two guards near Aribeth. Comfortably installed in her armchair, she was fighting the urge to sleep. 'I must not sleep before K'arla's return.'
From the corner of her eyes she examined Phil who guarded the entrance of the room. His presence reassured her.
She remembered their last conversation, when, some hours earlier, he had asked her advice on how to approach Arwen. « She hates me! I try to protect her and she hates me.»
She had understood his attraction for the young half-elf and had tried to reassure him: « Phil, she does not wish to be protected. Stop questioning her fighting capacities and all will be better! »
Her thoughts returned to K'arla and Arwen. 'What are they doing? They should have returned now. I hope nothing bad happened. I should have sent some crew members to accompany them …'
Slowly she slipped into a reverie not very pleasant.
When Arwen and K'arla were back the sun just began to rise. The quietness of the docks contrasted strongly with the streets of Luskan.
Two guards were on watch at the pier. « Good morning K'arla! Our Captain is not asleep ... she is waiting you. » They drew aside to let them through.
Arwen and K'arla hurried through the desert gangways of the boat. They stopped at the opened door of the Captain's office. Phil got up immediately ready to dismiss the newcomers. He slackened when he recognized the two women. With a gesture of his chin he indicated his Captain. Tina was sit at her desk, her head between her hands.
Arwen smiled. She was always amazed to see an elf in reverie.
K'arla went behind her Captain and put her right hand on her shoulder, with a tenderness that Arwen didn't imagine in her. Tina gave a start. When she recognized K'arla's hand she put her own hand on it. « K'arla? »
In a move that surprised Arwen, K'arla bent on her Captain, kissed her on the cheek and and whispered in her ear « Sorry to interrupt your reverie my friend. We found the antidote. »
Tina gave a start. Noticing Arwen, she blushed and tried to compose herself. « Well done both! Ahem ... Arwen can you please bring the antidote to Rose, who is beside Ari. I need to talk with K'arla. »
Arwen nodded and went to their cabin. She delivered the antidote and chatted briefly with Rose who reassured her about Aribeth's health. « She is actually magically asleep. The antidote will make her sleep for one or two full days, perhaps a bit less if she is very strong, but seeing her state, I doubt. »
Mechanically, Arwen put her pack on the upside bed, kissed her friend's forehead and returned to the Captain's office.
Phil was waiting her at the door. « Come in, they have finished and are waiting you.» Both entered the Captain's office.
Tina came toward her. « I'm glad you were a great help for K'arla during this mission. Perhaps we should consider a more permanent alliance.»
« But...»
Tina raised her hands to calm her. « Please be patient. K'arla has explained to me your concern about our objectives. I will explain our goals to you.» She paused to smile. « If you want to hear them, Arwen?»
« She has said nothing more?» replied Arwen, a bit nervous.
Tina frowned. « No, except that you are skilled with a bow and with your swords! » She turned to K'arla, « Is there something else you didn't told me?»
« Yes, Captain!» K'arla burst in laughter. « She doesn't drink alcohol!»
Tina raised her eyes heavenwards. « It's rather a quality, isn't it?»
Surprised, Arwen gave K'arla an inquiring look. The drow responded by a wink. Arwen mentally thanked her, and responded to Tina « Indeed, I believe it's a quality … But more seriously, it is true that I have some doubts about your goals.»
« I understand, » Tina gestured to a seat, « please, sit down here.» She returned to her own seat. K'arla sat on the edge of the desk, and Phil took the remaining chair. « Well, relax yourself a bit, we are not criminals or slavers. Nor are we in league with Maugrim ... or with Luskan … It's rather the contrary.»
Phil interrupted her. « Captain, she is too young and too sensible. She will put us in danger.»
« Phil, let me finish, please!» With an imperious gesture, Tina indicated that he should hold his tongue. Upset, the Barbarian got up and walked away grumbling. Tina raised her eyes upward 'He has understood nothing of what I told him this night!' She turned toward K'arla.
The drow shrugged her shoulders and suggested. « If he was a woman, I would say it's the bad period of the cycle.»
« Well, we know him. He will calm down soon. » Noticed Tina calmly, before setting comfortably in her seat. « I beg you to forgive him Arwen, he didn't intend to hurt you. Words are just not his main skill, but I can assure you that he is a kind-hearted man. »
Arwen closed her eyes in order to calm the anger she felt growing in her. Once again he had questioned her skills. But there were other more important matters she wanted to clarify, this one would have to wait a bit. She re-opened her eyes and nodded sadly at the elf.
