The first few chapters are to give you a sense of the character. Her isolation and how emotionally stunted she had become in dealing with people and situations. She begins to bloom and find herself through friendships and adversity. As always, the OC and NPC's belong to Obsidian. Some errors in grammar were intentionally left for syntax and dialogue.
"MEMOIRS OF AN OUTSIDER"
Chapter 4: "And so it begins"
Khy opened her eyes to sunbeams radiating through the leaves of her arboreal room. Birds were singing and a light breeze moved against her cheek. She
lay still a moment longer, listening for any foreign sound or movement, and when satisfied that everything was as it should be, she sat up stretching her
arms and yawning. She had slept well, renewing her spirit and mind. She pushed back the blanket, and started to rise, when she noticed something odd.
There, near the head of her improvised bed, grew a single red rose."That's funny", she thought,"I didn't see that last night". She attributed the
incident to fatigue of the previous day, and did not give it anymore thought. She picked up her pack, rooting through it until she found her cup. Walking to
the stream, she washed her face, filled the cup with water, and drank deep. She refilled the cup and sat it near the still blazing fire, adding a few figwort
leaves for tea.
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"I really need to get myself prepared", she thought, not knowing what to expect on her unplanned trek. "Before I do anything, I'd better thoroughly
check this place out", she said to herself. Removing her sleeping tunic, she walked over to the large oak tree at the edge of her camp, and ascended
toward the top. Climbing higher, she found a good vantage point, and surveyed the area in all directions. Satisfied that she was safe for the time being,
she shimmied down the massive trunk and jumped off the last few feet. Reaching for her steaming tea, she mentally noted a list of tasks to complete
before continuing on to Neverwinter. While lost in thought, a few drops of hot tea escaped her lips to land on her bare chest."Ow"! , she said, and then
rushed over to check on her wet clothes. Her leathers were still damp, but everything else seemed dry. She stepped into her trewes, tying the drawstring
at her waist, and then donned the breast band, pulling it tight across her ample breasts. She put on the large breeches, lacing them quickly, and tugged
the light chemise over her head. She leaned against a tree to slip on her wool stockings and boots.
-----
Walking over to her pack, she deposited the contents onto her sleeping area, and quickly sorted and consolidated the articles strewn about. She folded
and repacked all the items not needed for the coming chores, then snatched up the small hand axe and headed for a stand of Yew trees. She cut about a
dozen branches to use as blanks for arrows. Shaping and shaving the wood into usable shafts was a tiresome, time-consuming job. She whittled and
sanded one end on each of the shafts to a fine point, and then heat set then in her campfire to harden. Inspecting each one to Daeghun's specifications,
she was ready to carve the nock and fletch the ends.
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Opening a small box, she removed several white goose feathers, and a large black eagle's feather to use as the cock feather. Khy held the nib firmly, and
stripped the feathers down along the vein. Using pieces of thread, she secured the white feathers, and then added the larger cock feather to the ends of
the arrows just above the nock."Finally", she said, "All done". She reached for the unstrung bow Daeghun had given her, and checked the linen string.
She let the string slide through her fingers and was amazed that the coat of beeswax was still intact. She then checked the Boyer's knot at the bottom.
"Still tight". She thought. She then twisted and twirled the string between her fingers, until the pressure was correct, and then knotted the end.
Stabilizing the bow with her feet, she stretched the string and hooked it through the notch at the top, feeling it slip into place. Khy let her hand trace
around the leather grip at the back to see if it needed replacing, and then drew the string between her fingers, checking the tension. Contented with the
play of the string, she seized one of the arrows, nocked, and measured for the kiss point. Daubing ashes onto her fingers, she aimed and marked the
string, ensuring the correct position when firing. She slipped on the well-worn leather gloves, looking for tears as her mind remembered how Daeghun had
chided her about them. "You aren't a true bowman unless you have the calloused hands to prove it". He had told her.
-----
It was late in the afternoon when she had finished, and she still needed to sharpen her blades. Using her whetstone, she honed her blades to fine, razor-
sharp edges. She returned her dagger to its sheath, located on the outside of her boot. She stood, working out the kinks in her arms and legs, and
walked to the stream, refilling her cup for more tea. She noticed that evening was quickly approaching, as she stoked the fire and added more wood. She
was determined to leave at first light. Georg had told her of a small Inn on the outskirts of the Mere and she would head there first. Khy changed into her
sleeping tunic, and climbed into her bed, snuggling down for the night. Her mind seemed to race with the excitement and intrepidation of the coming
journey. Soon she was sleeping, and dreaming of immense adventures.
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Khy walked along the narrow dirt road, heading for the small inn up ahead. The sound of angry voices, and threatening turmoil violated her senses. A
group of men, brandishing weapons, was attempting to rob a lone dwarf. Stepping into the melee, Khy aided the dwarf in dispensing the ruffians. The
dwarf, who introduced himself as Khelgar Ironfist, seemed to be disappointed that the fight was over much too soon. The two conversed a few moments
longer, before entering the inn for more talk and a little relaxation. Suddenly, bladelings violently crashed through the door, shouting "Kalach-cha", and
began to attack. Khy and Khelgar pitted themselves against the never-ending assailants, trying to protect the residents. When the assault was over, and
the people unscathed, she decided to get back on the road. Khelgar brought up the fact that trouble seemed to follow her, and since they both were
heading to Neverwinter, why not team up. Khy thought it was a great idea; she would enjoy the company and could really use his fighting abilities.
