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A Dark Path: Chapter 1


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#1 Guest_Silver_*

Posted 06 August 2003 - 08:05 PM

At last, I seem to have banished the writer’s block! :roll: Now to see if I can edit my next chapter before it hits again. :twisted: Hope you enjoy the story and all comments are welcome! :twisted:

Chapter 1: Darkness Arising

Maybe the sun's light will be dim
And it won't matter anyhow.
If morning's echo says we’ve sinned,
Well, it was what I wanted now.
And if we're the victims of the night,
I won't be blinded by light.
Angel of the Morning (Juice Newton)

Emma Silverblade, the half-elven ranger of Imnesvale, was awoken by the birds singing outside her window. She sighed and rolled over in bed as her wolf companion, Sol-leks, raised his head and yawned. It was only when her hand met cold sheets that she remembered that she was alone. Again.

Wearily the half-elf dragged herself out of bed and reached for her clothes. Sol-leks lay where he was and watched her as she dressed, then jumped up and followed her as she went into the kitchen, playfully batting his head against her leg. Emma knelt down to scratch him behind the ears and sighed again as she looked around her at the small cabin occupied by herself, her wolf companion and, when he was around, her husband. As much as she loved her job and her home, when she was younger she had never imagined that her life would have turned out like it had.

A year had passed since the Bhaalspawn war and four of Bhaal’s children had survived, although Sarevok had left them to travel. The remaining three had stayed very close, however. Kane, the oldest who had been born and raised in the slums of Athkatla had a small house in Imnesvale, so that he could be near her. He lived with Edwin Odesseiron, his lover who had been a Red Wizard before he had chosen to turn away from the life he had once known in order to have a life with Kane. And with his lover’s help, the Bhaalspawn, once known across the land for some of his evil deeds, was trying hard to put the past behind him. Things had been difficult for them from the moment their relationship had begun, Edwin’s exile from Thay, his family’s protests, but they had always gotten through it, each challenge only serving to make their love stronger.

Imoen, the youngest of the siblings, had married Anomen Delryn who served in the Order and the two lived comfortably in the Government District of Athkatla. Their courtship had gone smoothly and the marriage was a happy one, Imoen was more than happy to give up adventuring and stay at home and there had recently been talk of the two having children. Emma liked Anomen well enough, Kane hated him and he in turn hated Kane, but they tolerated each other for Imoen’s sake and the former wizard kept in frequent contact with her older brother and sister. Although she had suffered greatly before and after Irenicus and the Bhaalspawn war, and this had damped her spirit somewhat, she was the one who was most willing to forget the past and look to the future.

Keeping constant watch over the three, always on hand to offer them help and advice, was Jaheira, the half-elf who had travelled with Emma and Imoen from the very beginning and viewed them and Kane as her children, and her husband Benny. Benny, known as Scarface by many, was one of the most skilled and deadly assassins to walk Faerun, not to mention a former Shadow Thief and a shapeshifter, due to his father having been a demon of some sort. He had once been Kane’s teacher and had soon come to look upon the young man as his son, in the same way that Kane viewed the assassin as his father. He and Jaheira, both with years of experience behind them, had slipped easily into the role of parents and, although they had made a home for themselves at the Druid Grove near Trademeet, they spent most of their time travelling around spending time with Emma, Imoen and Kane in turn. Emma was fond of them both and was particularly close to Jaheira, although the druid had disagreed with many of the choices the young half elf had made over the years, she had always been there for her, helping but never judging.

Checking that her long sword was in place and taking up her bow, Emma left the cabin to do her morning patrol. Living in Imnesvale was peaceful, hardly anything troubled the quiet village, but she wanted more than that. She had journeyed the Sword Coast, saved Baldur’s Gate, travelled through Amn after Irenicus, even been to the hells and now that she had had a taste of adventuring, she wanted more. Much as she loved Imnesvale, she didn’t want to be stuck there for the rest of her life.

If Kivan were still here, she thought to herself. He’d understand my desire to travel. We could have wandered all over the countryside, helping people and animals, just two rangers together.

She shook her head quickly, banishing the memories of her former lover that threatened to surface, knowing that if she thought about him, tears would quickly follow. He had been with her and Imoen right from the beginning, when they were just two frightened girls alone in a world they hadn’t known, doing his best to protect them. They had become friends and, after a time, friendship had turned to love. Until Spellhold, when Irenicus had killed him in front of her and all she had been able to do was watch as the elf she loved had died a slow and painful death.

It had hurt more than any pain she had ever felt before and although she manage to convince her companions, and at times herself, Emma knew that she had still not managed to come to terms with his death. She was frequently haunted by nightmares, but no one knew about them for she said nothing. It was in the past and she didn’t want to upset anyone by bringing it up again. Especially not her husband.

Kelsey…her loyal, sweet, gentle Kelsey, who would never do anything to intentionally hurt her. He had been a good friend even before Kivan’s death, but after Spellhold she had found herself leaning on him more and more. And when he had wanted to take their friendship further, she hadn’t refused. Although he wasn’t Kivan, Kelsey had been good to her and she was very fond of him. When she had agreed to marry him, she had done so in the hope that she could grow to love him in time, once all the bad stuff was behind them. And she had, only it was more like the love she felt for Edwin or Anomen, the men she viewed as family, than the love a woman should feel for her husband.

