I'm baaaaaack. Once again, I have plenty of excuses, but screw 'em.
I'm really sorry this chapter took forever to come out, but I had no clue where to go with this one. I know where the story's gonna end, but not how to get there. Oh well, I'll fgure it al out eventually.
Stupid writers block.
Just a quick note to everyone commenting on my cruelty to Raziel. I know I'm being a complete jerk to her, but in my mind, it's a necessary evil. After all, in order for this story to work, Raziel has to be a seriously disturbed individual. How's that gonna happen unless I slap her around a bit? Okay, more than a bit. But don't worry. Most of the cruelty is over for now.
Archyou2: Thanks. Yeah, my spelling does kinda suck. I haven't been as meticulous as I should have been. Oh well, one of my friends yelled at me for my spelling after being my beta reader for the last couple chapters, because I'm usually the one who is annoying good in grammer and spelling. So I have to be more careful now or else she'll kill me. And I am wayyyyy too young to die. As for the surprise ending...... he he he he he.
Now then, on with the story!
At the Order of the Radiant Heart headquarters in Athkatla...............
Someone knocked on the door to Anomen Delryn's office. He was sitting in the chair behind his desk, writing some important letter, and turned in annoyance towards the door.
"Enter," he barked.
A young knight entered, standing straight. He looked slightly fearful to be summoned in front of Anomen, as if he had a reputation for being harsh.
"Sir Atherin. Sit down," said Anomen shortly, motioning to a seat. The knight sat quickly.
"Do you know why I have summoned you?" asked Anomen, staring into Atherin's eyes. The knight seemed somewhat chilled by the contact.
"N..no, Prelate."
Anomen sighed. "I assume you have heard about the elf that burned down the temple of Tarquinn and escaped our jails several days ago?"
"Yes, Prelate."
"I want you to lead the party to re-capture her."
"W...what?" said Atherin, surprised.
Anomen sighed again. "I want you to take a group of knights to find her and bring her back here. You are one of the most promising young knights in the Order, and I am hoping that you can succeed where others could not."
The young knight was shocked. "But... I thought you made a deal with her friends. T.. that you would not seek her out until...."
Anomen smashed his fist against the table. "I am well aware of the deal," he growled. "But I have decided that the elf is too much of a threat and must be subdued immediately."
The knight nodded. He knew better than to argue with Anomen when he was in one of his moods. "Very well, Prelate."
Anomen nodded back. "Good. Pick five knights and prepare supplies and horses. It is probably best if you followed the path of the other party, as they most likely knew where to find her. It was last heard that they were heading towards the Umar Hills. I would check there first."
Atherin stood, bowed, and began to leave. He walked to the door and placed his hand on the doorknob.
"Oh, and Atherin?"
Atherin turned back around to Anomen. "Yes, Prelate?"
"Bring her back alive if you can. But if death is the only option..... so be it."
Atherin gulped quietly. "V...very well, Prelate."
Anomen waved his hand in dismissal, returning to work on something on his desk.
Atherin left quickly. There was an ill feel in the room of his superior, and he did not want to be there longer then necessary. He hurried to put together the retrieval party, clearing his mind of fear.
AN: Just to allay concerns, Anomen isn't evil, per say. You know the old "path to hell is paved with good intentions" saying? It's like that. Anomen is trying to do what's right, even if he's really just screwing things up royally. Plus he's got a thing for Liaedra even if she isn't Liaedra anymore, so he's kinda obsessive........ Poor Ano. Heh heh.....Not really.
Oh, and this took place while the others were still on the road, just so as not to confuse the timeline. I just forgot to write it in there.
Raziel went from sleep (or trance, or whatever else elves do) to full consciousness quickly, as she always did. An adventurer often learned the hard way that there was no time for slow returns to the world of the waking when one was being ambushed by Goblins or whatever other creatures dwelt in the dark.
She rose slowly, realizing she had not been sleeping where she had originally fallen asleep. She looked over at the corner she had decided to sleep in, after her arrogance and pride had kept her from accepting her friend's charity. It appeared that someone in the party had forced it upon her.
She smiled slightly as she saw Sarevok in the corner. He looked as menacing in sleep as he did when he was awake, a scowl on his sleeping face. Despite his angry appearance, Raziel had realized, there was a heart, however damaged it was. He had had a somewhat ruthless childhood from what she had heard, not to mention the corrupting influence his father had had on him for a long time.
When he had been resurrected, Liaedra had been the first to completely forgive him, despite the fact that he had caused the death of her family, however indirectly. Liaedra had always been like that, and so she had worked to try and change Sarevok, trying to always been kind to him no matter how he had insulted her.
