Chapter 7: Ironfist Stronghold

They were camped in a small glade about two days from Neverwinter and Nimbrethil had not enjoyed herself so much since she had arrived in the city. There were no monsters or rude people and she just wasn't that eager to get back to Brelaina. She had seen how the others looked at her when she kept calling for camp early and getting a late start but they didn't question her. She had a feeling that they all were like her, not eager to be back in that city. Fortunately Thorondor had brought her some news that might delay their return, it would depend on what Khelgar had to say.

"Khelgar, Thorondor spied something today when he was hunting," she looked at the dwarf sitting across the fire from her.

"Really lass, and what might that be?" Khelgar looked at her curiously.

"Apparently, there is a group of dwarves about ten miles to the northeast and the impression he got is that they were searching for some kind of ancient stronghold," Nimbrethil stroked the feathers of the falcon as he perched on her leg.

"Stronghold? They must be looking for the old Ironfist Stronghold. It was rumored to be in the lower Sword Mountains, but the entrances have long been lost." Khelgar mused his eyes getting a faraway look. "Well then, what say we go check it out together, eh?"

Nimbrethil didn't answer right away for the situation was problematical. Khelgar had made no secret that he was disdainful of elves, and even though he had come to acknowledge her as an individual, he was still kind of prejudiced. Not only that, but he didn't trust tieflings and he openly ridiculed Grobnar as being just a stupid gnome. If these feelings were common amongst dwarves in general then their help might not be wanted.

"Khelgar, remember when we first met how reluctant you were to travel with me?" Nimbrethil eyed the dwarf closely.

"Oh lass, we've gotten past all that haven't we," the dwarf complained.

"Maybe we have, but what about other dwarves?" Nimbrethil couldn't keep a hard edge out of her voice. "Will they be as distrustful of elves, tieflings, and gnomes as you are?"

Casavir watched silently as the two talked and saw that, of the group, only Grobnar seemed to be unaware that anything was amiss. They had worked so well together in the orc caves that it hadn't been noticeable, but now that there was no common enemy there seemed to be some tension amongst the group. The only elves he had met had worked for the Cloaktower, and the only dwarf he knew was Callum. They had all seemed to be friendly towards each other, but now he saw that what others had told him about elves and dwarves was true, that there was a mistrust there. He saw Khelgar fidgeting in discomfort as Nimbrethil's steady gaze never wavered from his.

"I don't really know what to tell you," Khelgar finally grumbled. "I have not seen any members of my clan in a long time, but you're right, there's alot of them that have no liking for other races. Whether this particular group holds those views.." his voice trailed off as he shrugged.

Nimbrethil frowned as she considered her options. There was really no need to bring everyone up there since this was just going to be a sort of social call to check things out. She was the so called leader of this pack of misfits and as such she always was the one stuck with the decision of who gets to tag along. She knew that it would be best if Neeshka and Grobnar headed back to the city, but she wasn't sure who she should send with them. Casavir was the best choice as he was one of the two fighters in the group, but that would mean bringing Elanee to meet a bunch of dwarves that might or might not dislike elves. Getting up she walked off into the woods to get away from the others, so she wouldn't have to bear their scrutiny for a while. After walking for a while she decided to climb up into a large tree and hide among the branches. She knew none of the others would find her there.

Casavir saw the troubled look on Nimbrethil's face as she walked away and debated whether or not to follow her. He knew that unless she wanted to be found that he didn't have a chance to do so, but he felt the need to help her out. She obviously was not comfortable making these kinds of decisions, but he was. Getting to his feet he headed her way just as she entered the tree line. Quickening his pace he tried to keep her in sight, but shortly after entering the woods he lost sight of her. Standing still he listened carefully, trying to see if he could detect any movement, and then felt foolish for thinking that he would hear an elf walking through the woods. Just as he was about to head back to camp, her voice drifted to him from above.

"Did you want something Casavir?" Nimbrethil queried looking down on the man. She could see him perfectly, but the woods were dark so she knew he couldn't see her.

Squinting up through the trees, he tried to determine where she was but couldn't. "I just wanted to let you know that if it is your wish, I will be happy to accompany Neeshka and Grobnar back to Neverwinter."

Nimbrethil lightly dropped from the tree to the ground right in front of him, startling him and causing him to step back a little. The man's perceptiveness was uncanny, almost like he knew what she had been thinking, which was a little unnerving. "If you wouldn't mind doing that, I would be very grateful. I hate having to make these decisions because I always upset someone in the process."

"It is inevitable, my lady, when you have a mixed group such as ours," Casavir said and then saw a frown cross her face. "Forgive me, I know that you asked me to call you by name but it is difficult to change the habits of a lifetime."