Tina responded with a warm comforting smile, « I will talk to him Arwen, but, back to our story. You know, I want to take control of Luskan. I think this town has suffered enough … The militia is weakened by the struggle between the High Captains, and when Maugrim's army would be en route toward Neverwinter, the town would be an easy prey for a determined force. I have 50 men here, 70 more on another boat anchored near Luskan and I hope to rally one Urtgard tribe and some Luskan deserters.»
Arwen objected vehemently. « It will be of none utility if Maugrim is successful. It would be better to cooperate with Neverwinter.»
« Arwen, it's what I have planned. I know that Maugrim is also searching some artifacts in the North, and that they are related to Neverwinter's fate. I want to find them before him, in order to use them as a currency with the Lord's Alliance for a non-aggression pact. » Tina paused to examine Arwen's reaction.
The half elf was evidently stunned. She faced a difficult choice, and she hated it. « I … I don't know … all is collapsing around me. It was so simple when I worked for Ari. She told me what to do and I listened. But now ... » She sighed. « These confrontations exceed me. All hope that remains is to save my friend Aribeth. »
Tina understood Arwen's doubts. She was evidently a good adventurer, but she was little accustomed to strategic thoughts. « Arwen I, too, want to save Aribeth ... It's my main goal since I have learned Fentick's death. I have even took great risks for that!»
Arwen wrinkled her eyebrows. She did not understand.
Tina looked at K'arla, imploring her help. K'arla saw the distress in her Captain's eyes, she got up and posed affectionately her hand on Arwen's shoulder « Arwen, what Tina means, is that some of our officers do not agree with her decision. They think that Tina endangers us by wanting to draw Aribeth away from Morag's claws, and that it would be preferable to remain neutral in this business. It is for this reason that we said nothing to you before. We wanted to be certain of your honesty for Aribeth. »
« But …but I still don't understand why you don't offer your help to Neverwinter.»
Tina replied. « You must suspect that Aribeth is not ready to work again for Nasher. I offer her another possibility. But don't doubt, I want to defeat Maugrim and his mysterious ally Morag. For that, I need Aribeth, and I need you …»
Arwen nodded with pinched lips. She did not see an issue to the current situation. « And what if Ari refuse your offer?»
« Ari will not refuse … I am certain of that. She is a sincerely good woman and as soon as her spirit will be free from Morag's influence, she will want to fight her. But she is also a proud woman. She will never agree to go down on one knee in front of those who turned against her. If she remains with me, I will make her the commander of my army. She will negotiate our alliance with Neverwinter. You believe that such a challenge would displease her?»
Tina had just expressed clearly what Arwen had ruminated for several days: the destiny of Aribeth was no more in Neverwinter. She knew that some leaders of Neverwinter were not pleased to be commanded by an elf, and still less pleased to be commanded by a woman. She had witnessed with disgust how Desther's influence had grown rapidly, how his constant defamation of Aribeth had found ears willing to listen. This is why she could only agree with Tina's analysis. « I understand what you mean. But why do you need me?»
Tina leaned back in her armchair, « Arwen, don't doubt your capacities. I need you because you are a great ranger, and above all, I need you because you have proved that you are a very faithful woman; Someone who place her friends above her own interest ... Now I do not need an immediate answer. I suggest that you rest and talk to Ari when she will be awakened. Come again when you feel ready. Until then, you are my guest, and my door is always opened for you. Do you agree?»
Arwen muttered, « Yes … yes and thanks.» Too much things were hustled in her head, and the elf was right she needed to speak with Aribeth.
K'arla pressed her shoulder « Come with me little elf. I think you should let Aribeth rest alone for a while. Do not fear anything for her, Rose is a competent healer and she is by her bedside.»
Arwen accepted the offer. It was indeed wiser not to disturb Aribeth. She followed the drow to her room, which she usually shared with Rose and Armine.
While Arwen lied down on one bed, K'arla lit a small scented candle. Then she moved towards her own bed, removed her boots and her leather armor, and lied down. « So, little elf, are you reassured about us?»
