Chapter 6: Logram Defeated
Casavir found himself intrigued by the strange group of adventurers he had joined up with. He was the only human in the group and he sometimes felt like the odd man out. Khelgar had no problem with his presence, nor did the gnome Grobnar, or the druid Elanee. But obviously their leader, Nimbrethil, felt more comfortable with them than with him and he had to wonder if it was because he was the new guy or human. He had watched the dwarf and the tiefling bickering and seen the annoyance cross Nimbrethil's face every time their voices got too loud. She would often sit apart from the others when they camped, cleaning her bow and swords, and checking the fletching on her arrows. The only one she really talked to was Elanee and then it was mostly in elvish, but even that was not often. She had told him the story of how she came to be with the City Watch, and even though it was not by choice, she was obviously determined to see it through. So the shards must be really important but she said no more about them and the others didn't know anything either.
Their fight through the Eyegouger caves had been difficult for the passages were narrow, limiting the effectiveness of her bow, and she had had to resort to using her swords, which she definately wasn't as comfortable with. A couple of times she had ended up surrounded by orcs and he had almost not gotten to her in time. He had healed her wounds after each encounter and she had stoicly continued on deeper into the caves, her determination to find the emissary very admirable. When they had finally faced Logram, he and the dwarf had gone after him, while she rained her arrows into the other orcs. With Logram dead they had continued on and come across several groups of dark priests and undead. In the end they had found the emissary alive and well and had quickly left the caves to head back to Old Owl Well. Now they were encamped about a half day's march from the Well and the spirits of the group were lighter than they had been. He looked around the camp and saw that the others had fallen asleep, the emissary looking a little the worse for wear but healthy enough. He looked over to the high rock she was sitting on while keeping watch and decided to go see if he could get her to talk to him a little more.
"May I join you?" he asked as he stood next to her. She simply nodded and then turned her gaze back to the rocky landscape before them. Sitting down beside her, he looked at her trying to determine how old she was, for she seemed to be quite young. "I was wondering if you wouldn't mind answering some questions I had."
Nimbrethil studied the man beside her. He seemed to be more relaxed now that Logram was dead and she had to wonder what would bring a paladin of Tyr out here. "I'll answer your questions if you answer mine, belegohtar." Seeing the puzzled look on his face she smiled and translated, "It means mighty warrior."
Casavir felt his face flush at the compliment and his heart beat faster at seeing her smile at him. "What did you wish to know?"
"The orcs call you Katalmach, and I believe it to mean that you seek death or something like that. What would cause a paladin of Tyr to seek death in battle?" Nimbrethil watched as a sadness entered his eyes and he looked away from her.
"It is difficult to speak of and very personal, I would rather not go into the details." Casavir looked her in the eyes, "Please do not take offense, but it is not something I can share with just anybody."
Nimbrethil eyed the man wondering at the sadness but she could wait until he was more comfortable with her. "What did you want to ask me?"
"You told me how you, a wood elf, came to work for the City Watch, but I was curious about your life before that," Casavir relaxed as he realized she wouldn't press him for details about his past.
"I grew up in West Harbor with my foster-father Daeghun, my mother had died along with his wife when I was very young in a battle there long ago." She looked off in the distance. "You must understand that to humans elves age very slowly and I was still considered a baby when she died but I was old enough to remember what she looked like. However, I don't remember the battle or what happened during it, either because I've blocked the memories or because I was too young to understand."
"How old are you?" Casavir asked and then flushed at the rude seeming question.
Seeing his embarassement Nimbrethil couldn't hold back a chuckle. "I'm not offended so don't be embarassed. If you must know I am 80 years old, which is the equivalent of a human in their late teens. To other elves I will still be considered a child until I reach 100 at least."
"So when Khelgar told me you had been hunting on your own for decades he wasn't lying," Casavir stated, trying not to think about being 50 years younger than the elf but feeling so much older.
"Daeghun and I were the only two elves in the village, and I was never comfortable with the other kids, for they grew up too fast. So when I was old enough I spent much of my time with my father, learning to hunt, track, and trap the different animals in and around the mere." She smiled wistfully at the memory of those years, some of the happiest in her life.
Seeing the wistful look on her face he knew that she missed her home very much. "Now I understand why you seem to be uncomfortable around others. You must miss your home."
"Not my home village, but yes I miss Daeghun and my woods. He is the only father I have ever known, and while to others he seemed to be cold, I learned to tell the difference in his moods. He cared for me as best he could, even though I must remind him of his loss." Nimbrethil eyed the man beside her. "Elves have long memories and for us the pain of losing someone does not fade with the passing of a few years. That is why I sought to distance myself from others, at least until Amie and Bevil."
