(Forgive the rather silly/fluffy romp of this chapter. Not everything can be action and intense I guess, even our heros need a break!!)
-Chapter Twenty Eight-
After returning from an attack on Lord Tavorick's home regarding another shard, an ugly battle with some large demon dogs and a wizard, a ragged and hurried journey to rescue Aldanon and stop a ritual conducted by the wizard Garius, Lana ran doggedly to the palace once more.
She did not wait to be admitted to the throne room storming in angrily.
"My Lord, do you not think it might have been advisable to inform me of the meaning behind Garius and his ritual. It would be nice to have the information before being thrown into a circle of wizards holding the one thing I myself seek."
Sir Nevalle jumped a few stairs from behind Lord Nasher's throne. "You will address you lord and ki…" he began but Lord Nasher cut him off before the knight could finish. Sir Nevalle stepped back to his place slightly behind the throne, casting Lana a dark look.
Lord Nasher looked down from the dais grimly. "You are correct Lana Thel, it was not my wish to keep you uninformed but…"
"But nothing! You have known it is the shard that I seek and information to its safe keeping. I chase it, always a step behind information you seem to have already. If this is a joke, I find it in extremely bad taste," Lana fumed.
Casavir inwardly flinched as he watched Lord Nasher's jaw clench and unclench.
"I would advise you to watch your tone in my throne room. There are bigger things at play here then even I realized. As I was saying, it was not my intention to keep you uninformed but it was my intention to learn all we could. Now we have the knowledge we have sought and you have stopped a great threat to Neverwinter. While I should be angry at your impertinence, I will overlook it in light of the service you have provided the kingdom. I do not usually make it a practice to allow the behavior you have displayed in my presence but am rewarding you anyway. You now hold Crossroads Keep, I suggest you and your party return there at once and begin rebuilding."
Lana stood silently, absorbing all that Lord Nasher said. Casavir grimaced when he saw the beaming smile Nevalle gave them from his place behind the throne.
What an idiot. That guy needs to be smacked with the broadside of a sword and I would thoroughly enjoy being the one to administer that.
She finally looked up the dais once more. "Thank you my lord. It is an honor I did not hope for."
"A small staff has been installed with orders to await your arrival. You will have a budget to make the necessary changes and whatever else you deem necessary. I have also provided horses for you and your party to use to begin a stable for your troops. Go to the royal stables when you are ready, they will provide you the required mounts. Sir Nevalle will attend you in a few weeks to check on your progress. Dismissed."
Lana stood a few seconds, the anger flashing in her eyes as she fought to hold back the retort Casavir could see lurking behind her features. She gave the briefest of nods turning on her heel and storming out of the castle.
Casavir heard a steady flow of very unladylike phrases flowing from under Lana's breath but kept his silence. The rest of the group took the same stance and held their peace.
They returned to the Sunken Flagon to tell everyone the situation and begin the process of packing. When Lana entered, she was met by Duncan's booming voice.
"Ay Lass, more news from the City Guard."
"Are you always full of such happy tidings or do you reserve them for me uncle?" Lana sighed.
"Nay, just you lass. You attract problems like bees to honey. This wasn't so urgent, just asked you come when you could."
"Alright, I'll see what's going on. Everyone else, keep packing. We leave tomorrow morning so buy whatever you need before we go. Cas, would you like to accompany me to the guard? If you would like to take a few moments to remove your armor, I don't imagine they have any adventures that will require full gear since Brelaina will undoubtedly know of our departure. I'm guessing this is just a formality or something."
Casavir nodded hurring to their room to remove his half plate armor. It was a welcome relief to only wear his arming doublet, strapping his swordbelt once more across his hips.
Lana and Casavir left their companions in a flurry of activity. Everyone seemed excited for the change of scenery as they chatted and put together shopping arrangements.
Casavir smiled as he overheard Grobnar. "My goodness! I better stock up on lute strings before we go!"
He turned to follow Lana, chuckling at the room-wide groan behind him.
"I thought a little time alone might be in order. It seems privacy might be in short supply soon," Lana said as she took Casavir's hand in hers.
"Agreed, my lady. Travel with everyone will be…interesting."
Lana snorted in reply. They walked through the town, strolling slowly toward the guard house. Nearing the building, Lana caught his arm, pulling him away.
