This chapter will begin the characters quest to find herself, and to finally have a sense of belonging. As always, the OC and NPC's belong to Obsidian. The main character and story are mine. Enjoy! There are a few errors in grammar, they were left for syntax and dialogue. Some adult language contained in this chapter.
MEMOIRS OF AN OUTSIDER
Chapter 5: "Are we there yet"?
The trio left Fort Locke just after dawn, planning to head around the fringe of the Mere and then cut in toward the cliffs of the Sword Coast for a
somewhat straight path to Highcliff. After a few miles into the journey, Khy asked Neeshka "Could you explain some of those colorful words you use".
"Sure", Neeshka replied,"Ask away". "Well", Khy continued, "This word fuck, does it mean that you're angry, or sort of frustrated?" Neeshka spun
around with her mouth open, while Khelgar shouted "LASS"! Khy looked at them both and said,"So, what does it mean"? Neeshka stuttered, and
Khelgar ran ahead, not wanting to deal with the situation. Khy was very confused, she had thought that she had deduced the meaning by listening to the
way Neeshka used it. Now she was not so sure. "Neeshka", Khy yelled,"does it mean rage, or annoyance, or when things don't go as planned"? "I
guess you could say that", Neeshka said as she ran to catch up with Khelgar. "So, she had been correct", Khy thought, "I suppose shit means about
the same, maybe their interchangeable". Khy walked faster, trying to catch up with her friends while yelling, "Neeshka, what about Prick, Dickhead
and cocksucker?"
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Later in the day, out of nowhere, they were attacked by bladelings and duergar. The extent of these aggressors was endless; they kept coming, no
matter how many they killed. Just then, an elf woman arrived, and joined them in vanquishing the assassins. When the battle was over, the elf woman
walked up to Khy and said, "I am Elanee; I would walk with you and follow no longer". Khy said nothing for a few moments, trying to catch her breath
from the exertion of the battle. Khelgar piped up with "This thin, wisp of a girl could be of no help, I say leave her"! Khy looked at him harshly, when
Neeshka plowed in with,"What are you, some sort of tree-hugger". Khy held her hand up for silence, and then spoke to the woman. "Amin Khy, Amin
vithel lat kelvar". (I am Khy; I also honor nature/animals). The druid looked at her sternly, trying to decipher if she spoke true. Elanee mentioned
something about "Kalach-cha", and what was its meaning. Khy told her that she did not know the meaning, but hoped that she would have some insight.
Elanee then offered to lead the group safely to a private area called the "Maidens glade, or Eridis. Khy thought for a moment, and then said that the name
sounded as if it derived from Illefarn elvish. Elanee looked surprised, and expressed this to Khy, who smiled and said,"Ni'asa yassen lye Elanee".
(Alliance with us Elanee.) The Druid nodded, and quickly took the lead.
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The little band marched up, down, in and around trees and meadows, with Neeshka and Khelgar complaining constantly. Finally, they stopped in a hilly
clearing, and Khy made use of the opportunity to speak with the Elven Druid. Khy approached her cautiously, nodded, and said, "Late taur' Amandil, aa'
lye quen"? (Honored Druid, may we speak). Elanee looked at the girl intensely, knowing all along who she was, and said,"Uma". (Yes). Khy cleared
her throat, preparing for a long intricate dialogue in Elvish, when Elanee spoke first."We will speak your native tongue". "Agreed"? Khy nodded looking
astounded. She had always been taught to regard the Druids highly, but this seemed a little out of character from what she knew of them. The afternoon
was spent in questions and answers, most of them about Khy. She told Elanee that her village of West Harbor often sought the wisdom of the druids, and
that her foster-father being half elven, taught her elvish. Khy expressed regret that her elvish was not proficient, and welcomed any corrections. Elanee
confessed to following Khy and her companions for some time, which made Khelgar angry and Neeshka suspicious. Then the subject of "why" came up and
Khy revealed what she knew about the shard. The conversation ended abruptly with an attack from a fierce pack of crazed wolves.
