The OC and NPC's belong to Obsidian. Some light sexual situations and adult language is contained in this chapter. A few errors in grammar were left for syntax and dialogue. Reviews are welcome.
MEMOIRS OF AN OUTSIDER
Chapter: 13 "Trials and Tribulations"
Khy was torn between the gentle, courageous paladin and the turbulent, out of control ranger. After Casavir confided the truth to her, she could not help
but understand his confusion and doubt. They both had a deep, almost spiritual passion for one another that became apparent with the unbridled kiss
they shared. Casavir was mindful of her feelings, and showed his thoughtfulness whenever she hesitated from inexperience. Whereas, Bishop rode the
crest of passion like a fanatic and pulled her along with him, caring nothing for her inhibitions. When Bishop kissed her, it was like being devoured by a
rampaging animal of lust. She could not help but think that both melded together; would make the perfect man. Khy sent Casavir back inside the inn. She
wanted to be alone with her thoughts, and try to sort out her feelings. She walked down the barren streets that lay hidden with a light dusting of snow.
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Inside the inn, the remaining party members sat near the large fireplace and talked about random ideas on their search for the proof needed to expunge
the dark shadow on their leader's name. Bishop sat in the far corner of the room away from the others content to watch them in their daily ramblings.
Falgor, the innkeeper appeared with a massive wooden trunk and placed it near Elanee. He then clapped his hands and suddenly people came into view
supporting trays heavy with venison, meat pies and an assortment of other delicacies, along with large pitchers of mead, ale and elven spiced wine. "A
joyful winter solstice to you all". Falgor announced. "We did not arrange for this". Elanee told the man. He walked over to the druid and handed her a
scroll. "Payment has been made, take as much as you want for as long as you want"! The innkeeper shouted. They all looked at each other
in amazement of the generous windfall.
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Khelgar said, "You don't have to ask me twice"! As he ran over to the mounds of fine food. "I do not understand this". Elanee said to Neeshka. "Me
either", said Neeshka, "But, let's eat"! Bishop even saw fit to join the festivities, and grabbed a chair at the table loaded with food. They ate, drank and
laughed together, and no one seemed to miss their leader, who was suspiciously absent. "I wonder what's in the box". Neeshka yelled over the noise
of her comrades. Elanee had temporally forgot about the mysterious container, and walked over to retrieve the scroll. She unrolled the document, and
read:
My companions, my friends, and my family;
I have not the words to express what you all
Mean to me. You have supported me through
All my ventures and I thank you with all
My heart. Please make merry in celebration
Of the winter solstice, the death of the old,
And the rebirth of the new. Take time to
Know the people with whom you travel.
Judge your hearts and decide if you want to stay on
The course we now journey. The path I now travel is
Not of your making and I cannot ask you to jeopardize
Your lives any further. Return to Neverwinter on the morrow,
If that is your destiny. We will meet again in this life
Or the next.
Khy
The room was silent as they all looked around at one another. "Does anyone know where she is"? Bishop asked them all. Each one in turn shook their
heads indicating their answers. Falgor stepped in with a message that Khy would be returning tonight, and to not worry. Neeshka opened the wooden
crate to expose many cloth wrapped packages and small boxes. "This one says Lisse' Lindar". Neeshka said. "It means Sweet Bard", Sand said, "I
guess it is for Grobnar". Grobnar unwrapped the gift to find an amulet of influence and a book written by Doryk Hannifipper. "Oh my",Grobnar said in
surprise, "He's a very famous bard and his books are very scarce". "What a marvelous present".
-----
They each received tokens of affection from their leader. One by one, they opened the mysterious packages to find wonderment and awe. Almost every
item had been enchanted in some way for their protection. "She must have spent gold like it was water". Neeshka said. "Yes", Elanee said, "But as
she once said, her riches are in friends". "Aye", Khelgar said softly, "The wee lass cherishes a good friend". Bishop looked down at the hand made
arrows he had received. He knew that her small hands had carved and fletched each one and she then crested them with the sign of the wolf. He was
uncomfortable with accepting this obvious sign of affection from someone he would probably end up hurting. He did not want to cause her pain, but
somehow things always drifted to that inevitable disaster. He examined the medial quiver that came with the arrows, then fastened it around his waist,
and laced it to his thigh. It was at the perfect height for pulling and knocking in one fluid motion. He had to admit to himself that he liked the way she
thought about things. For the first time in his life, Bishop was actually speechless.
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One by one, they retired to their rooms, hoping that Khy would return soon. Shandra stared at Bishop sitting alone in the corner of the room. She really
did despise the misanthropic bastard, but the man could track a white fox through a snowstorm. She approached him carefully and as he looked up she
said, "What are you doing sitting here when she could be in trouble"! He had been thinking the same thing as he grabbed his cloak, whistled for
Karnwyr and headed for the door. Bishop found her not far from the inn sitting on the pier, looking out over the water. Karnwyr trotted over and lay down
beside her. She put her arms around the shaggy predator and buried her face into his scratchy fur. "Mind telling me what in the nine hells you're
doing out here"? Bishop shouted. She gazed up at the furious ranger and smiled. "Just enjoying the night and thinking of you". She said. Her answer
caught the man off guard, and for the second time that night, he was speechless.
