Chapter 32: The Party
Nimbrethil paced the floor of her room wincing at the loud voices echoing down the hall and through the closed door. She had not realized how exhausted she really was until she had returned to the Flagon. Then the lack of sleep, the stress of being awake for over twenty-four hours, and the strain of the morning's battle all caught up to her. She had gone to her room, closed the door, and stripping off her armor, had crawled into bed. She had ended up sleeping the rest of the day away and, shortly after she awoke, Shandra had come to tell her about the celebration Duncan had planned. At first she had thought the woman was joking, for humans seemed to like to do that alot. When she saw it was for real, she had groaned in dismay and told Shandra to tell Duncan to forget it. Shandra had said that wasn't going to happen and that Nimbrethil shouldn't disappoint her uncle by not showing up.
Why did humans feel the need to celebrate so much? Was it just so they could have an excuse to get drunk? Daeghun of course understood it no better than she did, but when she had asked Bevil and Amie, they hadn't been able to give her a clear answer either. As she continued pacing, her gaze fell every now and again to the dress she had worn for the trial. Someone had repaired it, either when she had gone to the Temple or when she was asleep, and now it stood on a stand in the corner of the room. Shandra expected her to wear it to the party. Oh sure, that would happen, not! A knock on her door startled her out of her reverie.
"Nimbrethil you decent?" Shandra's voice came drifting through the door and before she could reply the woman entered the room. "Well, I can see you are but why aren't you wearing the dress? This is supposed to be a party you know," she said, a hint of disapproval in her voice.
"I told you that I didn't want a party, but Duncan decided to go ahead with one anyway," Nimbrethil grumbled. "Since I don't want to seem like an ungrateful child I have no choice but to put in an appearance. However, I will not wear a dress, period."
Shandra sighed inwardly and realized that if she pushed the issue the girl might very well bolt for parts unknown and that would upset Duncan. The voices in the common room suddenly jumped in volume briefly and she saw Nimbrethil wince a little as an expression of distaste crossed her features. Khelgar had said that the girl didn't like crowds but she hadn't really given much thought to what it meant. Now she realized that part of it was the elf's sensitive hearing. "Duncan was so afraid that you wouldn't survive against Lorne, and I think this is just his way of relieving some of the tension he felt. He won't care what you're wearing, he just wants to show you how happy he is you're still alive. So we'll just forget about the dress," she smiled at the girl and saw her nod.
"So is that why humans like to have celebrations, to ease tension?" Nimbrethil asked.
"We have celebrations for lots of reasons, including to just let loose for a while," Shandra answered and saw her frown. "Surely you must have had birthday parties when growing up right?" A feeling of sadness filled her when the girl shook her head. "Well, how about planting festivals and such?"
"West Harbor had a Harvest Fair every year," Nimbrethil nodded. "It was held on the same day as when the village was attacked, the same day as my mother died. Georg said it was to remember those who survived and rebuilt afterwards. They would have competitions for the younger folk of the village. I attended the last one with Bevil and Amie after they hounded me day after day about it." Seeing Shandra was listening with great interest she elaborated. "I was the best archer in the village next to my father and so I easily won the archery competition."
"Sounds like it was a lot of fun," Shandra said with a smile, which faded when Nimbrethil looked at her in puzzlement.
"I was asked for my expertise by my friends and I provided it, having fun was not the point," Nimbrethil shrugged and then wondered at the sad look on the other woman's face. Shifting uncomfortably she changed the subject, "I suppose we should go and get this over with." Picking up her bow she slung her quiver on her back.
"You don't need your weapons Nimbrethil," Shandra said in exasperation. "This is a party not a battle you're going to."
"Of course, just like I didn't need a weapon for the trial hmmm?" Nimbrethil asked sardonically. Shandra's silence indicated that the point was taken and she said no more. She simply squared her shoulders and headed for the common room.
Following behind her, Shandra figured that they had a longer way to go with the trust issues than she had at first thought. The events of the trial seemed to have just proven to Nimbrethil that she was right and everyone else was wrong. Shaking her head she began to wonder if the girl could be brought around at all.
