Sunset Tears Chapter 20, a neverwinter nights fanfic

There was a small group gathered in the war room when Bishop finally walked in, escorted by a guard. He had settled Kyrie in her bed, undressed and washed her and plaited her hair. He gave her a drink of hot tea, the leaves of which were used to induce sleep. The tea was safe for her unborn child, of that he had made doubly sure. She had not protested nor resisted his efforts, but she had put her arms around the wolf and not let go. Karnwyr had leaped up onto the bed beside her, his big grey head on the pillow. Bishop had sat beside the bed, in an uncomfortable chair, stroking her hair until the tea claimed her and she fell asleep. The wolf hadnt moved when he headed for the door. He knew he would have to face the others sooner or later, and figured he best get it over with. He carried no weapons with him.

"Now then laddie, ye better start talkin' before I get me waraxe out and whack ye where ye stand." Khelgar stood in front of Bishop, anger on his usually amiable features.

Bishop nodded to the dwarf, but his words were directed at Sand.

"Sand, dont waste your time trying to burn or flay me. I have a protection spell on me so please just listen to what I have to say. If you all love Kyrie you will hear me out."

"I doubt anything you have to say now or ever will have any any bearing on whether or not I eventually burn or flay you, traitorous one. Your threat towards Torio that night pretty much assured that you will experience one or the other before too long." Sand watched him with narrowed eyes, his hand entwined tightly with Torio's.

"Everyone here heard that you died in the fortress. Even I cant cheat death Bishop, so what gives?" Neeshka flicked her tail in agitation, eyeing him suspiciously.

"You are right. I did die. Tyr brought me back."

"Ye dont believe in the gods and ye want us to believe that the good god brought ye back? Come now laddie ye dont think we are smarter then all that eh?"

Bishop looked down at the floor, feeling vulnerable without his wolf or any of his weapons. If he wanted Kyrie's friends to take him seriously he had to make the necessary sacrifices. Making amends for what he had done in the past might not be something he could ever accomplish, but for the sake of the woman he loved he had to at least achieve tolerance with them.

"Kyrie spared me... well she asked Tyr to spare me and he did. However, he took my sight and threw me in the wilderness with only Karnwyr as penance for my wrongs. I was lucky to have even him. I was dying out there. She found me but something had taken her memories, so she didnt remember who I was at first. I...I treated her badly, terribly in fact...but she forgave me and taught me to survive out there. I fell in love with her all over again, and Tyr's condition was if she can forgive me my betrayals and love me just the same, only her healing could fix my sight."

Sand snorted. "Kyrie? Love you? I hardly think that would ever happen, Bishop. Forgiving you, I can maybe be convinced to swallow that little tidbit, knowing Kyrie as I do, but as for loving you of all people, I highly doubt it. Your story is starting to annoy me in more ways then I can count."

Neeshka twirled her daggers as she watched him.

"You said you fell in love with her again. If you really loved her before, how could you betray her the way you did? And twice for that matter!"

"I was a fool. An ignorant, scared fool."

Bishop's amber eyes took him in, and each one of them in turn. He stood with his arms hanging by his side, knowing he faced an uphill battle that might never be won with these people. They had every reason to hate him and wish him gone...in more then one way. But he loved Kyrie with all his heart, and he knew she loved him as well, in her own way. After what had happened to her, she would need him more then ever, even if she couldnt accept that yet. It was his debt to her, one that he would gladly pay this time to stay by her side.

"I didnt remember how I had gotten blinded for quite awhile. We spent a long time together out there, in the wilds. We got...very close, it was... it was good. When my memories returned, so did hers. I remembered what had happened to me and she remembered who I was and what I had done. She was angry and hurt, leaving me in the field to fend for myself and rightly so. Next morning I woke up and I could see again. She must have come back while I slept and healed me. I tracked her here and Ive been watching her ever since, I overheard your arguments as you set up the rescue. I was the one who left the list of the guards and the blueprints on Neeshka's door. It was me who left you all those horses. I was going to do some reconnaissance on the prison but when I came back you had left already. I followed you all there and yes, I helped you fight the Luskans. I took a few arrows too, make no mistake. The bottom line is that I love her, and she loves me."