"Lana, was there another stop we needed to make? Won't they be expecting you?"
"They can wait. I have other plans," she grinned mischievously.
Casavir raised an eyebrow but allowed her to guide him along. She passed the City Watch and heading to the park without a backward glance toward the Watch.
She slowed her pace once she was out of sight of the City Watch and in the bounds of the park. Lana pulled him deeper into the woods.
"There's a place were we can be alone and no one will see us. I used to use it when I needed a place to hide. Funny, I didn't think I'd be using it to hide from the guard again in quite this manner," Lana said with a slight laugh.
Casavir chuckled, "Are you sure you should be showing me this place? I am sworn to bring evil doers to justice my little thief. You seem to have some less then savory intentions in mind."
"I don't think you will find my intentions all that unsavory when I'm through. You might find them quite enjoyable in fact," she said wicked grin.
"Well then lead on my lady," he said with a deep rumbling laugh.
After a few more minutes climbing through the brush deep into the park's recesses, Lana pulled them to a stop. The trees widened before them revealing a small, undisturbed clearing. There were old remains of a campsite, long undisturbed.
"Looks like no one aside from me has been here in awhile. Just the way I left it," Lana said thoughtfully, dropping his hand and ducking behind a large hollowed out log. She puffed in exertion as she pulled a small trunk from the depths of the old log. While Casavir watched, Lana undid a series of clicks and snaps before unlocking the small trunk and raising the lid.
"I kept this here in case I ever needed a place to stay. You never know what you might need when your job is hiding and being covert. Never know who or what might be looking for you," she said in what Casavir found to be an understated manner considering her words.
What was is like to be hunted like an animal, never knowing who to trust? She has lived a life so alien to me. It grieves me to think of her hiding alone like this. I always thought of rogues as underhanded, loathsome people just out to get personal gain on the backs of others, but…
"You have never told me, what brought you to the life of a rogue? You seem to take no joy from crime or theft yet..."
"Yet I'm willing and more then a little capable of stealing you blind?" she said with a mirthless chuckle. She pulled a blanket from the trunk and flipped it open across the ground. They sat, relaxing under the canopy of red and gold leaves overhead. The leaves rustled and swayed above them, the sounds of nature surrounding them the sounds of the city blocked, seeming as if they were the only people for miles.
"It was not by choice. I kind of, um, fell into it. Deaghun did not raise me to be a thief, that's for sure. When I left West Harbor I had the training for a ranger but not the love of the woods and nature as Deaghun had. I had the skills but no desire to spend my life tracking the woods. Once I was on the road from West Harbor, I could take care of myself but… it changed once we arrived at Neverwinter. After Khelgar and I rescued Neeshka, she talked constantly about how great being a rogue was and life in the city. All the adventures she talked about sounded exciting but I started to worry the closer we got to Neverwinter. I knew my skill set would amount to nothing inside city walls. Neeshka had the necessary contacts and… I followed. I admit that the success was intoxicating once I learned the ropes. I did better then take care of myself. I made money and lots of it, but knew in my heart it was wrong. Success has its price."
"But you and Neeshka hardly speak now. You seem to have little regard for her…"
"I know. I owe her much but… she finds it deeply thrilling to 'relieve people of their excess' and there we disagree. I did what I had to survive but find no joy in thievery. I'm good at what I do but it's not the life I imagined it to be." Lana stopped and looked at him. There was pain lurking in her eyes.
"I always wondered why you stood beside me. I am a common thief; most paladins would have found it most gratifying to have chucked me in the darkest cell and left me to rot."
Casavir smiled as he sat up, crossing his legs and staring into her eyes. He reached up to caress the back of his hand across her jawline. "My lady, you are anything but common. I knew nothing of what you did when we first met, but I saw that you were strong and capable. I admit being shocked and even dismayed when I learned of your, um, profession but… It didn't matter by that point. Your actions have spoken louder then your past- that is the true measure of person. We have all made mistakes in our past, things that haunt us. I understand all too well."
Lana sat in the space of his crossed legs snuggling against his chest. "I think both of us understand all too well what it means to be misunderstood. I think that's why Neeshka stays with me still, why all of our companions stay. None of us fit in but we all fit together."
