10
Ammon sent me to seek the only one who knew how to re-forge the sword of Gith – a dragon. I wanted to smack the warlock hard on the head for not telling me about this Nolaloth earlier… never mind. I went with Zhjaeve, Khelgar and Neeshka that time.
"Yeyy, we're going to run around again – with dragons this time!" I had clapped my hands and grinned stupidly at him. He didn't like my sarcasm at all.
Our travel towards the valley of Nolaloth was the longest we had ever made. It took us four days and nights to get there, without counting the rest and camps. You can guess we were growing tired of it all, and were scared to meet with the ancient creature. Well, it didn't play that bad.
First of all, the dragon was only in spirit form – he couldn't die properly because his heart was enchanted to tie him to our world. He told me I had to re-forge the sword my self in a sacred and related place. I immediately knew it had to be West Harbor – there was a dark spot where the battle had ended.
Second, Nolaloth asked us to destroy his heart and grant him a peaceful rest. He warned us that other dragons would attack us, but it was the least we could do for him. No one wants to be stuck somewhere.
He was right though – young dragons attacked us as soon as we damaged the big heart. While Neeshka acted as distraction, Khelgar, Zhjaeve and I bashed the heart till it exploded. The little dragons disappeared with it and we all relaxed.
We decided to leave immediately for West Harbor and re-forge the sword. We made it in two days by passing through the Arvahn ruins and the song portal again. Once there, I began searching for the black spot, knowing it wasn't far – it was the only place where grass hadn't grown since the first attack.
We were all looking for it when we noticed some people around us.
"Are those survivors?" Neeshka squeaked, unsure of her own question.
"Tarmas?" I called when I recognized the wizard. I was about to go to him when Zhjaeve blocked the way.
"Know that these are not the people you knew. It's a simple trick – they use your memories and the associated emotions to them in order to manipulate you."
"But… but…" I looked at Tarmas again. He was hiding behind what was left of his home's door.
"Watch." Zhjaeve said and began chanting in her weird language again. All of the faces I was starting to recognize changed suddenly in their true form – dark, empty shadows.
"I can't stand this anymore…" I let out with a sigh. "It so easy to delegate or give orders… so easy to put others in charge… to refuse… to say no I refuse – I don't want to… so easy… but I don't have that option… not if I cared but only a little…"
I got out of my lunacy and charged at the shadows. When the last one fell under me, I was surprised to see I was on the exact spot we were looking for.
The githzerai asked me to sit down and cross my legs. She did the same, taking position in front of me and spreading the shards we had between us. She said I had to remake the sword with my will and concentration, and that she would be guiding me through this act.
I closed my eyes and listened to Zhjaeve's peaceful voice. I knew what I wanted – I wanted to be in peace, but for that I had to finish my quest. I had to stop the King of Shadows because he brought shadow, death and coldness with him, killing every natural thing and stealing happiness. "I have to stop him… if I dodn't, then who? … it's too heavy… I'm too small and alone…"
Zhjaeve's humming became slightly louder, but enough to bring me back to normal. I wasn't alone! The faces of my companions appeared in front of me and once more I thanked the gods to have them – I would have never succeeded at anything without them. The story was theirs as well and I wanted to win it for them. With them. "And what I want on top of it all is him… so be it just for them, and him… I have to…"
A mild and warm energy erupted through my chest and I opened my eyes to see light everywhere around us. Zhjaeve was still chanting but I couldn't see her – the only perceptible thing was the spectral form of a sword between us. The shards were slowly levitating and melting into it, as if they were alive and knew where they belonged. I got scared the piece in me would want to come out as well, but it didn't happen and the sword of Gith was fully re-forged and ready to use.
"Know that you are the new master of this blade. It is re-made by your will and will serve you only. Know also that the taste of your enemy is upon it, and that it will never be in peace until the enemy is defeated."
"The "taste of it"?" I asked.
Zhjaeve explained the sword was reformed in a sacred place where the enemy has already been. And because it was made whole again for the same reason, the sword wasn't at peace. I believed her – I could feel it breathing, waiting to be used against the foe. "I'm coming you piece of empty crap! You'll need to prey your momma cause she isn't going to recognize you even in hell!"
We left, killing another shadow reaver while we were at it…
At crossroad keep, things started to get pretty hot the exact moment we arrived. There was a fight going on and we had to join in fast. I must say my new blade made things much easier than I had imagined possible. The magic it emanated was also incredible – almost ecstatic.
Another shadow reaver appeared out of nowhere and began spreading black rays everywhere. I left my friends take care of the rest and ran towards the thing – I knew I could take it alone while Ammon recited its true name. "Let's see how you cope with this!"
As soon as my sword made contact with it, the shadow reaver let out a scream I had never heard before. Its attempt to squash me became furious and incoherent and I had to double my speed in order to defeat it. As soon as Ammon finished reading, the monster collapsed. I was glad for it hadn't missed me as well – I had scratches on my arms and chest and one of his claws was stuck deeply in my thigh, and blood was spilling like hell. When I became aware of the pain, my legs gave up and I fell right on my buttocks.