Arwen had placed her hands under her head and looked at the ceiling. « Yes, but I want to know Ari's opinion before accepting the offer.»
The drow turned to face Arwen, « It's natural. Now, if you are not tired too much, I would like to ask you a question before we rest.»
Closing her eyes, Arwen responded, « What do you want to know?»
« I am on the surface since approximately 100 years. I have already heard about Eilistraee, but I wonder how a surfacer like you, can worship a drow deity?»
Arwen face lightened up. « Oh, it's simple, my parents lived not far from a small group of priestesses of the Silver-haired Lady. When I was young, I liked to leave my home at night to wander in the woods. Something I must have inherited from my mother who was a skilled ranger. One night I saw these drows dancing under the moon. I have always liked dancing. So I came more and more often to this place. One night, one of them came to me and asked me to join them. It's how I entered their circle.»
The drow took a small bottle in the drawer of her bedside. « How was it accepted by your relatives?»
The odor of the candle had a resting effect on Arwen's nerves. Her instinct told her that she could entrust this drow. Her instinct had seldom misled her … « My father was very angry, but I was defended by my mother who is more open minded. Apart from them, very few people are informed: my brother, Aribeth and... now you.»
Surprised, K'arla lifted on her elbow. « I am honored of the trust you place in me Arwen, it's something unusual from people who have some elven blood. I thought only Tina didn't shared these racial prejudices.»
Ignoring the allusion to Aribeth, Arwen turned toward the drow and smiled. « Why? You are not a person who I can trust K'arla?»
The drow drank a sip from her bottle, then offered it to Arwen who refused with a move of her head « Hmm delicious, you miss something, Arwen. This pear brandy is excellent.» She continued. « You know, apart from Tina and Phil, you will not encounter many persons who really trust me … many fear me, but few trust me.» She paused and looked at the young half elf who listened attentively. « Anyway I appreciate your sincerity and your open mind, Arwen. I will do my best to honor your trust. » She took a full gulp from her bottle, « A toast to our friendship, Arwen! »
Arwen could not help thinking the drow was drinking too much. 'If I drank only half like her, I would be unconscious'
The drow perceived Arwen reproving look. She examined her bottle, closed it and looked back at Arwen « I know! I know! Rose, our healer, is always telling me I drink too much.»
Not desirous to upset her new friend, Arwen denied, « I have not said such a thing K'arla.»
K'arla put the bottle in her drawer and leaned back in her bed « You don't need to deny what your eyes say, little elf. I know I should drink less, but I am now a monster and my only pleasures are my bottle of alcohol and the fear I see in my opponent's eyes. » She closed her eyes, trying to hold back the feeling of anger. She clenched her fists and mumbled, « One day, the bastard will pay …»
« You are not a monster K'arla. I find you pretty and intelligent, you know!»
«Pretty!» K'arla sat on her bed, then removed her mask in a rageous move «Look! Is this burnt face pretty?» She lifted her shirt, revealing a body burnt on its left side, «And this! This is pretty?»
« I am sorry K'arla. I didn't mean to upset you. »
Arwen had talked in her most compassionate tone and the drow calmed down. What she knew of Arwen indicated that she certainly told the truth and had not tried to mock her. She sighed, put again her mask with trembling hands and stretched out on her bed « Sorry, Arwen, it's not your fault. I should have warned you.»
The tone of her new friend indicated Arwen that she was deeply moved. She told herself that the mask of the drow should hide more than a burnt face. « K'arla … It's not only beauty that make people attractive, your burnt body don't prevent me from wanting to be your friend. »
The drow could not refrain a nervous chuckle in front of so much naiveness « Arwen, you must realize that I was very proud of my body. When I wanted a man, I only needed to clasp my fingers and to choose. »
« K'arla, the men who come in such a case are not worthy. I don't know what more to say, but if I can help you, I will do so with pleasure.»
K'arla waited a bit, she was searching her words. She didn't want to scare the young half elf by showing her all the bitterness that her lost beauty inspired her. « You are too kind Arwen. Each time I look at myself in a mirror, I cry on my lost beauty …» Then she closed her eyes again to conceal her emotions. « But enough of this. It does nothing good to pity on myself. I must awaken in few hours. Rest well Arwen, perhaps I will tell you more later, but not now. » The drow sighed heavily and turned to face the wall. She feared that Arwen see the tears she tried to retain.
