-Chapter Twenty Three-
Morning came all too soon. The sun rose through the stained glass window onto Casavir and Lana's sleeping forms. Lana stirred, shaking him awake.
"We should get up and packed. It is time to go and I imagine they will be coming soon to escort us to the trial grounds."
He nodded and rose. After silently repacking the bedrolls, Lana sat watching Casavir put on his armor while strapping on her bandoliers with full quiver and swords at the ready.
"Casavir, do you think I really have a chance? What if.. what if I don't make it?"
He looked up while finishing the clasps his paldoons. "Yes my lady, I firmly believe you can and will emerge victorious this day. But if you are having doubts, know I will be honored to be your champion this day."
A pained smile turned up one corner of her mouth, "I know. You are my champion, always there to watch over me. But I must do this thing on my own. I don't know why, but I know you cannot."
He sighed, "I understand the need to carry out impossible tasks and understand how you feel. Please don't confuse pride for duty, it is a mistake I have made. It cost me much pain, it might cost you your life."
Lana looked at him, grimacing. "I… I just don't know anymore. It's like there is nothing except one conflict after another. If it weren't for you, I think I would go insane."
Casavir sat next to her and pulled her into an embrace. "Then we will get through this one more battle. I know we will."
While they sat, Nevalle and Hlam entered. Lana and Casavir rose and watched the two men approach. Casavir silently noted Lana's hand clench his but remained silent and unmoving.
Nevalle stood before them, the epitome of knightly perfection with grim determination the only thing sullying his handsome face. He looked them both over, noting their interlocked hands but plodded into his seemingly practiced speech.
"It is time. Torio... and Lorne... await us on the field. Nasher wished me to communicate to you the importance of the coming battle - both for you, and for Neverwinter itself," Nevalle announced to them pompously.
Hells and people think I'm uptight. I think his hair is more rigid then I am. Casavir snorted. Lana shot him a sideways glance.
Nevalle continued his long winded speech concerning Luskan and the Arcane Brotherhood. He reiterated the importance to Neverwinter and how Lana's glorious triumph could remove Luskan's presence from Neverwinter once and for all.
As if she didn't need more pressure you pompous blowhard. Get on with it already.
Nevalle finally concluded, "Succeed in this, and Nasher has promised to grant you your own land - and a noble title, if you so wish it. These are dark times, and he needs every loyal hand by his side should more troubles fall upon us."
Knowing Lana, lands and titles are more a punishment then a reward. Casavir snorted again and drew a disgusted look from Nevalle.
Lana rigidly replied, "I will do what I can in the service of Neverwinter."
"Very well. I can ask for no more. The tourney grounds await," Nevalle said with a curt nod.
Nevalle and Hlam preceded ahead of Lana and Casavir to the tourney grounds. Lana kept a firm grip on Casavir's hand but said nothing.
Once they reached the grounds, Casavir turned and embraced Lana kissing her hard on the mouth.
"I will be in the stands watching you. May Tyr guide your blade so it is swift and true. Lana, I… be careful." He hugged her tightly again and walked to the stands after giving her hand another quick squeeze. Shandra and Grobnar ran past him in their haste to offer encouragement to Lana.
Casavir walked to the stands, surveying the crowd. He nodded acknowledgement at Khelgar and Sand as he passed them in the stand. Casavir was not surprised to see Qara or Neeshka absent as he surveyed the crowd. Lana and Qara had no love lost between them while Neeshka and Lana had never truly bonded as friends.
He wanted to be as near Lana as possible, if only in the congregation. Bishop was already down in front where Casavir had wanted to be but he headed down anyway. The ranger turned and grunted in acknowledgement at Casavir's presence when he drew near. Casavir remained silent but took the seat near Bishop to wait. Both men seemed to silently agree to put their grudge aside in the face of Lana's coming battle.
Casavir could see Lorne and Torio waiting at one of the field and Lana, Grobnar and Shandra at the other. He could see Lana impatiently twiddling the handles of her swords, her face contorted in an attempt to concentrate on her task at hand.
Is Grobnar doing a jig? What in the nine hells? He wouldn't!
