That took a while.. :D I tried to use the main stuff from the game but I pretty much... went off? Oh well, with Cadeyrn- nothing stays in place.
DISCLAIMER: Do not own NWN- if I did. There would be gay romance in there.
Chapter 2
Allow me to Introduce Myself
It took a while for Caderyn's eyes to adjust to the darkness, his gazed making out the appearance of a few other blobs around the room. Finally, after a short time, the cleric closed his eyes roughly then opened them to stare into the face of the drow seer- his expression changed into that one confusion as he looked around then to the woman he had entrusted to aid them in the battle to rescue Halaster- which went spectacular, by the way. Caderyn was more than impressed with the way she handled it since the others were mere background figures to his ultimate greatness- at least, that was what he imagined in his mind.
He was more concerned- but refused to show it.
"Wait a moment," Valen paused, he had already brought out his blade faster than the other. It wasn't until he had come almost two leaps away from slicing at the visitor.. Swallowing hard, he lowered his weapons slower than the others who immediately dropped their hands in blind faith.
"Do you not recognize one of our own?" The woman's voice broke the sudden silence.
Caderyn paused before narrowed his eyes, glaring at the woman who spoke in such a loud, yet calming tone, "Nathyrra, you have returned."
The female drow assassin met the seer with a more upbeat tone than usual, Valen couldn't help but find a smile come to his lips at the joy in her voice. The female drow bowed politely before looking up at the well dressed woman with such reverence. Caderyn watched on in curiosity at the sudden change of heart of the girl who had been traveling with him the entire time.
"Mother Seer, it is good to see you once more," Nathyrra noted, keeping a calm mask of serenity even as her eyes were jumping with an unplaced joy.
"And you," the woman nodded her head, "But I see you have returned with another; someone very important, indeed."
Caderyn raised an eyebrow at the title 'Mother Seer'. It seemed slightly too cultish for his tastes- Caderyn had enough of cults and creatures ever since his time in Neverwinter. He stared at the Seer and studied her sturdy build. She was rather well shaped for a woman who never fought. With wide shoulders and heavy arms, yet she still managed to appear far more elegant than any of the other women in the room. The fair dress hung off her black skin gorgeously as it matched almost entirely with her colorless hair- she was, undoubtedly so, beautiful with an unearthly sense.
"You are most welcome here, rivvil," Mother Seer's sudden address to him caused him to jump for a moment, "I am the Seer. I have awaited your arrival with great anticipation. Please, come, do not be alarmed."
Caderyn's face twisted into that of an unusually dissatisfaction and distrust. He raised his eyebrow with his lips twisted in a downwards manner, "Don't be alarmed? A certain geas hooked onto my very soul makes stretching out slightly uncomfortable- along with existing, Thanks."
"A geas?" The Seer watched Caderyn with an inquisitive expression.
"I believe I can answer that, Mother Seer," Caderyn turned to the drow wearily.
She started to go into detail with becoming acquainted with the strange, yet powerful young man with odd tendencies to cook meat at random times just because he was hungry at the moment. Even during battle, Nathyrra noted, Caderyn would pull out some meat from his bag and hold it over a flame while fighting with the other hand- this brought a few laughs and murmurs from the occupants of the room. She managed to highlight the battle with Halaster where Caderyn had rushed in before being the first one of attack and kill the Red Sister.
The cleric, on the other hand, looked disinterested in the story as he pulled at silver curls in his hair and began to tweeze it innocently.
Following, Nathyrra laughed
"There is only one thing that I can do," the Seer paused before watching Caderyn with understanding eyes, "I must put my faith in the goddess… and that means putting our faith in you. Our fate lies in your hands."
She didn't expect the loud 'HA' erupting from the silver haired man with a few coughs and a nervous laughter at the embarrassing display. The tiefling growled in his throat at the flighty man he was supposed to trust his soul with. He was, mostly human, but considerably a demon. He never found an interesting faith- far less blind faith. He was more of a man to put his money on his blade as he controlled the chips.
"Are you sure, Seer?" Valen drew out his words, sending a side glare to Caderyn.
The younger male's face took that of disgust at Valen's sudden tone and spit out the piece of his silver locks that he had happened to be chewing.
"What do we really know about this worthless man?" he turned his back to the man, "He could be the death of us all!"
"Our lives are irrelevant, Valen," the Seer stared at him patiently before continuing, "The Valsharess must be stopped at any costs, and Caderyn is the key."
Cadyren waggled his eyes brows at the silliest thought in his mind, Keys go into… locks.
"You know I don't believe in your ways, Seer. I won't throw away my life by blindly following anyone, and I don't think anyone here should, either," he sent a dirty look to the male.
Caderyn frowned before stepping forward, his heavy armor clinking against his body.
"Calm down, Valen! Actually..," he glared before putting his hands on his hips, "I take great offense that you wouldn't even inquire as to my battle skills or my view on this whole thing. Its not like I jumped here saying 'oh! Me! Me! I want to be sent into the abysmal underworld of death!'"
The absolute asinine behavior only made Valen have a resemblance of a smirk spread across his features. His antics when exemplifying his situation was almost endearing to him- not less than annoying, but fascinating. How did such a small man carry such a large blade? A cleric with such an attitude was unheard of and finally, Valen paused before staring at his eyes. Even though it was mixed with a liar's gaze- he felt a strange drawing sensation of determination mixed within them.
"Understood…," Valen paused, " Valen Shadowbreath."
"You already know my name," he replied cheekily, closing his eyes and tilting his head away, "I'll give you a half an hour to learn it right. If you can't get the last name correctly then I'll deem you a brute with a blade and use you as my meat shield."
