-Chapter Thirty Eight-
They lay spent and exhausted in each other's arms facing one another. Casavir languidly traced random paths across Lana's naked skin.
"Not a bad beginning for our new life together," he said grinning lazily.
"I don't know, I think we should practice some more," Lana smiled teasingly.
Groaning in mock resignation he replied, "You know I'm not as young as I used to be. I'm not sure I can keep up this pace. Can I at least take a nap first?"
Lana propped herself onto one elbow, leaning over him. The rogue stroked his hair with her free hand. "Oh that's right. How often I forget what an old man you are. I should take it easy on you. I've heard the elderly need their rest."
Casavir heaved himself up quickly, flipping her onto her back. "Someone should teach you to respect your seniors. I think you need a solid spanking."
She laughed, "Is that a promise husband?"
Grunting, he flopped back onto the bed while pulling her tightly against him. "I think I'm ready to try again… that is if you can keep up."
She kissed him soundly on the mouth in response.
Before they had a chance to proceed, there was an urgent banging on the suite door. Lana groaned in dismay. "What now, can't it wait?" she barked.
"The keep is under attack! You and Casavir are needed in the War Room immediately Captain Thell," came the panicked reply.
Lana jumped to her feet, grabbing her dressing room and throwing it around her body in one swift movement. Casavir bolted from the bed, seizing his discarded trousers hastily jamming his legs into them. Lana threw open the door, Casavir immediately behind to face the alarmed guard.
"What do you mean the keep is under attack?" Lana nearly shouted in the guard's stunned face. The young soldier stammered, stepping back a step in surprise.
"I don't know Captain. I was sent to retrieve you and Master Casavir by Sir Nevalle. That is all I know." The young guard gave a hasty salute, looking fearfully from one to the next.
"Thank you. Dismissed," Lana replied curtly. Shutting the door behind her she muttered, "Duty calls. We need to make haste."
The words were barely formed before the paladin was donning his armor. Lana discarded her dressing gown exchanging the silk garment for her leathers. She grabbed their sword belts from their respective wall pegs, tossing Casavir's across the bed within easy reach before hastily belting hers around her waist.
The rogue had both rucksacks in hand as Casavir grabbed for his shield. Lana pressed her lips tightly together while raking him over with her eyes. She stood at the door, one hand outstretched for the handle, not moving.
"Casavir, I have a sick feeling about this. This is going to be a bad one," she said without turning.
"We shall face it together. I will be by your side always," he whispered.
"Promise me. Promise me you will be careful," she asked urgently, glancing over her shoulder but otherwise remaining motionless. Lana looked at him, fear and anxiety etched painfully across her features.
Turning Lana to face him, he stroked her cheek. "Lana, I promise to give you forever. I will be with you in this life and the next. I swear to you I will use all caution possible. I will never leave your side."
Biting her bottom lip and furrowing her brows she nodded. Turning irresolutely toward the door, the rogue paused again.
"Lana, we must…" She pivoted abruptly shooting one hand behind his head, causing him to step back unexpectedly. Lana pulled him into a hard kiss, her mouth grounding against his almost painfully. His wife released him almost as rapidly, turning and dashing headlong down the hallway. Casavir heard a sob through the darkness as he ran to catch up to her.
He found her in the large hallway opposite the main hall. Lana was leaning with one arm across her face against one of the hall's massive pillars in a dark corner. He could see her shoulders trembling, silent tears racking her body.
Casavir gently pulled her into his arms, wrapping his protectively around her. "Lana my love what troubles you so? We knew this day was coming. We have made all the possible preparations possible. This is just one more battle in a long line of many. Nothing has changed."
Lana pushed herself from his arms brusquely wiping her tears across the back of her hand. "Everything has changed. I can't lose you, I won't!" Her eyes darted across his face. She looked like a trapped animal, fear pulsating around her. Lana's body trembled as the panic threatened to overwhelm her.
He clasped his hands firmly, almost painfully around her upper arms. "No, you won't. Only our marital status has changed, but not our love. I was yours before and will remain so. Let that one change give you the strength and courage you have given me. We are stronger than ever now that we are united as one. Nothing and no one can ever part us," Casavir said firmly. His eyes bored into hers, pinning her in his piercing stare.
The rogue looked searchingly into his eyes, regaining her control. Lana squared her shoulders, stepping within a breath of him. "This is why I love you so. I was ready to let fear nearly overwhelm me and here you stand as my rock. I'm sorry, I'm not sure what came over me," she whispered fiercely.
"These are trying times but we have each other. That will be enough. Now let us make haste," he nodded glumly, releasing his vice grip on her arms.
She nodded, grasping one hand tightly into his while pulling them both toward the War Room. Lana pushed the door open with one hand but did release Casavir's as she advanced into the room.
Something is seriously wrong. I've never seen such fear from Lana. A deep sense of foreboding crept inside his belly turning like a cat burrowing into a cushion.
All those necessary were gathered and waiting around the vast circular table. Bishop reclined against the far corner partially shadowed between the flickering wall sconces. Nevalle paced irritably in the opposite corner behind the main table that consumed the bulk of the room. Their other companions and heads of the various regiments sat at the table, whispering nervously to one another. All speaking ceased upon Lana and Casavir's entrance.
"Sorry to interrupt. We all know how busy you were. Hope we didn't interfere with the wedding festivities," Bishop sneered, not moving from his dark corner. The ranger's tone was icy, dripping with sarcasm.
"Aye lass, we've heard about yer recent nuptials. Sorry we couldn't join ya but these are unusual times. Ya had to do what was best. Congratulations! After we're done tonight, we'll toss back some mugs back in yer honor," Khelgar boomed heartily.