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With the skirmish over, they all agreed to exit the so-called sanctuary as soon as possible. Khelgar wanted to kill anything in his path, but Khy did not
want to harm any more of the animals, which greatly relieved Elanee. It deeply hurt Khy to kill the attacking wolves. She had always admired their grace,
dignity, and great strength. Elanee looked over at the young woman, and could see how upset she seemed to be at the demise of the lupine predators.
"I was not mistaken about her", Elanee thought. "The elders must have erred in their conclusions. Elanee took point, and carefully led the party out
of the glade. Heading into a small alcove, they were accosted by a very angry bear, who in fact was a morphed druid. With Kaliel the bear's dying breath,
he told Elanee not to go back to the circle. Khy wanted to understand what he meant, but Elanee refused to discuss it, as she led the way out.
-----
The little group finally arrived at Highcliff and were met with bitter disappointment. No ships in or out of the city's port due to the abundance of lizardmen
attacks. Khy talked with some of the nearby sailors and residents to learn about their plight, and was told to talk with Elder Mayne, the current authority
of the town. What they faced was that until the lizardmen were stopped, nothing would move. "Here we go again", Neeshka said wearily."I know
Neeshka", Khy said, "But unless you want to stay here, we'll have to do something to help". "Yes", Elanee said,"and there are others that seek
our assistance". Khelgar just grinned and said,"Head bashing here we come"! "Are they going to pay us this time"? Neeshka asked."I don't know",
Khy, said,"Maybe the town will offer something, but don't forget that we always find plenty of loot during these escapades". They were first
directed to speak with a young woman on the outskirts of the town. Her name was Shandra and Elder Mayne said she might have more information, living
so close to the center of the activities. Khy wanted to purchase a few items before heading off and the others agreed. Traveling food, potions, and a nice
new hat for herself. Khy had been noticing that the sun was wreaking havoc on her pale skin. She donned the hat, pulling the brim down to cover her
forehead. Neeshka burst out laughing so hard, that she could not catch her breath. Elanee and Khelgar tried to hold back the snickering, but it did not
work. Khy endured the petty insults for the comfort she would soon enjoy. "Any bigger", Neeshka said giggling, "And you would have yourself a nice
tent". As the laughter died down, and eventually abated, they started for the Jerro farm.
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Shandra Jerro gave them some good information along with directions to the whereabouts of the lizardmen. She also gave them a good tongue lashing on
the inability of the town to offer help for the outlaying farms. To top it off, her farm was attacked while she was talking with Khy and her friends. Shandra
at that point was quite perturbed, and threw them off her land saying; "Leave now boy, and take the others with you"! They scooted off hurriedly to
the area she had marked on their map. Neeshka broke the silence they traveled in with, "Khy, she thought you were a boy"! "Aye, lass", Khelgar said,
"With that get-up, no one can see you're a fine girl"! "Does it really matter"? Khy said,"If people need to know, I'll tell them". "It makes no
difference to me". Neeshka said, with the others nodding in unison. "Then, let's get on with the tasks ahead". Khy replied.
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Wolves, lost children, a wayward husband, and a parlay with the lizardmen chief, rounded out their adventure. Everyone seemed to be satisfied with the
results of their campaigns, even Elder Mayne. The Elder had balked when Khy told him of the truce she had negotiated with the lizardmen chief, but in the
end, he relented. The foursome spent the night in town, awaiting the rigging of the ship that was to take them to Neverwinter. The group sold almost
everything they had acquired, to gain enough gold for their passage, not knowing the town had already done so. As they prepared to leave, and say their
goodbyes, Elder Mayne presented Khy with a beautiful set of leather armor, a gift from the town. Khy thanked him for the generous reward, and tossed
them to Neeshka, who danced around parading the armor. They waved at the town's people as they boarded the ship, feeling anxious that their journey
was almost over.
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The first few days aboard the ship were horrible. The back and forth pitching motion caused everyone except Neeshka to be seasick. Khy, Neeshka, and
Elanee shared a cabin, while Khelgar bunked with the sailors. Khy felt guilty, that he had to share with the crewmen, but he just said; "Ah, Lass, don't
you know that these here seafaring lads have the best rum"! He laughed and slapped her on the back, before going below. Khy was looking forward
to life without imminent danger and time to get to know her companions better. The girls talked, laughed, and cried, telling one another about parts of
their lives. When talking with Elanee, Khy always got the feeling that she was not completely honest about the stories she told. "She keeps a lot inside",
Khy thought, "I hope she will be okay".
