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Reclaiming (Maiyn) - Chapter 21


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#1 Guest_arabellaesque_*

Posted 26 October 2006 - 09:20 AM

Companions, Old and New

-----------------------

Montaron followed the lead of the dwarf as they made their way through the forest. Athkatla lay far behind them, almost invisible in the dark night. Xzar was being oddly obedient, agreeing to travel out to the back of beyond without a single protest -- the halfling found this more than a little suspicious. Ever since they'd joined up with this Korgan, the necromancer had been as docile as a mouse, speaking only when necessary, not playing up at all.

It was unlike him.

The fighter sighed slightly. He wasn't keen on leaving the city they‘d had such a task even getting to in the first place; he was sure the real reason behind their mission was somewhere in its boundary, but they needed to make some coin, and the dwarf promised them a percentage of his bounty hunting fee if they aided his endeavour. All they had to do was find a man, and deliver him back to the council building. It was simple enough -- it would have been much better, not to mention easier, if the man had been at home, but apparently he had some cabin out in some hills not too far away. If all went well, Korgan had said, they'd be back in the city within a couple of days.

So now they made to walk through the night to get to the backwater village and locate the man's home. Xzar looked tired, but still he made no protest, wandering after Korgan as he strode from the city purposefully. Montaron was also feeling the effects of a lack of sleep, but he was used to spending weeks, if not months, on minimal rest since he'd began babysitting the mage.

They moved through the forest, crossing plains and climbing over hills as they steadily made their way towards their target. No one spoke; the only time there had been conversation was when Montaron hammered out the terms for them to accompany the dwarf, and after the halfling had calmly plunged his blade deep into the heart of the servant in the home by the docks.

"Ye don’t hang around then?"

"There be no point."

He knew that killing the man hadn't been necessary, but it had been easier than trying to prevent him from an attempted escape; easier than trying to stop him from screaming for the guards, or making their task more difficult. He was just another nameless victim; in the wrong place at the wrong time -- well, wrong for him. For Montaron, it was just some more blood split by his hands, nowhere near the first, and not likely to be anywhere near the last. Killing people just provoked complete indifference to him. He didn't care about anyone enough to think any more of it. Well, some people did manage to rouse some feelings deep inside him, but the emotions were guarded and wouldn't stop his sword from eviscerating them. The only thing that saved Xzar, after all, were the orders they received from their superiors.

He may be an adept killer, but he wasn't stupid. The relief of being free from the necromancer wouldn't be enough to balance out the pain and misery he'd receive from the powers that be when they found out, and captured him. And they would catch him.

-----------------------

Coran was happy with the progress they'd made considering they slow pace they kept, and even happier when he realised that Nalia was right -- they were not far from the De Arnise keep when night began to fall, and so their course was altered slightly. They arrived late, but the stable-hands were happy to receive their mounts, taking them away to see to them while the companions headed into the keep to find hot food. Maids scurried upstairs to air rooms and ensure fresh linen was on the beds of the rooms they'd use, while they dined in the hall with the Major Domo and Captain Arat. Both the men were unfamiliar with dining with the Lady of the household, but Coran had insisted it would be the easiest way for them to all catch up on what had been happening.

As it was, life was passing peacefully in the lands with the locals content under Coran's stewardship. There was, however, one issue that the Major Domo felt necessary to bring up with Coran, but he said it would wait until the morning. Coran nodded, happy to wait until then, and he bid the ladies good night as he retired early. His room was ready for him, and he threw open the shutters of his window, looking out to the north. He leaned on the sill, taking deep breaths from the cool night air before he lay on his bed, closing his eyes to enter an easy reverie.

-----------------------

The salty air drifted past as his arms wrapped around the figure standing in front of him. Her hair was tied in untidy braids that fell from her head in an unruly manner, but despite that, he thought she looked perfect. She was leaning back against his front as he held her cloak tightly around her, sheltering her from the chilly morning breeze. He knew she was watching the ships, content to stand in silence; a welcome break from the company of the others.

The sun had just ventured above the horizon, the light from it slowly spilling across the land. Dockhands were wandering around as if it was the height of the afternoon, ignoring the lovers as they stood together. Gulls flew around overhead, their calls mingling with the faint chatter of some sailors who spilt out of the tavern at the other side of the quay. His arms squeezed her waist fondly, the wisps of her hair tickling his face as they swirled around in a zephyr.

"We should go back," she said quietly. The sigh that followed told of her unwillingness to obey her own words.

"We have plenty of time, a'maelamin," he said assuredly, nuzzling gently at her neck. He knew she smiled. "The others won't be awake yet, and we're not due to leave for at least another hour. Our belongings are already packed, and all that needs to be done is to collect them and our friends."

She nodded and her hands wriggled out from the confines of her cloak, covering his and stroking them gently, almost absent-mindedly. "I wish it could always be this peaceful," she murmured.

"So do I," he found himself saying. Instantly she sprung free from his arms, spinning around to look at him. Her eyes flashed with humour as her mischievous smile grew larger at his bashful expression.

"What I mean is," he said hastily, "that, of course, a break in adventuring-"

"That's not what you said or meant!" she exclaimed teasingly. He smiled at her playful expression, reaching out to draw her close for a lingering kiss.

"What can I say?" he said when they eventually broke free. "You do odd things to me."

"Of course," she said dryly. "Mr 'Life is Adventure, or Nothing'!"

Coran frowned at her in mock exasperation, but she just grabbed his hand and walked along past the wharf with him, back in the general direction of the inn.

"I'm not sure I want to return," she admitted after a while.

"To Candlekeep?"

"Mmm."

"You'd like to see your friends again?"