They sat entwined, each lost in their thoughts. After a few moments of pleasant silence, Lana curled her hand up, winding her fingers into his hair while pulling his mouth towards hers.
Their lips met in a slow, languid caress. Casavir wrapped his arms around her, pulling Lana into an embrace as they kissed. Casavir untangled his legs from beneath Lana as she moved herself to stretch out beneath him. He lay beside her, holding her tightly against him as they continued to kiss.
The kiss was exploratory as if they had all the time in the world for this moment. Lana tossed her leg over Casavir's thigh, pushing him onto his back as she rolled to straddle him. She bent again to capture his lips in a searching kiss as she fumbled with the buckles on his arming doublet.
Casavir sat up, one hand across Lana's back as he held her and she pushed the doublet free. He shook loose of the restraints and wrapped his fingers through her hair, pulling her head back as he leaned his mouth to her neck. Casavir reveled the taste of her skin inhaling deeply in her fragrance; the lavender of her soap mingling with the warmth of her skin. Lana wrapped her legs around his hips, thrusting her chest out with eyes closed, face skyward and lips parted as she lost herself to Casavir's attentions.
Casavir nibbled and teased his way up Lana's neck reclaiming her lips and pressing her to him. She broke their kiss to trace smaller kisses up Casavir's jaw. She gently took his earlobe between her teeth and lips, nuzzling and licking the tender skin.
Lana paused to whisper huskily, "I love you Casavir." He pulled her into a tight embrace, wrapping his arms around her while she again nibbled his neck and ear.
Casavir pulled her into his lap where she sat with her head nestled against him.
"And I love you. I will be by your side always. There is nothing that can take you away from me, no power under the heavens that will part us."
Lana turned reaching up once more to kiss his mouth with a slow, intense passion.
After several more minutes, Lana sighed. "I imagine we should get to the City Watch. Whatever they need won't wait forever I assume." They stood and she refolded the blanket but did not return it to her trunk. She went and shut the lid without locking it and shoved it back into the hollow of the tree.
"I think the blanket will do more good with me then here. I'll leave the trunk unlocked in case someone discovers it and has need of its contents. I don't think I need worry about hiding anymore." She stood with her hand clasped in his, looking around as if memorizing the details before turning to leave.
They slowly left the park, strolling hand in hand as if there were all the time in the world and they hadn't a care.
As soon as Casavir and Lana entered the City Watch, life hit them rudely in the face once more. Brelaina looked up from the ever-present shuffle of paperwork on her desk but remained seated. Aldanon was standing beside the desk and cut of in midsentence. Brelaina looked to Lana with what Casavir thought looked like great relief.
"I am glad you were able to come in one more time before your departure. Congratulations are in order for your promotion, you earned it Lana."
Lana nodded but only gave a polite thank you in reply.
"I called you in here for a rather unusual reason. Lord Aldanon was speaking to me concerning one of the prisoners you recovered from Garius. She has asked for you by name and we were hoping you could shed some light on the situation. She is not from Neverwinter or Luskan or… um, even from this plane Aldanon tells me. He has a theory but…"
"Let me explain like a rock, a big rock and it has become split in two. This prisoner you have... it seems that she is of the same stone as the githyanki, but yet she is not."
Brelaina nodded in exasperation, "Yes, you have explained this to me in great detail but my concern is if she is a threat or not."
Aldanon shook his head, "Oh, I don't know that. I do know that the githzerai and the githyanki have been in a state of war for millennia. It is common knowledge. Since our lieutenant is hunted by the githyanki, then the githzerai, and this githzerai prisoner, would be allies, by default. But I could be mistaken."
Aldanon turned to Lana, "Now that you have Crossroads Keep secured, I will be joining you soon. I cannot wait to return there, so many lovely books and things to examine. Those rude wizards would not allow me the time I wanted to read them all. Really quite abrupt they were. Good luck with your prisoner, I hope she doesn't try to kill you." He left them standing and staring as he left without another word.
"Um, despite Lord Aldanon's advice it might be best if you just spoke with the prisoner. She is in the holding cell around the corner."
Lana and Casavir cautiously approached the jail cell and found a githzerai woman standing serenely watching them. She seemed unconcerned with the bars around her, a deep sense of calmness emanating from her.
