06

Getting physical or mental break was obviously out of question.

We gained access to the noble district at one point and finally met with Aldanon, the sage.

He was able to fill us in with what we needed to know, and even gave me another shard before he explained they were once a sword. That sword had broken during the battle in West Harbor, when some warlock, Ammon Jerro, was fighting against the King of Shadows.

"Screw this!" I had hissed to myself. "It's his fault I'm here – I'll make sure to thank him in kind when we'll meet!"

Aldanon said we should gain access to the warlock's haven in order to find more about my situation. I also had to find if the man had heirs – the haven was accessible only by family members. That's how we ended visiting the Blacklake archives, where we discovered who was the last member of the Jerro family.

Her name was Shandra… a very moody, yet pleasant to be with human. I was just getting quite attached to her when she died… another event that almost broke me. A lot happened before it came to that of course – to start with Shandra's kidnapping by the same githyanki who usually chased me.

Since the girl was taken near Luskan territories, we needed the help of a tracker. That's how Bishop, a human ranger who reminded me slightly of Emile, joined us. It seemed he owed something to Duncan, so he was so to speak forced to help. Still, he decided to stay around after the rescue mission to earn some money.

We all had seen him in the inn before, drinking as much as Khelgar and glancing at girls as if they were bloody meat. One time, he really pissed me off by looking at Elanee in that exact same manner. I had stepped next to her to block his view and give him the most threatening look I could. He had looked away with a smirk.

Besides Qara and I, no one could stand Bishop for too long. He was vulgar, impolite, and loved bothering others with nasty jokes – especially the holy paladin. Casavir couldn't stand him.

I personally didn't mind Bishop for the same reason as Qara – their behavior was a sad comedy in order to hide. I reacted a few times when things got out of control though.

With time, I noticed my gaze fell often on Bishop. Not that I liked him, but I was fascinated. Every time Bishop would breathe in the air, touch the ground or listen to the evidence the forest offers him, I would see Daeghun in his place. How did he track or hunt? How did he breathe in? "He probably closes his eyes…"

I must have looked at the ranger often while we were tracking the githyanki, because he took me aside when we set camp. "What's wrong princess, never saw a real man in your life before?" His face was so close to mine, that I could tell how much ale and food he had taken for the last two days.

"Not impressed." I replied, keeping my neutral stare. "You just remind me of someone – which is none of your business."

"Someone you liked?" He breathed on my neck. I'm not sure how long it would have taken me to smack him, but I must have made some sort of face. Bishop stepped back. "Something's wrong with you princess… anyway, let me know if you want to taste a real man." He left with a sneer. "Annoying mosquito!"

We found Shandra that same night, along with more surprises. I learned that the shards really came from a legendary weapon called the sword of Gith. Naturally, the githyanki hunters who were after me, the Sword Stalkers, wanted it back. Now, it's not that I didn't want to give the shards away – trust me, I dreamed of being free at last – but something in me said I couldn't.

Also, the githyanki were attacking me from the very start and were responsible for Amy's death.

Shandra was held captive in the final lair of the cave, where we met Zeeaire, the leader of my pursuers. I was surprised when she addressed me with words, even if it was to call me thief. She was enraged I possessed pieces of the sword and used her magic to get them without us being able to do a thing against it. Before I could call the attack, Zeeaire paralyzed us all. Some invisible force pulled my body in the air before her and something In my heart twitched painfully.

What happened after is difficult to explain or recall sanely. I remember falling on my knees, with my hands on my heart while searching for desperately for air. Something was happening around me, but I could only hear my slow heart beat. I was empty, and so was the world. Suddenly, it seemed that my path was far different from what I thought, and so I wished to die and be left alone.

"But what about Daeghun you dumb ass? And what of your friends hmm?"

I was unable to take my senses back and really on the edge of letting go, when she took my chin and lifted my head. Whatever was going on stopped to leave me only with her.

Beautiful as she was, with golden hair falling elegantly on her white dress and perfect milky body, she could only be coming out of my dreams. I smiled naively to her, but as soon as her deep eyes pore in mine, I knew it was real.

"Fight." She whispered, breaking my paralysis entirely.