The crowd rose as Lord Nasher and his entourage approached the daises. He indicated for Lorne and Lana to approach in the tourney grounds below. Casavir noted with grim satisfaction as Lana withdrew his ritual flask and took a hard pull as she approached.
Lana stared hard at Lorne. The hatred emanating from Lorne was almost palpable. They came together before Lord Nasher standing almost toe to toe.
Lord Nasher stood examining the two before him. "Is the accuser or her champion here?" he boomed.
Lorne turned to face Nasher and snarled, "We are here."
Lord Nasher gave a curt nod in Lorne's direction before calling, "Is the accused or her champion here?"
Lana eyed Lord Nasher, "Enough - let's fight and be done with this." Lord Nasher nodded grimly and took his seat on the throne behind him. Judge Oleff quickly replaced Nasher to officiate.
"What takes place in the field here today shall resolve the crime of the razing of the village of Ember and the death of its people Torio Claven, ambassador of Luskan, has accused one in the service of Neverwinter, and has called for a trial by combat to resolve the matter." Oleff informed the crowd before him.
He continued, "Acting on her behalf is her champion, Lorne, who will fight in her stead."
Casavir heard Lana implore Lorne, "Your mother would be so disappointed in you if she could see you now. She was so proud of you as a boy. She would be devastated to see you as you are now. "
Lorne tried to hide his surprise, "What would you know of my mother?" His surprise was quickly replaced with intense anger. "Shut up! Just for that, I'm gonna carve my name into your hide while you still breathe."
Sadness marred Lana's face but was quickly replaced with fierce determination.
"If both combatants are prepared…" he paused as Lana and Lorne faced each other and drew their blades. "Begin!"
Casavir felt sick when Lorne unsheathed his giant falchion. Everything about the man seemed gigantic. Lana's blades looked almost small and insignificant in comparison as they crackled electric blue and flaming red respectively.
Lana backed away as Lorne took a huge arching swing downward. Lorne hefted his blade once more to only have Lana swiftly dodge it and crouch awaiting another attack. Lorne growled as he raised his blade again and bellowed, "Stay still, damn you!"
Lana lurched just then and swiped one of her blades across his knee, slicing Lorne but not incapacitating him. She pivoted quickly away as he taunted, "Is that all you have? You've barely scratched me." Lana only drew out of reach again with a snarl of concentration on her face.
As much as I hate to admit it, Bishop might be right. Lorne is monstrous, but if he continues like that he will tire soon. If Lana can continue to draw him out, the battle will be over swiftly.
Lana continued to maneuver Lorne into bigger and wilder swings while gashing at him with her own blades. Lorne's face grew redder and angrier as she pestered him with her slashes.
Lana ducked and took another slice at Lorne's knees. Casavir's heart nearly stopped as Lorne blocked her attack and kicked her hard in the side. She lay stunned with the air knocked out of her, clutching her side. Lorne looked down at her, sneering in triumph, "Do you think you're even hurting me? You haven't even come close. Is that all you have? You've barely scratched me."
He drew back his foot to kick her in the side again, but Lana was quicker. She rolled from her side into a crouching position and drove both blades deep into Lorne's midsection. He stood pinned by her swords with almost comical surprise etched across his face.
Casavir grimaced when he heard Lana snarl, "How's that for a scratch?" as she withdrew her blades and backed away.
Lorne stood momentarily clutching his stomach, "I won't let you have this day - not after all we've done! You can't stop me. Cut me a thousand times, and I'll still be at your throat."
He lunged at her again but she was able to quickly sidestep his ungainly attack. He turned and roared, "I'll tear your head from your shoulders!"
Lana said nothing but backed away and sheathed her blades to draw her bow and quickly nock an arrow. She let it fly and hit Lorne in the upper arm. He roared in anger and snapped the arrow like swatting a gnat. He charged her again and again.
She kept her distance and stayed as far away as possible while launching arrow after arrow but nothing seemed to stop Lorne. He continued to roar and bellow like an angry boar as Lana kept out of reach of his attacks.
Casavir was sure Lana owned the battle until she stumbled. Lana had been watching Lorne with such intensity she hadn't been paying attention to the ground behind her. She fell on her backside with a hard thud. Lorne looked like Yuletide had come early and charged at her as she hurriedly stumbled to her feet.
