Chapter 43: Arrogant Elves
Nimbrethil reined in her horse as they neared the rendevous point and hissed in annoyance as she saw the group of people waiting to meet them. The one in front, who obviously was the leader, was a sun elf. Of all her luck, it just had to be a sun elf she was meeting with. She cursed profusely in elvish causing Sand to raise his eyebrows and look at her askance.
"My dear, your command of elven swears is truly prolific. But if I may ask, to what do we owe the pleasure of such a display?" he asked sarcastically.
"As if you couldn't guess," Nimbrethil snorted.
"I assume it is because of Vale?" Sand asked.
"If he's the sun elf then yes," Nimbrethil scowled at Sand. "You know him?"
"Of course I do," Sand rolled his eyes. "He is the head of the Cloaktower Mages." Seeing that the girl still looked disgruntled he hastened to placate her. "Not all sun elves look down their noses at wood elves. Some even live in harmony with them." The look she gave him said plainly that she didn't believe him and he sighed. "It is rude to keep people waiting. Do try to behave yourself my dear."
"I will if he does," Nimbrethil said in irritation. She kicked her horse forward and rode to meet the group. She dismounted and turned to the one called Vale, sizing him up.
Vale had watched as the group stopped and the two elves in the party had conversed, and was a little puzzled. At least until the girl was standing in front of him looking at him with suspicion. He looked at her clothes and the clothes of the man beside and rightly determined they were both rangers. Secretly hoping that she was not the leader he addressed the group as a whole.
"We have little time to waste," Vale began. "We managed to translate some of that journal from Arval and it speaks of a very dark ritual that we suspect is being performed tonight."
"Do you know what we are up against?" Nimbrethil asked. As he turned to look at her, she saw a patronizing look in his eyes and her own eyes narrowed.
"There are about twenty men at the keep, some on the towers and the rest in the courtyard," he answered in a condescending tone. "There are a few members of the Arcane Brotherhood there as well but we can handle them. The front gate is not manned and if we wait until nighttime they will be half asleep and easy pickings."
NImbrethil's mouth thinned in annoyance at the tone he took. "That's all you know?" she asked, the sarcasm in her voice causing Vale's face to flush in anger. Before he could speak she fired a bunch of questions at him. "What do they have for armor? What kind of weapons are they carrying? Are there any healers in their group? Are there any gaps in the outer wall that we can take advantage of? Is the only plan you have to rush the front gate and start throwing spells around and hope for the best?"
Sand watched the expressions crossing Vale's face as the girl asked questions he didn't have an answer for. He himself had to hide his surprise, for she showed a knowledge of tactics that he had not previously witnessed. He could see that right now Vale was feeling embarassment, and that was the surest way to get a sun elf's back up. He decided to intervene before things deteriorated too much. "I can see where that knowledge would be helpful. Knowing where the key players might be would enable us to take them out first. Ordinary soldiers would certainly be no problem for any of us, but priests, now that is a different matter."
"It isn't just that Sand," Nimbrethil turned to him. "Knowing these things helps you choose the right weapon or spell to get the job done faster and easier." She turned and addressed Vale. "Bishop and I are going to go scout out the keep and its defenses. When I am satisfied that I have learned everything I can, I will return and we can discuss strategy then." She started to turn away but was stopped in mid-turn by the sun elf's next words.
"Lord Nasher put me in charge of this matter," Vale finally found his voice. "I am the one who will give the orders around here."
Nimbrethil turned back to fix an icy glare on him. "My only concern is the safety of my friends. I will not lead them into this until I have the information I need. If that is a problem for you then say the word and I walk, here and now, and leave you to deal with Garius and his cronies by yourself. I am sure you'll be just fine," she finished, the contemptuous tone in her voice indicating otherwise.
Bishop didn't bother to suppress a snicker and this earned him a glance of disapproval from the paladin which he blithely ignored. "Maybe we should have brought Qara along, her and Vale would make a great couple." This caused Khelgar and Neeshka to choke as they tried to smother their laughter.
Nimbrethil turned and glared at the rest of them before facing Vale again. "Well? What's it going to be?" Nimbrethil snapped. "Have my help and do things my way, or do I leave you to your own devices?"
Vale could see that she wasn't bluffing, and he would have dearly liked to tell her to shove off. However, the enemy far outnumbered his group and he would need the help, so he agreed to her demand. He would be sure to let Lord Nasher know about this as soon as he returned. She would regret her actions once Lord Nasher was through with her, of that he was certain.
Nimbrethil turned away and, followed closely by Bishop, headed into the woods to circle the keep. What was with all these magic users and their inflated opinions of themselves and their powers? Charging the front gate in a group just made them an easy target for any area spells that might be thrown at them. She knew from watching Sand that some of those nice powerful spells took time to cast. She wasn't going to allow anyone to use her and her friends as fodder for the enemy while they stayed in the back chanting the words of a spell like they had all the time in the world.
