Sheila did as Kareena asked and remained at the Inn awaiting further word.
On her second morning there she dressed and headed down to the dining hall only to find the place abuzz with new that her friend had passed away during the early morning hours.
"Is it quite certain?" she asked the Inn Keeper dejectedly.
"Oh yes; Venger sent his Shadow Demon into town to make the announcement," he replied.
"And the funeral; has there been any word about when or where it may occur?" she asked.
"It is to be a private affair attended to by Lord Venger. We were given no further information on the matter," he replied glumly. "It is a shame; that lady was good to this town and I'm certain that many would have wished to pay her their respects."
Sheila nodded as she fought to remain composed. "I don't suppose that anyone has arrived with a message for me?"
When the man shook his head, she returned to her room and cried until she fell into a fitful sleep. Even then, her dreams were of sitting on a rock near a lake with Kareena and laughing together. She didn't awaken until after dark, when thirst and hunger finally drove her down to the dining hall.
There, she took a seat at one of the tables near the window, farthest from the fireplace and ordered some stew and a glass of water.
The dining hall filled quickly after that and by the time her meal arrived there were few seats left. From what she learned during her stay there, the Inn was well known for it's excellent food and more often than not the dining hall was packed in the evening.
"Dining alone?" came a course voice from near her shoulder.
She looked up to find a large, slovenly, sun-browned man hovering over her. He stunk as though he hadn't bathed in weeks and he leered at her in a most disconcerting way.
"Yes," she sniffed, turning away to ignore him.
"Well, you got me to keep you company now," he laughed, taking the seat beside her.
"Do as you please," she replied, then nearly choked as he grabbed her thigh under the table.
Before she could even react, a hand landed on the man's shoulder and he was instantly dragged from the bench.
"That is no way to treat a woman," came the deep voice of her rescuer.
He had long, light brown hair, deep blue eyes, a strong jaw line and a face covered with a smattering of freckles. And although his manner of dress was simple, his rich fur-edged cloak, good boots and the bow he carried on his back announced him to be a Hunter. He was a large, well built man; though smaller and leaner than the piggish man he seemed to have in some sort of arm lock.
"Out you go!" he exclaimed as he propelled the man to the door. "You'll be dining elsewhere this night; unless you're like to step outside and fight me?"
The man didn't answer, but ran off in a cowardly manner the moment he was released.
She watched apprehensively as her savior approached her, but the concerned look he gave her instantly put her at ease.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Yes. Thank-you so much for the rescue," she replied.
He gave her a small smile. "Oh, it was my pleasure to throw him out, I assure you!" Then he bowed. "Nate Harbenger at your service, Ma'am."
"My name is Sheila," she replied, then indicated the place beside her at the table. "Please have a seat."
He did. "Sheila, did you say?" At her nod, he continued, "I thought it might be you from the description I was given. It turns out that you are who I was sent to find."
"Are you from the Citadel, then?" she asked, her heart skipping a beat.
He nodded. "I am. Lord Venger has sent me to fetch you back. You've been invited to attend his sister's funeral pyre tonight."
She dropped her eyes to her untouched bowl of stew and gathered her courage. Kareena had wanted her to do what she could for Venger and now she'd been invited into his presence. Looking up she met Nate's concerned gaze. "When am I to arrive?"
"How about if we leave dinner?" he replied. "There is no tremendous rush and I'm quite famished."
She smiled at him. "Then please allow me to buy your meal. It's the least I can do after your timely rescue."
"All right," he said with a grin.
As they ate, the chatted amicably about a wide range of topics, although few questions were asked and little personal information was given.
Finally, Sheila's curiosity got the better of her; she found Nate to be both attractive and friendly and couldn't help but wonder if he was the man Kareena told her she was destined to be with.
"Do you work for Venger?" she asked during a lull in their conversation.
He scowled. "Lord Venger," he corrected.
She stared at him. "I guess that's a yes, then," she breathed.
He sighed as well, the scowl disappearing. "I am merely trying to keep you out of danger. Best that you practice saying it now so that you do not slip up in his presence."
"So, how did you come to be in his employ?" she continued.
"Stubborn, eh?" he observed. "And proud as well, I see." He shook his head. "Please remember what I said and swallow your pride around him, especially if others are present. I've seen people skinned alive for such insolence and I would hate to see that happen to a nice young lady such as yourself!"
She dropped her gaze away from his concerned one. "I will do as you suggest."
