Hello Everyone,

At first, please accept my apologies, I know I have kept you waiting for an enormous amount of time. I just got stuck, my creativity plummeted far below zero.

Here is the next piece. I hope that since I managed to give birth to this one, next ones will not be that delayed...

In this place I want to thank everyone who left their feedback, favourited or just took time to read my blubbering.

Special thanks goes to Reinamarie Seregon. THANK YOU VERY MUCH GIRL! You are the most precious motivation for me!

Enjoy guys and hope to get some feedback from you (even if it's supposed to be nagging)

The moon cast lurid glow on Amarath. Dark city, with empty lifeless alleys, resembled dead body from which all blood has been drained. Heavy rain did not give in one bit. But the shadow that sneaked in search for any hiding did not seem to notice morbid scenery. His arms were soaked with blood. Blood of a woman he was carrying. Finally the figure stopped in front of the abandoned building and gently laid limp body on the floor. Woman's skin was pale as if no blood was left in her veins. Her lips were almost white. Nuada cursed under his breath. His mind raced. After all it was just another human, he should have left her, allow her to die, but somehow he could not. His gaze rested on her sack. Very slowly he removed it off her shoulder and started to search through it. She must have taken some healing potions with her. There was a dozen of different bottles. Nuada opened them one after another trying to determine the content. But it was useless; he would not risk using any of them. Rage started to crawl towards his heart. It could not end like this. Not when he was so close to having her as an ally. Not when he had a debt to pay. He kicked the sack away with a roar. The sound of breaking glass resounded through the empty building. This seemed to bring him around. In this unfavorable situation it was not very wise to draw any attention. He squatted by woman's body grazing his knuckles. He was perfectly aware that every minute of his delay brought her one step closer to death. If only Quirk was here, if only he could contact her somehow…. His fist hit the floor inches from his foot. He did not know the city. He did not know anyone who would help him… He did not have a clue where he could find a healer in this cesspool…. He rested his gaze upon a cut on Nessa's chest. What kind of a weapon could have destroyed dwarven work that easily?

Second after Nuada was back on his feet. There was one place he could go, one person that could save Nessa's life. Crippled dwarf… Forenar. Wasting no more time he stretched his hood upon his head. With his other hand he grabbed Nessa's sack. He knew she wouldn't leave it behind. He squatted by woman again and as delicately as he could the lifted her up. Silent whimper escaped her mouth. He tightened his grip as if it was supposed to keep her alive a little longer. He turned around and examined the room once more. After making sure that nothing was left behind he vanished into the darkness.

###

"By Clangeddin's hairy arse!"- the walls hardly were able to contain raging dwarf - "I have no idea where this stinky town will be, when I leave.! 50 plate armors for next week? That ol' no good beard-shaving mayor must be loopy if he thinks I'll do it! Where in the Nine Hells am I supposed to find materials for it? When I see Moraddin's forges frozen… that's when I'll do it. Not until then…."

Old dwarf tossed away the scrap of paper and moved away from the counter panting angrily. This city has disappointed him in every possible aspect. Slowly he approached window and studied his reflection. How long it's been since this city swallowed him? He slowly lifted his gauntleted arm and studied it thoroughly. He was once a warrior. One of the greatest among his clan. In warfare he gained respect and there he found his purpose. He loved to listen to the steel song, especially when it took away lives of his enemies. That made him unique among other warriors. They didn't seem to hear… to pay attention. There was only one person that noticed and appreciated Forenar's gift – Kilijak old blacksmith. Since Forenar was little beardless brat, Kilijak would invite him into his forge to get to know different kinds of metal, to feel them and to listen. One would never suspect, that this ability would save his life one day…