"Hmmhmmhmm… that looks like it hurts." Bishop mocked as he examined my leg. "Need me to pull it out Princess?"
"Pike off Bi…" But I was interrupted.
"Leave it to someone skillful." Daeghun emerged behind the man and pushed him aside. I was sure to collapse when he bent and began examining my leg with both his eyes and hands.
"Oh, so you're suggesting I'm not skilful?" My companion smirked.
"You don't know much about healing and you're not practicing on her." Daeghun snapped, still examining my thigh. I tried to look away and keep cool without much success. I'm not sure if it was the pain or the stress that bothered me most though, but my heartbeat was really becoming faster each second.
"Fine, it's not like I cared anyway." Bishop replied. "I hope you won't butcher her though – it would be sad to lose a leg, heih Princess?"
"Arrgh just let him do it would you!" I rolled my eyes and steadied myself on my elbows. Where were Casavir and Zhjaeve anyway? Even Elanee could have done it… "Are you actually complaining he is taking care of you?" My mind scolded once again. "Of course not! Please let the healing take a looooooong moment… without loosing consciousness…"
Bishop left with a shrug and only Ammon stood around us. I asked him to see if he could find something on our enemies' bodies so I would have Daeghun for myself.
"It passes right through the saphenous vein…" Daeghun mumbled.
"What does it mean?"
"Where is your Paladin friend?" He ignored my question and stood up to look quickly around. It seemed he spotted him because I heard a snarl and then he was back on my thigh. "Too far. Do you have any medics? Mine won't be enough."
"Yeah it's over there." I pointed at the spot where we had all dropped our stuff when we had arrived. It hit me that we were really alone. Everyone seemed to be gathered around the farms where skeletons and more shadows were left. Daeghun took my backpack and took something out of his pouch before he bent down again.
"Lie on your side." He ordered.
"Wha…" But I decided not to question him. He knew what he was doing.
"The other side Phael." He sighed when I turned on my left.
"Oh great I won't be able to look at what he does." I ranted. I heard him tear apart something that sounded like tissues, then place things on the ground. He also opened a bottle – probably one my healing potions.
"This will hurt a little." He warned me. I felt to dizzy with the loss of blood to care about the pain and just nodded. When I felt him pull the claw though, my mind became lucid again and I had to grind my teeth so I wouldn't moan.
"Bloody shit!" I hissed when it came entirely out. Daeghun was pouring drops of the potion on the two edged wound. "I had no idea it was out on the other side…"
"That's normal. You don't feel much when your body produces a lot of adrenaline, but once it stops you become aware of your wounds. Those you don't remember receiving are the worst – like this one. How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Mmmmm… fine…" I lied.
"You lost a lot of blood…" He frowned, and that's the last thing I saw before fainting.
I merely remember looking at his neck while he walked towards the small castle. Once we were in my quarters, he left me on the bed and sat on a chair next to it. He was examining the sword of Gith and peeking at me when I came back to my senses.
"Better?" He asked, the sword still between his hands.
"Yes." I mumbled shyly and moved my legs to see if all felt normal. Aside from being a little numb, all seemed fine. "Thank you." I mumbled again and felt the blood rush to my face. "Oh no… not a blush?"
"You're welcome. It was only normal." He said. "This weapon is impressive. It feels magically charged."
"It is. You remember the shards?" I asked as I sat on the bed, facing him.
"They were from this?"
"Yes. Zhjaeve helped me re-forge it… in West Harbor."
"That's where you were then." He noted. "We'll talk more about this another time Phael. I have things to do, and you as well."
I wanted to say something else, but Daeghun just stood up and gave me the blade before exiting my room. Right then, Grobnar rushed in and told me Ammon was gone. I went after the warlock with Bishop and Sand.
We found him at Shandra's farm, fighting against some demons – Ammon had a lot of enemies from the hells. Once they were dealt with, he began yelling at me.
"You didn't need to come rescue me Knight Captain!"
"I have a name you moron!" I shouted back, but then I relaxed, as I understood he was grieving. He looked awful. "I didn't mean to interrupt your… farewells."
"Don't excuse yourself Phael." He calmed down as well. "I am to blame… I'm sorry Shandra."
Something was glowing not far from Ammon and he went to see what it was. I don't know how that happened, but the object he took from the ground was Shandra's pendulum – which she was wearing when she died. It stopped shining when he took it.
The battle had started again at the keep when we came back. Neval asked us to destroy the two bridges around the keep and I immediately left for it with Casavir and Sand. I was really sick of running around and needed a change of clothes badly.
More skeletons, shadow-priests and even vampires attacked us and at one point we were really outnumbered. I got scarred we would die as we got surrounded by a dozen of them. There was no way we could watch our backs as the three of us had to attack as much as possible.