"Then I shall answer your question," he smirked. "I am in Lord Venger's service, but only because I was indentured as a young man to pay off my family's debts. They made a deal with him rather than forfeit their lands and he agreed because my tracking abilities are of great service to him."
"And do you always travel with him?"
"Not usually. Most of the time I am sent off on assignments that do not require his presence. This time was unusual to say the least."
As she made to question him further, he held up a hand. "Ask me no more questions for I cannot reveal more than I already have. Now, if you are done eating we should be on our way. Collect your things and I shall meet you outside."
Standing, he held out a hand and helped her to her feet. Strangely, she felt the Ring of the Heart suddenly pulse on her finger when their hands met. Her conviction that he was the man she was destined to be with increased, though she still was not quite sure what to make of him.
After gathering her things, Sheila found Nate waiting for her out front next to his horse; a very large buckskin that nickered at her in a friendly manner.
"I think he likes you," the hunter observed as she cautiously approached and rubbed the horse's head.
"He's very handsome," she replied. "What's his name?"
"No idea." At her startled look he added, "He's not mine. He's on loan to me only long enough for me to fetch you."
He helped her onto the horse and then startled her by mounting up behind her. "You didn't expect me to walk, I hope?" he laughed.
She felt herself blush, both at her stupidity and at his nearness. Although he sat far back of her, occasionally their thighs would bump together as the horse trotted along.
The trip was made quickly and in relative silence, neither of them saying much and by the time the moons were at their zenith, they stood at the base of the Citadel stairs.
Nate dismounted and then helped her down. "It was a pleasure meeting you," he said as he bowed and then began to lead the horse away.
"Wait!" she called, in a panic. "Aren't you going to bring me to… him?"
Nate actually frowned at her. "He will meet you in Kareena's audience chamber. From the way you greeted him on the stairs the other day I expected you to show more courage now."
"How do you know of that?" she asked, shocked, by his mention of it.
"He told me of it when he sent me to fetch you. T'was he who insisted that I warn you to address him properly this time," he replied with a smirk. Then his expression softened and he made one last bow. "Take heart Sheila. Be the strong person you are and all will go well for you. Only remember that there is a difference between strength and stupidity."
Then he led the stallion around the base of the Citadel and out of sight.
With a sigh, Sheila started up the stairs, her courage bolstered quite a bit by the hunter's words.
Once again she knocked on the large wooden door once she reached it, but this time it was answered by an orc in servant's garb and she had to stifle the shriek that nearly escaped her at the surprise.
"You come this way," it grunted at her and then turned and began leading the way. Once at the large audience chamber it pointed into the room and narrowed its beady pig-like eyes at her. "You wait here. No touch anything!"
With a gulp, she moved inside and then froze when she saw the enormous, ornate casket at the center of the room. A garden's worth of night blooming vines snaked around the platform it lay upon, encircling it with fragrant purple-black blooms.
Without thinking, she dropped her sack and moved towards it, stopping only when she saw that it was indeed Kareena's body positioned peacefully on the silk cushions within. She didn't know how long she stood there, staring at her friend's remains as memories overcame her and tears tracked down her cheeks, but quite some time later a strange fluttering sound made her jump and turn around.
Venger stood in the room behind her, folding his wings over his shoulders. And as on the steps a few days previously, his face was thankfully devoid of both malice and spite.
She stood her ground, waiting for him to speak and was surprised when he walked up to stand beside her, his eyes also taking in the casket.
"All is as she wished it," he said, his voice pitched softly. "It is time to bid her adieu." His eyes moved side wise to glance at her. "Are you ready?"
She nodded. "Who will be there?" she dared to ask.
"Just us. All is exactly as she wished it." He turned and headed for the doorway, then spoke over his shoulder. "Come along."
Confused, she followed him through the citadel and up several long flights of stairs until they finally exited on the top of the tallest tower. She quickly noticed the large pyre that had been prepared there and realized that Kareena had wished to be cremated.
Moving forward, Venger raised his hands upwards and towards the pyre even as his wings flared out behind him in reflexive counterbalance. Words of power boomed from him and Kareena's casket appeared atop the stacked wood. As he again raised his hands, intent upon casting one last spell, Sheila ran forward.
"Wait!" she cried.
He lowered his arms and stared at her as though shocked that she would dare to interrupt him, but she shook her head. "One of us should say something in her memory."
He blinked and sneered in that way only he could, baring sharp teeth. "Then you had best say it and be quick about it," he growled.