"I suppose so," she sighed. "But what if they blame me for my father's death?"

"I am sure they won't."

"I hope not."

"Melamin, do not torture yourself on what may happen," he said gently. "You have the chance to see friends you thought you would never see again. Cherish the time we have when there, and take what enjoyment you can from it. Because when we leave, we will need to return to the task we have here, and you may not get the chance to return to your home for some time."

"I don't have a home," she reminded him, her voice level and calm. She stopped and looked into his eyes. "My only home is the road, alongside my friends and companions."

"Maiyn..." She willingly nestled into his arms, letting his hands stroke her hair as he mumbled softly in the tongue of their kin; words of assurance and optimism. Then suddenly he felt like he was being pulled, and the vision began to fade from his view. As it blurred the girl in his arms pulled away, and he got one last look at her face.

"Nalia!" he cried out as he started from his reverie. The figure beside him jumped, and drew back quickly. It took him only seconds to realise that the thief was sharing his companionship.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have intruded," she said, standing quickly and retreating to the door. "It's just that, well, I knocked and knocked, but I thought you were asleep, and I tried the handle and found the door was open, so I came in..."

Coran looked closely at the young noblewoman. Her face was tear-stained, and she looked upset. He sat up as he spoke.

"Lady Nalia -- what's wrong?"

Nalia burst into tears, and Coran found himself moving awkwardly to her, allowing her to sob on his shoulder as his arms loosely went around her to pat at her back. "There there," he managed to say eventually.

"I'm sorry," she sobbed, wiping her nose on her sleeve as she pulled away. "It's just that returning here after all that happened with my father, it's been more emotional than I thought, and I didn't realise it would make me so upset, and Aerie had already gone to bed and I could hear her snoring, but I thought because there was no noise coming from in here that you might still be awake, and I just needed some company, but I'm fine now, really I am." She'd moved to the door as she spoke her speech in one long breath, and was about to pull it open and flee into the darkness of the corridor when Coran grabbed her arm gently, and pulled her back. He led her to the bed, and sat her down on it, pouring her a glass of water from the carafe on the table at the side. She thanked him, her trembling hands lifting the glass to her lips as she sipped delicately.

"I'm sorry," she repeated, but Coran just shook his head, sitting beside her. He didn't speak, leaving her to talk in her own time if she felt the need. Several minutes passed before she did.

"I... I miss him," she said in a small voice. "After my mother died, he was all I had. I never expected to lose him so quickly, and I feel partly responsible. If I'd managed to get help earlier, or if I'd managed to somehow persuade him to leave... but he wouldn't. We used to sit at night, whenever I couldn't sleep, and we'd talk about my mother. He loved her so much, despite her ways. She would go to the city and help the poor, offering her aid to those who had nothing. She would use herbs and what little healing skills she possessed. She was devoted to Lathander. She was no priestess or cleric, but she worshipped in his name just as her own mother had. The statue down... down where my father died, of Amaunator. They believed Lathander was his rebirth."

Coran just nodded as she spoke, unwilling to break her train of thought. Slowly her voice became steadier.

"One day she was in the city, helping a mother who was birthing. She had been called to the house by the woman's son, and she tried her best to aid the delivery, but the child was dead when it came out. The woman was heartbroken, but thanked my mother profusely for her aid. It was only after that she noticed the pock marks on the woman's skin, the lesions on her torso and back. She came home almost immediately, refusing to see my father or I until she had washed and tended herself with herbs. She told him of the woman, and that she suspected she'd been diseased. She had, and my mother came down with the same conditions only a day later, but we never suffered from the symptoms. Within a few weeks she was dead. We found it hard to believe. It was such a shock."

"I can imagine," said Coran soothingly. Nalia began leaning on him and he hesitantly put his arm around her shoulder for comfort. She spoke more of her mother and father, but in general terms, mentioning their relationship, her happy upbringing despite her distaste for the attitude of most of the Amnian nobles. In the end her voice became tired and Coran encouraged her to lie down on the bed, watching as she slowly drifted off to sleep. Wordlessly he went and closed the window, then sat in the large chair at the side of the room as he listened to her regular breathing.

He sighed quietly to himself, and slowly closed his eyes to try and return to his reverie.

-----------------------

They managed to reach the valley beside Imnesvale just before midday. Slowly they trotted into the village, noting the abundance of people who just seemed to be huddled around the inn. Coran noticed that several appeared to be farmers and other country folk -- more than one carried herding sticks, and he frowned with puzzlement as they passed. Nalia, too, was looking at them curiously, and he just shrugged at her when she looked over, and kept following the path as it wound its way north out of the settlement.

Nalia had been gone by the time he had drifted from his reverie. His memories had been duller than the previous promise had been; remembering a life at home with his parents and his sister. It was enough to remind him how much he missed them though, a feeling that didn't come often to the wayward elf. He made a promise to himself that he would visit them, soon, and he hoped Maiyn would be able to accompany him.

Breakfast had been a happy affair -- Aerie was well rested and chatty, and Nalia's initial bashfulness wore off quickly when he gave no sign of bringing up what had transpired the previous evening. Major Domo drew them aside to talk to discuss one of the guards with them, a man named Lastin. He explained that Captain Arat had caught him in the act of pilfering some smaller valuables from the keep. Coran asked for the guard to be brought to them, and he asked the young man what had driven him to act as such.