Hardhammer clan resided high in the mountains. They were quite isolated from the other settlements. Their common routine however, was to patrol mountain slopes in order to hunt orcs, humans or sometimes even elves who trespassed the boarders of clan's domain. As days passed by, more and more intruders seemed to show up. It was the group of Zhentarim mercenaries, who changed Forenar's life. Routine patrol turned out to be the last one Forenar participated. Their troop was ambushed. They were outnumbered. After receiving serous wound Forenar could only watch his companions being slaughtered. When the blade was about to slit his throat he heard the voice ordering soldiers to spare him. It said that dwarfs are strong, and therefore they make for good slaves. So they took him. Months of beatings, starvation and neverending humiliation started. Finally, after nights spent on planning, Forenar took his chance and escaped his torturers. His only chance was to reach the mountains, unfortunately Zhentarim's tracking magic was faster. He wished they had killed him. But their wicked minds would let him off that easily. They forced his right hand into the fire and watched him writhe in pain. All Forenar could remember was their cold laughter. Then he fainted. He was brought back by gentle female voice telling him that he was safe. It was Gilliani, Morradin priestess who found him as she was searching some herbs in the forest. She took him to Amarath's infirmary and took care of his injuries. She healed his body, however she was not able to heal his grief after losing his hand. As a dwarf, a warrior, he felt useless, disposable. If it had't been for Gilani, he would probably rot, leading hollow meaningless life. We would never forget the day when she came to him and said:

Listen to me you ol' nose leakin, ballet-dancing pestie. You may cry al' ye' want, bring shame on you, me and all our people… but not here. I sense magic in you, I can feel your gift. Your destiny is to build, not to fade. Mend your life just like you mend broken weapon. Create instead of dwelling on things which are long gone! Start with your arm. Then you will know if you can defeat your demons…

Forenar watched the fire dancing upon carved mithril. Yes he has fixed his arm and straightened up his life. But has he healed? With a sigh he lowered his arm. Suddenly, loud knock on the door tore him away from his musings.

"By Bright Cloak's beard, what do you want at this hour?" –he barked – "We're closed!" Then he froze at the sound of the voice that came from behind the door

"I need your help Dwarf… Your companion needs a healer. Quick!"

After a moment of hesitation Forenar turned the key murmuring to himself

"I'm going soft… I need do do some business with duegars to regain my attidude…" The moment after the door opened with force that almost swept him off his feet.

Nuada stormed into the room heading straight for the counter where he gently laid his burden.

"What is this?" the dwarf exclaimed rushing elf's direction - "Now you really pissed me off Goldielocks! There is nothing I value more than peace after hard day. So I suggest that you take that tree lovin' ass of yours out of my home or…"

"A healer" – elf interjected as if he did not notice Forenar's rage – "She needs a healer and I need you to get him for her…"

Forenar's heart skipped a bit when he saw elf's face expression. Within a second he was by the counter tearing the hood off stranger's head. When he revealed Nessa's white face his heart sank. He staggered a bit and then rested his gaze upon elf.

"YOU"- he slurred through clenched teeth taking a step forward- "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY GIRL!" he bellowed starting a charge. When he was about to reach this cursed son of gnome he suddenly disappeared out of dwarf's view. Next thing he felt was cold steal pressed against his neck. Forenar felt steel like no one else. He didn't need to hear owner's words to know that it would enjoy ripping is throat open. Very slowly he straightened himself. He would not die kneeling. The words spoken by the elf took him by surprise.

"I do not have time for explanation. Your friend needs a healer, and I need you to get him for her. You are wasting HER time trying to harm me." – Forenar felt that the blade was taken off his throat. Very slowly he turned around to see Nuada placing it slowly on his back. "It was not me who did it to her… I want… need her to live. I don't know this city as well as I don't know where to search for healer." – Forenar pierced Nuada's eyes with his own. If this beardless creature was lying, it must have been excellent liar. – "Please help me save her"

Forenar's fist clenched and relaxed along with his jaw muscles.

"I'm very reluctant to leave you alone with her, ELF" – he spoke in very low voice – "For centuries our kinds did not enjoy each other's company…. And it is not going to change right now. I have no choice but to believe that your words are true. And by trusting you, I'm breaking the essential rule of my clan's code. For we do not trust words. Especially when it's an elf's word." – very slowly he approached Nuada still piercing him with his pale green eyes – "I'm will get her a healer, my Girl will be alright… and when that day comes… you better pray Elf, you better pray for when I find that you had anything to do with her current condition, then I swear, no elven, human of dwarven right, weapon or magic will be able to protect you from me…." – with this words he headed for the door, and vanished the moment after.

Nuada watched dwarf's back with clenched fists. It took almost whole of his self control to hear to Forenars insults without reaction. But this was degrading part of being dependent. And his future depended on dwarf's connections in this city. He turned around to look at Nessa. Now she resembled a lake nymph, with her pale skin and crown of ruby hair. He would consider her beautiful if it hadn't been for fact that such state just did not fit her. Her domain was movement vitality, and not morbidly calm slumber. Very slowly he approached her. With his right hand he removed strand that covered her forehead. Her skin was cool. Suddenly Nuada cold sensation stirring within him.

