XVI is here. My muse has been generous recently. So read, hopefully enjoy and hopefully review. I'm really curious what you think.
Sylistra again thank you for sticking to this :)
Thanks all,
MS
The sun was way up in the sky when Nessa woke up. To her surprise she found that her hands and legs were free. At first she thought that it must be a dream. She sat up very slowly and took a look around. She searched for either Quirk or the troll. Apparently she was there alone. Still very warily she moved to the bed's edge and put her feet on the floor, one after another. With an effort she tried to get up. Her face grimaced as the sting of pain that ran across the arm that held her up. She was forced to sit back. She was very frustrated. She planned to escape, and yet such small activity surpassed her. She clenched her teeth and made another attempt to get up. Suddenly she was interrupted by Quirk's voice:
"NO, NO Nessa. You're overexerting yourself! You've been seriously wounded. Recovering needs time.!" Quirk admonished Nessa – "Sit…. Please. First you have to eat something. And then I'll ask Wink to take you out, to take the air. But first you need to eat. No eating, no fresh air. Understood?. Wink bring the food will you?"
Nessa heard the troll emit evidently displeased growl. Then she heard the sound of heavy steps. After a moment he entered the bedroom with really huge tray. Nessa's stomach rumbled at the sight of food. She was starving. Once the troll left the tray on a bed, she grabbed it, as if it was her first meal ever.
"Now that's a relief… "Quirk sighed – "I was convinced that I will have to strain my voice trying to convince you to eat something. You're full of surprises.. Indeed"
"I call it simply self preservation instinct.." Nessa replied swallowing a huge bite of cheese. – "I need to have strength to hold my blade… Speaking of which.. what will you do once I kill your master?"
"I'm not used to worrying in advance. And moreover, you are overconfident. And arrogant. After all, you are here, just where he wanted you to be. Maybe the circumstances he had imagined were slightly different, but still outcome is satisfactory for him. And definitely not for you." Ouirk successfully cooled Nessa down. She finished her meal in silence with eyes bored to the ground.
"Since you've finished eating, we can go for a short walk, if you want to. Wink will be your support. You cannot force yourself too much. Come, the day is beautiful." Quirk encouraged Nessa to get up.
After nutritious breakfast Nessa felt much better. Stronger. It underpinned her spirit. She stood up on her feet ignoring the arm that Wink reluctantly offered to her.
"Don't bother." She snarled – " I don't need your help"
Very slowly she walked towards the bedroom doorway. With every step taken, she felt more confident. Finally she straightened and quite vigorously, she headed for purple curtain. Quirk looked at Wink shrugged and let him sit her on his shoulder. Having that done, Wink followed the woman.
The wave of daylight blinded Nessa and made her take a step back. She spent two days in the cave, and her eyes definitely were overwhelmed with the intensity of stimuli coming from the outer world. As she took one more step backwards, she felt her back hit something hard. She turned her head to see Mr. Wink's stomach. She looked up and captured Quirk's amused face.
"We are just watching your back… Literally" – fairy grinned.
"Well, lead the way my warden. I really need to stretch my legs." – Nessa stepped aside to let Wink pass her through
"No… no…, guests first." – Quirk flatly declined woman's offer – "It would be very careless of us to leave a rogue behind Am I wrong?"
"Disarmed and wounded one? Why would you say so?" – with a sly smile Nessa took a step outside.
Everything was going perfect. She didn't suspect that they would set her free so soon. Now she'll just have to use the opportunity to look around and to find escape route. And then, she'll just have to wait till night for, her best friend to appear. The darkness… There was one more thing left to do; she had to reclaim her blades. That might be the weakest link in her plan, but she hoped that the elf did not take them. A plain thought of losing them made her muscles strain. She swept it aside, and exposed her face to the sun. Then she slowly opened her eyes allowing them to adjust to the amount of light. She gave a short glance to the space in front of her. Right hand side was dominated by thick brushwood. Nessa's sharp eyes spotted a small path just by the rock. On the left, rocks formed a little ravine.
"So which way, left or right?" Nessa asked
"Left" – Quirk replied – " I don't think you'll find bushes interesting…'
So right is my way out. Nessa smirked turning left. They entered the rock corridor and walked down it for a few moments. Finally the view that revealed before them left Nessa breathless. It was as she entered a different dimension.
"It's amazing" – words just slipped out of her mouth. She took a step forward and slowly looked around the place. It was like taken out of a dream. The lake was located in the middle of a combe surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs. A thin strip of "rocky beach" separated it from green forest flora. Again, on the left, Nessa saw considerable cluster of trees. She headed for it. After a moment of meandering among the trees, she reached a small clearing. She slowly entered it, greedily devouring each inch of open space with her eyes.