Bishop grabbed her arm to stop her once they were out of earshot of the others. "You know he's going to run to Nasher when this is over and bitch about you," he stated.
"So? Let him do that if he wants to look a fool in front of Nasher and Nevalle," Nimbrethil replied. "Nevalle spent some time in Daeghun's company when he was much younger and we talked about the things that my foster father taught me. Nevalle and I had a few conversations about battle tactics since it was just about the only thing we had in common. I know that Nevalle kept Nasher informed of everything and I'm pretty sure that's why they insisted that I be part of this. Although maybe they felt because Garius had tried to get me killed that I would have the most motivation to succeed."
"Somehow I can't see Nevalle actually talking to you," Bishop shook his head. "Ordering you around yes, but not having a conversation. I thought he didn't like or approve of you?"
"I'm not sure if he does or not, but we are both caught up in a situation we can't change, yet," Nimbrethil shrugged. "We both agreed to try not to get on each other's nerves too much. I think he was surprised that I knew as much as I did."
"I think you surprised Sand and Vale as well," Bishop snickered. He had enjoyed watching her put that arrogant Vale in his place.
"Anyway, we have more important things to do right now than worry about what might happen later," Nimbrethil turned and headed towards the keep again.
"Who's worried?" Bishop laughed as the followed her.
"I'll need you to tell me if you recognize any insignia on the Luskan's uniforms," Nimbrethil saw him stiffen a little and sighed. "I told you I wouldn't ask, but I know that you have knowledge of the Luskan military and power structure. I don't need details, I just need your expertise, that's all, okay?" Seeing him nod she focused her attention back on the task ahead of them.
*******
After Bishop and Nim had disappeared Sand turned to Vale and motioned him aside. "Listen, I saw the looks passing between the two of you. Whatever you may think about her attitude or actions, she was right to ask the questions she did. Neither you nor I have ever been involved in the planning of battles. We were just given orders and we followed them. Nimbrethil's foster father, Daeghun, has such experience and it would seem that he passed this knowledge on to her. I agree with her decision to try to put the odds in our favor for, protests to the contrary, the Arcane Brotherhood are extremely difficult opponents. Not because they have more power than we do, but because they usually travel in packs with Luskan Champions and Warpriests. I for one would prefer not to find that out the hard way."
"I cannot believe that she was made a squire," Vale snorted. "She's rude, insulting, and has no respect for her betters."
"Vale, she could hardly miss the condescension in your voice, for I heard it too," Sand snorted. "Your behavior was beneath you, I really thought you would be more open minded. She is not the type of person to just stand by and say nothing when someone treats her like that. As for her attitude, I am working on it, but she has been doing for herself for decades and she is very stubborn. You just cannot change people overnight."
"I will be including all of this in my report to Lord Nasher," Vale warned. "I am sure that he will not let this matter go without some kind of censure."
"Ah, but that is where you would be wrong, for Lord Nasher is already aware of her attitude," Sand smiled at the look of disbelief on the other elf's face. "You see, there is an unknown threat to Neverwinter and the girl is somehow tied to it. I convinced Lord Nasher to overlook such things as rude behavior so long as she does not embarress him or her knight sponsor, Sir Nevalle. He agreed to do so, at least until the threat is eliminated and he can release her from his service."
"So he is choosing to do the expediant thing," Vale sighed.
"Of course he is, just like he always does." Sand nodded. "He seeks to protect his city and his throne. You know that he will use whatever tools he has at his disposal, including her and her companions."
"Have you told her any of this?" Vale asked, for that would certainly explain her behavior.
"I did not have to tell her this, she had already figured it out," Sand smirked. "She's smarter than she lets on and she has a great deal of knowledge running through her head. But, she is rough around the edges, not surprising since she was raised in a swamp village."
"Some of those with you don't strike me as the trustworthy type," Vale was looking at Neeshka as he said this.
"Every last one of them will follow her lead and I trust her to do the right thing, even if she does need some convincing now and then," Sand stated firmly.
"I have never known you to be wrong about such things," Vale said somberly. "I hope you are not wrong this time." He turned away to go get his people up to date on the situation.
Sand sighed and hoped he wasn't wrong either. Yes, he trusted her, except when she was alone with Bishop. The man brought out her rebellious nature and he definately was not one to be trusted. Casavir had told him about the conversation he had had with Nimbrethil and it seemed that she was aware of the danger Bishop represented. That still did not stop her from pursuing her relationship with the man, which seemed foolhardy in the extreme. Turning back towards the others he saw that they had set up the bedrolls and broken out the rations. Hopefully the matter at the keep would be settled soon and he could get back to the city and some fresh food. This outdoor stuff was definately not his cup of tea. Next time he swore he would bring a tent at least, for it seemed rather undignified to sleep on the ground. Sitting down on his bedroll he picked up his share of dried meat, cheese, and bread and waited for the two rangers to return.