The man wept as he spoke of his wife’s illness, and the vast fortune he needed to pay for a cure for her condition. Nalia’s face paled, as if she remembered her mother’s plight, and Coran squeezed her hand gently, asking Lastin how much he needed. Coran counted out the coin, and passed it to him, but expelled him from the guard at the Major Domo’s advice. The young man thanked them profusely, his tears turning to those of joy as he left the keep, accompanied by the several of the Captain‘s men. Coran ordered a job to be found for him, and Captain Arat remarked upon his skill with his hands, and his care when it came to looking after the guard weapons. Major Domo suggested that he apprenticed as a weapon smith, and Coran nodded his agreement, trusting the Captain to put the idea in place.

Aerie was overjoyed that the man would be given another chance, and Nalia seemed content with the course of action. The Captain and Major Domo were hesitant about Lastin’s re-admittance to the keep, but Coran merely urged caution until they felt they could trust him once more.

Their high spirits had stayed with them until they drew close to their target, then Aerie and Nalia's expressions turned fearful, and Coran's face became grim. The cabin was perched high up on the ledge of the hill, nestled into the surrounding forest as it if was trying to hide from passers by. They dismounted, tethering their horses to the trees and quietly approaching the door.

"Do we knock?" whispered Nalia.

Coran thought for a moment, then shook his head. He tried the handle, and the door opened, much to his surprise. He pushed it open carefully, revealing an empty sitting room, and he led the women in, glancing around cautiously for any sign of an ambush. Only one door led off from the room, and Coran opened it to reveal a bedroom. A lone man stood within, his swords drawn as he looked at his hunters.

"More cowled ones, or their servants, no doubt," he observed, his voice low and dangerous. "By the gods, I swear you'll not live to take that damnable sphere!"

Coran's eyebrow shot up quizzically. "Sphere? What sphere?"

The man looked at the elf with disbelief until he saw Coran was being completely serious. "A planar sphere appeared in the slums of Athkatla weeks ago. You have not seen it?"

"I have," said Nalia quietly. "There have been all sorts of rumours about it."

"It was built by my ancestor, the necromancer Lavok," said the man bitterly. "It is some sort of planar travelling device, and it disappeared with him five centuries ago. It had not been seen again until now."

"I see," said Coran, puzzled.

"I have no desire to meet my ancestor, but I have even less desire to help the Cowled Wizards who seem to believe I am the key to entry... dead or alive."

Aerie gasped. "Oh... so this is why they want your body? We can't support this, Coran!" she exclaimed.

"They have already tried to force my co-operation," remarked the man. "I was forced to defend myself and flee. I had hidden myself here; successfully, I thought, until now."

"I admit, we were hired to apprehend you," said Coran. "But I agree with Aerie; we will not be carrying through with our task."

The man relaxed slightly, but his defences were still raised. "Very well then," he said coolly. "I have a proposal for you, however. Accompany me back to the city, and let us enter the sphere. That way I shall know if Lavok lives, and if he does, I can finish his ghoulish existence for once and for all. Anything we find is yours as payment -- I have no interest in any of it."

"You really think he is alive after all this time?" asked Nalia sceptically.

"He has extended his life before," noted the man. "He stole the bodies of blood relations; I am the end of the Corthala line, so you can imagine my concern at his appearance here. It is also likely that it is my blood that will permit entry to the sphere."

"Th-the Cowled W-wizards will oppose us," stammered Aerie nervously.

"They will not rest until they get inside," replied the man, looking at the avariel. "One cannot hope to stand up to them long, at least not without steady hands at ones back."

Coran looked to the women, silently asking their opinions. Nalia nodded to him resolutely. Aerie's own nod was slight, but it was there, and he could see the cleric's jaw sticking out determinedly as she pushed her fears aside.

"Then let us go and see what lies inside," said Coran to the man. "I am Coran; these are my companions, Nalia and Aerie."

"You already know my name," replied Valygar. "You have my heartfelt thanks for aiding me with this task; my family swore an oath, long ago, to kill Lavok if he ever reappeared. Perhaps I shall be able to fulfil it."

"We will do what we can to assist," promised Coran, shaking hands with the ranger. Valygar was only slightly taller than he; golden earrings hung from his ears, and long back hair was braided back from his face, hanging around his shoulders. His face was serious as he collected what he needed from his home, and with a slight nod, he signalled his readiness to leave.

Coran led the way outside, and they headed towards their horses. Coran suggested that Valygar ride with Aerie since the avariel was the smallest of the companions, and hence, weighed the least.

Just as they got close to their mounts, a voice rung out from the trees, causing Valygar to spin around. Coran followed his gaze, and groaned loudly, his sentiments being echoed by Aerie and Nalia. Korgan was swaggering towards them, axe in hands as he eyed his quarry. He gave his former companions a glare, and spat in Aerie's direction, much to her disgust.

"I'll be takin' over now, I think," he said sinisterly, drawing to a halt only a few yards away from them.

"We don't want to fight with you, Korgan," said Coran strongly. "This man travels with us now, and you would be well advised to turn around and leave."

"Are ye threatenin' me, boy?" snapped the dwarf. "This be my prey long before ye stole intae the chase."

"H-he is no one's prey now!" shouted Aerie angrily. Korgan merely sneered at her.

"Don't be thinkin' ye'll win," he warned. "I came fer him, and I'll no be leavin' without him."

"You'll either leave without him, or you'll not leave at all." Coran looked at Nalia in amazement, but the girl's eyes were fixed on the dwarf, and glowing with repulsion.

"Then ye'd better prepare tae defend yerselves! At 'em, lads!" Korgan gave a mighty cry and launched himself at Coran and Valygar, his axe swinging wildly towards them. Coran deftly dodged the blade, immediately pulling his own sword free and parrying the next slash. Valygar had avoided the swing also, and he pulled out a pair of katanas, moving in to help in the fight.