"She doesnt love you. She loves Casavir. You were there at the stone." Torio crossed her arms, giving him an appraising look.

"She didnt remember Casavir during our time together. I couldnt see her, I didnt know who she was, we fell in love with each other just the same. She loves me for who I am now."

"I think you can take your wolf, and your bow, and leave now, Bishop." Neeshka's voice came from behind him, but Bishop didnt turn.

"You want me to leave, Neeshka? Sand? Torio? Khelgar? When she's as hurt and broken as she is now? You want her to lose another person she loves?"

"We want her to be with family who loves her. Not someone who betrayed her and tried to have her killed. Twice, I say again." Neeshka's voice moved to the other side of him. He refused to follow the sound, preferring to look disconsolately down at the ground, and occasionally at one of the others.

"Torio, does she, does Kyrie, care for you?" Bishop turned his amber eyes on the former Luskan ambassador.

"Shes like a sister to me."

"Odd isnt it?...since you tried to set her up for murder and have her executed. Yet here you are."

Torio was silent and looked away.

"Im not asking any of you to forgive me. Thats for the gods. Im asking you to talk to Kyrie and ask her what she wants."

"Never thought I would hear ye talk about gods, ranger. I dont trust ye and I never will. Thats fer sure, but I need to hear the lass's words on this first. Before I cleave ye." Khelgar walked away and sat down at the table.

"I am of the same opinion. I have no interest in trusting you, forgiving you nor having you around. However, I do agree that we should speak to Kyrie first." said Sand, moving to sit beside Khelgar. "I say this only because I saw how Kyrie reacted to you when she saw you on the hill. If not for that, I can promise you that we would not be speaking right now. Rather, we would be cleaning up what was left of your remains from the ground."

"If Kyrie says she doesnt want you here Bishop, you wont be leaving here alive." The tiefling moved out of the shadows behind him and she too took a seat.

"Fair enough," responded the ranger.

Torio didnt move. She looked long and hard at Bishop. "If Kyrie forgave me for what I did to her, to all of you...then I will decide on Bishop once I hear what she has to say. Her word means the earth to me. I wont do anything to hurt her. If she truly loves you Bishop, then I will need to deal with that."

He nodded to her, grateful. "Thank you, Torio. That means a lot to me." Bishop looked at them across the room. "There is another thing you all need to know. Kyrie is with child."

Four shocked faces raised their eyebrows at him, speechless.

"Before you ask, no the child is not mine. She is roughly 4 months along. The child is Casavir's, conceived the night before the great battle."

"How would ye know somethin' like that laddie, thats awful privvy information eh?"

"Like I said, I have been watching over her, I know things. It was the only time she and Casavir had ever...been together. This child you should also know was conceived in wedlock. Kyrie and Casavir were married by the Tyrrian Brotherhood outside Neverwinter 3 days before that battle. She is, in truth, Lady de Chantraine. Before you throw all the denials you have at me, they did not share the information as they thought they wouldn't survive the battle, and she wanted to have a ceremony with all of you if they did make it through. They did it for themselves, for their god."

Sand was beside himself. All of these intimate details of her life, stolen by this heartless traitor. What manner of sorcery was this? What was the ranger up to now?

"If you say you know all of these...things, what was the name of the cleric who performed this ceremony? I was at this Tyrrian Brotherhood, as was Khelgar and Neeshka."

Bishop looked at him long and hard. "Brother Ilisharan."

They all looked at each other, then back at Bishop. Sand opened his mouth to speak when a scream rang out from the corridor.

"Kyrie!" Sand teleported from the war room, Bishop running to her room.

Sand reappeared at Kyrie's bedside. She looked at him in confusion, face wet with fresh tears.

"Sand! Where is Bishop? Bishop!"

Bishop was through the door and at her side in an instant, kneeling beside the bed and taking her into his arms. He stroked her hair and spoke softly to her as she clung to him. Kyrie looked into his eyes, then lay down with her head on the edge of the bed, her hair trailing onto him.

"Bishop, dont leave me. Dont leave me alone!" her voice was desperate. He sat on the floor with his back against the night table.