He had always been cold to her, so that Liaedra had eventually thought her efforts in vain. However, during the battle with Sendai, the evil Bhaalspawn drow, he had saved her from death. The party had been very close to killing her, but had also been very low on healing potions and had run out of resurrection spells. On of Sendai's drow archers had fired an arrow at Liaedra, who had been distracted by Sendai herself. The shot would have surely killed her, had Sarevok not pushed her out of the way at the last minute.
He had taken the arrow right in the shoulder, putting one of his arms out of commission and making it very hard for him to wield the two handed sword he so favored. With one last look at her he had jumped back into the fray using his injured arm no matter how great the pain, and leaving Liaedra to shakily get up and attack the archer. She had tried to thank him after the battle, but he had brushed her off, and they had never spoken of it again.
She had seen something flash in his eyes when he looked at her, something akin to panic, as well as another flash that she couldn't quite put her finger on. She had not worried about it too much, for soon she had become to embroiled in her worries that Quinn would leave her to ascend. But now she thought of his eyes once again, and wondered what he had felt for her that day.
Raziel shook herself out of her reverie. There was no point in dwelling on the past when she might not even have a future. With one last look at Sarevok's sleeping, scowling face, she stood up.
Raziel walked over to Kelsey, who had had the last watch. However, it appeared he had fallen asleep during said watch. He was sitting were she and Sarevok had had there somewhat odd conversation the previous night.
Raziel grinned wickedly. This was an opportunity she could not pass by. Despite all that had happened, Raziel still held the playful, almost devious humor that had caused her to drive the party crazy many a time, with a little help from the equally mischievous Imoen.
She drew her sword, momentarily admonishing herself for what she was about to do...... to her sword. Any good warrior knew not to treat their swords badly, but she couldn't pass this opportunity up. Plus, Raziel figured that t was unlikely she would ever need to use a sword again, let alone see one.
Without a further thought, Raziel raised her sword, and hit it against the pillar right above Kelsey's head. The sword gave a ringing clash and Kelsey shot up, already beginning to form a Magic Missile in his hands.
"What where when WHO'S ATTACKING!" he shouted, looking around wildly. When he saw no attacker, his half-formed spell died in his hands.
Raziel was filled with mirth, but resisted the urge to fall over laughing. She allowed herself a smirk and a soft chuckle, which caused Kelsey to look over at her.
"Kelsey, Kelsey, Kelsey...." she said. "Hasn't anyone ever told you not to fall asleep on watch? You never know who's lurking in the shadows......."
"Or who in your party had a twisted sense of humor," said a groggy Imoen. It appeared the noise of Raziel's sword and Kelsey's loud, but nonetheless amusing, outburst had awakened the others. Jaheira too was rising, though not as sluggishly as Imoen. Sarevok appeared to be awake also, but he had not moved from his position in the corner.
"Raziel..." Jaheira began warningly.
Raziel raised her hands, as if attempting to fend off one of Jaheira's infamous lectures. "Hey, he was fair game. He was asleep...... on watch."
Jaheira glared.
"Be careful, Liae, that's the killing glare," said Imoen jokingly. Raziel smirked once more, ignoring the fact that Imoen refused to call her by her new name.
Externally she displayed nothing but a distant amusement, but inside she felt deep emotional pain, something she had not allowed herself to feel for many a year. This friendly humor between friends...... It was too much like when she had traveled Quinn and the others before. She missed such times, but the darker half of her hated to be reminded of them. It just brought the fact of how much she had given up and how much she had lost closer to home. Such times were over, and should not have been dwelt upon. But Raziel could not help but reminisce and wish things had turned out different.
Imoen was a bit confused when Raziel's face suddenly fell into a frown, but she didn't ask. Raziel was rather complex and she doubted anyone could ever fully figure her out. She was almost as bad as Sarevok. Imoen knew not to mess with the elf's bad mood and instead changed the subject.
"Kelsey, why don't you grab some stuff from our packs for breakfast? We really can't have a fire in here, though....." she said.
"We can move out to the clearing where the shadow alter was," suggested Kelsey.
"That thing gives me the creeps," said Imoen, remembering the battle against the Shade Lord.
"Scary statue or cold food. You're choice," said Jaheira.
In the end, of course, the group choose to go outside. They cooked a small meal, and even forced Raziel to eat, though she said she wasn't hungry. Raziel finished quickly, as if only eating for nourishment and not enjoyment. She watched the others in silence for a moment before speaking.