"It cannot end this way!" spoke to the empty room – "It WILL not end this way!" – he repeated louder – "You will live human, even if I will have to go to Abyss to get you back!"

With swift moves he unstrapped Nessa's armor. After that, using a small dagger he cut her shirt. Very gently he turned her over and took off the scraps of fabric. At the sight of the wound his brows knitted. It ran through all back, starting at right kidney area, ending at the top of left shoulder blade. Bleeding was severe. He tore the rest of her shirt and used the scraps to tame the blood loss.

"Stay with me human"- he whispered running his pale fingers alongside the wound – "Amin sinta thaliolle e dagor… Where is that Feuyaer.?"- he growled through clenched teeth.

He twirled around at the sound of door forced open. In fact they almost fell off the hinges. Little shape was charging at the counter at such speed, that he barely had time to dodge, before it probably would knock him off his feet. When he caught his balance, his spear ready to attack, suddenly he stopped half- step stopped by the sound of creature's voice.

"I knew that sooner or later we will come to this…" – voice spoke with hard dwarven accent – "How many times did I tell you, you ol' Son of a Gnome that this girl will get hurt eventually?

Nuada's confusion ended the moment he saw Forenar standing at the door, looking like a beaten dog.

"How many times did I tell you, not to sell to her all that "art" of yours?" – the voice continued while the small hands disappeared in small sack in search of small bottles

"Gilliani, leshtal….." old dwarf murmured peeking at the elf

"Jeigh dty ghob! You should know better you ol'.." – the voice hissed – "How did this happen? Who did this?" – small hands removed the cloak. Nuada suddenly felt the urge to sheath his weapon before this little fiend focuses his rage on him. It was a dwarf female. And what he learned about dwarfs was, that if men could be obnoxious, they still were not a bit close to their women. To his utter disappointment he was too slow. Just when he was about to remove his hand of his back and relax, he heard her speak.

"And who are you, ELF?' – he could almost feel the venom from her gaze spreading all over his body – "Are you responsible for this? For if you are….." she was about to go off with her all power, when Forenar's raised voice resounded through the room…

"On the rocks, Woman? Don't you have anything more important do here than your nagging? For Moraddin's hammer, why don't you be silent and save my Girl? As far as I know, nagging does not heal!"

Gilliani's lips moved, most probably tossing the worst silent curses, but in fact, all her attention was now dedicated to Nessa's wound. Very delicately she removed provisional compress. Her brows knitted at the view of Nessa' s injuiries. She cursed under her breath.

"This is not good… Forenar I need hot water…. " – she hesitated for a moment – " Elf… I will need your pretty fingers to help me here…" – she turned her head to look at Nuada – "This wound needs to be cleaned immediately…. The more of us will work on this the better…Our time is short…"

A glimpse of irritation ran through Nuada's face. He was not used to getting orders, especially from a dwarf. A silent battle went between those two. But eventually Nuada recalled what his mission was. He needed human alive, and at this time it would be the dumbest way to lose resource he had been searching for for so long. Very slowly he approached Gilliani and asked:

"What do I do?"

Gilliani's features seemed to soften as she spoke"

"Take these bandages and cut them to small pieces… I will prepare a mixture which will remove the poison and clean the wound. Then we will work together…. Just watch my hands and do what I do."

After the moment Forenar came carrying bowl of hot water. Gilliani took several bottles and added a few drops of each's content into it. Then she hummed an enchantment causing mixture to stir and boil. Then very carefully she damped a piece of bandage and very thoroughly the started to clean the cut.

"Start doing the same, from the other end" – she instructed – "Eventually we shall meet in the middle For All God's and Godesses, let's hope this will be enough… for now"

They worked together for about an hour. All the time Gilliani hummed, calling dwarven pantheon's grace. The wound seemed to be the only hot place on Nessa's body. The rest was deadly pale, covered in cold sweat.

When they finished, helped Gilliani to wrap Nessa's torso with bandage. Touching her limp, lifeless body seemed so unnatural to him, that he had to fight the urge of shaking it, ordering it to live. Eventually when the wound was fixed Gilliani spoke

"I did everything in my power to save her. The wound is nasty, and in fact it is all up to her if she lives…I gave her my magic as a weapon to fight…. It is her battle to win…. Now she needs a clean bed, and rest.."