"I wont leave you, Kyrie. I wont ever leave you until you tell me to. Im yours, I have always been yours."

He looked up at Sand, the amber eyes free of any guile. Look at me, his mind pleaded with the wizard. If you have the ability to see so many things, see that I truly love her. Sand wrinkled up his nose for a moment then turned on his heel. He paused at the door.

"Take care of her, Bishop. If you hurt her, or Casavir's child, I shall do things to you that would make the Luskans proud."

Bishop waited til they had left, and he locked the door, speaking quietly to Kyrie the entire time. He stripped off his clothing, and tucked Kyrie back into the bed. He climbed in beside her and lay on his back, pulling her onto his chest.

"I love you, Kyrie. I love you with all my heart. I never want to be parted from you, not ever."

She burrowed into his chest, smelling his scent, feeling his skin.

"Dont leave me, Bishop. I dont want to lose you, too."

"I wont. I will take care of you....of you...and your child."

"Promise me!" she begged.

Bishop squeezed her tight, his eyes closed. The thought of such a promise terrified him. What if he couldnt do it? What if raising this child was more then he could handle? The old urge to bolt and run made his limbs twitch, but his heart held him fast. He was so much in love with Kyrie, he would do anything to stay at her side.

"Yeah, I...I promise."

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The following day, he took her outside to the small courtyard garden. Karnwyr had made himself at home there, snoozing happily in a sunspot. Kyrie could no longer button up her breeches properly so Bishop had cut holes in them so she could lace them up instead. She had stood, looking down at her gently swollen belly.

He had knelt in front of her, and gently put a hand on it, then rested his cheek against it. Tears fell from her eyes, and she told him how she wished Casavir was alive to experience the miracle they had created. In the same breath she told him that for that wish to be true, she would have to have a life without him, and that hurt her terribly also. Bishop had expressed his genuine regret at having hurt her so many times when they had first met, especially since she had been with child already then. The idea that he could have caused her to lose something so precious to her, tore at his heart and he cursed himself inwardly, and often.

Bishop had comforted her, then taken her out and lay a soft, thick blanket down on the grass for her beneath a tree. He propped himself against it and she lay her head down on his thigh, while he stroked her hair gently.

"Your friends want me to leave, Kyrie," he said softly. She grabbed his hand and pulled it to her lips.

"You arent going to leave me, you promised," she reminded him. "I need you, Bishop."

"I did promise. I love you, Kyrie. Do you know that?"

She sat up and put her arms around him, giving him a tender kiss. Her voice was quiet now, it lacked the fire and strength it once had. Her words seemed almost hollow and wooden. "I know you do. I know you loved me a long time ago too, Bishop."

"I did. And I was an idiot to treat you the way I did. I was so scared, I didnt know what love was and I didnt know how to show it. I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you let me."

She lay back down with a soft, sad sigh, and was still there when Sand came into the courtyard. She felt Bishop stiffen up at the sight of him.

"Bishop," called Sand. "Remove yourself from this place. I wish to speak to the Captain alone."

The tone of his voice made Kyrie sit up and face him. "Sand, please dont talk to Bishop that way. It hurts me. He was here for me when I had no one else, and he has proven himself to me."

She looked at Bishop with a smile and whispered to him. "Its ok, you can go. I know I will need to speak to all my friends in turn and help them understand how things have changed between us. You wont have to leave here, this is your home now too."

Bishop stroked her cheek gently, then stood up and strode from the courtyard with a nod to Sand.

Sand sat down beside her and looked deep into her sunset eyes.

"What has he done to you, girl? Hmm? You dont seem to remember what evil he foisted on us all those months ago."

"I remember everything, Althraion. Every sordid detail. But Tyr has also given me an opportunity to see beyond the acts, to the heart. I did that for Torio...and apparently so did you. You cant only forgive some people and not others. Bishop has come to terms with his darkness. He deserves a second chance just like your Torio did. What if I refused to forgive her too? Then you would never have had this time to be with her. Forgiveness is a great gift, Sand."

He sighed and dropped his head back, looking up at the foliage on the tree.