*******
When Nimbrethil had appeared in the doorway of the common area, she had been greeted by shouts, cheers and thunderous applause. The number of people there surprised her, and what was even more surprising was the fact that Nevalle, Darmon and several members of the City Watch had shown up as well. They all were treating her like some kind of hero and it was some time before she managed to find her way to a corner of the bar. Duncan had grabbed her in a big bear hug and she had hesitantly returned it. The big smile that lit her uncle's face told her she had done the right thing, despite being very uncomfortable doing it.
Now she tried to make herself as small as possible while she sipped her ale. The patrons had been getting louder and louder as the evening wore on, and the minstrels that Duncan had hired had been playing almost non-stop. She had only been there for a couple of hours but it felt like a lifetime and she wasn't sure how much more she could take. The rest of her companions seemed to be enjoying themselves, including Elanee and Casavir. It was the first time she had seen either of them this relaxed and she wondered if there was some truth to humans having parties to ease tension. When several of the patrons started pushing tables out of the way she wondered what they were up to until she saw several of them partnering up to dance. She groaned inwardly at having forgotten about that part of celebrations and fervently hoped no one would ask her. She saw several of the men watching Shandra as she danced with Duncan, not surprising considering that Shandra was the human ideal of beauty. The whole blond hair, blue-eyed thing. When someone stopped in front of her she was surprised to see it was Nevalle.
"Would you care to dance Nimbrethil?" he asked with a slight bow while holding out his hand.
Looking at her feet she felt her cheeks flush in embarassment. "I don't know how," she mumbled. She quickly grabbed her ale and turned away slightly.
"That's alright, how about if we just sit here and talk then," Nevalle said smoothly as he sat down next to her. Seeing her nod in acceptance, he signaled Sal to bring him an ale and then studied the girl beside him. Sand had told him she was eighty years old, which in elven terms made her little more than a teenager. Still, it seemed to him that was plenty of time to learn how to dance. He had also seen the way she tried to limit contact with all those congratulating her. Now she was sitting by herself in this darkened corner, seeming to not enjoy this party that was thrown to celebrate her victory. She seemed to have no knowledge of social graces or how to interact with others. In fact, if he hadn't seen her performance at trial and known some of her history, he would have pegged her for a wild elf that had gone astray.
"I just wanted to let you know that I was impressed with the way you handled Lorne," he began and saw her glance at him warily. "You found a way to use your talents to your advantage in a place where you seemed to be at a disadvantage. Turning a disadvantage to an advantage is a skill that many never learn."
Nimbrethil shrugged, "I did what was necessary that's all." She looked sideways at the knight beside her wondering what he really wanted.
Seeing the suspicious look in her eyes he realized that he wasn't fooling her with his attempt at small talk. Sighing, he decided to come right to the point, for he knew she wasn't going to like what she was about to hear, no matter how he worded it. "Listen, I know that you agreed to become a squire because those around you convinced you it was the right course of action. I don't know whether your disdain for etiquette and protocol is real, or is just an attempt on your part to get yourself dismissed from Neverwinter's service." He looked at her and saw a look of anger cross her face before an emotionless mask slipped into place. "I felt you should know that Lord Nasher can't release you from his service yet. The reason is that we are positive that Torio communicated to Luskan how quickly you were made a squire. To release you now would be to give proof to her statement, that it was all a trick to fool Luskan, and then they would turn around and start this mess all over again."
Nimbrethil just stared at him, inwardly seething at what he just said. She had suspected all along that this would be the result if she won the trial. They wanted someone between them and the Luskan wolves and that's what she was, a living shield. "And just how long must I continue to pretend to be a "loyal" servent of Neverwinter?" she asked, her voice heavy with sarcasm.