-----
One day while they were on deck finishing their lunch, Khy brought up the subject of the "Leader" title they had saddled her with. "I'm not your leader",
she said, "We all have equal say in everything"! "Well now, lass", Khelgar said,"This course we are all on began with you"! "Yes", Khy replied,
"But we were all going to the same place". "I thought we came together out of necessity". "It may have started that way Khy", Elanee said
softly,"But we have banded into this somewhat family because of you". Khy looked at her friends with misty eyes and said with a trembling voice,
"Once we arrive in Neverwinter, everyone will go their separate ways and I won't see any of you again". "Tough luck"! Neeshka said,"You're
stuck with us". "We're not leaving you until this shard mess is over"! Khy looked relieved, as the little tiefling rushed over and threw her arms
around her. Khy stood there embarrassed, not knowing how to respond. Neeshka whispered in her ear, "Just put your arms around me and squeeze".
Khy did as she was instructed, and held Neeshka tightly, softly crying. She repeated the process with Khelgar, and then Elanee, who also stroked her hair
and crooned softly. "Thank you", Khy said, trying to hold back the tears."I'm so grateful to have met you all". Khy dashed off to the cabin below,
leaving the others staring after her. "What did you tell her"? Elanee asked Neeshka. "I told her what to do when someone hugs you". The trio looked
at each other, surprised over what Neeshka had divulged. Elanee remarked that it must have been her first embrace, and how could this have happened.
Khelgar then explained about Khy's foster-father, and what he knew of him. Neeshka said she now knew why Khy asked such ridiculous questions
sometimes. It was agreed between them that no pity would be shown her, but understanding as she discovered the world around her.
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The ship would soon arrive in Neverwinter, when Khy approached Elanee and Neeshka with a problem. She needed to perform her devotional to Sune,
and needed their help. After explaining her dilemma, that they would arrive after sunset, Elanee thought of a way to give her some privacy. "But, I still
need flowers, and there are none on board the ship"! Khy said. Neeshka ran to her pack, and returned with several strands of beads. She handed
them to Khy and asked her if they would suffice. Khy refused to accept the beautiful duskwood beads, which were carved into rosebuds."Please take
them Khy, I've had them along time and haven't been able to sell them to anyone". "Thank you, so very much Neeshka"! Khy said. Neeshka did
not want her to know that she had stolen the beads from a wealthy matron in Waterdeep. With the sun going down, Khy gathered what she needed, and
they headed for the back of the ship.
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He had left the peacefulness of the Neverwinter woods, and headed for the noise-riddled city in search of drink and women. He walked to the bridge that
led into the docks district of the city with Karnwyr at his side. He watched the large sailing ship round the coastline and head for the pier."It would be
docking soon", he thought, and then something on the stern of the ship caught his eye. . .
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"Okay Khy", Elanee said,"All clear". She and Neeshka had affixed themselves on either side of the deck with blankets draped between them. Khy,
behind the curtain, dropped her robe and lit the candles around her. She adorned herself with a strand of the beautiful beads, which nestled between her
bare breasts. Khy began the rites, chanting and singing and threw a strand of beads into the sea. She climbed onto the railing at the back of the ship, and
dove into the chilly water.
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… "Am I seeing things Karnwyr", He said to the wolf, "Or is that a naked woman"? The statuesque figure seemed to shimmer like liquid silver in the
moonlight. Suddenly, the nymph leaped into the air, and dove into the water below. He blinked several times, unsure of his senses. "Yes", he said to
himself, "I'm sure that was a woman". "Was he sure", he thought,"He was quite a distance from the scene". He watched a few more moments
longer, but saw no further sign of the glistening goddess. He then continued on his way to the Sunken Flagon, looking forward to a pint.
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Khy dressed as the ship pulled into the harbor and the call went out to disembark. The group met on deck and prepared to leave the ship. Khy could see
thousands of lights twinkling, reminding her of the tiny fireflies in the Mere. Excitement filled the air as the headed down the gangplank onto shore.