Coran noticed movement, and two figures emerged from the trees, the men Korgan had called for. The smaller man paused as his eyes met Coran's, and his hand instinctively went out, pulling at his companions arm and distracting him from his spell. They stood there, motionless, making no effort to follow their comrade into the fight, and instead watched as the dwarf went berserk, holding off the combined attacks of the human and the elf.

Somewhere behind him, Coran could hear the chanting of the women, and Korgan was assaulted by spells to both debilitate and impede him. They seemed to have little effect, his rage carrying him through any injury they inflicted, and slowly he managed to back Valygar up against the wall of the cabin. Sensing that he had nowhere to go, Korgan brought his axe back, preparing for an almighty swing at the ranger's neck; but it never came.

Coran drew his sword out from the dwarf's back, the blade having neatly found its way through the join in the armour, pushing straight through Korgan's torso. Blood seeped from his mouth as he fell to the ground, his eyes glazed in death as his axe fell by his body. Valygar's shoulders slumped slightly, relief spreading through him until he noticed the other men. Immediately he pulled himself up again, and Coran turned to face them.

"Montaron, Xzar," he said amiably.

The halfling nodded pleasantly to him, an innocent expression on his face. Xzar seemed to be a million miles away, as usual. "It be a nice day fer a walk, aye?" remarked Montaron, gripping the human's arm tightly as he manoeuvred him around, heading for the path that led back to the village.

"It is indeed. Good day to you." Coran watched as they walked away slowly, and turned to face the inquisitive glances from the women.

"You're going to let them flee like that?" asked Aerie indignantly. "They travelled with that... that dwarf! They would have killed us if they thought they had the chance! They are no better than it was!"

Coran looked back to the men, noticing that Montaron had paused and seemed to have tensed. He threw a quick glance back at the avariel, a poisonous look that made her whimper slightly; but then they went on silently, not looking back again.

"Let's just say that I know someone who knows them," remarked Coran gently. "And for all their faults, they've saved her life more than once."

#2 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 26 October 2006 - 02:53 PM

Montaron followed the lead of the dwarf as they made their way through the forest. Athkatla lay far behind them, almost invisible in the dark night. Xzar was being oddly obedient, agreeing to travel out to the back of beyond without a single protest -- the halfling found this more than a little suspicious. Ever since they'd joined up with this Korgan, the necromancer had been as docile as a mouse, speaking only when necessary, not playing up at all.


Korgan, eh? I'd be inconspicuous too.

The fighter sighed slightly. He wasn't keen on leaving the city they‘d had such a task even getting to in the first place; he was sure the real reason behind their mission was somewhere in its boundary, but they needed to make some coin, and the dwarf promised them a percentage of his bounty hunting fee if they aided his endeavour. All they had to do was find a man, and deliver him back to the council building. It was simple enough -- it would have been much better, not to mention easier, if the man had been at home, but apparently he had some cabin out in some hills not too far away. If all went well, Korgan had said, they'd be back in the city within a couple of days.


Ah, optimism.

She nodded and her hands wriggled out from the confines of her cloak, covering his and stroking them gently, almost absent-mindedly. "I wish it could always be this peaceful," she murmured.

"So do I," he found himself saying. Instantly she sprung free from his arms, spinning around to look at him. Her eyes flashed with humour as her mischievous smile grew larger at his bashful expression.


Awwww :D

"What can I say?" he said when they eventually broke free. "You do odd things to me."

"Of course," she said dryly. "Mr 'Life is Adventure, or Nothing'!"


:D

"I'm sorry," she sobbed, wiping her nose on her sleeve as she pulled away. "It's just that returning here after all that happened with my father, it's been more emotional than I thought, and I didn't realise it would make me so upset, and Aerie had already gone to bed and I could hear her snoring, but I thought because there was no noise coming from in here that you might still be awake, and I just needed some company, but I'm fine now, really I am." She'd moved to the door as she spoke her speech in one long breath, and was about to pull it open and flee into the darkness of the corridor when Coran grabbed her arm gently, and pulled her back. He led her to the bed, and sat her down on it, pouring her a glass of water from the carafe on the table at the side. She thanked him, her trembling hands lifting the glass to her lips as she sipped delicately.


Aww, she really is upset, isn't she? And I love the snoring Aerie :D

"I... I miss him," she said in a small voice. "After my mother died, he was all I had. I never expected to lose him so quickly, and I feel partly responsible. If I'd managed to get help earlier, or if I'd managed to somehow persuade him to leave... but he wouldn't. We used to sit at night, whenever I couldn't sleep, and we'd talk about my mother. He loved her so much, despite her ways. She would go to the city and help the poor, offering her aid to those who had nothing. She would use herbs and what little healing skills she possessed. She was devoted to Lathander. She was no priestess or cleric, but she worshipped in his name just as her own mother had. The statue down... down where my father died, of Amaunator. They believed Lathander was his rebirth."


:D

"One day she was in the city, helping a mother who was birthing. She had been called to the house by the woman's son, and she tried her best to aid the delivery, but the child was dead when it came out. The woman was heartbroken, but thanked my mother profusely for her aid. It was only after that she noticed the pock marks on the woman's skin, the lesions on her torso and back. She came home almost immediately, refusing to see my father or I until she had washed and tended herself with herbs. She told him of the woman, and that she suspected she'd been diseased. She had, and my mother came down with the same conditions only a day later, but we never suffered from the symptoms. Within a few weeks she was dead. We found it hard to believe. It was such a shock."


:D

Life really isn't kind to Nalia. Especially when it leaves her with only aunt Delcia...

"More cowled ones, or their servants, no doubt," he observed, his voice low and dangerous. "By the gods, I swear you'll not live to take that damnable sphere!"


