The OC and NPC's belong to Obsidian. Feedback always welcome. This chapter deals mainly with the beginning of a few plot twists that will play out in future chapters. A few errors in grammar were left for syntax and dialogue.
MEMOIRS OF AN OUTSIDER
CHAPTER 9: ENLIGHTENMENT
Bishop watched as the motley crew entered the Flagon and collapsed into chairs around the room. Qara immediately ran over to embrace the surly ranger
and kissed him fiercely. Bishop forcefully pushed her away, telling her to "Get the fuck away". She quickly retreated, blaming the incident on her length
of time away. Duncan seemed very pleased to see them as Khy hastily introduced Grobnar and Casavir. "This place could really use a bard", Duncan
said to the gnome, "Your talents would be greatly appreciated". Grobnar was elated with the proposition, and began tuning his lute for a grand
demonstration. Duncan then turned his attention to Casavir, asking if they had met before, because his name sounded so familiar. Casavir replied no.
Duncan said, "No matter". "Everyone please sit, you must be weary". "Food and drink will be brought, so please make yourselves at home"! Khy
looked curiously at her uncle. She was puzzled about his new-found attitude, especially with two more added guests. He explained that the Waterdeep
emissary had arrived singing the praises of their deeds and all of Neverwinter had been talking about them. "Business has been booming lass, keep up
the good work". "Now", he said, "Come with me". Khy followed her uncle to the room that she usually occupied.
-----
Duncan opened the door revealing a large bronze object, placed in the far corner of the room. "What is it"? She asked, totally intrigued. "It's a bathing
vessel lass", he said smiling, "A gift for my favorite niece". "A, what"? She asked. "A bathing vessel", he reiterated, "You take a bath in it". "Just
wait here", he said as he left the room. Khy walked over to the metal container, tracing her fingers over the edges trying to picture its use in her mind.
Duncan came waltzing in carrying buckets of steaming water. Sal, Khelgar and Casavir followed him and they each in turn, poured the hot liquid into the
tub and left laughing. Khy dipped her fingers into the pleasing warmth and smiled. Duncan said, "Get in lass, you've earned it". He then left and closed
the door behind him. Khy had never before bathed in warm water, and was looking forward to the experience. She undressed, grabbed a clean cloth and
soap, and then stepped into the soothing fluid. She eased herself down, feeling the heat of the water radiate through her tired, aching muscles. The
sensation was sublime. She squished herself down, submersing her head, and felt giddy as the tension of the journey faded away. She washed her hair,
then lathered the cloth and scrubbed away all the grime of the trail. When finished, she stood and reached for the water pitcher, rinsing her body with the
cool refreshing fluid. She dried with a linen towel, and looked through her pack for clean clothes. She could find trewes, breeches, and a linen tunic. She
made a mental note to buy more apparel, and to have another bodice made. Dressed and feeling refreshed, she opened the door to join the others and
ran into a grinning Duncan.
-----
Duncan wanted to show her how to drain the large vat. He walked over to the base of the tub and reached down, removing a plank from the floor. He
then turned a valve at the bottom of the vessel to drain the contents. "Ingenious", Khy thought. She smiled and clapped her hands heartily. Forgetting
herself, she threw her arms around Duncan in a grateful embrace. Realizing what she had done, she quickly drew back, lowering her head in humiliation.
Duncan lifted her chin as tears streamed down her face. "Please, please forgive me for my impertinence", she said apologetically. Duncan looked into
her eyes and said, "Khy, I'm not like your father". He put his arms tightly around her, stroking her hair and said, "Don't ever be ashamed to show
someone you care lass". She returned his embrace, as the hot tears rushed from her eyes and she sobbed quietly in his arms. "Oh, Gods", Duncan
thought, "What has Daeghun done to the child"! He knew his brother had become withdrawn after Shayla's death, but had no idea of the extent until
now. "Her childhood must have been pure hell", he thought as he released her and dried the flood of tears. "Amin hin", he said, "lle cua amin".
"Nosse ar' amin mela lle". (My child, you are my family and I love you.) "Mela"? (Love), she said. "Mela". He said nodding his head. "Amin atario
toror, mani toa mela"? (My father's brother, what is love?) "That bastard", Duncan said to himself, "Does he even know what pain he has caused
the girl"? He led Khy to the bed in the corner of the room and sat beside her.