Casavir heard the pain in her voice at the mention of those two and decided to not pursue the subject, but she continued on, telling him about her friends. Her friend Amie had been killed in the attack that had driven her away and she obviously missed her, but the way she spoke about Bevil made it clear that their relationship was more than just as friends. He felt a little stab of jealousy run through him as she talked about the young man and wondered why he should feel that way, he barely knew her. Suddenly he found himself wanting to get to know her better and hoped he would have the opportunity. All too soon for him, Khelgar came over to take his watch and he went to his bedroll to stretch out. As he lay there he had to wonder at the feelings she stirred in him for he had thought to never feel such things again. Closing his eyes he drifted off to sleep and his dreams were filled with her image as he relived their battles in the orc caves.
******
Nimbrethil saw the relief on Callum's face as she approached him when they arrived in the camp in the late afternoon. She figured that Casavir's men must have made it there to tell them of the group's plans. She also noted the way his eyes widened as he looked at Casavir who was walking beside her and wondered at the reason.
"Ah there you are, you made it back safe and sound and you managed to rescue the emissary I see. Well done," Callum greeted them enthusiastically. Turning to the emissary he promised the man that he would be safely escorted to the city by the best soldiers. He heard the elf start to protest and waived her off. "You have done more than anyone could have asked of you, and I don't want you to worry about the emissary."
"Casavir, it is good to see you again," Callum greeted the tall man to her right. "According to your sergeant Katriona, you were the one leading the attacks on the orcs, and for that you have my thanks. However, you're being here puts me in a difficult position. Your leaving was sudden and some say dishonorable."
"If it hadn't been for Casavir we might not have survived the encounter with Logram," Nimbrethil growled at the dwarf. "If you have a problem with him then you have a problem with me and I'm not someone you want as an enemy." She tighted her grip on her bow as she glared at Callum.
"I thank you for your words but I cannot have you defend me in this," Casavir spoke up, pleased that she stood by him.
"No harm will come to him from me, I assure you," Callum raised his hands to placate her. "My report will read that we held off the orcs long enough for you to take Logram's head. That should make the counsel happy that their money was well spent, and put you in their good graces as well, and officially Casavir was never here. Whatever reasons you had for leaving Neverwinter's service are your own, my friend."
"What about my men? They fight as only those trying to save their homes can fight," Casavir queried.
"I could certainly use the extra men, providing they don't mind wearing a uniform. Katriona has been a great help here as have your men." Callum nodded at him. "As for you," he turned back to Nimbrethil, "I took the liberty of putting together a little reward for you, consider it a gift from the counsel."
Nimbrethil saw him holding out a small coin purse and a great axe that was obviously very valuable judging by the detail on the weapon. She hesitated to take it for the last thing she wanted was to give these people any more ways to tie her to the city. Seeing her reluctance, Callum chuckled.
"I assure you this gift comes with no strings attached. I believe in rewarding people for their hard work and what you did for us here makes this gift seem insignificant in comparison. Please, don't refuse it just on principal." The dwarf patiently held out the items and smiled when she took them from him.
"Thank you. If there is nothing else, then I'll take my leave of you," Nimbrethil nodded at Callum and turned away to find Casavir watching her. "Do you intend to rejoin your men Casavir?"
"Old Owl Well has been freed from the orcs and there is no reason for me to stay here," Casavir hesitated, not sure how she would respond to the request he was about to make. Despite their conversation the night before she may not want him around. "If it is alright with you, I would like to accompany you and help you with the task set before you, to repay you for your help here."
Nimbrethil weighed his skills with the others of the group. He was a tough front line fighter and his skills were something that only Khelgar could match. While the orcs had been tough, she knew that the creatures who pursued her were even tougher. Despite the fact that she had not encountered any for several weeks, she had no reason to think they had given up. The battles in the narrow orc caves had shown that she was not capable of holding her own in close combat, and thus she would need someone like him in similar situations.
"You have skills that I don't and I have a feeling that I may need those skills in the future. You don't owe me anything Casavir and if you want to accompany me then you may but only if you really want to." Nimbrethil looked around at the others and saw that only Neeshka seemed to be put out by her decision. "I will tell you the same as I told the others, you are free to come and go as you wish. Also as part of the group, any problems you may have are also my concern, and I will help you just as I would anyone else."
"I thank you for that, but I doubt that anyone looks for me still," Casavir nodded at her. "I am honored that you will allow me to accompany you."
With that settled, she turned to head towards the merchant in the camp to replenish their supplies and sell off the unneeded items. After they got what they wanted she led the group out of the Well and they headed back towards the city. It would take them at least a week, but she didn't care for she was in no hurry to return. Being out in the open spaces was much more to her liking than the city with its horrible smells and obnoxious people. Hopefully she would now get access to Blacklake, but she decided not to hold her breath. Brelaina's men were obviously not that competent or she wouldn't have dumped so much on her shoulders. She would just have to deal with it no matter what, but when she finally had what she wanted, she was getting out of there quickly.