But suddenly arrows flew everywhere on our enemies, and I saw Daeghun with two other archers not far from us.
"Daeghun…" It slipped me. I wasn't expecting him to help me yet again that day.
He informed me on what I had to expect on the other bridge and then left to his own duties without adding more.
We managed to complete our mission and returned to the castle when things calmed down. I wondered if the keep would really hold on…
After Elanee and Zhjaeve healed the wounded, we all went for rest – the great shadow army was probably arriving soon and we needed to be in total shape.
During the night, after I had bathed and changed in clean leather armor, I decided to wander around on the roofs. I couldn't sleep much and thought fresh air would do me good. I could for once really enjoy the view of the land from my own new home.
"Home… Could this be home if he stood here with me? What if I survive, but he leaves… would he let me follow him then? Would he push me away? Can I live without him?" My mind was torturing me. "He took care of me earlier… twice… but what if he still hates me… no no, he doesn't… and I promised I would haunt him after all this would end… will it end… why didn't my real father appear to me… what will I do with all of this… will I tell him… but tell him what… that I lo…"
I thought I heard a familiar sound – like a ready bow strap. "So Princess, you lonely tonight?" Bishop was right behind me, inhaling at the base of my neck. I backed on the side and faced him.
"Come again?" I hissed.
"Come on captain!" He smirked. "You think I don't know you're hiding as well? Why don't you…" he cornered me at the ledge with both his arms and approached his face inches of mine, "tell me about it?"
"Look," I pushed pass him and stepped back. "Pike off. Ok!"
"Listen Princess, I don't know why you're doing it, but let's be honest – you're going to lose. There is still time to step out of all this crap." He approached me again, but I backed up as well. "I say we run, just you and me. Let's leave Neverwinter to its own shit."
…
"To its own shit?" My tone got higher though I wasn't yelling. "Are you out of your frigging mind ranger? Don't you really know why I'm doing this?" It was his turn to back away from me. "Bishop, I have this damn thing inside of me – I am the only one who can use the sword of Gith against that fanatic! And for your information, he won't stop with Neverwinter only."
"So be it then. I'll let you be the little puppy of fate as you seem to like." He looked infuriated, but something about his features told me he had already other things on his mind. "But tell me Princess; why do you still refuse to share my bed? You love someone maybe?"
I looked away to avoid his eyes and stood quiet. No way I was going to tell him anything about my problem. Bishop waited some time, obviously trying figuring out who it could be. "There's no way he could…" But my thought was cut short by his sudden chuckling.
"By the forest!" He took another step back towards the stairs. "That's why you're such a mess Knight Captain. I'll leave you to your problems then – better spent the rest of the night with some wench at the tavern. They'll certainly be less amusing, but more willing." With that, he left for good.
I didn't even feel the need to yell at him – I was too exhausted of everything. "Now where was I… ah yes…he is right, it is a problem… I really do lo…" I suddenly remembered the sound of bowstrings and looked on my right. He came out of the shadow.
"Oh man… what a mess…" I said my thoughts aloud this time and hid my face while turning the other way. At that moment I remembered Bishop didn't say anything Daeghun could interpret clearly and calmed down. But still; he was there and he had heard everything…
When I looked at him I saw his bow and arrows were out. "Damn, is he married to that weapon?" It was too much and I couldn't resist the tension any longer. I burst in laughter – my nerves needed any kind of release.
"Not a parent, but there he is, always protecting me… what am I going to do with that? Be a hypocrite and push the feelings somewhere safe? Somewhere no one would find them? No… There is NO safe place – and you can't run away from your feelings. I just have to find a way to deal with them…"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spy or anything." He said as he tied the bow on his back. "I was already here when you arrived."
"It's ok… but you didn't show yourself… yet again." I looked away to hide the pressure I felt in my chest.
"I did so because I heard the human approaching. I don't like him and I don't like it when he is around you." He said coldly, but without any real distinct emotion. "He smells treachery."
"I really don't care about him right now," I said trembling, "but thanks for watching over me."
"I don't want to intervene in your private life… I'll leave you now."
I stopped him. I wanted him to stay a while; I needed it. "We have to get some rest Phael. The battle is not over."
"I know that! I just want some time with you – can't you live with that?" I snapped, forgetting he might guess it was all about him.
He sighed. "I don't understand why, but yes, I can live with that." He looked at the landscape and I imitated him, thinking it was better to shut up. We didn't talk for a while – a while in which my desire to touch him grew wild. I didn't dare. "Chicken shit!"
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Euhhh… nothing." I lied.
"You're lying."
"I know." I sighed. "It's just my hidden dark side…"
"It's fine – you don't need to tell my anything you don't want to." He said. "Just let me know if you have troubles that I can help with."
I wanted to add something – badly – but my mouth stood glued and merely formed a tiny smile. We left soon after, without me knowing where he was headed. I wasn't able to get more sleep, and soon a soldier rushed in my room to tell me the army was arriving.
It was just the beginning…