"Forgiveness is one thing, Kyrie, but that man had the nerve to tell us that you love him. I have watched your interaction with him and as much as I do not wish to believe those words, I am seeing that perhaps this is true. Is it?"

"I do love Bishop very much. Our time together, when I was devoid of my memories, showed me who he really is. Beneath the hard, cold exterior is a frightened, cowed, lonely man who is surprisingly gentle. Just like Torio, just like you, just like Casavir...all of us. We all want the same thing in this life, Sand. Love. We just all dont go about it the same, or right way. Can you understand that?"

Sand considered her words, then nodded slowly. "I can respect your wishes, but I cannot bring myself to trust him. I am concerned that this is just another ploy of his. Might even be something simple as having his way with you before he vanishes again."

"Althraion, I made love to Bishop once when we were together. If that was his only motivation then he would be long gone by now. I truly believe his love is genuine. He has promised to stay with me and raise Casavir's baby together. You know that Bishop could never have made any such promise before. He viewed every angle of a relationship as a set of chains to be fought. Not to mention this child...the child of his mortal enemy."

She eyed Sand carefully. "Oh...If you hadnt been told, I suppose you now know that I am pregnant. It happened the night before the battle. The only night Casavir and I had together since..."

"Since you were wed in the Tyrrian Brotherhood. Bishop told us last night. It also answers my question of where you disappeared to for so long. Kyrie...you went into that dreadful city while in this delicate state? I would be mortified if Torio did that were she carrying my child!"

"I had to ...to free Casavir. He is my beloved. Can you even partially understand how terrible this is for me? Even a little? I had my memories stolen from me on a whim by two deities who couldnt settle an argument between themselves. I was placed in a situation that I had no control over, and in the end I gave my heart to another man, without knowing just who that other man was. What does that say about my love for my Cassi? What does that say about me as a person? I cant help how my heart feels for Bishop. I love Casavir with all my heart and soul but...but....hes gone Sand. If I hadnt taken so long in finding him maybe he would still be alive. That part of my heart that says he isnt gone is still screaming at me but...where do I even look if I wanted to entertain that thought? I have to stop this wishful thinking and accept his death one way or another. This child will need a mother who is whole and healthy, not broken and tormented. Bishop is willing to stand by me, how can I refuse that? You have Torio now, you are starting a life together. I want someone in my life too, Althraion."

Tears filled her eyes and spilled onto her pale cheeks. Sand wiped them away, feeling dreadfully sorry for her situation. Why must one as good as she have to suffer so overly much? She did her part for the world, why couldnt the gods give her a break and let her be happy? Or...maybe they had. Maybe they had brought Bishop back into her life knowing what she would have to face. Did he, or any of the others have the right to tear that away from her also? Just because they were unable to forgive him?

The wizard sighed heavily.

"Kyrie, if he gives you comfort, or...even love, then far be it from me to take that from you. I cannot forgive as easily as you and it will take some time for me to be comfortable around him, but I accept your decision and will do what I can to support it. If he tries anything however...he will be burnt and flayed without a second thought."

Kyrie smiled through her tears, then she looked through her damp lashes at Sand.

"Sand, I miss Casavir. I miss my Cassi so much!" She covered her face with her hands and sobbed softly. Sand pulled her to him.

"I know, my girl, I know. What a terrible burden you bear. Just let us be here for you, all of us. Just think about that beautiful little baby of his. A gift from the gods, part of him will always live on now."

"Och, elf! What have ye done to the wee lassie?" Khelgar bustled over and knelt beside them. "I came out here ta see if anyone wanted ta do some sparrin'! Im gettin' soft 'round the middle what with no battles and all the ale I can drink!" He patted his girth with a laugh, trying to cheer Kyrie up. She didnt move from Sand's chest and Khelgar looked on, his face filled with compassion.

"Maybe I'll look for yer lassie there elf. She looks like she can take a few punches, shes a fighter, tha' girl. Ahh but she has a bad arm still. Hmpf! I saw tha' ranger in the hallway mebbe I will see how much he can take!" Khelgar chuckled and moved off, then turned back. "Ye just mind the lady fer now. I willna see her like this fer long. I miss her smile."