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"We should go in", He said, "It's cold and we need to get some rest before tomorrow". "How many are leaving"? She asked. "No one". He replied.
"Not even you"? She said. He roughly pulled her to her feet and held her tight with her hands behind her back. He teased her lips with his and then
kissed her, feeling the warmth of her mouth with his ever-searching tongue. He loosened his grip and with her hands free, Khy took the initiative by
cupping his ass and squeezing while planting soft kisses along his neck. He jerked with the unanticipated jolt of excitement, and said, "That's it"! He
scooped her up into his arms and hurried in the direction of the inn. "Where are you going"? She asked. "My room". He replied. "NO"! Khy yelled, as
she struggled to untangle herself from his strong limbs. "It's my decision"! "I'll say when and where this will happen, not you and not Casavir"!
Bishop was shocked at the ferocity of her outburst and the drawing of her blade. It was like being with two people at once. One minute she's soft and
yielding and the next she's ready to gut you. In a way, he liked her unpredictability; it could lead to some very interesting sexual positions, but
sometimes, like now, she could be disturbing. He watched as she put the dagger back into her boot and turned toward the inn. "Are you coming in"?
She said smiling.
-----
The morning brought a new day as the members of the party sauntered into the great room of the inn. They broke bread together before continuing on
to Ember and the purpose of their quest. With packs in hand, they strolled outside and headed out of town. Khy noticed a strange person staring in her
direction as they passed by the garrison. She stopped and looked closer at the figure who was dressed in beautiful silver armor with elaborate gold
scroll-work. The individual saluted Khy and then drew her large sword. "What is that character doing"? Sand asked. "I don't know", Khy, answered,
"But I'm going to find out". Khy approached the heavily clad person and was surprised to find out that it was a woman. Not just any woman, but an
aasimar like herself.
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"Greetings sojourner"! The woman said. "I have been waiting for you". "For me"? Khy inquired. The woman explained that her name was "Light of
heavens", and she had been sent to test Khy's abilities. She would only spar with partial strength to assess if she was a worthy opponent. The aasimar
circled around Khy, peering at her from different angles and mumbled. She then abruptly stopped and proclaimed that the examination would be delayed.
Khy looked mystified as the woman said, "It has begun, has it not"? "Has what begun"? Khy asked her. "The Me-Phos", she said, "Though you are
much too young". The aasimar looked over at Khy's companions and said, "Be extremely cautious". She then nodded at Khy and walked away. "What
in the hells was that all about"! Neeshka asked. "I don't know"? Khy replied.
-----
They cautiously entered the town of Ember and everyone could see the destruction of most the buildings and all of the people. This abomination brought
back the memory of the attack on West Harbor, and Khy covered her face and wept. "Luskans"! Bishop said as he spat on the scorched ground. Khy was
incredulous to the fact that the Luskans would devastate one of their own villages. Everyone searched the debris for some trace of evidence, as Khy
sprinkled wyrmsage on the corpses. She met up with Guyven for the third time and he shared more information with her. Khy offered the little man a place
by her fire anytime he chose to accept. They were about to leave, when Bishop heard a strange sound coming from the town well. Lowering themselves
with the rope bucket, they found an underground tunnel system. Khy found Marcus, who told them of what he knew, and then returned Bishop's dagger.
Goblins, giant spiders and fire beetles inhabited the tunnels and they emerged at the end to find themselves in Duskwood.
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They investigated the ridge where Malin had seen smoke, and met two gnomes. Searching their cave resulted in the discovery of Bradbury's body and an
attack from the gnomes, who were in fact werewolves. They followed the trail down and came face to face with a dryad named Lyssa. The pieces of the
puzzle came together with the knowledge and alteration powder obtained from Lyssa. The hard truth that Khy had to face was that the massacre of the
village was a ploy for the Luskans to acquire Khy, herself. The anger rose in her throat like bile, as she clinched her fists and screamed, "Those people
died because of me"! "My dear girl", Sand said, "Those people died because Lorne killed them". "Now", Sand continued, "Let us return to
Neverwinter and clear your name".
-----
The band of weary travelers passed through Port Llast and relayed the information they had found about Bradbury and the bodies at Ember. Khy was
sullen and withdrawn, refusing to speak to anyone about the mind numbing events. The group set up camp a few days outside of Port Llast where
Casavir tried to approach the agonizing girl, but she stormed off into the woods. He followed, watching her from a distance and hoping she would be all
right. "I know you're there Cas", She said, "It's okay". He moved down to where she was sitting and eased himself down beside her.
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"My lady", he said, "We are all quite concerned for you". "I'm alive because my mother and Shayla died protecting me", she said staring at
nothing; "I'm here because those people in Ember died as bait in a trap set by Luskans". "I have unknowingly caused many deaths Cas, and I
don't think I can come to terms with that realization". "Khy", he said softly as he put his arms around her, "There is a reason that you are alive".
