-Chapter Sixteen-

Lana had gone for the evening; Casavir did not feel like remaining alone with just his thoughts and returned to the main room of the Sunken Flagon.

His other companions seemed to have similar thoughts and were already gathered. The mood was very subdued, almost grim. Some were talking softly together but looked up and gave him a nod in greeting.

Khelgar was sitting at a table drinking a mug of ale with Sand. It was an unusual duo but the two seemed to have struck up a friendship. Khelgar bobbed his head in greeting. "Aye lad, grab a pint and pull up a seat," he said indicating a chair at their table. Casavir grabbed a mug of ale from the bar and sat to join the two.

Casavir had always enjoyed Khelgar's company. The dwarf was gruff but it was only a facade, at least where Lana was concerned. Khelgar had been Lana's constant companion since before Casavir had met them. He treated Lana like a beloved daughter, looking after her as they traveled. Khelgar loved her the way Casavir had learned Daeghun, her foster father, had for so long neglected and for that, he had Casavir's loyalty.

"Rotten situation this is for our wee lass," Khelgar said in his deep, rumbling voice. Casavir smiled into his mug, Khelgar often called her that and she usually had a jest in return about her not being the "wee" one. Casavir sighed in resignation that Lana would not be with them this night.

Sand nodded agreement with Khelgar. "Yes, the situation is indeed grim. However, we must not lose hope. We have only started and will do all we can. We shall not lose her to those Luskan dogs," Sand said hotly. Casavir looked with new respect at Sand. He felt certain they had made the right choice having Sand join them.

Bishop sauntered over from his usual position reclining against the mantle. Casavir had rarely seen him leave that spot when they were at the Sunken Flagon and was fine with the ranger keeping his distance. The three men looked at him, distrust and dislike crossing their faces.

"Yes, this is a serious problem for our leader. We most certainly cannot have her fall to those filthy Luskan swine. They would be all too pleased to do more then sully her good name," Bishop sneered.

How did that arse always make everything sound disgusting??

Bishop continued unprompted. "And I know the paladin would truly hate to see our juicy little thief get stolen away," he grinned evilly at his play on words. "Who else would protect him, the hypocrite?" Bishop said, his tone threatening.

Casavir sat, staring hard into his mug. He dared not look at the sneering ranger or he would pound that smirk from his vile face. He knew Bishop was taunting him and would not take the bait.

"What's the matter paladin, rogue steal your tongue? Have you not told everyone your deep, dark secret, the one that makes you a hypocritical prick? The reason he stays by Lana's side? I am sure Casavir would be sore displeased to lose his favorite shield," Bishop said mockingly.

Casavir looked up, shock on his face. How did the ranger know? Had Lana told him about my past?

Bishop sneered; he knew he had hit his mark. Casavir stared angrily, struck silent.

"Careful sonny, I don't know what you're bangin' on about but you should stop now,"

Khelgar said threateningly.

Bishop continued, ignoring Khelgar, "I for one will be deeply distressed to lose our valiant leader. I would be disappointed to lose such a worthy archery companion. She is so good with her bow," Bishop continued, lewdness dripping from his words.

Casavir was clutching his mug hard. As much as he would love to slam his fist through that jeering face, it would do no good. Why in the nine hells did Lana keep this jackass around? What does she see in him?

As if Bishop read his thoughts, he continued, "Ya, did Lana tell you about all the times on the archery fields? She has more then a good grip on her bow. That is one lock I enjoy picking over and over. I can't tell you number of times I've made her scream and she always comes back for me."

Sand caught Khelgar as he lurched from his chair, restraining Khelgar. Casavir looked shocked, hurt and disgust warring across his features. That cannot be, he has to be lying. She would never… Unbidden Casavir remembered all the times Lana and Bishop had been alone, all the tortured thoughts he had imagined of them together flooded back.

Sand looked at Bishop with loathing, "I don't know what you are playing at, but it would be best to cease this instant." Khelgar clenched and unclenched his fists, grinding his teeth together.

Bishop ignored them both and continued to address Casavir, "She must be quite insatiable. I've seen that big gleaming sword Lana gave you. Practice a lot of 'laying on of hands' together have you? How many times have you gotten to sheath that sword in that nice tight leather, paladin? Is that why you keep sniffing around, hoping to get a piece of that or maybe a new set of armor? You must have done her a lot to have earned such a weapon," Bishop leered at Casavir.

Casavir roared like a wounded bull, leaping out of his chair and lunging across the table. He lowered his shoulder and plowed it into Bishop's chest, slamming the ranger's back onto the table behind. Bishop grunted as the air exploded from his lungs. Casavir hammered his huge fist into Bishop's jaw before Duncan and Sand could restrain him by grabbing his fist from behind.

"That's enough lad," yelled Duncan. "Think about what yer doin'!"

Casavir felt a warm trickle of blood on his neck and stared at those gleaming, hateful amber wolf eyes. Bishop was holding a long hunting knife to Casavir's throat and snarled, "Ya pally, think about what you're doing. It might be the last thought you have."

Casavir remained with Bishop pinned beneath him, hate crackling between them. He stood with his fist raised over Bishop, Sand and Duncan restraining him. "I do not know why she keeps someone as loathsome as you around. You are nothing but a waste of space to anyone," Casavir spat.

Bishop's lip turned cruelly up at one corner, "I thought I made myself perfectly clear, you jackass. You really are as stupid as you look." He applied more pressure with his knife, backing Casavir off of him as he held the dagger against Casavir's neck. "Try something like that again and I won't just give you a taste of my blade. There won't be anything left of you next time, you bastard."

Bishop sneered, backing his way to the front door. Bishop exited swiftly, slamming the door behind him.

Duncan and Sand still stood behind Casavir but had released him. "What in the hells was that about?" Duncan exploded.

Sand replied caustically, "My dear boy isn't it obvious? We have too many roosters in the hen house. That was a brutal display of jealously if I ever saw one. Quite rude of the ranger if you ask me, uncalled for."

Duncan only nodded in agreement. Casavir stood, staring at the door where the ranger had departed.

Had they really been together? Did she truly desire that bastard? She must, why else would someone so loathsome be around otherwise? Casavir sighed. His heart felt heavy as uncertainty threatened to crush him.