Bishop gave the dwarf a nod as they crossed in the doorway. The ranger walked back to the tree and knelt down beside Kyrie. She heard him say her name and she looked up and wiped her eyes, then turned to put her arms around his neck and bury her face in his chest.

"Shes hurting something fierce, Sand. I know how you all feel about me but we all need to get her through this."

"She has told me her feelings and her wishes regarding you already. Despite that, I suggest you stay out of my way, as I am not as charitable as Kyrie nor as patient." He stood up and gave the ranger a hard stare. He still wasnt seeing the same guile and deception in the human face as he once did, but he would be damned if he didnt stop looking for it. The man had been far too evil to suddenly do an about face. Sand vowed to himself that he would be ready if Bishop tried anything that remotely smelled of deceit. He walked briskly back to the door.

Bishop sighed heavily and rocked Kyrie for a moment. He positioned himself against the tree as he had earlier. Karnwyr lay down at his side with a grunt and proceeded to groom his paws. Bishop lay a hand on Kyrie's belly.

"How is the baby today?"

"Shes fine, I think...I dont really know since I have never had one before. Im pretty sure Casavir knows...knew...more about all this then I do." She looked up at him with her red rimmed eyes.

"You think its a girl?" he gave her that curious half-smile he sometimes did when his mind walked in unfamilliar territory.

"I do. I just have this image in my mind of a little girl with Casavir's beautiful blue eyes..." she burst into tears again, and Bishop's heart sank to his feet. He didn't know what to say to her, what to do for her to ease the pain. So much grief couldnt possibly be healthy. He had seen animals lose their young when they were overstressed. Humans were even more delicate then any beast. Concerned, he stroked her hair and murmured words of comfort as best he could.

"Its been a month now and she hasnt gone past the courtyard!" exclaimed Neeshka. "Come on Torio, we need to get her out and about. Bishop just sits there he doesnt even try to get her to do anything! Lets get her horse ready and go for a ride to visit Nasher or something, anything!"

"Neeshka, she shouldnt be riding," said Torio. "We dont want her to lose Casavir's baby. Shes having a hard enough time as it is."

"Well lets walk somewhere then! Its not good for her to be locked up like some...treasure or something, you know?"

"Gods, Neeshka. Kyrie is grieving. She might be this way for a year or longer. We cant force her to do anything. Shes doing really well with Bishop, surprisingly enough. Im sure soon she will come around and want to do other things."

Neeshka leaned close to Torio, a naughty look in her red eyes. "Do you think they are doing it? I mean he might be an idiot but hes kinda cute you know? I couldnt hardly blame her for doing it with him. Oh wait, I guess now she isnt doing it anymore 'cause you cant, hey?"

Torio turned her head and gave Neeshka an exasperated stare. "One, I dont know if they are doing it, as you so eloquently put it, and two, you can do it if you are pregnant you just have to be careful. Now can we stop talking about Kyrie's personal life? Please?"

The tiefling giggled and patted Torio on the head with her tail.

"Lets go visit Nasher. I love how he squirms when Im around. And Nevalle, hes kinda cute too, hey? Maybe we can go see him too." Neeshka bounced around, restless and over stimulated.

"No. Lets not. Nevalle threw me out of here on pain of death, Im not going to go to Neverwinter and flaunt myself in front of him, thanks. I like my head attached to my body."

"Come ON Torio, no ones going to take off your head while Kyrie's around!"

Torio sighed heavily and got up. "I am going to the kitchen and look for some food. Why dont you go visit Nasher and Nevalle. Just dont mention me being here."

Torio had been right. Within a few weeks, Kyrie began to emerge more from her room and venture elsewhere then the courtyard. Bishop never left her side, and everyone noticed how oddly different he was. He was even seen going in and out of the Church of Tyr a few times. Bishop had spent some time talking to Torio, and Torio wasnt as agitated having him around as Sand still was. Khelgar viewed the ranger with a suspicious and critical eye, but there never seemed to be anything to get upset at him about. It was though the real Bishop had been replaced with a gentler, kinder clone. In truth, Khelgar liked the man now. He showed a caring side to himself that was refreshing...and he enjoyed sparring with the dwarf.