-----
"Lass", Duncan said slowly, "It's difficult to explain the concept of love, but I'll try". He began telling her that love is a feeling of affection, an
attachment of sorts, a warm regard for someone or something. "There are many shades of love", he said, "Like the many hues of green in the
foliage of a tree". Khy looked completely bewildered as he continued. "The same applies to love", he said. "You may have love for a friend as one
shade of green, and the love of books as another". Hoping there was some understanding on her part, he went on to say that, there is love of
adventure, or love for one's child or family. "There is also love between a man and woman". He said slightly blushing. "A man and a woman"? Khy
asked. Duncan took a deep cleansing breath, hoping to get the point across without getting too graphic. He began to tell her about passion and the
intense, almost uncontrollable aspects of lust. He explained that you could feel lust without love, he said as he tried to avert his eyes. "Lust", he told her,
"is mainly for pleasure". "Like coupling and procreation", she said. "I guess you could say that, but with people sex is the enjoyment and
gratification of one another's body. "It's not always done for reproduction", he said, "but for happiness and contentment, to fulfill some deep
aching need". He asked if she had any questions, which she replied no, in a confused manor. Duncan tried to sum it up by saying, "When you love a
man Khy, you will have a connection with him". "You want to share not only your mind and body, but your heart and soul as well". "That's the
deep love, the "for all eternity love" that most people search for". "You're a smart girl", he said wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Talk to
Neeshka and Elanee", he said, "They might be able to describe it better". "I hope I helped lass", he said as he walked to the door. "Uncle", she
yelled as she ran across the room and hugged him. "Thank you", she said gratefully.
-----
When Khy entered the great room, it was like a great festival of everyone celebrating being home. She walked over to a table to sit with some of her
companions, as Casavir jumped up and held her chair. "Thanks, Cas". She said as she sat down next to the handsome paladin. Sal rushed over with a
cup of hot water and a handful of figwort leaves. She smiled at the gift as she asked how he came to have the scarce plant. Sal told her that someone
had supplied the inn with a large amount, as he nodded toward the muscular ranger. Khy looked over at Bishop and smiled, pleased about the
contribution, as she pointed to her cup. The ranger acknowledged her with a half sort of grin and then returned his focus to the tankard of ale in front of
him. "I wonder", Khy, said to herself, "what he could be thinking about". "He always seems to be lost inside himself contemplating his next
move". She dropped the matter and returned her focal point back to the conversation at the table.
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"My lady", Casavir said, "If you don't mind my inquiring, your eyes are most unusual". He could not forget the night he saw her in the moonlight,
and longed to take her into his arms and kiss her luscious lips. "My eyes"? She asked. "Yes, my lady", he answered, "I was wondering. . . . " About
my heritage". She interrupted. He nodded, and before Khy could answer, Neeshka blurted out, "She's planetouched just like me"! "We're practically
sisters"! Neeshka shouted and then grinned at Khy. "Is this true"? Casavir asked. "Yes". Khy replied without going into detail. Khy did not see the
furrow in his brow, or the way he closed his eyes and swallowed hard. She could not have known that to a paladin, the label of "planetouched"
encompassed everything evil, wicked and immoral. Casavir had not been taught the difference between the planar species. He assumed they all were
derived from demons. He was unaware of her celestial heritage, that she had been descended from angels, and not the evil he so hated. Casavir rose
from his seat, and hurried away, leaving them all confused at his hasty departure.
-----
Casavir made his way to the temple of Tyr, and walked slowly through the doors. He knelt in front of the altar and prayed to his God. Silently he asked Tyr
to forgive him for his thoughts about the planar. His fear of falling, of losing the one thing that meant so much, had shaken his very core. Once before he
had found himself in a similar situation, and had chosen his faith above his desire for a woman. He thanked Tyr for intervening , and showing him the true
nature of the girl before he lost himself in her. He added borage to the burner, hoping the smoke of courage would wipe his mind of the woman he still
yearned to have. He would remain at the temple until daybreak, praying throughout the night to avoid the temptation of lust he felt for the beautiful
young girl.
