Chapter 74: Father?
Casavir sat at the large table in the throne room with Kana and Katriona going over the various reports for the keep. It was a boring, but necessary, task that Nim refused to have anything to do with. It was just as well, he thought, for some of the expenditures would seem unecessary in the elf's eyes. Nim liked the simple things in life and had little understanding of the human need for material things or creature comforts. He knew that sometimes these things were necessary to keep others happy and so he authorized their purchase. Hearing rapid footfalls, he glanced up briefly to see Bishop darting through the room and sighed, here we go again. He didn't even bat an eyelash when an arrow wizzed through the air and embedded itself in the column next to him, just missing Bishop as the ranger ducked behind said column.
"You just missed me elf, try again!" Bishop laughed and took off.
Casavir reached up and pulled the arrow out, noting the steel tip and frowning slightly. He knew that Nim and Bishop liked to throw caution to the wind when practicing their skills, but he was uncomfortable with the fact that they didn't mind getting wounded during their little games. "I hope that this isn't one of the poison tipped arrows," he said as he handed it to Nim on her way through the room.
"Now that would be unsporting of me wouldn't it Cas," Nim chuckled and replaced the arrow. Hearing a bark, she turned to see Karnwyr waiting for her, tail wagging in excitement.
"I am guessing that since Thorondor is not here that you and Bishop have traded companions for today's exercises?" Casavir queried.
"Correct," Nim nodded. "There may come a time when we will have to rely on them to watch our backs and they will be more effective if they get to know how we react in certain situations."
"Are you going to stand there yapping all day or get back to the business at hand?" Thorondor thought to her. "You know better than to get distracted by other things during these games."
The bird's tone was mocking, sounding very much like Bishop. "I think you are spending too much time with him, he's rubbing off on you," she thought back. "Not that that's a bad thing," she muttered aloud.
"Pardon me?" Casavir cocked his head in puzzlement.
"Nothing important, gotta go," Nim waived him off and quickly darted out of the room, ignoring the amused chuckles of the men at arms stationed inside.
Casavir shook his head and turned his attention back to the paperwork before him. Hearing the muffled laughter of the guards he found himself unable to keep a smile from his face. It was amusing sometimes to watch the two rangers hunting each other around the keep. The taunts they threw at each other sometimes made his ears turn red, but they were amusing and did serve to keep the men entertained. He knew from experience that men kept on their guard all the time without any means of distraction often wearied of their task and tended to focus less. Such a thing could be used against them by the enemy.
"Get that mangy cur out of my kitchen!" the cook's voice carried down the hall, followed by a crash and then cursing and swearing. "You won't get no dinner tonight captain if you keep this up!" the cook's angry voice rang out again, followed by Nim's amused laughter. The screech of a bird followed shortly and faded as the chase continued through the keep.
"A few weeks ago, such behavior would have bothered me," Katriona spoke up then. "It just seemed so improper then, but now either I'm getting used to it or the captain's less formal ways are wearing off on me."
"The captain is an unconventional leader, but I am beginning to appreciate it," Lt. Kana nodded in agreement. "I served under Brelaina for a time and let me tell you that woman's adherence to policy and convention was annoying at times. It also seemed to handicap her quite a bit, especially when dealing with the gangs in the Dock's. It took the captain coming along to wake everyone up to the fact that going by the book and following the rules was not the only way to handle a situation, and often was more of a road block."
"I too have come to realize the merits in Nim's approach to certain situations," Casavir agreed. "However, I am also glad that she's willing to adhere to rules and regulations when necessary."
Footfalls approaching the room from the direction of the front door had him looking up to see Sand entering followed by three other mages. Getting to his feet, Casavir went to greet them. "You must be the mages Sand told us to expect, the ones who will be keeping an eye on things here in the keep while we are gone."
"This is Master Sylvaron and his proteges Kevin and Tasha," Sand introduced the older sun elf and his two human companions.
"Thank you for coming and for your assistance," Casavir shook their hands.
"I was quite pleased to be offered the opportunity to come and see this keep," Sylvaron replied. "From what Sand has told me, I believe that Kevin and Tasha will be more than capable of keeping your young sorceress in line. I have heard many things about Qara, hardly anything favorable, and am not surprised at the situation she is currently in. One might be inclined to excuse her actions due to her father's influence and standing, but I for one am not so forgiving. Controlling magic is not just for the benefit of the practitioner, but for the safety of those around them. A fact that Qara, despite her training at the Academy, has been unable to comprehend."