Kyrie had summoned a friend of hers to the Keep, a feisty dwarven woman named Magda, to help with the pregnancy and the birth. The little lady had arrived within a few weeks, bringing with her a goat cart, a small cat, and a few personal belongings.

Khelgar had spilled his ale down his front when he saw her, he was fit to be tied. She was the loveliest creature he had ever laid eyes on. Magda saw him staring at her, and cuffed him upside the head.

"What are ye starin' at ye wild eyed Willie? Ye never seen a dwarven woman before!? Och mind I dont put yer eyes out!"

"Dwarven woman be damned! I see before me a lady ta be sure!" He had raised his glass of ale to her before drinking it down in almost one big gulp.

Magda had laughed, and joined him at the table. It was that moment that Khelgar Ironfist fell hopelessly in love, and Magda Goldshaper would never be lonely again.

It was not unusual for the group of them to ride out to a neighboring forest to hunt, then cook up the feast. There was always music and singing, much joy and laughter. Torio would always entertain the group with her dances and songs, and the former ambassador seemed to have shaken off her Luskan darkness. Sand's face seemed to be permanently etched in adoration for his beautiful lady, and he had announced his intention to take her to the elven wedding stone to formalize his making her Lady Torio of House Nhaereseer. There was much rejoicing the day they took their vows, Kyrie had the artisans make two intricately carved bracelets to symbolize their union. Torio had apparently turned very pale when Sand had showed her exactly what House Nhaereseer was comprised of, and all she could say to Kyrie was that the unwanted, unloved Luskan street urchin was now truly a lady in every sense of the word. Then she had cried on her friend's shoulder.

Kyrie had taken up her responsibilities of minding the Keep once more, but when she was in the forest with her friends, her eyes lightened up, and she smiled ceaselessly. She was happiest walking out in the fields away from the Keep with Bishop, she smiled the brightest when she had been away with him. She was 7 months along, and the child inside her made her tire easily, and the smallest tasks were sometimes cumbersome. It was obvious to everyone closest to her that she was healing, her grieving was coming to an end. The sadness gave way to acceptance, and she reveled in her love for the ranger.

It was the duties of the Keep that weighed so heavy on Kyrie. She had taken up the task during times of war, forced into the position by destiny and necessity. Now that the war was over, she found herself questioning over and over again why she was still doing a job that she hated. There were so many capable people who could take over the running of the Keep, and she really considered leaving it to them. Kana had proven more then capable, and she enjoyed the task immensely. Kyrie wanted to be free, to raise her child, to love the man she had come to adore even more then ever. It burdened her soul.

One evening during the forest feast, she had gone off by herself, tears stinging her eyes. Tears of guilt for the most part, over wishing she could just abandon everything and run off into the wilds with Bishop. She felt terrible over her selfishness, knowing that so many people loved and relied on her, but she knew that her child would need her as well, a child who was bereft of her natural father. It was all too much to bear.

"What is it, Ky? What's the matter?" Bishop's soft voice floated into her ears as he came up behind her and put his arms around her, his hands resting gently on her swollen belly.

"Is the baby alright? Shes not hurting you is she?" He was mystified by the entire situation, and always concerned that the pregnancy was a painful, debilitating condition from which he had to protect her.

"Shes fine, Bishop. Its...its the Keep. Its just so much to handle these days."

"You can always delegate some of it to others, Ky. You dont need to handle it all yourself. Give some to Sand, hes always bored. Khelgar could help and you have several others besides them and Kana you can trust to oversee things."

She was quiet a long time, leaning back on him. "Its not really that, Bishop. You hate being in the Keep. I hate asking you to be there, but I need you, and I have to be there. Its just that...this isnt what I want anymore. This duty and honor deal isnt real anymore. Its...its not me anymore. I feel selfish for wanting out, but Im a different person now..."

Bishop didnt speak for awhile. Then he turned her to face him.

"Its not selfish, Kyrie. Its honest. The Keep will survive without you, and you will do a lot better away from it. We can all see that. You are different out here. Ask the others, they will tell you."