Hello, Valygar.

"I'll be takin' over now, I think," he said sinisterly, drawing to a halt only a few yards away from them.


I think not.

Coran noticed movement, and two figures emerged from the trees, the men Korgan had called for. The smaller man paused as his eyes met Coran's, and his hand instinctively went out, pulling at his companions arm and distracting him from his spell. They stood there, motionless, making no effort to follow their comrade into the fight, and instead watched as the dwarf went berserk, holding off the combined attacks of the human and the elf.


Very smart move, Monty!

Coran drew his sword out from the dwarf's back, the blade having neatly found its way through the join in the armour, pushing straight through Korgan's torso. Blood seeped from his mouth as he fell to the ground, his eyes glazed in death as his axe fell by his body. Valygar's shoulders slumped slightly, relief spreading through him until he noticed the other men. Immediately he pulled himself up again, and Coran turned to face them.


Yay!

"Montaron, Xzar," he said amiably.

The halfling nodded pleasantly to him, an innocent expression on his face. Xzar seemed to be a million miles away, as usual. "It be a nice day fer a walk, aye?" remarked Montaron, gripping the human's arm tightly as he manoeuvred him around, heading for the path that led back to the village.

"It is indeed. Good day to you." Coran watched as they walked away slowly, and turned to face the inquisitive glances from the women.


I smell backstory :P

"Let's just say that I know someone who knows them," remarked Coran gently. "And for all their faults, they've saved her life more than once."


Hmm, maybe I'll have to go look for that BG1 story of yours :P

#3 Guest_arabellaesque_*

Posted 26 October 2006 - 06:10 PM


Montaron followed the lead of the dwarf as they made their way through the forest. Athkatla lay far behind them, almost invisible in the dark night. Xzar was being oddly obedient, agreeing to travel out to the back of beyond without a single protest -- the halfling found this more than a little suspicious. Ever since they'd joined up with this Korgan, the necromancer had been as docile as a mouse, speaking only when necessary, not playing up at all.


Korgan, eh? I'd be inconspicuous too.


Me too -- but then again, I think I'd rather drink acid than join up with Korgan :P


The fighter sighed slightly. He wasn't keen on leaving the city they‘d had such a task even getting to in the first place; he was sure the real reason behind their mission was somewhere in its boundary, but they needed to make some coin, and the dwarf promised them a percentage of his bounty hunting fee if they aided his endeavour. All they had to do was find a man, and deliver him back to the council building. It was simple enough -- it would have been much better, not to mention easier, if the man had been at home, but apparently he had some cabin out in some hills not too far away. If all went well, Korgan had said, they'd be back in the city within a couple of days.


Ah, optimism.


He gets fits of it :D Not often, admittedly, but life can't always be out to get him. Just most of the time... :D


She nodded and her hands wriggled out from the confines of her cloak, covering his and stroking them gently, almost absent-mindedly. "I wish it could always be this peaceful," she murmured.


"So do I," he found himself saying. Instantly she sprung free from his arms, spinning around to look at him. Her eyes flashed with humour as her mischievous smile grew larger at his bashful expression.


Awwww :)


:D


"What can I say?" he said when they eventually broke free. "You do odd things to me."


"Of course," she said dryly. "Mr 'Life is Adventure, or Nothing'!"


:D


Teehee :D


"I'm sorry," she sobbed, wiping her nose on her sleeve as she pulled away. "It's just that returning here after all that happened with my father, it's been more emotional than I thought, and I didn't realise it would make me so upset, and Aerie had already gone to bed and I could hear her snoring, but I thought because there was no noise coming from in here that you might still be awake, and I just needed some company, but I'm fine now, really I am." She'd moved to the door as she spoke her speech in one long breath, and was about to pull it open and flee into the darkness of the corridor when Coran grabbed her arm gently, and pulled her back. He led her to the bed, and sat her down on it, pouring her a glass of water from the carafe on the table at the side. She thanked him, her trembling hands lifting the glass to her lips as she sipped delicately.


Aww, she really is upset, isn't she? And I love the snoring Aerie :D


Hehehe -- yeah, the shy, diminutive avariel, who can snore for Faerun in this version :D

And Nalia is very upset -- everything's just come to hit her at once and she's realised nothing can be as it once was, no matter how hard she tries. Now she has to look after herself for real.


"I... I miss him," she said in a small voice. "After my mother died, he was all I had. I never expected to lose him so quickly, and I feel partly responsible. If I'd managed to get help earlier, or if I'd managed to somehow persuade him to leave... but he wouldn't. We used to sit at night, whenever I couldn't sleep, and we'd talk about my mother. He loved her so much, despite her ways. She would go to the city and help the poor, offering her aid to those who had nothing. She would use herbs and what little healing skills she possessed. She was devoted to Lathander. She was no priestess or cleric, but she worshipped in his name just as her own mother had. The statue down... down where my father died, of Amaunator. They believed Lathander was his rebirth."


:D


:D


"One day she was in the city, helping a mother who was birthing. She had been called to the house by the woman's son, and she tried her best to aid the delivery, but the child was dead when it came out. The woman was heartbroken, but thanked my mother profusely for her aid. It was only after that she noticed the pock marks on the woman's skin, the lesions on her torso and back. She came home almost immediately, refusing to see my father or I until she had washed and tended herself with herbs. She told him of the woman, and that she suspected she'd been diseased. She had, and my mother came down with the same conditions only a day later, but we never suffered from the symptoms. Within a few weeks she was dead. We found it hard to believe. It was such a shock."


:D


*nods* :(

Life really isn't kind to Nalia. Especially when it leaves her with only aunt Delcia...


