The OC and NPC's belong to Obsidian. There is adult language in this chapter as well as a few errors in grammar for story enhancement and dialogue. Reviews are welcome.
MEMOIRS OF AN OUTSIDER
Chapter: 15 "The abyss of despair"
She was peaceful now. It was not like the first night when she continuously screamed until her voice gave out. Bishop stood in the doorway of her room
and watched her, as she stared endlessly in to the void of her mind. She lay motionless with no reaction or sense of the world around her. He had tried
several times to break through the barrier of self-protection she had created, but his efforts were useless. He would crawl into the bed beside her, hold
her close and plead for her to return to him. It had been two days since Neeshka left for Neverwinter. He hoped they would arrive soon with the help she
desperately needed. He walked over to the still form, pulled back the blankets and checked for dampness. She had lost control and sometimes would wet
herself. He laughed with the thought that he, the man who hated everyone, would be caring for someone as you would for a babe. He sat down,
gathered the limp form into his arms, and stroked her hair. "Please Khy", he begged, "Please come back to me".
-----
Neeshka burst into the Flagon yelling for Elanee and Sand. The place was empty except for Duncan and Sal. She ran over to Duncan and asked, "Where
is everyone"? Duncan explained that they had been searching the city and surrounding lands for Khy. Neeshka told him that she and Bishop had found
the girl and she had been on horseback for almost a day trying to get back. Duncan told her to sit and he fetched the little tiefling a mug as she collapsed
into a nearby chair. Neeshka tried to convey the importance of finding the druid and related the horrific story to the men. Just then, Casavir, Khelgar and
Elanee strolled through the door, and upon seeing Neeshka began bombarding her with questions. Once again, the girl told the tale of finding their leader
and of her condition when she left Ember. Sand and Shandra had joined them as Neeshka finished by saying, "Move your fucking asses, can't you
understand she's dying assholes"! Snapped back to reality with Neeshka's urgent scolding, they devised a plan quickly. Shandra ran to the castle to
acquire mounts, while Sand and Elanee gathered the equipment they would need. Casavir took off to purchase healing potions, as Khelgar packed up
some traveling food, and Duncan placed a large bowl of water in front of the panting wolf. "I hope we won't be too late". Neeshka said as she looked up
at Duncan with heartbreaking sadness in her eyes.
-----
Bishop sat next to the bed of the unconscious woman, drinking the last of the elven brandy he had found. He watched the slow rising of her chest, which
gave him comfort in that for now, she still lived. He knew somewhat of the anguish she had suffered at the hands of that Luskan lunatic. He too, had been
tortured by members of the Circle of Blades, but not to the extent, she had undergone with Lorne. Instinctively, his hand traced the many scars on his
chest that remained as reminders of his horrifying association with the assassins. The admiration he felt for this woman, increased with each day she
survived against the odds. The tenacity she had shown against the abhorrent torment only increased his desire for her. The angry red scars that now
covered her exquisite body were tributes to her strength and resolve, and to him added to her sensuality. He wanted her, he needed her, he had to
possess her and fill himself with her enduring spirit and determination. She is the light he would follow to free himself of his never-ending darkness and
desolation. He jumped up from the chair and quickly removed his clothes. He crawled into the bed next to the naked girl and pressed his body close to
hers. He could feel her cool skin next to the heat of his as he tried to wrap himself around her and attempted to will her back from the depths that
ensnared her soul. He gently kissed her unresponsive lips, then buried his face into her long silver tresses as his hand glided over her bare breasts, and
came to rest on her flat stomach. "I love you", he whispered into her ear, "Don't leave me Khy, not now".
-----
They were less than a day's ride from Ember, when they stopped to rest and to water the horses. Shandra watched Casavir pace anxiously around the
camp, wringing his hands and mumbling to himself. Apprehension filled them all but the paladin almost seemed out of his mind with concern. The ride from
Neverwinter had been difficult especially with the wagon they had brought along with them. Elanee thought, that in her condition, it might be necessary to
use the cart in transporting Khy back to the Flagon. Sand approached the girls and discussed the idea of sending Casavir on ahead, to relieve the
paladin's obvious panic. "Go to her Casavir", Sand told the man, "We will be right behind you".
-----
He pulled the soft cotton shert down around her hips and then covered her once again with the woolen blankets. He brushed the hair from her pale face
and caressed her cheek as he softly kissed her forehead. Bishop walked into the next room and sat, feeling defeated that she still remained unaware of
her surroundings. He looked through the open door at the deep blue of predawn and felt himself give in to the exhaustion of his mind. "What was that"?
He said to himself. The sound grew louder as he rose from the chair and crossed the room to peer out the entrance. The muted thuds of horse's hooves
on the dry ground alerted Bishop to the arrival of the others. He watched as the paladin dismounted and stormed into the abandoned inn shouting for
Khy. "Where is she"! Casavir yelled at the tired ranger. Bishop pointed to the room where the girl resided and followed the restless paladin to her
bedside. "My lady", he shouted as he scooped the wilted form into his massive arms and embraced her. Casavir looked down at her dangling head and
arms, and at the blank stare upon her scarred and bruised face. "By all that is holy", he said to Bishop, "What did that fiend do to her"! Bishop hated
this "holier than thou" man, but at this particular moment, he sympathized with him. "She lived through the most atrocious torture and degradation
imaginable, at the hands of a complete madman. Bishop told him. "You should really put her back in bed". Bishop warned the distressed man.