"I dont need to ask the others. They have all told me over the course of time. But most of all I feel it inside myself. I feel a need to move on from my former life. I just dont...well...I mean where to go, what to do..."

His eyes were tender, and he touched his lips to hers gently.

"You could...you could always...uhh...marry me Kyrie."

She stared at him, shocked. That odd lopsided grin appeared on his face, and he took her hand and raised it to his lips, kissing it softly. His eyes were large, bright and beautiful.

"Kyrie, will you marry me, and live out here in the wilds with me?"

The question he had partially asked her so many times since the day they first met, was finally given a definitive answer.

"Yes...I will marry you and live out here in the wilds with you, Bishop."

No one had been happy to see Knight Captain Kyrie leave Crossroad Keep. Some had been less happy about her marriage to the traitor Bishop, but then not everyone was privileged to know the truth of the situation. Kyrie and Bishop left the Keep, settling in a beautiful little cottage on the furthest edge of the property. Since the Keep was hers and always would be, leaving the day to day running of it was one thing, but Lord Nasher had refused to allow her to deed it away. He gave his blessings, although warily, to the young couple, and reminded Kyrie of her duty to return to arms if the call to protect Neverwinter was ever sounded again. She didnt have a problem agreeing to that. She felt that he relied on her in some way and he was a good man and deserved at least that much for all he had given her.

Bishop, Veedle and her other friends had built the lovely little cottage as a surprise for Kyrie, who couldnt do too much anymore. She was very nearly ready to bring Casavir's child into the world, and sometimes when Bishop was out hunting, or when she was out wandering the forest nearby she would weep silent tears for her lost love.

She had brought his beloved warhorse Azrelaine to live with her steed Razelique, and slowly was convincing Bishop to learn how to ride him. In true warhorse fashion, the animal was not overly accepting of anyone but his master, but his master had not been seen in a very long time, and to his equine mind that equated to desertion and a need to adopt another.

Kyrie no longer rode, although the gentle Razelique would not have let her come to any harm. She had slowly but surely continued to regain any left over memories and her strength, but the Kyrie that fought the King of Shadows was long dead. The Kyrie who had survived the battle, lost her beloved and found love in a very unlikely heart was a beast of a different color. She still worshipped Tyr, for a deep abiding love for him lived inside her heart, and Bishop had slowly come to learn a little about Tyr as well as showing an interest in two ranger gods. She didnt understand what brought it all about, how he even learned of them, but he was curious, and if it would save her beloved from oblivion she was all for it.

Sand and Torio stayed on at the Keep. They wanted to be near their friend, but they didnt wish to live so far from the comforts of a well established town. Kyrie had to build a school, not just for Torio's adopted children Marian and Mattie, but for other children who came to the land with their families. She also brought several young clerics and midwives to ensure that no one was without care as families grew and prospered at Crossroad Keep. Sand shyly told Kyrie that he and Torio were working on an army of "little wizards" he could take over the world with. Torio had taken an interest in farming and was raising an herb garden with Magda's help. She had also discovered the gentle Chauntea, and it was obvious to all that the goddess had accepted the former ambassador as a follower when her first herb crop yeilded more then a record number of plants.

Khelgar and Magda had take their vows and moved into a little farmhouse within the confines of the Keep. He was always laughing and smiling, even moreso then he did before, and he proudly boasted his burgeoning belly with thanks to his mate's astounding cooking skills. Her grown sons would often come to visit, and they came to love their step-father and his wild stories of adventure. The orphan children of the Keep came around to hear stories of being a Tyrrian monk, and to learn a few battle tricks.

Neeshka did not make a home at the Keep although she did frequent it and visited Kyrie fairly often. She seemed to have her eye on a young knight in the Watch, and to hear her tell it, he was also rather fond of the little rogue.

Life gently ebbed and flowed around Crossroad Keep and its inhabitants.

"Are you happy here, with me, Kyrie?" Bishop asked her one evening as they sat by the fire. He was making more arrows, and she was working on a tapestry for the baby. It was a picture of Casavir with his warhorse. She looked over at him with a smile.

"Im very happy with you...why do you ask? Dont I show you enough?"