Forenar was about to open his mouth when he heard Nuada's deep voice:

"I will take care of her." – he paused and search for Gilliani's eyes – "I will keep her safe, I just need you to tell me where I can stay. A place with clean bed and peace… so that she can recover"

"Oh no you will not Goldielocks!" – Forenar protested – "I will not leave my Girl at your mercy! I saw how you look at her, and I know you're up to no good! When you came, the troubles started! When Morradin's forges freeze, that's when I'll let you take her!"

"I do not think that is your's to decide" – Nuada's cold eyes pierced the dwarf – "Whether you like or not.. DWARF, I brought her here, and I shall take her with me, even if that means stepping over your dead body…."

"You…." – Forenar's eyes narrowed, when he took a step forward

"STOP IT YOU TWO!" – Gilliani stepped between them her eyes tossing lightnings – "You are acting like spoiled brats fighting for toy! This girl is not a toy! At least not for me!" –she turned to look at Forenar – "Forenar, be honest with yourself, you would not be able to take care of a plant! And Nessa will require far more attention that a plant! As for you Elf… for some wicked reason I know she's precious to you. Therefore, as a healer, I trust, you will do your best for her to get well. There is a tavern, not far away from here. You will take her there, and you will look after her, until she wants you to. But know that I will be watching you… And you really wouldn't want to have me as your enemy…." – threat in her gaze was almost physical. Nuada held her gaze and spoke:

"I have a debt with this human…. She saved my life once, and now I feel obliged to do the same for her. That's the only justification of interest that I have, and that must be enough. I wish her to live to the same extend that you do… Now show me the way to the tavern. Laying on the counter surely will not improve her condition.. wouldn't you agree?"

Forenar opened his mouth to protest however Gilliani did not give him any chance

"I agree Elf… at this moment her life is the most important thing to care for. Call me crazy, but I trust you. Besides with this shiny thing on your back… what other choice we have? Come, I'll show you the way… And you Forenar… "- she spoke to panting dwarf – "don't give me that look. You know I'm always doing what's the best for my patients. And THAT haven't changed this time.."

###

So quiet, so peaceful, so defenseless and therefore so wrong. Nuada laid Nessa on the bed and bent to check if she's breathing. Her breath was merely a whisper to his elven ears. Gilliani used her connections so that they entered the tavern unnoticed. The only person that knew about his burden was owner. Nuada's ears caught scraps of conversation. Gilliani instructed old man to have an eye on newcomers. Nuada's lips corners twitched. Like this old man could do anything to stop him from doing what he wanted… Like any of them could… Letting him leave was not a token of trust. What choice did they have? And here at least they have illusion of control. Let it be this way. As long as they do not get into his way, they can keep their miserable lives. He was torn away from his musings by Gilliani's voice:

"Everything is arranged. Grimbold will provide you with anything you might need, you will be safe here. I will come here everyday to check on her. As for you, your task is to keep the wound clean. Here.." – she have him a sack stuffed with bandages and bottles – "you need to disinfect wound twice a day and change her bandages. We'll see what all those fairy tales about Elven healing abilities are worth…"

At the door she turned around looked him in the eyes and spoke:

"I believe that I'm leaving her with friend…. No dear Elf not out of fear…. I just know you want her alive. So do I. If I didn't want to entrust her life in your hands, I'd simply let her die."

Nuada watched the door as they closed. This all situation made him lower his guard. This little witch must have scanned him, and he allowed that. Growing frustration told him that he allowed many more unacceptable things to happen. Very slowly he approached the bed, where the reason of his weakness laid. Was she really worth all those mistakes? Or was she just an unnecessary distraction that should have been eliminated long ago? Elf sat on the bed and studied her unmoving features thoroughly. He could end it right now. But for the first time since he decided to leave Bethmoora he just did not know.

He reached for his spear. He studied his own reflection in it's blade, as if it could give him answers. His gaze returned to unconscious woman. Two battles were to be fought this night. Two fates decided.

Amin sinta thaliolle e dagor - I know your strength in battle

Feuyaer- miscreant

leshtal - please

Jeigh dty ghob - Shut up!