"Yes, even Nim has been unable to get through the girl's thick skull," Sand agreed.
"Perhaps you could have someone show Kevin and Tasha to their rooms?" Sylvaron asked. "I have something I wish to discuss in private with...," he broke off as an arrow whizzed by his head to stick in the wall next to him.
Nimbrethil cursed loudly as Bishop once again dodged her shot and disappeared down another hallway, Thorondor flying after him, the bird's amusement echoing in her head. "It's not funny bird brain," she shouted, gritting her teeth as Bishop's mocking laughter was the only response she received. She stopped suddenly as she noticed the strangers standing there staring at her. Instantly her guard was up and she looked suspiciously at them. "Who are you?" she snapped, her emerald eyes glittering fiercely in the torch light.
Sylvaron schooled his features to show nothing as Sand made the introductions all around. His scrying had prepared him for the possibility, but to be faced with the truth was almost overwhelming. He was now almost positive that the wood elf before him was the one he sought, but he needed to be sure.
"These are the mages sent by-" Sand began.
"Bishop getting away, let's go," Karnwyr thought at her, impatient to get back to their game.
"Sorry, but I am in the middle of something right now," Nim said curtly. "Casavir can show you around and get you settled in." Turning on her heel she followed the dire wolf down the hall in Bishop's wake.
"Lt. Kana, would you please show these two young mages to the rooms prepared for them?" Casavir requested before turning to the older mage. Something was on the sun elf's mind and he motioned to the man to have a seat at the table. Once he had dismissed Katriona and they were settled at the table he looked expectantly at the mage. "You said you had a matter to discuss with us and I get the feeling it has to do with Nim. Am I correct in that assumption?"
"You are very perceptive, even for a paladin," Sylvaron answered, stalling for time as he gathered his thoughts.
"Being around Nim all the time has honed that particular skill," Casavir said with a slight smile. "She is not the most open or articulate person. Often one must read between the lines to determine the meaning or intention of her words and actions."
"What is on your mind?" Sand asked, a little annoyed that he had not picked up on the matter as quickly.
"First, I would like an answer to a question, but I am not sure if you know it," Sylvaron paused and took a deep breath. "Captain Nimbrethil's mother's name," he hesitated slightly, "Would it be Esmerelle?"
Casavir and Sand both drew in sharp breaths, wondering how the sun elf could have known when so few others did. "It is, but why are you asking?" Casavir answered sharply.
"I knew her," Sylvaron said simply. "Nearly a century ago a young wood elf came to Neverwinter to ply her trade at the theatre in Blacklake. She was a gifted bard with the voice of a lark and a smile that could light up the darkest night. I heard about her and was intrigued for most wood elves keep to the woods and wilds. It is a rare thing to see one in a city, let alone as a bard."
"Yes, it is rare for a wood elf to pursue a profession other than that of ranger or druid," Sand nodded. He was more than slightly curious as to where the sun elf was taking his story.
"Rare indeed, but so was Esmerelle," Sylvaron said softly. "Perhaps she wove a spell around me, but if so, then it was one I could not see. I pursued her relentlessly, determined to be the one man who would get past the defenses she had erected around her heart. It took several months, but I finally managed to get her to agree to see me in a more intimate atmosphere. Every day we spent together we became closer and closer. However, the relationship was not meant to be. She had wanderlust in her soul and I had ambitions to become one of the premiere mages of the Cloaktower. We finally saw this and agreed to part, each knowing the other was not willing to give up their dream. It was only after she had been gone for a couple of weeks that I heard from one of the doctors that Esmerelle was pregnant and had decided to keep the child. She knew that I could not be the father the girl needed at the time and so chose not to tell me for she did not want to stop my dream. A child, a family, would have interfered."
"You are her father?" Casavir whispered in shock. "How can you be sure of that?"
"I know because Esmerelle was faithful to me from the moment we started seeing each other," Sylvaron. "Also, I did some scrying to make sure. I also tried to determine where Esmerelle had disappeared to, but had no luck. Off and on since that time I have wondered what became of her and our child, but was unable to scry such things until recently, possibly because of the actions of Nimbrethil in past months."
"Or perhaps the gods chose to keep the secret from you to avoid interference in their plans," Sand suggested. "We know for a fact that Nimbrethil's god, Solonor, is very active in her life and has been influencing her path since she was very young. He has favored her, for what reason we as yet are unaware."