Casavir lunged to jump over the wall but Bishop grabbed his arm. He turned to bellow at Bishop but noticed the ranger had already nocked an arrow. Bishop growled, "You would be too late. I'm faster."
Lorne plunged toward Lana, raising his blade high above his head intending to cleave her in half. Lana snarled and in one swift movement dropped her bow and hurled Bishop's hunting knife at the rampaging giant. The dagger made a sickening thunk as the blade embedded itself deep in Lorne's huge, sloping forehead.
He stood for several seconds as if trying to comprehend what had happened before toppling to the ground. Lorne's massive body hit the ground with a hard thud, sending a cloud of dust into the air. Everyone sat in momentary silence as the reality sunk in then suddenly the crowd erupted in cheers and celebration.
Casavir stood stunned as he watched Lana. She starred at Lorne, watching to be sure she had truly finished him. He face crumpled in anguish when Lorne did not rise again and slowly walked to the assassin's body. She slowly pushed him over enough to disengage her blade. She gently wiped the sodden dagger on Lorne's stained shirt before resheathing it next to the flask on her bandolier. Her shoulders sagged and she fell to her knees onto the ground. She hung her head and he could see her shoulders shake as sobs racked her body. She looked over Lorne's fallen body as tears streaked through the dirt on her face.
Bishop leapt the wall in one graceful leap and was pulling her to her feet while Casavir had to run down the embankment. The ranger was kneeling by her side, hands gripping her forearms to bring her to her feet. Bishop was gently pulling her into a tight embrace before Casavir could reach them.
Lana sobbed into Bishop's leather tunic as he tenderly stroked her back and caressed her hair.
"It is over Lana. You did it and should be pleased to have rid the world of one Luskan dog. Be proud," Bishop crooned.
Lana looked up into Bishop's amber eyes and wiped her tears brusquely with the back of her hand. "You are right. It is done. I could not have done it without you though. Your knife saved my life Bishop. Thank you," she said and embraced him once more.
He smiled down at her and swung her into the air as he held her tightly. "You did it! I knew you could! And you did just as I said, he did just I thought- the fool," Bishop crowed.
Casavir stood in impotent anger. This should have been his moment to celebrate with her. He had wanted to be the one to swing her into his arms victoriously. Bishop had stolen that from him and he fumed. It was also not lost on him that Bishop's knife had been what had saved her life or Bishop's words that had guided her. Casavir realized he had offered her nothing that had helped her this day, had not been the one to guide her hand. It had been the ranger, the one she had the most in common with. They were so similar that it hurt sometimes. They could laugh together and flirt while he sat silent and stoic.
Damn him! Damn this heavy armor! Damn it all and that ranger. Damn it all to the hells.
Bishop set Lana back on her feet and she turned to face Casavir.
"Casavir! We did it, it is over, she said smiling through her tears."
"Yes my lady, you have done exactly what I knew you could. Thank you Bishop for your assistance. It is your foresight in the gift of your hunting knife and your wisdom that we offer our thanks," he said as he placed his arm around Lana's shoulders pulling her close. Lana looked up at him in askance. Bishop only nodded and glared at Casavir.
"Shall we all return to the Sunken Flagon to celebrate this victorious moment?" Casavir asked them and the others as they gathered around.
"Excellent idea lad, I'm parched! This calls for a drink. It calls for several drinks!" Khelgar boomed.
"Does anything not call for drinks to you Khelgar?" Sand said, rolling his eyes.
"No, but this is an extra special time. Loosen yer robes there wizard!" Khelgar chuckled as he slapped Sand hard on the back. Sand grunted as he was knocked a few steps forward.
"Yes, and I have a special song for the occasion! I just need my lute and I shall play it for you all. It has dance steps too!" Grobnar cried with glee.
Lana looked up into Casavir's eyes and shuddered in mock horror. "And I believe you have a debt you owe me sir," she whispered in his ear.
"Indeed I do. We must not keep such things waiting, I am a man of my word," Casavir chuckled. He pulled her to face him, planting a deep, searching kiss on her mouth. "I intend to pay this debt in full, with interest my lady."
She only laughed and pulled him behind by the hand as she grabbed Bishop with her other, linking her arm through the ranger's.