-----
The next day they reported their findings to Captain Brelania, and received new missions. The Luskans and Githyanki assassins were dealt a heavy blow
from the party. The Captain was pleased, and finally granted them access to Blacklake. Before they ventured to speak with Aldanon, Khy wanted to deal
with Leldon. He had been sending his henchmen to kill Neeshka, and now was the time to take action. According to what Neeshka had told her, Ophala at
the Moonstone Mask would be the best source of information on where to locate Leldon. Some of the others went back to the Flagon, as Khy ventured on
toward the Mask. Upon arriving, Casavir realized their destination and could not find a tactful way to retreat from the situation. As they entered the
opulent building, Khy could feel Casavir's demeanor change to one of dread and apprehension. She looked at the stalwart paladin, and saw fear in his
sparkling blue eyes. She wanted to go to him, to subdue the pain she felt emanate from his very soul. Khy touched his arm and asked if he was all right.
He nodded and walked toward the center of the room. Neeshka suggested they split up to look for Ophala and meet back at this spot. Khy walked over to
the back stairs and scanned the area. As she turned to go, a voice said, "What are you doing here"?
-----
Khy looked up to see a magnificent woman descend the stairs. "I asked you a question"! The woman said sternly. "Excuse me", Khy said shyly, "I'm
looking for a lady named Ophala". "Well, my dear", the woman said, "You've found her". Ophala looked Khy over, circling around her as she said,
"You know you can't be here dressed like that"! Khy apologized, and told her she had nothing else to wear. "Oh, I guess we can fix that". Ophala
informed her. The woman took Khy's arm and led her into the next room, talking as she went. "We have many rules here my dear, follow them all and
we'll get along just fine". Khy nodded in response as Ophala looked into her eyes and said, "You'll be an ultimate gold mine my dear, a real crowd
pleaser". Ophala went on to ask if she had any musical talents, or if she danced. Khy told the woman that Grobnar was teaching her to play the lute. Just
then, Neeshka ran up and said "Ophala, there you are". Ophala told Neeshka to watch her back, as Leldon had put a price on her head. Neeshka
explained that they were here for information, as she pointed to the rest of the party.
-----
Ophala walked up to Casavir and said. "When did you return"? "Recently", he answered. "How are you Ophala"? "I'm well". She replied. Khy could
sense the tension connecting the two, and wondered what had transpired between them. Ophala told them of Leldon's whereabouts, and asked what
they would do with the news. She then saw that Khy was still at her side, and quickly told her to go upstairs to see Marita. "Tell her I'll be along soon to
help get you ready". Ophala told her. "Ready for what"? Neeshka asked. Khy said smiling, "Ophala says I'll be her goldmine". Neeshka gasped, the
others grumbled, and Casavir took Khy's hand and said, "Ophala, this is our leader". "You're leader"! Ophala shouted as her face reddened with
embarrassment. Everyone understood what had happened except Khy. "It's a real shame". Ophala said disappointingly. "Well, I see you still have an
eye for the ladies". She said to Casavir. He said nothing, which gave Neeshka a chance to take Khy aside and explain the mix-up. Ophala whispered,
"I've missed you Cas". "And I you, my lady". He said sadly. "What's done is done". "She's very young, isn't she"? Ophala asked him. "She's a
very capable leader". He said. "That's not what I was implying". She said fuming. Casavir took Ophala's hand and gently kissed it. "My reasons are
still the same". He said looking into her eyes. Khy had been watching the interaction between the beautiful woman and the man she had come to
admire. She felt a small pang of jealousy, though she did not know what she was feeling at the time.
-----
They were in and out of Leldon's with little resistance. Khy and Neeshka worked together on the traps and alarms and they made away with his lucky coin
and a bit of gold. Khy hoped this idea of Neeshka's would stop the ambushes they had endured from this man. As they were leaving, Khy stopped to talk
with the little kobold merchant they had met. She purchased a few items, and told him she would return later with news of a place he could set up shop.
She would make a point of telling Grobnar about Deekin, they were both bards and would enjoy talking with one another.
-----
Bishop watched as she walked through the tavern door. He had been pondering a plan for days, on how to get her alone. Somehow, he had convinced
himself that she had been toying with him. That she knew he watched her, knew what he was feeling, and was intentionally leading him on. He had
worked himself up into a fury with this idea, and now wanted more than ever to take her. "I'll show her", he thought. "I'll make sure she doesn't
flaunt her body around anyone ever again"! He sat back in his chair and stared at her with the eyes of an expert hunter, pursuing his prey.