Lana shot Khelgar a grateful smile. "Thank you Khelgar, we look forward to celebrating our, um, nuptials with you all properly after this is over." The smile was hastily replaced by an expression of grim determination. Lana released her locking grip from Casavir's hand to take her place at the head of the gathering. He remained near the wall closest to the door at full attention.
"Now to the situation at hand. Where do we stand?" the rogue said, turning her attention to Kana.
"There is little time to talk. The King of Shadows' armies will soon attack our walls."
Ammon Jerro cleared his throat, "Garius brings his troops at an early hour. Surprise is his ally here but his cover of darkness will not last. No doubt he plans on a swift victory."
Lana clenched her jaw tightly together before replying. "No doubt but he has underestimated us. It will be his downfall."
Kana nodded assent at Ammon Jerro before once again addressing Lana. "Regardless, his siege towers have been spotted in the distance and our men will need your guidance on the wall to repulse them."
Casavir heard Lana mutter something unladylike under her breath. "Then we will need to hit those siege engines with everything we've got. Bishop I'll need you and your archers with me on the wall. We will throw all the fire power we have at those things."
Bishop stiffened. "Is that an order?" he snarled. His eyes blazed dangerously at Lana.
The rogue sighed heavily, her forehead creasing with mingled frustration and anger. "I need someone with good eyes and good aim. You're the best Bishop… and I need you." Her tone was heavy as if it caused her physical pain to speak. Casavir stiffened as her last words hung in the air. He felt there was more to their exchange but now was not the time or place to find the meaning. The knot of unease turned, stretching and flexing its claws. The ranger only nodded, his scowl deepening. He walked with agitation to stiffly stand at his usual place in battle close behind her.
Casavir noted Bishop shift uneasily away from Lana, the ranger's knuckles straining white around his bow. Lana unconsciously took a step away from Bishop.
Lana again addressed the group. "We will need our finest mages on the wall also, along with the Ironfist Fighters. We'll want our best mêlée fighters should those siege towers make it onto the battlements. We should expect a full frontal attack atop the walls and against the gate. The mages will aid Bishop's rangers. We shall light the night with the enemies' carcasses," Lana barked, her tone vehement.
Kana and the others nodded agreement. "You can be sure the foes will stay on the wall only as long as necessary. They will most likely try to attack our towers." Kana continued.
With a curt bob of her head toward Kana, Lana then addressed Deaghun. "What creatures have been seen out there?
"The scouts have spotted all manner of undead. Worse, they have seen nightwalkers, shadows, wraiths and even vampires."
The room stood silent for several beats before looking toward Casavir. "Then I guess you know where you will serve tonight. I will need you on the wall with me to face those undead. I'll need your strength both for the keeps morale... and mine." Lana spoke with a quiet determination, searching his eyes.
"I will do what I can for our soldiers, both for Neverwinter and for you," he replied, trying to suppress the apprehension from his voice. Casavir stepped forward to stand on the other side of Lana. The paladin noticed her posture soften minutely.
"I think we've all been on the walls with the paladin long enough," Bishop sneered.
Casavir shot Bishop a glare, "I advise you to watch your tongue ranger."
"I imagine the paladin would rather be on the front lines, fighting with the troops for the glory of god and king," Bishop growled, sarcasm dripping with each word glowering at Casavir.
Taking a step forward one hand over his sword hilt, Casavir snarled. "It is my duty to guard against all threats."
Both men bristled. They were poised like dogs settling into a fight, each waiting for the other to make the first move.
Lana pivoted angrily, arms crossed against her chest. She shot each a caustic look, fatigue etching deeply across her face. A soft, ragged sigh escaped her lips. "I need you both to assume the positions I have assigned. If you cannot do your duty as I have requested, I will take someone with me that can. Is that understood?" she snapped, cocking one eyebrow scathingly at Casavir.
Bishop straightened, smirking over Lana's head at her reproach. The rogue stared into the ranger's face with an irate expression. "That means you too. I need someone I can trust." She looked searchingly into his eyes. The ranger glared back icily. He did not reply but nodded, jaw clenching and unclenching in anger.
Turning to the remaining group, Lana caught each one's gaze as she looked around the table. She pursed her lips tightly together into a thin white line before addressing the assembly. "Does everyone know their assignments?" Each nodded assent. Squaring her shoulders she addressed, her voice commanding and fierce.
"The night will be long and the task before us will not be an easy one. I will not lie to you. Know however that we are fighting for our homes, our families and our freedom. We shall not fall, we shall not falter. We will emerge victorious and celebrate the dawning of a new day," she said, slamming one closed fist heavily onto the tabletop. Her words hung as she looked around the room, again seeking each face around the table. "Now let's go kick some ass."
The occupants hastily cleared the room, leaving Lana watching their retreating backs.
Casavir turned to follow the others. Lana jumped to grab his arm, halting his retreat. "Casavir, I know we don't have the time but… promise me you will take all possible precautions." Her features were tightly knotted in concern.
"Is there something you need to tell me? Of course I will take all the usual precautions, we have fought many battles before Lana."
"I know but… something feels wrong," Lana said, shifting uneasily from one foot to the neck.
"You mean aside from a large army of undead knocking on our doorstep?" he said with a small smile, reaching one hand to grasp her chin and tilting her head up.
"Just be careful Casavir. Keep your guard up…" She left the sentence sounding unfinished. Leaning forward, Lana wrapped her fingers through his hair drawing him into a deep passionate kiss.
The rogue finally released her hold, stepping back to face her husband. She sighed in submission. "I guess I can't stall anymore. Battle waits for no one."
As she stepped to take the lead to the battlefield, the creature in his middle sunk in its claws raking his insides into bloody ribbons.