Casavir ignored the ranger's caution as he continued to hold the catatonic girl close to him and pleaded for her to awaken. Suddenly the soft sound of
splashing filled the room as Casavir looked down to see a puddle forming between his feet. Bishop burst out laughing as he watched the man's face
swiftly grasp the situation that the woman he adored had just peed on him.
-----
Casavir was thoroughly shaken by the unexpected ordeal and slowly returned Khy to her bed. Bishop changed her soiled garment and tucked her in, and
then he mopped up the small pool of urine from the floor. He gestured to the paladin to follow him as he left the somber room. Bishop led Casavir to one
of the other rooms and shuffled through a few drawers until he found a pair of breeches. He indicated that he could change here or in one of the adjoining
rooms. "Just stay out of the last room", Bishop said, "Lorne's body is in that one". Casavir returned a few minutes later and sat down in a chair
opposite to the ranger. Casavir asked, "How long"? Bishop replied, "Since we found her". "Blessed Tyr give me strength". Casavir prayed. "Where
are the others"? Bishop asked. They should arrive soon", he said, "I rode ahead". They both sat quiet until the creaking of the on coming wagon broke
the tension between them and they rushed outside.
-----
Everyone stood around the bed and gazed at the oblivious girl as they discussed options as to her care. Elanee told her friends to stand back as she cast
spell after spell of healing on the lifeless girl. The scars and bruises began to disappear and Sand forced her to drink the potions they had brought with
them. More of the healing liquid went on her instead of in, but Sand was confident that she had consumed enough to help. The others left as Sand and
Elanee stayed to thoroughly examine the girl and offer more healing if necessary. Shandra sat in the corner of the main room and wept for her dear friend.
Neeshka walked up to Bishop and thanked him for his diligence in looking after the comatose girl. Bishop nodded and walked outside to be alone. Elanee
entered the room with Sand and announced that Khy's injuries were now completely healed. "Her body is fine", Elanee said, "But I don't know what to
do about her mind". They looked at one another in total helplessness. "We should remain her for another day", Sand stated, "Just to see if there is
any change". He continued with, "Then we should return to Neverwinter". Sand explained that he could contact other people who may be able to help
with her recovery. Nods of approval came from the group, and the time remaining would be divided between them to keep a vigilant guard on her
condition.
-----
The journey back to Neverwinter was painstakingly slow and demanding. They purposely took the easier and longer route to keep their unconscious friend
as comfortable as they could manage. Duncan met the group outside and gasped as he looked upon the pale, frail form of his beloved niece. Casavir
rushed over to remove Khy from the wagon, then stepped aside as Bishop cradled the traumatized girl in his arms. The ranger carried her to her room and
gently placed her on the lavish bed he found there. Duncan enlighten them all with the details of the expensive purchase. "Nothing's too good for her",
he said, "From now on she gets the best of everything". One by one, they left the room leaving only Casavir and Bishop remaining. "I know you do
not like me", Casavir said to the man, "And I feel the same toward you, but for now she comes before anything else". "I agree". Bishop replied.
-----
The days ran together as the companions patiently waited for a glimmer of hope, any small sign that Khy would find her way back from the abyss that
imprisoned her. The two men who loved her would not leave her side and took turns sitting by her bed. Ten days had passed since their arrival at the
Flagon, and she showed no indication of ever awakening. Bishop walked into her room to relieve Casavir's vigil and to begin his own. Both men were
haggard and knew that they could not continue this course much longer. Casavir left, closing the door behind him as Bishop moved the chair closer to her
bed. He sat down, reached for her small listless hand, and then kissed her palm. "Khy", he said, "I'm here". He sat back in the chair and shifted to ease
the pain in his back as he settled in for another uneventful night.
-----
Screaming startled Bishop from his restless sleep as he shook the fog from his head. He then focused on the shadowy figure sitting on the bed amid the
tangled sheets. She sat with her face in her hands quivering as she cried great racking sobs of anguish. He went to her, enfolding his arms around her
and calling her name. She looked into his face and said, "Bishop"? "You're back". He said as he covered her tear stained face with soft kisses. She
grabbed the edge of the sheet, blew her nose, and tried to dry the deluge of tears escaping her eyes. "Where am I"? She asked the grateful ranger. "At
the Flagon" He said, as he lifted her face and kissed the two fleshy folds of her mouth. Khy felt his need and returned the fervor of his passion, losing
herself in his arms and the heat of his searching lips. He held her tight, afraid of losing her again to the empty void. "Who was it"? She asked him as her
body trembled. "Lorne". He said as she began to cry again. Bishop heard the sound of running in the hallway as the door opened and flooded the room
with people. The thankful ranger backed away as her companions greeted her with hugs and kisses. The last to approach her was Casavir. He sat next to
her and said, "My lady, we thought you lost to us". He lifted her from the bed, pulled her onto his lap, and embraced her, pressing his lips against hers.
"I love you my lady". He said breathlessly. Khy looked into his blue within blue eyes and said, "I know". Amber eyes looked intently at the two from
across the room as Bishop clinched his fists and silently swore.