Sighing, she started walking back to the camp thinking that hopefully he would overcome this particular habit. According to her father humans changed more often than the wind, so it should be possible, even for a paladin. As she entered the camp four sets of eyes met hers, waiting for her decision. "Okay Khelgar, Elanee and I will accompany you to meet the dwarves. Casavir has agreed to escort Neeshka and Grobnar back to the city." At her words the tiefling pouted but she knew better than to say anything. "I'll take first watch, Khelgar you have second, and Casavir will take third." With that she went off to the edge of the glade to sit on a small boulder that lay in the shadows of the trees. From that position she could see the entire area.

The others just looked at her and then decided to get some sleep knowing that further conversation would be pointless. By now they had learned that when Nimbrethil had made a decision there was no changing her mind. She had told them more than once that they were free to go their own way anytime they wanted, but if they decided to stay with her then they would have to abide by her decisions, period. The night closed in and soon everyone was asleep except for the silent wood elf watching from the shadows with her falcon on her knee.

*****

Nimbrethil sighed as they entered the gates to the Merchant district and headed for the Watch Post. The last few weeks spent out in the wilds had been enjoyable despite the problems they had encountered and overcome. Unfortunately, all good things came to an end and she had had to return to the city to complete the task for her father. The dwarves they had met had indeed been members of the Ironfist clan and the welcome they had received was pretty cold. But it wasn't just the fact that Khelgar had brought two elves with him. The entire clan had considered him to be a back stabber for wanting to pursue his dream of learning to fight like the monks of Tyr. Fortunately they had been pretty successful in clearing out the bugbears and ogres from the stronghold, but the whole place was practically collapsed. However, they had managed to find a long lost relic of the clan, the Gauntlets of Ironfist. Khelgar had become very emotional when she had told him to keep them, and when they had returned to the others to tell them what they found, Khulmar's attitude towards them had changed. While she wouldn't go so far as to say they had made some new friends, they had earned their grudging respect. Some of the wounds caused by Khelgar's leaving had been healed that day, and the dwarf was feeling pretty good about himself.

As she pushed open the door to Brelaina's office, she hoped that now the woman would see fit to grant her access to Blacklake. Captain Brelaina stood as she entered to greet her with enthusiasm. When she told her of their success in finding the emissary, Brelaina was very generous in her praise. Then she dropped another assignment onto their shoulders. Nimbrethil just stared at the woman, her face expressionless, but inside she was seething. After all the crap they had already done, it still was not enough, and only Khelgar's hand on her arm kept her from walking out then and there. Accepting the assignment to deal with the Luskans aboard the Sea Ghost, she stormed out to head for the docks and the Flagon, the others hurrying to keep up, wisely saying nothing.

When they entered the Flagon they were greeted with relief by the others, but Nimbrethil ignored them and headed for the bar. Getting Sal's attention she asked for an ale and stood at the bar while she drank it down and then asked for a refill. The others gradually fell quiet as they realized that something was wrong, and Elanee explained to them what had happened at Brelaina's.

"So we now have to go take care of some Luskan spies?" Neeshka asked, disbelief in her voice. "See, I told you joining the Watch was a bad idea. We would have been better off working with Moire."

"I told you before Neeshka that I wouldn't stoop that low," Nimbrethil snorted at her. "There's no reason to think that we would have gotten access to Blacklake any quicker with them. I don't have any problem with the way you choose to live your life, but it's not for me, end of discussion." With that she picked up her pack and headed to her room, the others watching her go in silence.

"Why did you have to go and say something stupid like that tail-for-brains?" Khelgar snapped.

"Shut up moss-breath, I was only pointing out the futility of working for the Watch," Neeshka retorted, her tail swishing angrily. "That's the way things work here and once they get your hooks in you it's next to impossible to break free. I knew a couple of people who made a deal with the watch to stay out of prison, but all they accomplished was exchanging a prison made of bars for one with invisible chains."

Bishop quietly watched the exchange from his corner, and knew that the tiefling, while right about everything, was just wasting her breath trying to explain it to the other idiots. When Neeshka had returned with the paladin and the gnome he had at first thought that the cute little elf had run off and left them behind, and for some reason the thought depressed him. When he had heard them explain to Duncan about the dwarven stronghold his spirits had lifted and he couldn't help but wonder why that was. Sure Nimbrethil was interesting, but she was just another wench, and one of those who believed in doing the right thing. Not exactly his type of woman, but he couldn't deny that he was attracted to her all the same. Well, she obviously was going to be around for a while longer and maybe he'd have the opportunity to figure it out. Signaling for Duncan to bring him another beer he leaned back in his chair, trying to keep from smirking as the argument between the others heated up. Nimbrethil was a puzzle that he was going to enjoy figuring out.