Nevalle held back a sharp retort and taking a couple of deep breaths continued. "You will remain a squire for as long as it takes to determine what the real threat from Luskan is." He saw her mouth thin and hurried on to forestall an angry outburst from her. "Listen, I know that this is not what you wanted, but just hear me out and I think you will see that it is really in your best interests to go along with the plan for now." He waited to see that she was indeed listening and continued. "Garius is a powerful hosttower mage, and for some reason he wants to get his hands on you and he's not too particular if you're dead or alive when he does. I think you have a better idea of what his reasons are than you let on, and I'd bet my last copper that it also has something to do with the recent murders in Blacklake. Now, you seem to have made many powerful enemies in a very short time and you have done a good job staying alive with just the help of your companions. But think on this: with each new defeat your enemies will become more determined to get you. On your own you may avoid them for a while, but eventually they will find a way to get at you. As Lord Nasher's squire you will have access to resources normally not available to you, the most important of which is Lord Nasher's favor. As a squire you will have all the support and protection you need to not only keep your enemies at bay, but to eventually defeat them. All you have to do is abide by the rules and conduct governing a squire. I think that is a very small price to pay for what you get in return." He sat back and took a couple of sips of ale while he waited for what he just told her to sink in.
Nimbrethil sipped her ale as she thought about what he just said. She heard her uncle laugh and looked over to where he stood talking with Shandra. If she thought he would just accept her disappearing and let her go, she'd leave all this behind and go somewhere they would never find her. There were plenty of other towns and cities across the face of Faerun. Also, she knew how to live off the land if it should become necessary, which left all the wild lands open to her as well. But she somehow knew that he would not just let her go, and he would probably enlist Daeghun's help to find her. As good as she was Daeghun was that much better, and while she might be able to hide from others, she didn't stand a chance against her father.
"Duncan told me you were raised by his half-brother Daeghun," Nevalle interrupted her reverie. "I met Daeghun several years ago when he assisted us with tracking down some outlaws that had gone to ground in the Mere. I was a young man at the time and I have to admit that he fascinated me." He saw her puzzled look and smiled a little. "Yes, I was fascinated by him because of what he was able to do. I have not met, either before or after, another ranger with his skill. He was also the first wood elf I had ever met. I started asking him questions about how he had learned what he did and to my surprise he answered them. I also came to know him as a person and he didn't strike me as the type to run away just because he didn't like or agree with something. I don't think he raised you that way either."
Nimbrethil saw that he had guessed what she had been thinking. She also heard the emphasis on the word outlaw and understood the silent warning. She had to admit that he was right about Daeghun, and her father would probably be extremely disappointed in her if she just ran off. She just didn't like the fact that they were leaving her with no other choice. "I need to get some air," she said coldly and stood up. "The noise and stench in here are making me ill." She picked up her bow and turning, walked into the kitchen and out the back door.
Nevalle watched her go and then sighed. He had known she would react this way and under normal circumstances he would suggest to Lord Nasher that he dismiss one such as her. But these were anything but normal circumstances. He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice Sand approaching.
"I take it you informed her of the situation and she has gone off to sulk?" the wizard asked, his tone implying that this was just what he expected to happen.
"If you mean she was angry then yes," Nevalle answered. "I know that you see her as still being a child, but let's face it Sand, she has faced more peril than most adults I know and she has survived it all."
"Yes, but not without the help of others and yet she still cannot acknowledge this fact," Sand retorted. "Whatever storm is coming is going to center around her. Yet getting her to see the truth is like trying to kick a mule."
"She certainly is stubborn and more," Nevalle said enigmatically. Seeing Sand's look of puzzlement he clarified. "She doesn't give her word lightly, but when she does she holds herself to it no matter what. Why else would she have done all those assignment for the Watch, hmm? It wasn't just because she needed to get into Blacklake, because if that's all she wanted I am sure a resourceful person like her could have found a way to get in."
"True, she does seem to have many tricks up her sleeve," Sand admitted grudgingly.
"I think her reactions are to be expected under the circumstances," Nevalle said with a sly grin. "After all, you didn't agree to help her with Luskan out of the goodness of your heart, if I remember correctly."
Sand glared at him for that reminder and then snorted, "Point taken Sir Nevalle."
"Good," Nevalle said and stood up. "Now I must go and let Lord Nasher know that his message has been delivered. I wish you luck with your task, I think you'll need it."
Sand glared at the knight's back as he left. They seemed to think that teaching the girl civilized behavior was something only he could do. Good thing he was a master alchemist for he had a feeling he would be brewing many remedies for headaches over the next couple of weeks. Deciding that his absence would not be noticed now, he too left by the back door of the inn and headed for home. He was going to need plenty of rest in order to deal with Nimbrethil in the morning.