"Dont ever think that. You show me more love then I deserve, Ky. I just...well I just want to know sometimes if you are happy with me. If...if I do right by you..." his voice grew soft. Walking in unfamiliar territory made him withdraw into himself in discomfort. The callous, hard edge of his protective barrier was gone, but when challenged emotionally Bishop still grew silent and withdrew. He still struggled with the fact that he was no nobleman, that he lacked the education and the status of the people that surrounded Kyrie. She was sure that he was still trying to measure up to Casavir, that the ghost of the knight haunted his heart and belittled everything he did. Try as she might, Kyrie was unable to get through to him that she thought he was perfect just the way he was, that his history made him who he was, and there was nothing wrong with that.

Bishop was often insecure, and when anyone of status came to see her, he would vanish into the forest with Karnwyr until they were gone. She never begrudged him that need to escape, perhaps he needed to feel that if he ever wanted to run away there was nothing holding him. Kyrie had never exacted words like forever and always from him because he could not fathom such timeframes. It was more then enough for her to hear him say he loved her.

It had surprised Kyrie that it was Bishop who wanted them to exchange rings at their wedding ceremony. She would have settled just fine for a druid and a few words spoken at the river, but it was Bishop who looked into the traditions of different ceremonies, and insisted on a Brother of Tyr to preside. He decided that the church in Neverwinter would be perfect, and so it was.

He had given her a beautiful hand carved ring with a bow and a sword crossed, a pawprint on one side and a horseshoe on the other. The edges were carved with the traditional vines. Kyrie had had one made for him that showed a sunset. He had shown so much delight with that simple gift. He didnt tell her that it was the first gift he had ever received in his entire life.

Kyrie had worn the necklace Sand had given her so long ago, shoes and a tiara that Neeshka "found" for her, and the little dwarven lady had done up her hair. Torio procured her a bouquet of flowers, blooms she had picked herself and put together into the loveliest grouping Kyrie had ever seen. The biggest surprise was Khelgar's gift. He had somehow managed to find her a dress. Although she was heavy with child, the dress fit like it was made for her and Kyrie had cried when she saw it.

Before the ceremony, Kyrie found Bishop behind the church, wiping tears from his eyes.

"Oh dear, what is wrong?" she asked, concerned. He shook his head, preferring to not respond for fear of the emotion that would come with it. Kyrie embraced him.

"We dont have to do this, Bishop. If it scares you...we just dont have to do this."

"No! Is that what you think? That I dont want to do this?"

She nodded. "Yes. I know how any ties at all frighten you."

That response made him look sadder then before.

"Thats how it was with me. I just didnt want to be tied down to anything or anyone. Because if you did that then you were setting yourself up to be hurt or worse. But you...you changed all that for me, Ky. I love you so much, dont go thinking that I dont want to marry you because I do."

She had smiled at him, and they had kissed tenderly for a long moment. Then he had opened his heart, and his pain to her.

"Ky...the truth is, I feel like less of a man because I dont have anything to give you. Casavir gave you his name and all the stuff that went with it. What do I have? I dont even have any honor. Im a branded traitor and I wont ever live that down. Ive never been anything, and I never will be."

She had touched his face, and when he looked away had taken both her hands and forced him to look at her.

"Bishop! You have given me your love! You have given me your honesty! You have changed your entire life, your entire way of thinking because you love me. That is a bigger gift to me and worth more then any name, title or honor ever would be. Dont you EVER think less of yourself! As for never being anything...you will be my husband. You will be the father of our children. Can that be enough for you?"

He had sighed deeply, her words striking a chord with him. He held her close.

"Yeah. You are right. I guess I just got bogged down in all the small stuff again. I need to focus on you, and the baby."

Kyrie smiled at Bishop, seeing the firelight dance in his beautiful amber eyes.

"My love, you have done right by me. You do right by me every day that you remain with me. I only hope that you are happy here with me too, and will always be."

"Until you, I didnt know what happiness was. I didnt know joy til the day I woke up with the light in my eyes after that...that terrifying darkness. Anywhere you are Ky is happiness to me. I dont care where it is, I just care that you are with me."

He went back to his fletching, a song on his lips.