"This is Master's actual training space" – a voice coming from behind brought her back – " I was sure you will like it."
"Yes, I definitely do. It is well hidden, very private. I was not aware of its existence, although I've been living all my life here in Amaranth. How did you find it?" Nessa asked
"You've spent too much time in cities. And answering to your question.. We were just passing through. We needed a rest so I prayed to the Forest Lady for a safe shelter for the night. And she led us here. I made these brushwood part. Earlier, there was no way to get here. At least, I don't believe there was." Quirk replied – " You are free to move around here. Wink will stay with you. Do not come up with reckless ideas. There's no way out of here. Not without Master's permission. So enjoy your freedom as long as you can. Before dusk you need to be back in the cave. Now if you excuse me, I have some work to do." – with this words Quirk flew off Wink's shoulder and left the clearing.
Nessa peeked at the troll. He stood in guarding stance. Nessa smirked. You just can stand there all eternity. I know you want me to provoke you. Good luck… She did not plan to escape now. She laid down on a grass lacing her fingers behind head. She watched the clouds as they lazily scudded by. She knew everything she needed to know. Escape plan was ready in her head. Once the darkness arrives, they won't stand a chance to get her. Relaxed and satisfied she fell asleep. She was awaken by a rough tug. Instinctively she jumped up on her feet and stood in defensive stance. It was the troll. After a while she realized that she must have overslept, the day was coming to an end. She slightly relaxed, and said:
"Alright, just calm down. I'm going, see? For Bhaal's rage, you're really tensed for a cave troll.." – she kept her distance as she passed him through heading for the cave.
In the cave Quirk was already waiting with the supper. It consisted mainly of fruits. As they ate, Nessa casted furtive looks at the chamber. Finally she located what she was searching for. Her blades resting upon weapon stand. How silly of them to keep such things exposed.
"From now on you will sleep on bearskin. I see that you're better now, there's no need to use Master's bed anymore." Quirk stated – "Go lay yourself down, and I need to change your bandages."
Nessa obediently executed Quirks request, and submitted to her actions. Then she was finally left alone. All she had to do now was to wait. And be patient. Freedom was at the reach of her hand.
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It was close midnight when Nessa soundlessly sneaked off her bedding. She stopped and listened. Finally she heard Quirk's regular breath meaning she was asleep. Now she had to locate troll, as she didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble. Very thoroughly she searched the room with her eyes. Apparently the troll was not in the lair. So far everything was perfect. The second room was lit only by single candle, so without bigger problem Nessa merged with the darkness and moved towards the weapon stand. When she reached it and rested her hands upon the blades, she felt complete again. She grabbed them, and quickly headed for the exit. Then almost automatically the turned right in search of a hidden path. Once she found it, without hesitation she entered brushwood maze. She just could not ignore freedom's call.
After a few moments she found herself in the forest. She took a deep breath and smiled. That was not very difficult. However very educational. I will never mess with other people's business again. Making this vow, she buckled her belt, and proceeded deeper into the forest.
She barely took a few steps, when something strange started to happen. First, she felt she couldn't breathe. As if an invisible hand clutched on her throat. She leaned against the nearest tree to fight it. She heard her heartbeat in her ears. The world spun around her. There was something wrong. And it seemed to overtake her. She forced herself to further march. She staggered more with every step. Eventually she fell down on her hands and knees breathing heavily. It felt like all of her wounds had opened. She felt blood dropping of her nose. As she raised her hand to wipe it, she almost lost her balance.
"What the Nine Hells is happening to me?" – she whispered
"I will tell you' – the voice from the darkness made her muscles tense –"It's very impolite to leave ball without goodbye. How could you leave me this way? Did you not like the hospitality I offered? That breaks my heart…"
As soon as Nessa spotted Nuada's black shoes, she prepared herself to flinch. At the same time with great effort she riposted "You were supposed to be gone for 5 days. Time is money in my profession. I really assumed that you'd understand.. Speaking of which, back so soon?"
"Perky as always.." he said approaching her slowly – "Well unfortunately, like it or not, you're coming back with me. If you obey me, I guarantee your immunity. If not, and believe me I'm counting on that, I would have to break your resistance. More or less literally. So what will it be?"
"You forgot the third option, MY WAY. I'm leaving taking your head with me!" Nessa lunged forward to knock Nuada down.
Nuada took a step aside and let her fall to the ground. With a smile he unsheathed his lance and turned to face her.
"Perfect. Thank you for making this more enjoyable." having his lance extended, he put himself in defensive stance.