Together, they continued the long trip to Neverwinter.
-----
The two had been traveling together for close to a week, when they chose to set up camp about a day's journey from Fort Locke. Khy wanted to stop at
the Fort to re-supply, sell some of their accumulated loot, and maybe learn something of the surrounding countryside. Since leaving the inn, she and
Khelgar had notched quite a few scuffles into their belts. They sat near the warm campfire, finishing their dinner of rabbit and wild berries and reminiscing.
Khelgar had been recounting a few of his exploits, while guzzling down a bottle of spirits. Khy enjoyed listening to him talk, with all the long "ee's" and
rolling "rr's", in that big, booming brogue of his. He told her stories of all the places up and down the Sword coast he had been. Her favorite was his
confrontation with the monks of Tyr, and how they had inspired him to join their order, with their unique fighting skills. Khy tried to explain that monks did
more than just fight, but Khelgar would have none of it. She was growing very fond of the grizzly little man, and soon began to drop her wall of self-
protection, letting him slowly in. She looked closely at him in the firelight, and could see the many scars riddling his face and bald-head. He was missing a
few teeth, reminders of the many brawls he had survived. Khy finally confided her quest and the many reasons behind her long journey."That's a heavy
load for just a snip of a girl. He said smiling. "Think I'll stick close to ye lass, 'till this business is over". "I'd like to have a word with that father of
yours, sending a wee girl off all alone like that". "Makes no sense, no sense a'tall". He said angrily. "I'm NOT a wee girl", Khy said, "I'm eighteen,
and most girls my age are ready to marry". "Not that anyone would marry me"! She said under her breath. "Burrrp"! "Khelgar", she shouted,
"that's the largest belch I've ever heard"! "Now, lass" he said,"You can't possibly mean that, but I thank you kindly". She smiled at him as she
cleaned up the area around the campsite. "Ah, lass" he said softly,"When you smile, the sun shines bright, and there could be no gloom".
"Khelgar", she chided,"You're only saying that to get out of helping me clean up"! He exploded into a big bellowing laugh, and everything seemed to
be at peace, for a while.
-----
Fort Locke was just over the next hill; finally, Khy thought they were actually getting somewhere. All at once they ran into a very odd situation. Loud
voices had led them to an encounter with some extremely angry Greycloaks, tormenting a strange girl. As usual, Khy could not pass up the opportunity to
teach bullies a much needed lesson. Khy recognized unexpectedly, how at ease she had become with killing. This revelation stunned her senses, but no
matter how she felt, she would not allow the strong to inflict pain on the weak. When at last, the adversaries were dealt their due; Khy's attention was
drawn to the bizarre girl. "I'm Neeshka", the girl said, "NEEESH-KA, accent on the NEE". "I'm a tiefling". Neeshka went on to talk about about her life
as an orphan, raised by priests of Helm. Khy did not know quite what to make of her, but Khelgar disliked her immediately and wanted to leave her
behind. Khy relented and let the little tiefling join their duo, which made Khelgar fit to be tied.
-----
As they continued on their way, Khy heard Neeshka yell "Eewww"! "What's that smell"! Khy had been told many times that she had the peculiar odor
of the swamp upon her. "I'm so sorry, Neeshka". She said."I'll try to stand down wind so the odor doesn't bother you". "The Mere seems to
permeate everything I own". "It's not the swamp I smell", Neeshka said as she sniffed around Khy. "It's roses"! "Yuk"! "Roses"? Khy asked.
"Aye, lass", Khelgar said, "You do smell like 'em". Khy sniffed at her leather armor and the sleeves of her tunic. "I don't smell anything". She
exclaimed. "It's not your clothes, it's you"! Neeshka yelled. "Oh, hells"! Neeshka shrieked. "You're one of those…. those…. Aasimars"! "I should
have known, with the eyes, hair, and that icky glow"! "I just found out recently, and I don't really know that much about Aasimars". Khy said
sheepishly. "But, I do apologize if I've offended you in any way". "Oh, Khy", Neeshka said regretfully, "I'm sooo sorry"! "I just seem to say the
first thing that pops into my head, without thinking". "Don't pay any attention", "besides", "were both planetouched", "and that sort of makes
us like sisters". Khy smiled at her and said, "I've always wanted a sister"! Neeshka was thrilled, and danced around excitedly. Khelgar just rolled his
eyes and said, "Women"! Then he took the lead into Fort Locke.
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After arriving, the little group visited the merchants, buying and selling equipment, and learned of the troubles happening at the fort. Khy nodded at
Galen, talking with another man, who seemed familiar somehow. It was Cormick! The hero of West Harbor, the famous champion of the Harvest Fair, and,
SURPRISE! An old adventuring cohort of her fathers. They reminisced about West Harbor and the people of the village. She tried to get more information
about his time with Daeghun, but he just said something about "Adventurer's code", and would not say anything else. Cormick asked for her help in
dealing with a few situations there at the fort and she agreed. Resting for the night, they began the tasks set forth by the individuals requesting
assistance.
