Chapter 25: Time to Prepare
Shandra was watching Nimbrethil closely as they neared the city gates to the Docks District. The elf had become increasingly agitated the closer they got to Neverwinter. Her sparring matches with Bishop weren't helping and she had been restless and unable to sleep. No one knew if it was because she just didn't like Neverwinter, or because once they returned she would have to go to court. She had tried to get the girl to talk about it but was unsuccessful. The only bright spot was that at least this time Nimbrethil didn't completely shut everyone out.
Sand was debating whether to send word to the castle of their return, or to go there in person. He had to wonder if he appeared before Nevalle and Nasher without Nimbrethil if it would bias them against the girl. However, given the girl's previous statements and her current state of mind, trying to get her to go with him was an impossibility. He may be an exceptional wizard but even he could not move mountains and he was no miracle worker. If he did send a message he would have to word it carefully, which fortunately was something he was good at. Nevalle was a stickler for protocol, and like any other noble, could be easily insulted over the littlest of things. Sighing he once again thought of ways to pay Nevalle back for getting him into this.
Nimbrethil was still a half mile from the city and already her sensitive nose and ears were picking up the smells and sounds of the docks. She wondered when the trial would be held once it was known she had returned with the needed evidence. She didn't know whether to hope for a speedy trial or for a long delay. Either way it would still mean having to stand in front of Nasher and who knew how many others. She was scared, if truth be known, but she didn't let the others see it. She didn't like being the center of attention either, but Sand just had to go inform her that the nature of the charges would attract a huge crowd, so that's exactly what she was going to end up being. As she walked through the gates she tried not to show how much the place bothered her. At least when it got to be too much, she could always go to that nice pond she had found just a couple miles to the east that first week.
When they reached the Flagon and entered, they were greeted by a chorus of "welcome home." Those that had stayed behind this trip gathered around wanting to hear all the details. Leaving Sand to do what he did best, Nimbrethil slipped away to the bar and found a stool near the back corner. As she sat down, Sal placed an ale in front of her and she gave him a smile of thanks. She sipped the ale and looked over to where Sand was holding discourse on their adventure. She saw Bishop had gone to sit in his usual dark corner but as always he never took his eyes off her. She returned his stare and only half listened to the conversation at Sand's table. She focused her attention back on the others as Sand came to the end of the story.
"Well, now that I have satisfied your curiosity, I must send a message to Nevalle informing him of our return," Sand stood up. "I am hoping of course that we will have a least a little time to prepare for the trial, but do not hold your breath." Nodding to them, he left the inn to go to his shop.
Duncan came over to the bar where his niece was sitting, wondering how she was feeling about everything. He would have to have a long talk with Shandra later about how Nimbrethil behaved during this trip, especially her reaction to the carnage of Ember. Just hearing about it had made him sick, he couldn't imagine what it was like to actually see it. However, getting the girl to talk about things such as feelings was like trying to get Daeghun to talk about such things: impossible.
"Well Nim, from what Sand says it looks like Lord Nasher will have no problem finding you innocent of the charges," Duncan said to her.
"Yeah well don't count your chickens yet," Nimbrethil snorted. "From what Sand was telling me about Torio, I don't think it's going to be all that easy."
"Lord Nasher is a fair man and not one easily swayed by theatrics," Casavir said as he came over to them. "I seriously doubt Torio is good enough to overcome the evidence you have collected."
"Oh I have to agree," Neeshka laughed as she hovered nearby. "Not even the world's greatest actress could give that kind of performance."
"So Nim, I was thinking that after the trial is over that maybe we could go fishing or something together and you could catch me up on what's been happening in West Harbor recently." Duncan smiled at her.
"Sorry but I have plans already," Nimbrethil shook her head. She heard a snort from Bishop's corner and glanced over, giving him a look that said be quiet.
Seeing the exchange Duncan frowned in suspicion. "Nim just what are you planning?" Duncan eyed his niece with concern.