Yeah -- she really had no fortune being left with that as a relative and Isaea as a betrothed.


"More cowled ones, or their servants, no doubt," he observed, his voice low and dangerous. "By the gods, I swear you'll not live to take that damnable sphere!"


Hello, Valygar.


Valygar: Hello there.


"I'll be takin' over now, I think," he said sinisterly, drawing to a halt only a few yards away from them.


I think not.


Coran: I must say, I have to agree with this pretty young maid... what did you say your name was?
Maiyn: Oi.
Coran: Oh, er, I didn't see you there, my dear...
Maiyn: Mmhmm.


Coran noticed movement, and two figures emerged from the trees, the men Korgan had called for. The smaller man paused as his eyes met Coran's, and his hand instinctively went out, pulling at his companions arm and distracting him from his spell. They stood there, motionless, making no effort to follow their comrade into the fight, and instead watched as the dwarf went berserk, holding off the combined attacks of the human and the elf.


Very smart move, Monty!


Montaron: I no be stayin' alive by bein' stupid.


Coran drew his sword out from the dwarf's back, the blade having neatly found its way through the join in the armour, pushing straight through Korgan's torso. Blood seeped from his mouth as he fell to the ground, his eyes glazed in death as his axe fell by his body. Valygar's shoulders slumped slightly, relief spreading through him until he noticed the other men. Immediately he pulled himself up again, and Coran turned to face them.


Yay!


Hehe -- I thought you might like that bit :D


"Montaron, Xzar," he said amiably.


The halfling nodded pleasantly to him, an innocent expression on his face. Xzar seemed to be a million miles away, as usual. "It be a nice day fer a walk, aye?" remarked Montaron, gripping the human's arm tightly as he manoeuvred him around, heading for the path that led back to the village.


"It is indeed. Good day to you." Coran watched as they walked away slowly, and turned to face the inquisitive glances from the women.


I smell backstory :D


A little :D Before they even met Coran, after the bandit camp, Maiyn and her then group (Kivan, Minsc, Imoen, Xan and Branwen) went to the Friendly Arms to rest and it was then they met the assassin there (with bodyguards in my one) -- Montaron and Xzar saved them from him after his fear spell. Then at the battle with Sarevok, Monty was the one watchign til the end who helped Minsc grab a weapon to finish off Sarevok before his berserker rage wore off.

Monty and Xzar travelled with Maiyn, Imoen, Jaheira and Khalid to Nashkel too, and only really split up after the mine was done and they'd rescued Branwen and Xan. After that, though, they popped up at various points (like in Baldur's Gate, above Sorcerous Sundries) and really have always been on the fringe, somewhere :D


"Let's just say that I know someone who knows them," remarked Coran gently. "And for all their faults, they've saved her life more than once."


Hmm, maybe I'll have to go look for that BG1 story of yours :D


Feel free to :D It's a bit rambly at some points, a bit dialogue heavy at others, but I finished it! When I'm done Maiyn's whole tale, I'll go back and begin the slow process of editting the rougher patches in both, but really, having just got this far is something considering my average concentration span :P

Thanks for reading and commenting!

#4 Guest_Keldan_*

Posted 27 October 2006 - 07:51 PM

They moved through the forest, crossing plains and climbing over hills as they steadily made their way towards their target. No one spoke; the only time there had been conversation was when Montaron hammered out the terms for them to accompany the dwarf, and after the halfling had calmly plunged his blade deep into the heart of the servant in the home by the docks.


Oh, so that was Monty!

... bad Monty! No biscuit!

He may be an adept killer, but he wasn't stupid. The relief of being free from the necromancer wouldn't be enough to balance out the pain and misery he'd receive from the powers that be when they found out, and captured him. And they would catch him.


And they'd lash him to within an inch of his life. And then they'd have him. :shock:

... sorry, I just had a Low Rimmer moment there. (Ah, Red Dwarf, you serve me well.)

"So do I," he found himself saying. Instantly she sprung free from his arms, spinning around to look at him. Her eyes flashed with humour as her mischievous smile grew larger at his bashful expression.

"What I mean is," he said hastily, "that, of course, a break in adventuring-"


Busted! :lol:

"Of course," she said dryly. "Mr 'Life is Adventure, or Nothing'!"


Boy, that brought back soundset memories. Hehe.

"I don't have a home," she reminded him, her voice level and calm. She stopped and looked into his eyes. "My only home is the road, alongside my friends and companions."


Willow: Sounds fine to me. Although... a place to come back to is nice...

Nalia burst into tears, and Coran found himself moving awkwardly to her, allowing her to sob on his shoulder as his arms loosely went around her to pat at her back. "There there," he managed to say eventually.


Ladies' men and tears just don't go together well.

"I... I miss him," she said in a small voice. "After my mother died, he was all I had. I never expected to lose him so quickly, and I feel partly responsible. If I'd managed to get help earlier, or if I'd managed to somehow persuade him to leave... but he wouldn't. We used to sit at night, whenever I couldn't sleep, and we'd talk about my mother. He loved her so much, despite her ways. She would go to the city and help the poor, offering her aid to those who had nothing. She would use herbs and what little healing skills she possessed. She was devoted to Lathander. She was no priestess or cleric, but she worshipped in his name just as her own mother had. The statue down... down where my father died, of Amaunator. They believed Lathander was his rebirth."


D'aww... poor Nally. :lol:

Nalia had been gone by the time he had drifted from his reverie. His memories had been duller than the previous promise had been; remembering a life at home with his parents and his sister. It was enough to remind him how much he missed them though, a feeling that didn't come often to the wayward elf. He made a promise to himself that he would visit them, soon, and he hoped Maiyn would be able to accompany him.