By the time I was on my feet again, she was gone. I thanked her silently and moved next to one of my companions in order to evaluate the situation.

"The pillars!" I heard Elanee scream.

Zeeaire died shortly after, saying it was too late for us because of the Dark King. We freed Shandra and returned in Duncan's inn.

***

When we arrived at the Sunken Flagon, a special guard of the Neverwinter's lord came to tell me I was accused of slaughtering and burning a whole luskan village. "Me?"

I can't tell you how long it took to end this mess, but it was awfully evil on the soul. First of all, the village was really slaughtered – you don't need to be a frigging paladin to grieve over that. Second, I had to become a knight so my trial would be in Neverwinter rather than Luskan. Thanks to my numerous services to Neverwinter, I became a knight in one day. "Very practical." Then we gathered evidence for Sand, with whom I prepared my defenses. The wizard was my lawyer during the court. All went almost well, till the luskan ambassador called justice – in brief, I had to battle against one of their champion.

Since the battle was going to happen the next day, I had to pass the night at the temple of the god TYR. "Great… hours with myself alone…" I mentally hissed, but then Khelgar appeared at the door. He offered to fight in my place but I refused politely. The dwarf gave me his strongest bear hug and wished me the best of luck.

As soon as he was out Casavir came to offer the same thing. I refused again and he left after giving me some paladin lucky. I was happy for their visit, and became even happier when Shandra, Neeshka, Elanee and Grobnar showed up as well. They were so noisy, that the priests of TYR almost threw them out after a minute, but resigned after they promised to calm down.

Smiling sadly, Elanee was the last one to leave. She told me Qara was stuck at the Sunken Flagon, cleaning.

Although I was happy, I started to feel worry when Sand arrived. It felt as if I was really going to die the next day, and that all of these visits were actually good-byes…

Nevertheless, I smiled and thanked him again for the formidable speech he threw at the luskan ambassador. He said he was happy to help but it was obvious he was also proud and satisfied. He gave me a potion to drink before the battle and left gracefully. I watched him till he disappeared, wondering about his age and if Daeghun was older. I told myself he was very attractive, intelligent and that contrary to Daeghun, one was able to have a coherent conversation with him. "Maybe if I could just leave the ears and switch the faces…"

But I couldn't. I leaned my back against the cold wall and rested my head between my hands with a sigh. "How did I come to this?" Footsteps on the marblish floor forced me to raise my head and look. It was Bishop.

To my surprise, he sat next to me before he spoke. "So princess, you like playing the heroes?"

It was difficult to figure what he wanted since he knew very well I had nothing to offer him. I had no idea what had happened to him in the past, but Bishop was obviously scared of "feeling" and avoided that verb unless it brought him security and strength.

"I am not playing the heroes." I frowned. "What did you really wish to ask me?"

He shrugged. "There seems to be mysteries around you… you believe in the gods don't you princess?"

"What's your point man? You know I do already, so why the question? And besides, why do you always call me princess?"

"Just to piss you off – I know you dislike it."

"I never said anything like that. I just wonder …"

"Why don't you despise me like the rest of your little group?" He ignored the previous subject.

"It's only a mask." I shrugged. "You wear a thick, lonely mask." My hand moved in circle in front of my face. "I don't need to look far to see that – I hide my feelings behind one as well..." Bishop simply stood up and left with a low "good luck". Once he was out of sight, I remembered I hadn't answered his question about the deities.

The luskan representative fighter sadly happened to be Bevil's missing brother Lorn. I couldn't talk him out of the fight and it ended up with blood on my hands, again.

I decided it was time to return to West Harbor for a short while – I badly needed answers from Daeghun, and had to tell Bevil's mother what had happened. The Jerro haven could wait.

I told everyone to take a break while I would go to my village, but Casavir, Elanee Shandra and Sand decided they needed a change of air and followed me.

All of them were quite animated during our travel. It made me happy to listen to their jokes and tales – especially Sand's. That wizard had a marvelous talent with language and words.

It's only when we got closer to our destination that I realized I would soon see him. I was dying for it, though I had to prepare mentally for whatever would happen with him.