"So, decided what you're gonna do with me yet?" she asked, voice oddly casual, as if she was commenting on the weather and not her possible imprisonment.
An awkward silence fell over the company, no one person wanting the responsibility of deciding their friend's fate. Raziel smirked at their discomfort.
"Well, let's start with what you're supposed to do. What did you promise to do with me?" she said.
"We told Sir Anomen we would bring you back to him for justice," Jaheira replied.
Sarevok snorted. "Yes, justice. That pompous knight's version of justice , that is," he said sarcastically.
Raziel rolled her eyes. "And how is dear old Ano?"
"As taken with you as ever," mumbled Kelsey. The others looked at him.
"What? You say that dreamy look he had when he was talking about her! He obviously still likes her," he explained.
"Joy," said Raziel. "The last thing I need right not is some idiot's attempts to woo me."
"He will not put his feelings above his duty," Jaheira pointed out. "He will do what he must by the law."
"He seemed kinda frantic to get you back," said Imoen.
"Probably cause I escaped and made him look bad," said Raziel. Sarevok and she glanced at each other quickly and shared a grin.
"What do you want us to do, Liaedra?" asked Imoen.
"It's Raziel. And I don't really think a criminal is allowed to decide her own fate, Immy," Raziel replied.
"Well, what do you want, then?"
"Honestly?" Raziel laughed. "I want to just run off to some deserted forest and die. But that isn't an option. Even if I wasn't a wanted criminal, I still have things to take care of, and someone other than you guys who would be pretty upset if I died." She sighed. "Someone who I'd like to visit before I'm dragged off to the Order."
"Who?" asked Imoen.
Raziel smiled softly. "No one, really."
She sighed. "I don't have time to see her, though. You guys have a time limit, right? And I wouldn't want to mess with your little plans, now would I?"
"Rather generous of you," Jaheira said.
Raziel shrugged. "Wouldn't want to get you guys in trouble, would I? I guess I feel like I owe you for all you did for me back in the day. And I came to terms with my death many years ago, so it's not like it's gonna be a big problem for me."
"You aren't going to die," growled Sarevok.
Raziel shrugged. "You never know, do you?" She smirked again. "Suprises are the spice of life, after all."
Six knights rode into the small town in the Umar Hills. The townspeople watched the pass and whispered to each other, wondering what could have brought a party of knights to their town.
Sir Atherin rode at the head of the party he chosen to hunt down the arsonist Raziel. He had followed Anomen's suggestion and headed here, hoping o find mention of their elusive prey or the other party sent after her. He stopped his horse in front of a local merchant, who stood pedaling his wares outside of the local inn.
"Excuse me, sir," he began, "but have you seen a dark haired, grey eyed elf pass through this town lately?"
The man thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Can't say that I have."
Atherin mentally sighed. The elf was certainly adept at covering her trail. The knights had found no evidence of her path, nor any that had seen her along the way.
He tried a different approach. "What about a party of adventurers? A sorcerer, a thief, a bald warrior, and a half-elven druid. They might have asked about the elf too...."
"Oh, you mean Lady Jaheira and her companions! Of course I know who they are, they traveled with the Bhaalspawn Quinn! Saved this town many a time, ya know..."
Atherin waved his hand. "Yes, yes, I am familiar with their famous exploits. But have they passed this way recently?"
The merchant nodded. "Oh yes. They stopped here for supplies before heading off just the other day. I think they said they were heading for the old temple ruins northwest of here. They were looking for that old elven ranger companion of theirs, Liaedra I think her name was..."
Atherin smiled slightly. So the adventurers had found the elf, or at least her trail. Hopefully they had found her by now and he would not be forced to use violent measures to subdue the elf.
He nodded and thank the merchant, then motioned to his company. They all wheeled there horses around and the group headed up the road to the abandoned temple of Amaunator.
Duh duh duh....... Dramatic reverb. He he he.... Took me about a week to write this, cause, as I said, I had NO idea where the plot was going here. Like I said, I plan end, but not how to get there...... Stupid me. I think I have it figured out now, though..... Just took a week of me beating myself over the head to get this done.
Also, I apologize ahead of time for any spelling errors. I tried my best, but I'm too lazy to proofread it twice.
And man, it is really hard to write "He saved my life" scenes when the characters can all be resurrected. I did it as best as I could, so no complaining....
Next chapter: Conflict between the adventurers and the knights! Will Raziel be a nice girl and go with them, or will she run off on her own? Who is the person who will miss Raziel if she dies? What does Sarevok think about Raziel? Will I ever stop asking questions?