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Their path to Neverwinter had been sidetracked for several days, to accomplish the assignments taken on for the people at Fort Locke. Khy was tired,
Neeshka was irritable, and Khelgar had been wounded at the graveyard. Some eerie creature referred to as a "Shadow Priest", had caused the conflict
where Khelgar had been hurt. Tor Millows, fixed him up good as new, but Khy was determined not to let anyone suffer another injury. Selling all the
surplus items they had found during their quests, she purchased a great quantity of healing potions and kits. Khy refused the rewards offered, which
really pissed off Neeshka, who then secretly managed to collect them. "It's for her own good", Neeshka thought."Passing up all this easy gold is
crazy"! "What kind of rogue is she"! Neeshka was determined to set the fanatical aasimar straight. They all decided to stay one more night at the Fort
before heading off to Highcliff, and a ship to Neverwinter. Khy had wanted to learn more about Neeshka, but in the last few days, there had been no time.
"Khelgar", Khy said,"Would you see to purchasing the last of our supplies"? "Of course, lass". He said looking puzzled."Neeshka and I are taking a
walk and we'll return later". Khy said."We are"? Neeshka asked."Yes". Khy said as she grabbed her water flask and started down the trail away from
the fort.
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Khy and Neeshka walked down the little path to a shady grove of trees. Neeshka had been chattering away about nothing, when they reached a nice
spot to stretch out and relax. As Khy sat against an old tree trunk, Neeshka suddenly blurted out,"You're leaving me here, aren't you"! "Please Khy,
please don't leave me, I'll be good, I promise"! "NEESHKA"! Khy yelled. "Calm down, I'm not going to leave you". "You're not"? Neeshka asked.
"No", Khy replied,"I wanted to have some alone time with you, to find out more about you". "About me"? Neeshka asked."No one ever wants to
know anything about me". "This is sooo exciting"! Neeshka shouted, trying to sit still. Neeshka proceeded to detail the events of her life, including
growing up in the temple, running away, and eventually ending up in the thieves' guild. Khy was fascinated, and tried very hard not to interrupt, even
though she was brimming with questions. Khy could feel how cruel and uncaring people had been to the little tiefling. She liked her, liked her red unbridled
hair, her fiery eyes, and her unbeatable courage. "My grandfather's the one that gave me the demon blood". Neeshka continued."What about you"?
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Khy explained what she knew about her heritage, and briefly about Daeghun and West Harbor. Neeshka had sized Khy up soon after they first met, and
was now quite sure that she was definitely naïve about most everything. Shy and timid, unsure about herself, and trying very hard to come across as
worldly. Neeshka was drawn to this strange girl, and planned to show her the ropes of surviving in the city. Neeshka then remarked on how similar their
lives were, which brought a smile to Khy's face. Khy filled her in on the shard, and the battle at West Harbor, that led to her untimely departure."Those
bladeling things continue to hound me". Khy told her."You might want to reconsider tagging along with me and leave with Cormick, it will much
safer". "No matter what you decide", Khy said,"I'm glad we met, and I consider you my friend". Neeshka sat quietly a few moments, subconsciously
cracking her knuckles, while her nimble little tail circled and swished around her. "Friendship, adventure, and a shit load of gold". "Count me in"!
Neeshka said laughing."Are you really sure you want to stay with me and Khelgar"? Khy asked."You know that you and I have different ways of
dealing with things, and with my . . . umm. . . heritage, I don't want to cause you any discomfort". Khy had been noticing how Neeshka fidgeted
when they were close to one another. "Well", Neeshka replied,"As far as I'm concerned, I'll follow your lead, and about the other thing, it's like
little tickles, I can get used to it". "But keep the big-mouthed dwarf away from me"! Khy smiled and nodded.
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Neeshka and Khelgar taunted each other incessantly with pokes and insults, but they fought well together. Neeshka then made a surprising offer; she
wanted to teach Khy some rogue skills. "Remember when I told you I was the world's greatest thief"? Neeshka asked."Yes", Khy said."Well, I
wasn't bragging, oh, maybe just a little, but I really am good"! Neeshka told her. "I know", Khy, said, "We would not have made it through the
crypts with your help"! Neeshka grinned widely and said;"I wasn't fishing for compliments Khy, I just wanted to show you some better
techniques". "I can see you have real talent, and I'd like to help sharpen your skills". Neeshka waited for an answer, hoping she had not insulted
her. "Thank you, Neeshka", Khy said gratefully,"that would be wonderful"! Neeshka beamed at her new-found friend, and vowed to herself to make
Khy her special project. Even though Neeshka was quite a few years older than Khy, she always came across as a kid. This was her chance to impart the
knowledge she had acquired to someone she cared for. They returned to the fort and when they met up with Khelgar, Neeshka patted his bare head and
said; "How's it going short stuff"? Khelgar swore under his breath, then said; "How do ya think, you. . . you. . . you nasty imp"! Khy smiled at the
two, and shook her head.