Sheila thought for a moment and then spoke in a strong voice, "Be mindful, O Lord, of all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal, especially Kareena; pardon all her transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, whether in word or deed or thought and shelter her in a place of verdure, a place of repose, whence all sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away. Amen."
She then nodded at Venger, who's mouth was set in a tight, grim line and he cast the spell which set the pyre burning.
They both were driven back to the edges of the tower by the intense magical heat and stood there bearing witness for the hour it took the pyre to burn itself out. Then Venger again cast another spell and those bits of bone and dust which were all that remained of Kareena's earthly form were encased in a box of blue marble. With a wave of his hand he made it disappear from sight.
"Her remains will be interred at the ancient burial site of our family," he explained, then turned to face her as she began moving towards the stairs. "Our business is not yet done, little thief," he said."Tell me; where will you go when you leave here?"
At the startled look she gave him, he smirked. "Ah, so Kareena did make a last request of you as well; one involving me, perchance?"
She decided that it would be foolish indeed to try to lie to him, so she twisted the truth instead. "Yes. She wanted me to... look after you," she breathed.
He moved closer and gave her a measuring look, before turning his back to her and folding his arms across his chest. "What if I told you that I promised her that I would 'look after' you as well?"
She bowed her head, shook it and smiled in a self-depreciating way just as he looked back at her.
"What is it?"
"I had enough of your lies and evil bargains when I was a child to last me a lifetime" She sighed. "Why ever would you offer me your protection now; even if your sister did ask it of you?"
He again turned to face her. "I hear that things have not gone well for you since you turned away from the Dungeon Master," he said, then continued in a conspiratorial tone, "As one who was once in similar circumstances, I know that he has since manipulated your life; attempting to make it more difficult than you can bear and all so that you would return to his service. Nor will it end there, little thief; he may in fact make your life worse… much worse. Should you stay with me, under my roof, I can protect you from his further manipulations."
"So, you're going to help protect me from him? What is it that you get out of this? I know it must be something."
"Foiling him would be payment enough for me!" he spat. "Do not make the mistake of thinking I do this out of concern for you or out of a sense of familial duty; I offer you only the safe haven of my home, nothing more! Now, what is your decision?"
In truth, she'd always meant to keep her promise to Kareena, so there was only one way in which to answer him. "I accept your offer. Besides, it isn't like I had anywhere else to go."
He actually smiled in a triumphant manner. "So I've heard." His wings flared out dramatically, creating an impressive draft as he lifted his arms high. "Let us be on our way, then!"
The very air lit up brightly around them and when it faded she saw that they stood at the base of the citadel once more. Venger's Nightmare was there with her traveling sack flung over it's back.
The demon horse neighed at her, bringing a sour look to Venger's face. He pointed a finger at her then flicked it towards the Nightmare and she shrieked as she lost her footing only to find herself lifted atop the steed.
Before she could even compose herself, Venger had mounted up behind her. Unlike the gentlemanly hunter, the fiend intentionally pressed against her, his thighs nearly covering her own, his chest against her back. The feel of his body heat made her blush deeply.
His evil chuckle reverberated close behind her as one of his arms snaked around to take up the reins. "A nightmare is no typical horse," he laughed. "So you must allow me some liberty with this delightful body of yours... unless, of course, you prefer to risk falling off?"
Angered that he picked up on her consternation so easily, she managed to steady her voice and sound completely unconcerned when she replied, "It would take more of a man than you to get me flustered while riding double! Nevertheless, thank you for seeing to it that I ride safely."
There was silence behind her, broken only by a few deep breaths. Was he trying to keep his temper?
When he finally spoke, his voice was pitched low, but calm, "If you refer to the hunter, then I should caution you that things are not always as they seem, little thief. He may seem a good and proper man to you, but his past holds dark secrets and you would do well to avoid him whenever possible."
"Look who's talking!" she snapped, turning so that she could look up at him. "What exactly did he do; hunt on your lands for some poor family?"
His eyes narrowed. "He killed his wife," he said without preamble.
She was literally stunned. "You lie...!"
"Bah! What is it to me what you do with him? I said I would protect you and I have done what I can where the hunter is concerned. If you wish to ignore my advice, then so be it!"
He kicked the Nightmare and they were instantly catapulted into the air, Sheila flung backwards against the unyielding chest behind her. Her eyes now facing front, she grabbed a handful of the horse's mane and held on for dear life, suddenly grateful for Venger's restraining legs.
Next: In the Castle of Venger