"It's personal business uncle," Nimbrethil told him.
"Oh really," Duncan said in annoyance. "Personal business that includes Bishop?" he gave the man a nasty look.
"Yes, now please drop it," Nimbrethil replied.
"No, you'll tell me what you're planning or by the gods I'll have Nevalle lock you up," Duncan demanded angrily.
"Fine! I'm going hunting with Bishop, happy?" she snapped at her uncle. What sounded like a snicker quickly silenced came from the shadowy corner.
"Why should that be a big secret?" Khelgar asked as he sidled up to the bar. "I could go for some nice deer and such."
Duncan was about to agree when he saw the look on his niece's face. He got the feeling that she was talking about something else. "What exactly do you plan on hunting Nim?" he asked, his voice heavy with suspicion. He heard another snort from Bishop and glared at him. "What the hells is your problem Bishop?"
"I asked you to drop the subject uncle, I mean it," Nimbrethil shot a waring glance at Bishop.
"No, tell me what I want to know and then I'll drop it," Duncan told her, and the look on his face said she'd better answer him.
"I'm going after Lorne Starling," Nimbrethil snapped. "He is the one who murdered the people of Ember," Nimbrethil continued, her voice cold as ice.
"Wait, you mean Bevil's older brother, from West Harbor?" Duncan asked in surprise. "He's responisible you say?" The disbelief in his voice was palpable.
"Nimbrethil, I want to see Lorne pay for what he did, but are you sure your personal feelings aren't getting in the way?" Shandra asked her.
"Luskan will never admit to his guilt and would certainly never hand him over," Nimbrethil answered. "The only way is to hunt him down."
"You'll never be able to bring him back to Neverwinter even if you somehow managed to find him," Casavir spoke up.
"Who said anything about bringing him back?" Nimbrethil asked. There was dead silence in the room as the others caught the implications of her words.
"You're not suggesting what I think you're suggesting?" Duncan asked her. "That's murder Nim."
"I see it more as stopping a mad dog from harming other innocent people," Nimbrethil said coolly. "However, I don't expect any of you to agree with me. If you'll excuse me. I want to go wash up." She downed the last of her ale and standing up, headed for her room. They were fools if they thought that Luskan would hand over the guilty people for trial. Lorne had gone too far this time and she wasn't going to let him get away with it.
Duncan turned to glare at Bishop. "Was this your stupid idea? I'm warning you...."
"It wasn't my idea Duncan," Bishop sneered. "She told me what she was planning and asked for my help, and I agreed, that's all."
Duncan glared at him for a moment longer and then rounded on Shandra. "What did you mean by her personal feelings getting in the way?" he asked her.
Sighing Shandra sat down at a nearby table and motioned him to join her. Casavir also sat down at the table to hear what she had to say. As she related what Nimbrethil had told them she saw concern fill their eyes. "She has a grudge against him and the whole situation with Ember seems to have been the last straw."
"I of course had heard some stories from Daeghun about Lorne's father, but he never even hinted at something like this," Duncan shook his head.
"I got the impression that she never told anyone, not even Daeghun," Shandra told him. "Also, you know there's no way of stopping her from going after him, short of locking her up for the rest of her life."
"He's from Luskan and that means she would have to go there to find him," Casavir spoke up. "If she does this, she puts not only her life at risk but also her soul. If she stoops to his level, then she runs the risk of becoming the same as him."
"I managed to actually spend a great deal of time with her," Shandra said softly. "She looks at the entire world from a different perspective than the rest of us. She truly believes what she said, that it would be like putting down a mad dog. I have to tell you honestly that a part of me wants to encourage her, to pay Lorne back for what he did at Ember."
"I understand, but I hope you won't do so," Casavir replied.
"No, I won't, but I suggest we not say anything more about it," Shandra told them. "Maybe later, after the trial, when she's had some time to think things over, she'll reconsider it all on her own."
"Very well," Casavir nodded.