"At any rate, your request Sand provided me with the opportunity to see with my own eyes if what I had seen was true and so here I am," Sylvaron finished.
"You must know that after all these years that Nim might not be receptive to the idea of her real father being part of her life," Casavir said quietly.
"Yes, I am aware of that," Sylvaron nodded. "However, I want to know about her life and her childhood and to make sure that my not being in her life was not detrimental in some way." He looked with pleading eyes at the two before him, silently asking to hear what they knew.
"Very well," Casavir nodded and proceeded to fill the sun elf in on all they had learned. The paladin closely observed the play of emotions over Sylvaron's face as he and Sand told him Nim's story. When finished, Sylvaron was silent for a long time.
"Well, it seems that Nimbrethil had as good a life as could be expected given the circumstances of her birth and the death of Esmerelle," he finally spoke, sorrow in his voice. "The knowledge that such a bright flame as Esmerelle is no longer in this world is painful. However, knowing that she had someone to look after our daughter is a small comfort."
"Daeghun may have looked after Nim, but as far as parenting goes I found him lacking in that department," Sand spoke up. "His inability to open up with the child, combined with allowing the girl to run amuck in the woods and the Mere, severly crippled Nim's emotional growth."
"He was unable to do more Sand and he could just as easily have given her over to some other family to raise and who knows how she would have turned out then," Casavir retorted. "He taught her how to hunt, how to live off the land, how to survive against overwhelming odds. We should be thankful for that, for it has allowed Nim to survive recent events better than most. As for her emotional health, that has improved greatly in recent months, which indicates that she was not as harmed by his inability to show affection as she could have been."
"I have to agree with Casavir on this one," Sylvaron spoke up. "I am not sure that if I had been a part of her life as she grew if she would have benefitted from it. You know as well as I do the rigorous training a mage has to go through. It leaves very little room for much else and encourages logical thinking, not emotional response. Her nature is drawn to the wilds not to the halls of academia and as such I woud not have been as good a father figure for the child as Daeghun was. Esmerelle most likely was aware of this and that is why she left without saying anything."
"Did you come here with the purpose of telling her the truth, or was it merely curiosity on your part?" Casavir asked.
"I had no purpose in coming here other than seeing the truth with my own eyes," Sylvaron. "I would like the opportunity to get to know the girl and perhaps one day tell her who I am. There are things about her mother that I can share with her should she desire such knowledge."
"I think that for now you should proceed with caution," Sand said sternly. "Nim is a rather stubborn and unpredicatable creature and there is no telling how she might react to finding out who her real father is. She is fond of Daeghun in her own way and is very close to him despite the distance he kept from her. She may not be pleased by your presence and now is not the time to be throwing her world out of kilter, if you take my meaning."
"I only seek the opportunity to get to know her, even if it is just as an acquaintance for now," Sylvaron repsonded.
"That is probably best," Casavir agreed. "However, at some point it is only fair that she know the truth about you and her mother. I think that it can help her emotional growth."
"There is one thing you should be very careful about, however," Sand lowered his voice to a near whisper knowing that Sylvaron's keen ears would hear him. "She is in love with the ranger Bishop and is very protective of him. As a member of the Cloaktower I am sure you are familiar with his past association with Luskan. He is also the type of person that tends to rub people the wrong way, to antagonize them so to speak. Whatever you may think or believe about him keep it to yourself. Nim would become very hostile to you otherwise and there is no telling what she would do in that case."
"I will keep that in mind," Sylvaron nodded. "Now, it has been a long journey from Neverwinter and I would like the opportunity to freshen up. Is there a room available at the Inn that I can use?"
"Certainly," Casavir said as he stood up. "I will take you there and get you settled. Nim will be occupied with her exercises for a while longer. I will introduce you and the others to her properly later this afternoon."
"Would you or Sand have some time for further conversation before then?" Sylvaron asked. "I would like to learn as much about her as I can before actually meeting her face to face."
Both Sand and Casavir nodded agreement and followed him out, each wondering what would happen when the two did meet formally for the first time. Hopefully, Nim would not suspect anything amiss until she got to know the sun elf better. Both felt that Nim might not be too keen on getting to know her real father, especially since she had a foster father that she was close to, despite everything Daeghun had done to keep her at arms length. Only time would tell for certain.