"I felt your presence before my eyes fell upon you...Kalach-Cha," said the stranger with a deep, sultry voice.
Lana gave Casavir a quick glance with uncertainty etched on her face. "They said you asked for me by name. How is it you know my name but I know nothing of you?"
"Your name is not how I know you."
"Okay, um… are you with the Gith?" Lana asked cautiously.
"I assume you meant no disrespect. Know this name our enemies have draped upon you - this Kalach-Cha - its sound travels far, even reaching the ears of my people. At first I thought my people erred but here you stand."
Casavir stepped forward a pace, "But what brings you here? What is it you seek with Lana?"
The githzeri woman paused as if in thought before continuing. "I know much of the problems that beset your people and mine - the reason behind these attacks upon your heart and home. You will have no greater ally in this than I. In exchange for my aid, it is my will I be freed - so that I might travel with you and aid you against these enemies."
Lana grimaced, "You wish to travel with us?"
"I have born the indignity of these walls because I knew that it would bring you to me - and a greater truth will be known. Release me from this prison; let my path become that of yours Kalach-Cha. In return, I will grant you the knowing of this threat - and all the darkness its shadow casts."
Casavir looked at Lana and she starred at him searchingly. "It seems we have a new companion."
After making the necessary arrangements, the githzeri woman was released into Lana's custody. The three left the City Watch and after some discussion, determined she was a cleric but had no supplies or equipment. Lana and Casavir led their new companion to the required merchants to equip their new cleric whose name was Zhjaeve.
The three returned to the Sunken Flagon where the commotion of the earlier preparations had settled and made introductions. Lana and Casavir gave their goodnights retiring to their room after some time chatting with their companions. No one else seemed in a hurry to return to their rooms, the excitement of Zhjaeve's arrival and the trip ahead kept everyone awake.
"This just gets more fun by the minute. Now we have someone else who sees the need to follow me for only the god's know why. This is an especially odd situation, I hope she knows what she says she knows," Lana muttered while barring their door.
Casavir shrugged, "I know not my lady. Only time will tell but let us hope she can solve some of the mysteries of this shard. We will have a whole new set of concerns once we reach Crossroads Keep I'm afraid."
Lana only nodded slumping her shoulders. "Agreed, but at least I know you will be by my side. Anything is bearable with your support."
"You have my loyalty, my love and my sword. I just hope it is enough for whatever we face next," Casavir sighed wearily.
They climbed into bed together and Casavir wrapped his arms protectively around Lana as they drifted into sleep.
Morning came and most everyone rose early in anticipation. Those of their party who were not awake were drug along unwillingly, but the noise and ruckus of the morning made it impossible to stay abed. Everyone gathered their gear and headed for Lord Nasher's stables.
After a few hours with the stable grooms making assessments for each person's needs and capabilities everyone had a mount. Khelgar, Grobnar and Elanee rode on a wagon holding equipment for the keep. With some grumbling and rearranging the traveling party was ready to leave for Crossroads Keep and their new fates.
"Lana, I must say that in all my years the time I've spent with you has been the most… adventurous," Sand winced as he rode behind her.
"Did we need to get the side saddle for you Sand? This against your delicate sensibilities?" Bishop snorted.
"No, but I'm not sure who smells worse, you or the animals Bishop," Sand shot back.
"This beats walking you must admit Sand. It's been ages since I've been on horseback but I'm happy for it," Casavir said with a boyish grin.
Lana rode at Casavir's side and gave him a smile. "You look born to the saddle my lord paladin. You look the part on your war horse and gleaming armor. I think I could enjoy this ride after all," she said low enough for only Casavir to hear, giving a lecherous waggle of her eyebrows.
Casavir chuckled a deep, rumbling laugh as he sat up straighter in the saddle and grinning broadly.
They rode slowly the first few days so everyone could adjust to their horses and the newness of so much time in the saddle. There was no rush for once in their adventures together to arrive at Crossroads Keep and the wagon could not go as fast as the single horses.
The time passed quickly and Lana's party arrived at the keep nine days later.
They sat staring up to the dilapidated and shabby looking fort ahead of them.
"Home sweet home," Bishop snorted.
"It looks like we have a lot of work ahead of us. I guess there's no time like the present. Let's get this over with," Lana said grimly and kicked her horse forward.