"Yeah, okay I'll not say anything either," Duncan agreed. "Now tell me all about the time you spent with her, and don't leave out any details, no matter how small."
Smiling, Shandra began to tell them about the snakes and the plants, and soon they were laughing. Bishop watched them for a while and then slipped out the back of the inn. If they thought Nim would change her mind, then they were fools. She wanted revenge and she would have it, with or without anyone's help.
******
Nimbrethil was lying on her bed staring at the ceiling. She should have just kept her mouth shut and agreed to go fishing with her uncle. That way she would have been able to just slip away after the trial and none of them would have been the wiser. Instead she had opened a can of worms and knew that right now her uncle would be trying to think of some way to stop her. The only one who could understand her point of view was Bishop, which was why she had asked him for his help. The rest of them would prefer to have Lorne brought in to be tried before being executed. The problem with that was that Luskan would certainly not play by the same rules as Neverwinter and so would never turn him over, and Neverwinter would not push the issue because they didn't want another war. If someone didn't stop Lorne, then more innocent people would suffer. She had no other choice but to track him down. If she thought she could get at his master she would do that too, but Garius' being a member of the Hosttower pretty much put him out of her reach. A knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts.
"What is it?" she called and heard her uncle's voice from the other side saying he had important news. Going to the door she yanked it open, "What news?"
"Sand just received word from Nevalle," Duncan told her. "The trial will take place at noon the day after tomorrow. Sand is here and wants to talk with you about a couple of things concerning the trial."
Sighing she followed him to the common room to see what Sand wanted. Hopefully it wasn't just a repeat of the same things he had said on their journey back. As she entered the common room she saw the wizard standing near the door with a couple of books in his hands. Curiousity overcame her reluctance as she approached. "I don't know whether to be thankful or not that we have an extra day before beginning this circus," she told him.
"Yes, well I was actually hoping for a little more time but we will just have to deal with it," Sand responded. He held out the books to her, "I picked these up because they have useful information concerning Luskan and the last war. Torio will most likely want to question you in open court and to refuse her would make you look like you have something to hide. Remember that she is an expert at twisting words to suit her purposes. Because there is no way to know for certain what tactics she'll use to try and discredit the evidence and you, we need to be prepared for anything. These will help in that endeavor."
She looked at the books in her hands, seeing that they were apparently impartial accounts documenting the last war. "You want me to cloud the issue with the information contained within these, is that it? I only have one day, you're asking the impossible," she said in exasperation.
"I know it is a daunting task, but I have marked some of the chapters for you," Sand told her. "Those I feel are the best ones to try to memorize but you may find others in there as well. Just do the best you can," he reassured her. "I have also arranged for other witnesses to testify for you so it will not be just you and Marcus."
Sighing she nodded, "I'll give it a shot, but I wish there was a quicker way to settle this."
"One more thing before I go," Sand looked her over and then hesitated. "It might be best if you wore something more elegant during the trial." When she looked at him in puzzlement he clarified. "I think you should wear a dress instead of your armor," he held his breath when her eyes widened.
"You can't be serious?" she gasped. "I haven't worn a dress since I was a babe. I'm already going to be self-conscious enough having everyone watching me without that."
"How you look can go a long way towards swaying the opinions of the court," Sand told her. "Your armor I feel would send the wrong message."
"It doesn't have to be a dress does it Sand?" Shandra asked as she came over. "She could where a nice pair of pants and a fancy shirt, couldn't she?"
Sand thought a moment and then nodded. "A dress would be best, but anything would be better than armor."
Shandra turned to Nimbrethil. "It would be similar to what you're wearing now but more upscale," she saw the girl hesitate and then nod.
"Good, now we both have much to do and time is wasting," Sand stated and then turned and left.
"Well it's too late now to go shopping so why don't we plan on going after breakfast tomorrow?" Shandra asked Nimbrethil.
"As long as I don't have to wear a dress," Nimbrethil grumbled. Then taking her books she went back to her room to start preparing.