"Together, we will find that reason and it will set you free from this guilt". He said. She buried her face into his hard muscular chest and let the tears
flow. Casavir knew that her slender shoulders bore an immense weight of sorrow that no one else could possibly feel. "My lady", he said, "You have a
vitality, a life force, an energy that translates through you to the people close to you". "Without you", he said, "We would be disjointed, a
rambling jumble of souls with no purpose". "We need you", he pleaded, "Please come back to us".
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She looked into his eyes, feeling herself drift away into the endless blue depths as she pressed her lips to his. His soft lips took her to another place
where she could be liberated from the harshness of her grief. He felt her melt into his arms as he kissed her neck and face. She unfastened the leather
armor she wore and tossed it to the side. "Khy", he said, "We can not…. She cut off his words with her warm inviting mouth. "I want to feel you". She
said as she tugged on his heavy woolen tunic. He started to protest, but the look in her eyes seemed to entrance him to do her bidding. He pulled off the
wool tunic, followed by the linen one underneath. He shivered slightly with the cold as she touched his large finely shaped form. His muscles carved small
hills and valleys on his chest as Khy traced them with her fingertips. He inhaled deeply as she kissed the sensitive areas around his nipples, and then
flicked one with her tongue. "My lady please". He said as he tried to push her away, and then tumbled from the stone where they sat.
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Khy straddled the prone man as she removed her tunics, and was left with the soft leather bodice. She pulled the laces out one by one until the bodice fell
open revealing the generous mounds of flesh held captive by the buckskin prison. "Touch me Cas", she said lifting his hands up to her heaving breasts.
He felt the soft silky skin that surrounded the firm tissue and her hard nipples rubbed against his calloused palms. She moaned as he caressed and
kneaded her breasts and rolled her erect nipples between his fingers. He pulled her closer until her breasts brushed against his waiting and eager lips.
Casavir gently teased her stiff nipples with his agile tongue before taking one into his warm mouth and firmly sucked. The sensation sent rippled waves of
delight through Khy's yearning body as she whispered, "Take me Cas". She reached down, cupped the solid mass between his legs, and felt his hard
manhood strain against the taught breeches. "Stop", he said as he covered her with his cloak and started to redress, "We can not my lady, not now".
Disappointed, she gathered her strewn clothes and put them on. "I want nothing more than to honor you with my body", he said as he held her
close, "When the time is right, we will know". They returned to camp and prepared for the long unfulfilled night ahead.
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They entered Castle Never and spoke with Sir Nevalle about the evidence recovered. He asked if she was ready for the ordeal ahead, which she replied
yes. "Good luck, my lady". Nevalle said as he lingered over the kissing of her palms. Sand accompanied her to the waiting area and told her he would do
his best in her defense. Khy kissed his forehead and told him how much she adored him. "Whatever may come", she said, "It has been an honor to
have you at my side". "The honor", he said, "Is mine my dear". The court called for the accused, and Khy walked bravely into her fate.
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Torio Claven called her witnesses and their testimony was proven untrustworthy. Khy amazed Sand by matching her diplomacy skills against those of the
Luskan ambassador and then winning the joust of words. In the end Khy was exonerated for the crimes, she had been unjustly accused. Torio Claven
requested "Trial by combat", and the King acquiesced to the little known law. Khy was told to go to the temple of Tyr and that Hlam, the priest, would give
her further instructions. The uproar from her companions on the unfair outcome of the trial gave Khy the courage to continue on. Hlam told her about the
conditions of the upcoming battle and then left her alone for prayer and meditation. Some of her companions came to see her and offered to fight in her
place, or in Neeshka's case, sabotage Lorne's equipment. She refused them all. She kissed her paladin and told him farewell as he left her with her
thoughts.
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A few hours later, Bishop arrived and proceeded to tell her about her opponent, Lorne. He knew the way Lorne attacked, and showed her how to parry
against him. Khy realized that Bishop somehow knew Lorne, and she intended to find out how. "Khy", Bishop said, "I'll do this for you". "No", she said
walking toward him, "I must do this myself". She put her arms around his neck as he drew her close and kissed her with everything he felt for her. "For
more of that", she said smiling, "I'll definitely be back".
----
On the field of battle, Khy met the turbulent Lorne. She tried to speak to him, to tell him that she too was from West Harbor and knew his mother. It only
made him angrier as he lunged and sliced her left arm. The pain of the wound seemed to trigger something inside her as she fought back with the tenacity
and vehemence unknown to her before. Lorne was on his knees, waiting for the killing blow as she announced that she would not destroy the man. The
crowd reacted with a mixture of cheers and jeers as Lord Nasher banished the Luskans from Neverwinter.
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The celebration of her victory at the Flagon could be heard throughout the docks. Khy was totally exhausted and bade everyone goodnight, as she
shuffled off to her room. She removed her clothing, leaving her trewes and then donned a short chemise. She was looking forward to a restful sleep, and
felt her way to her bed in the dark room. An intense pain filled her head as she collapsed into oblivion.