Hm... I can see it now...

Coran's Mom: Well, Maiyn, I do hope you'll be able to keep my Coran tied down! I'll tell you, if you keep the home life varied he won't get bored. I've got this ritzy little number in my closet--
Coran: Mother! :cry:
Doran's Dad: Well, Cor, it's true! Your mother's very imaginative--
Coran's Sister: LALALALA I CAN'T HEAR YOU!
Coran: :lol:
Maiyn: :lol:

Um... yeah. :lol:

Breakfast had been a happy affair -- Aerie was well rested and chatty, and Nalia's initial bashfulness wore off quickly when he gave no sign of bringing up what had transpired the previous evening. Major Domo drew them aside to talk to discuss one of the guards with them, a man named Lastin. He explained that Captain Arat had caught him in the act of pilfering some smaller valuables from the keep. Coran asked for the guard to be brought to them, and he asked the young man what had driven him to act as such.


Aerie had a good night snoring, huh? :oops:

"More cowled ones, or their servants, no doubt," he observed, his voice low and dangerous. "By the gods, I swear you'll not live to take that damnable sphere!"


Hi, Valygar! :lol:

"They have already tried to force my co-operation," remarked the man. "I was forced to defend myself and flee. I had hidden myself here; successfully, I thought, until now."


Well, if people knew you had a cabin in the hills it was only a matter of time, really...

Coran led the way outside, and they headed towards their horses. Coran suggested that Valygar ride with Aerie since the avariel was the smallest of the companions, and hence, weighed the least.


I always wondered if she had hollow bones, like a bird. Maybe that's the reason for the pathetic constitution.

"I'll be takin' over now, I think," he said sinisterly, drawing to a halt only a few yards away from them.


No... no, I don't think you will.

"You'll either leave without him, or you'll not leave at all." Coran looked at Nalia in amazement, but the girl's eyes were fixed on the dwarf, and glowing with repulsion.


Go Nalia! Kick some dwarfy butt! :)

"Then ye'd better prepare tae defend yerselves! At 'em, lads!" Korgan gave a mighty cry and launched himself at Coran and Valygar, his axe swinging wildly towards them. Coran deftly dodged the blade, immediately pulling his own sword free and parrying the next slash. Valygar had avoided the swing also, and he pulled out a pair of katanas, moving in to help in the fight.


Ooh, dual-wielding. Smexy. :lol:

Coran drew his sword out from the dwarf's back, the blade having neatly found its way through the join in the armour, pushing straight through Korgan's torso. Blood seeped from his mouth as he fell to the ground, his eyes glazed in death as his axe fell by his body. Valygar's shoulders slumped slightly, relief spreading through him until he noticed the other men. Immediately he pulled himself up again, and Coran turned to face them.


Yay, dead Korgan!

The halfling nodded pleasantly to him, an innocent expression on his face. Xzar seemed to be a million miles away, as usual. "It be a nice day fer a walk, aye?" remarked Montaron, gripping the human's arm tightly as he manoeuvred him around, heading for the path that led back to the village.


Smart move, Monty.

"You're going to let them flee like that?" asked Aerie indignantly. "They travelled with that... that dwarf! They would have killed us if they thought they had the chance! They are no better than it was!"


"It?" Really, Aerie, he was bad but he wasn't that bad.

"Let's just say that I know someone who knows them," remarked Coran gently. "And for all their faults, they've saved her life more than once."


I'm really gonna have to read the first part. Hehe.

#5 Guest_arabellaesque_*

Posted 27 October 2006 - 09:44 PM

They moved through the forest, crossing plains and climbing over hills as they steadily made their way towards their target. No one spoke; the only time there had been conversation was when Montaron hammered out the terms for them to accompany the dwarf, and after the halfling had calmly plunged his blade deep into the heart of the servant in the home by the docks.


Oh, so that was Monty!


... bad Monty! No biscuit!


Montaron: Bah!

Yeah, it was Monty :)

He may be an adept killer, but he wasn't stupid. The relief of being free from the necromancer wouldn't be enough to balance out the pain and misery he'd receive from the powers that be when they found out, and captured him. And they would catch him.


And they'd lash him to within an inch of his life. And then they'd have him. :shock:


:lol:

... sorry, I just had a Low Rimmer moment there. (Ah, Red Dwarf, you serve me well.)


Don't apologise! :? One of my best memories was going to a Red Dwarf convention (how geek of me! :?) and meeting the cast :D I danced with Craig Charles! *ahem*un-fangirls*

"So do I," he found himself saying. Instantly she sprung free from his arms, spinning around to look at him. Her eyes flashed with humour as her mischievous smile grew larger at his bashful expression.


"What I mean is," he said hastily, "that, of course, a break in adventuring-"


Busted! :D


Coran: *cough* Not at all, I was, er, just, uh... yes.

"Of course," she said dryly. "Mr 'Life is Adventure, or Nothing'!"


Boy, that brought back soundset memories. Hehe.


Hee! :D I quite liked Coran's soundset -- especially that one. Always sounded so full of life and fun-loving.

"I don't have a home," she reminded him, her voice level and calm. She stopped and looked into his eyes. "My only home is the road, alongside my friends and companions."


Willow: Sounds fine to me. Although... a place to come back to is nice...


Imoen: That's what I keep telling her.
Maiyn: I know, I know. I've actually found some place I think I'd like to live...
Imoen: :D

Nalia burst into tears, and Coran found himself moving awkwardly to her, allowing her to sob on his shoulder as his arms loosely went around her to pat at her back. "There there," he managed to say eventually.