Taken aback, Valen's face contorted into that of pure disgust at the man;'s behavior. Cocky, unbridled and wild- an absolute asshole withy no redeeming features except his pretty face. He growled within his throat and was ready to fire back a comment before the cleric turned to the Seer with a charming smile and entirely ignored his presence. One thing Valen was absolutely awkward and unused to- was the feeling of being ignored.
"I'm grateful for the service and the lunch," Caderyn began while patting Deekin on his head through his silence, "But I really need to use the bathroom and these wounds as killing me. You know, blood and all. Rushed in- saved the world. That kind of stuff sorta leaves marks."
Nathyrra smiled at Caderyn, growing used to his words, before looking towards Valen's concentrated expression upon the man.
"Ahh, I understand. Just keep still a moment," the Seer extended her hand.
Caderyn waited for a moment, not willing to admit that he was feeling far too weak to heal himself. He panted slowly through the weight of his armor- Valen could clearly see the struggle the man kept through the smiling visage he presented. The weariness was obvious as he kept his blade on his shoulder.
"Thanks, Seer. Do you have any space to lie the ol' head?" the cleric asked, tilting his neck slightly.
"I have arranged for some quarters for you and your-," she paused at Deekin before smiling, "faithful companion."
"Alright, time for some good ol' R and R, Seer," the small man smirked, winked then bowed out gracefully.
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They exited the building, Valen (unfortunately) in tow. Valen paused and realized the companion's weariness.
"Your friend here," he started, "looks exhausted."
Deekin's eyes light up at the proposal.
"A room for Deekin?" the Kobold pipped up looking to Cadeyrn lovingly, "Why, Deekin no remember last time he get bathe and bed-"
"Nah, he'll be on the floor," the cleric answered tiredly, looking at the map.
"Floor, Boss? But Deekin's back be-," Deekin started to protest before the glare came into contact.
"Floor. Without a mat, now," the silver haired man emphasized on the 'without' coldly.
"Boss! Please no be displeased with Deekin! He just wished for a comfortable bed-," the Kobold began to stutter in fear.
"Or maybe Deekin would prefer outside- or even better, in the lake!" Caderyn twisted Deekin to face the dark, murky waters, "Doesn't it look inviting?"
In fear and horror, the Kobold began to shriek before hiding behind the cleric who laughed sadistically at the reaction. Valen frowned his eyebrows in amazement and disgust at the way the man was handling his companion. Cadeyrn's façade suddenly shifted into one of absolute, saintly kindness. He placed his hand on Deekin's hand before putting the other to his chest.
"Don't worry, Deekin," he sighed dramatically, "I am a kind and benevolent spirit- I'll arrange a room for you especially. I won't let them throw you in the lake, you useful little twat!"
The Kobold's eyes widened in happiness before throwing his arms around the man. Valen twitched at the absolute manipulation being displayed by the cleric.
"Oh!! Deekin so happy! Boss be the best boss in the world! Deekin heart could just explode!" the Kobold professed, giggling.
Caderyn flipped his hair back with a grin.
"Heh heh heh, I know, Deekin, I know. Now go back to the part of praising my existence," he waved his wrists kindly as they finally approached the large stone Inn.
Deekin ran in quickly, ready to be sure the arrangements were properly made for his boss. Caderyn stood up staring at the building wistfully- as if recalling a memory. He could already hear the low, husky laughter of the former spy master in his hear as he mocked another one of Cadeyrn's critical behavior.
'Any place is fine,' he could already feel the smile of the dark skinned man against his neck, 'Once, my love is with me.'
Cadeyrn grinned bitterly, wondering if the wonderful bed Lord Nasher provided was fine- knowing he lost the Hero in the process of accepting. Valen paused as he stared at the man's profile in his calm demeanor.
Valen, quite honestly, couldn't stand the man. That is, if Caderyn could ever be considered one, with his short height and feminine features- he'd be better off wearing a dress and growing that fuzzy mess of silver he called hair. But, Valen couldn't help but realize the strength of the cleric as he seemed to hold onto the double sided mace as if it were just a toy in his hands and the armor he wore signified a greater physical strength.
He wondered if that was a sign for a lacking magical proficiency.
"Hey! Tiefling! Get over here! Don't make me get you- I already feel like bitch slapping!"
Valen paused before a twitched erupted from his eye. He narrowed them before slowly turning around to face the wild-haired cleric. His hands on his hips, the other clutching the double-edged blade closer to the ground as it was sliding against the dirt. The tiefling noticed his glare followed to the open door. He didn't intend to sit around as the man slept.
"Are you constantly such a crude?" Valen let the words slip out harshly, approaching him.
"Yes."
Valen sighed before giving the cleric a time he would return. He had to go train anyway and Caderyn desires- no, needed- to sleep.
"Just meet me back here," Valen paused, "Actually, no. I'll come get you."
Cadeyrn scoffed at his distrust before parting without even a goodbye. The condescending attitude of their supposed 'savior' was already gnawing at his nerves before he set out to the training grounds. The moment his feet stepped into the area, he could feel the gazes of the men and women around him. Their envy, uncomfortable feeling by having him here- beside them- along with the obvious stare of admiration and trust; Valen brushed them off coolly before picking up his mace.
Jumping forward, he slammed a single hit into the wooden dummy before breaking it off its stand entirely. He flinched; he didn't mean to release so much energy into one hit. A few laughs and claps followed by comments of lowering it down left Valen still feeling inadequate. Was that the effect the man had on people. This feeling of disgust, lack of worth and absolute desolation. No. He man had barely said anything to him at all. Nothing about his race, his appearance his existence- nothing.
He treated him like dirt- just like he treated everyone.
For the first time, Valen actually felt belittled. Insignificant
He hated it.