Nessa rolled sideways and kneeled. Her inside writhed in pain. She reached for her blades, and slowly got up. Even if this was supposed to be her end, she would not surrender. She wiped off the blood her face and spoke:
"What are you waiting for? If you want me, come and claim me…"
"At this very moment, your wish, is my command" Nuada murmured and flung forward.
Nessa dodged his blow and tried to cut him through the kidney area. He made a quick turn somersaulted attacking her from behind. She bent sideways avoiding his blade and at the same time she surfed back trying to reach his abdomen. Again Nuada leaned against his spear and jumped over her blade. Making the jump he kicked her in the chest making her fall back. Nessa fell down hard. She weakened every minute. She was not able to amortize the falls. She got up however, and held up her blades, to show him she was ready. With a sneer, Nuada started another attack. His lance now started a sequence of moves that made Nessa dodge and jump sideways. He knew that she was in pain, and he was about to use it. She tried to hide behind the trees, but his weapons reached her without any problem.
Nessa slowly started to realize that she was losing it. The effort made her vision blurry. Now she actually depended on her ears and intuition. She tried to use the last chance that she got. She lowered her weapons and tried to merge with the shadows. Nuada noticed her suspicious behavior and reacted immediately. With two quick moves he knocked out the blades out of her hands, and then in a huge leap he reached her throat lifted her up and roughly pinned her to the nearest tree.
"I told you that you won't leave until I say so" – he growled ignoring her desperate attempts to break free. – "Have you had enough, or do I have convince you more, that you have? Or just let me decide…" – his grasp tightened making her unconscious within a moment. He released her letting her slide down the trunk.
He watched her for a moment, and thought, that perhaps it will be a little more difficult to recruit her for the mission. But after all it as him who held all the assets. He bent down to get her blades, and then he threw her over his shoulder. He hoped that Quirk will be able to get her on her feet soon.
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Nessa woke up, to find herself hung by arms from the ceiling. Her arms and shoulder joints ached, but to her surprise the inner weakness disappeared. She stood on her feet and slowly raised her head to meet Nuada's sneering gaze.
"Finally my princess woke up…."- he leaned backwards on a chair –" You're very troublesome guest. And very ungrateful. But not at all boring. You owe your life to entertainment you have provided me with so far.."
Nessa remained silent and cast him a venomous gaze. Nuada smiled smugly and continued
"You've proven to me that you are skilled warrior, and most reluctantly I admit, that your unbreakable spirit earned my respect. I had different plans concerning you, but I'm convinced it would waste of your potential. In this place, I want to offer you a trade. Think it over before you refuse. I need your services. And I'm offering you your freedom in exchange for a month of your support. I will also pay you for your time. Once the task is completed, you'll be free to go. I won't harass you anymore."
"And if I refuse?" Nessa asked locking her eyes against his
"If you refuse, I'll find wasting your potential entertaining.."- Nuada stood up and slowly approached her. His fingers slid up and down her body making her recede from his touch. He walked up behind her and murmured to her ear making his hand wander up and down her spine "There is a part of me that really wants you to refuse…" he teased her
"I have a counteroffer. I challenge you. Fight me once more. If you win, I pledge my loyalty for the mission. And if I win… I take my freedom…. And your head. What say you?" – Nessa demanded.
Nuada smirked. She really had a nerve to negotiate under these circumstances. She could refuse it, but on the other hand her offer tempted him. He lacked good sparring partner, and good duel was something that he really missed. To Nessa's surprise he answered
"Very well, challenge accepted. In three days we will cross our blades. I accept your conditions." – Nuada freed Nessa's hands – "You are free to move within hideout's borders. Do not breach my confidence. If you do it, that will be your last mistake. This I promise you. And do not try to escape. I asked Quirk to put loyalty enchantment on you. If you leave the lair without my permission, you will die. You experienced it today, and I don't think it was pleasant. As for your blades… not that I don't trust you, but I will return them to you before duel. If you wish to train, you can use these…" Nuada pointed at two wooden sticks – "For now I advise you to take a good rest. You need to regain your strength. I will need it along with your loyalty."
With these words the left the room and headed for bedroom. Nessa rubbed aching arm muscles. It went better that she had expected. She left the lair to watch the moon. Life was strange and never stopped to surprise her. Being given such opportunity from fate, she did not plan to waste it. Some second thoughts also hovered around her mind. Maybe challenging him was reckless, but she had nothing to lose. And everything to gain. Vigorously she entered the common room and rested upon the bearskin. It was a hard day. But the smile didn't leave her face even when she fell asleep.