Ladies' men and tears just don't go together well.


No, not really. Though to be fair, he does try and he does cae -- he's just a bit awkward about it all.

"I... I miss him," she said in a small voice. "After my mother died, he was all I had. I never expected to lose him so quickly, and I feel partly responsible. If I'd managed to get help earlier, or if I'd managed to somehow persuade him to leave... but he wouldn't. We used to sit at night, whenever I couldn't sleep, and we'd talk about my mother. He loved her so much, despite her ways. She would go to the city and help the poor, offering her aid to those who had nothing. She would use herbs and what little healing skills she possessed. She was devoted to Lathander. She was no priestess or cleric, but she worshipped in his name just as her own mother had. The statue down... down where my father died, of Amaunator. They believed Lathander was his rebirth."


D'aww... poor Nally. :)


*nod* :)

Nalia had been gone by the time he had drifted from his reverie. His memories had been duller than the previous promise had been; remembering a life at home with his parents and his sister. It was enough to remind him how much he missed them though, a feeling that didn't come often to the wayward elf. He made a promise to himself that he would visit them, soon, and he hoped Maiyn would be able to accompany him.


Hm... I can see it now...


Coran's Mom: Well, Maiyn, I do hope you'll be able to keep my Coran tied down! I'll tell you, if you keep the home life varied he won't get bored. I've got this ritzy little number in my closet--
Coran: Mother! :cry:
Doran's Dad: Well, Cor, it's true! Your mother's very imaginative--
Coran's Sister: LALALALA I CAN'T HEAR YOU!
Coran: :lol:
Maiyn: :lol:


Um... yeah. :lol:


*lol* *lol* *lol*

I bet that wouldn't be far from it...

Breakfast had been a happy affair -- Aerie was well rested and chatty, and Nalia's initial bashfulness wore off quickly when he gave no sign of bringing up what had transpired the previous evening. Major Domo drew them aside to talk to discuss one of the guards with them, a man named Lastin. He explained that Captain Arat had caught him in the act of pilfering some smaller valuables from the keep. Coran asked for the guard to be brought to them, and he asked the young man what had driven him to act as such.


Aerie had a good night snoring, huh? :oops:


Aerie: I d-don't snore! ...do I?
Nalia: Just slightly, my dear.
Aerie: :lol:

"More cowled ones, or their servants, no doubt," he observed, his voice low and dangerous. "By the gods, I swear you'll not live to take that damnable sphere!"


Hi, Valygar! :D


Valygar: Hello there.

"They have already tried to force my co-operation," remarked the man. "I was forced to defend myself and flee. I had hidden myself here; successfully, I thought, until now."


Well, if people knew you had a cabin in the hills it was only a matter of time, really...


Valygar: What happened to people thinking 'Ah, that'd be too obvious -- let's look somewhere completely random for him'?
Coran: Erm, we didn't think of that.
Valygar: *sigh*

Coran led the way outside, and they headed towards their horses. Coran suggested that Valygar ride with Aerie since the avariel was the smallest of the companions, and hence, weighed the least.


I always wondered if she had hollow bones, like a bird. Maybe that's the reason for the pathetic constitution.


Aerie: :lol:

"I'll be takin' over now, I think," he said sinisterly, drawing to a halt only a few yards away from them.


No... no, I don't think you will.


Coran: Me either!

"You'll either leave without him, or you'll not leave at all." Coran looked at Nalia in amazement, but the girl's eyes were fixed on the dwarf, and glowing with repulsion.


Go Nalia! Kick some dwarfy butt! :D


Nalia: With pleasure -- I've been looking forward to this! 'Bag o' tricks' indeed!

"Then ye'd better prepare tae defend yerselves! At 'em, lads!" Korgan gave a mighty cry and launched himself at Coran and Valygar, his axe swinging wildly towards them. Coran deftly dodged the blade, immediately pulling his own sword free and parrying the next slash. Valygar had avoided the swing also, and he pulled out a pair of katanas, moving in to help in the fight.


Ooh, dual-wielding. Smexy. :lol:


Valygar: Um. Thanks...
Coran: Hey, where's my compliment?!

Coran drew his sword out from the dwarf's back, the blade having neatly found its way through the join in the armour, pushing straight through Korgan's torso. Blood seeped from his mouth as he fell to the ground, his eyes glazed in death as his axe fell by his body. Valygar's shoulders slumped slightly, relief spreading through him until he noticed the other men. Immediately he pulled himself up again, and Coran turned to face them.


Yay, dead Korgan!


:D

The halfling nodded pleasantly to him, an innocent expression on his face. Xzar seemed to be a million miles away, as usual. "It be a nice day fer a walk, aye?" remarked Montaron, gripping the human's arm tightly as he manoeuvred him around, heading for the path that led back to the village.


Smart move, Monty.


Montaron: *grunt*
Maiyn: I think that was a 'thank you'.

"You're going to let them flee like that?" asked Aerie indignantly. "They travelled with that... that dwarf! They would have killed us if they thought they had the chance! They are no better than it was!"


"It?" Really, Aerie, he was bad but he wasn't that bad.


Aerie: He w-was! He t-tried to strangle me!
Korgan: Ye pushed me intae the pit, ye wingless freak!
Aerie: Y-you can't prove that was deliberate!

"Let's just say that I know someone who knows them," remarked Coran gently. "And for all their faults, they've saved her life more than once."


I'm really gonna have to read the first part. Hehe.


Hee -- see comment above which roughly describes it. I would have posted it, but this part of her story feels like it has much more substance and there shouldn't be *too* much that mentiones the previous stuff.

Thanks for reading and commenting! :D




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