Arwen whispered, « Later if you wish.» She waited for a response, which didn't come. « Well, I suppose you're right K'arla, it's time to rest. Sleep well, khal'abbil …»
NDA: khal'abbil my trusted friend
At the same time in Aribeth's room Aribeth was awakening.
Rose, who had taken care of her all the night, was very tired. She got up, « I need some rest, and so I will leave you alone a bit Lady Aribeth. Your mind is now protected and nothing bad should happen. In case you need something, the guards remain at the door. Don't hesitate to hail them. They have instruction to report immediately to Tina or me. Do you wish that I ask to bring you some food?»
« No thanks Rose, I am not in the mood to eat and I have still enough fresh water. » She indicated the glass of water standing on her bedside. « I think I will write a bit, I need to reorganize my thoughts. I sincerely thank you for your assistance. You, and the others, did a lot for me. Know that I appreciate it very much.»
Rose responded by a smile. As she stood up, she yawned and accidentally stumbled. She stopped her fall by catching the upper bed, which resulted in the bag - which Arwen had left there – falling and opening as it fell.« How clumsy I am.» cursed Rose
« Don't worry Rose, go take your rest, I will take care of that later. »
Some time later, alone in the room, Aribeth began to gather Arwen's belongings that were scattered on the floor. Among them she saw a letter covered with a known writing: Fentick's writing. She wondered why a letter from Fentick was in Arwen's bag. She examined it for a while, then started reading ' Oh no! It is not true!' Her glance was scrambled, but she continued to read. Each new sentence added to her horror, her distress, and her anger...
NDA: Arwen found the letter in Inther's office.
In a distant plane, a lizard-like creature cursed her recent failure and cursed the fact she was forced to rely on Maugrim. 'ssstupisss insssolent wisssard ssslave, asss sssoon I will no more need you I will cut your tongue.'
She was very angry. She had heard only bad news these past days: Maugrim's cult had found no sign of the Words of Power, the Wailing Death had been stopped, her agents in Neverwinter had been discovered and killed, and now she had lost contact with Aribeth's mind. 'Weeksss of effort redusssed to nosssing' She growled, 'I had nearly broken her resssissstanssse, I don't underssstand what hasss happened! How thesss hot blood dare to defy me? It'sss urgent sssat we ssshow sssem who are ssseir massstersss'
Her angry thoughts were interrupted by a call resounding in her powerful and Machiavellian brain: A call from Aribeth! For some reasons, unknown to her, the broken bond with Aribeth's mind had just been joined again.
She felt anger in the elf's brain. Anger directed against Fentick and another creature.
A sort of a smile formed on her jaws ' Aribeth! My pretty ssslave! I find you again, and not alone ... you are kind enough to ssshow me were your friend isss ... ssstupidsss hot-bloodsss, I will break you, I will break your friend. I will ssshow you what it cossst to defy me!'
Reassured by the news and savouring in advance the pain she would cause, Morag took a living mouse in a nearby jar and put it in her mouth. Slowly she crushed the small creature between her powerful jaws, enjoying the noise of the bones craking and the taste of blood. She closed her yellow eyes, and leaned back in her seat with delight.
She decided to begin with Aribeth, 'I will deal wisss her friend later'
Using spells, which had been forgotten since a long time, she tried to take control of the elf's mind like she had done some weeks ago. 'Aribeth, don't make me wait longer. Aribeth come to your missstresss, come to ssse Arcane tower. Aribeth you mussst ssslay your friend. Aribeth you must avenge Fentick'sss deasss…' Unfortunately these spells encountered a stronger resistance than they had encountered the previous days. 'You MUSSST ssslay her, it'sss an order from Morag your missstresss ..'
Morag was not long to understand that the elf's mental shield had been partly restored. Reacting like a capricious child she decided that if she could not have her toy she could destroy it. 'You dare resssissst me Aribeth! I will dessstroy you!'
So she changed her approach method and, instead of using mind control spells, sent waves of anger and despair to the elf's mind,hoping to render her insane at last, 'Aribeth, lisssten how your friend hasss betrayed you wisss Fentick. Lisssten how she laughed at you in your back. Sssee what sssey did while you were busssy in ssse Temple. Sssee how sssey loved each osssersss.'