He was a trader and frequently travelled to the major cities of Faerun on business, but apart from worrying about him at times and feeling a little lonely with no one to talk to, his long absences rarely bothered her. And as fond as she was of him, she didn’t find him particularly desirable either.

Kelsey had no idea how she felt and Emma had never told him, partly for fear of upsetting him and partly because she didn’t want her marriage to him to end. He was a good husband and would make a good father when the time was right, he was kind to her and he did make her happy enough. She still lived in hope that one day she could love him in the way he loved her, as he deserved to be loved. But, as determined as she was to make her marriage work, she still couldn’t help feeling vaguely dissatisfied with the way everything had turned out.

“Surely there must be more to life than all this,” she muttered under her breath, reaching up and touching the necklace that her husband had given to her the last time he had been home. A large blue stone, about the size of her hand, hung on a plain silver chain. He had purchased it at a very reasonable price from a man he had met in Baldur’s Gate, he had told her. Emma usually wore very little jewellery, save for her wedding ring and a ring Gorion had given her a year before his death, but she did like the necklace. Although it didn’t seem to have any magical abilities, at least none that she had noticed, blue was her favourite colour and wearing it just felt right.

She may have been engrossed in her thoughts, but the young half-elf was still alert enough to hear the sudden rustling of leaves from a bush to her right. At first she wasn’t too alarmed, assuming that it was just a large animal, a bear or a leopard perhaps. Until Sol-leks, who was used to the wild animals, began to growl.

Emma drew her magical long sword and looked around her, suddenly feeling slightly uneasy. For a moment, everything seemed to stand still and the only sound was the growling of her wolf companion. Then one man dropped from the trees above her, while a second leapt from the shadows. Emma sighed, knowing that she should have guessed, this wasn’t the first time she had been attacked by these black cloaked assassins recently, though she couldn’t figure out why. The half-elf just had time to block as the first stabbed at her with his sword. Sol-leks gave a howl and flung himself at the second, sinking his teeth deep into the man’s leg. The assassin gave a cry and kicked out, hitting the wolf in the chest, hard enough to loosen the animal’s grip. But only for a second, then the angry wolf was back on him again, this time snapping at his other leg, working himself into a right rage. The assassin hit out once again, this time with his dagger and Sol-leks dodged, the point of the dagger leaving just a small cut on his muzzle.

Emma hadn’t fought much over the past year, apart from the occasional band of orcs and the sparring matches she had with her brother, but she still had experience and didn’t find it difficult matching the first assassin blow for blow, although she was relieved that the other man was temporarily occupied but also worried for her animal companion’s safety. She was forced to spin aside to avoid a particularly vicious thrust and found herself near the other assassin’s back. Seeing the prefect opportunity for an attack, she pushed her blade into his back and twisted it. The man cried out and fell to his knees, which was the opportunity Sol-leks had been waiting for. As the wolf went for his throat, the other assassin came for Emma again. As he jabbed his sword towards her, the half-elf tried to spin away, but she wasn’t fast enough and the blade caught her in the side. It hurt a lot, and she cried out, but she tried not to think about the pain as she turned to face him again.

Hearing his mistress cry in pain, her wolf companion turned away from the dying man and ran between the legs of the live one, catching him on the back of the knees and causing him to fall backwards. As he fell, Emma darted forward and her blade found his throat. He collapsed on the ground, struggled to get up again and then drew his final breath, a pool of blood gradually spreading out around him.

The half-elf staggered backwards, leaning against a tree for support as she touched her side, wincing in pain. The sword had cut through her shirt, her leather armour and gone quite deeply into her skin. It hurt a lot and when she took her hand away, she wasn’t surprised to see that it was covered in blood. Whether such a wound would be fatal she wasn’t certain, but she was aware that it was bleeding heavily and she wasn’t taking any chances. She had no healing potions, neither on her nor at the cabin, but Kane’s house was near. If she woke him and Edwin, she knew that they would help her.

“Come on, Sol-leks,” she said weakly, pushing herself up. “Let’s go and find Kane.”


Next chapter: Troubled by recent events, Kane makes a suggestion that doesn't go down well with Emma and Benny considers seeking out an old acquaintance…

#2 Guest_ShadowHunter_*

Posted 06 August 2003 - 11:15 PM

hello! i beleive this is the first peice of yours that ive read, and you can count on me reading more! i liked it a lot, and thought it a good and dramatic 1st chapter. the plot sucks u in, and although i found the relationships a little confusing, i think as the sttory progresses, i can get em straight. i hope ya put chapter 2 up soon!

-sh

#3 Guest_Theodur_*

Posted 08 August 2003 - 06:02 PM

Wearily the half-elf dragged herself out of bed and reached for her clothes. Sol-leks lay where he was and watched her as she dressed, then jumped up and followed her as she went into the kitchen, playfully batting his head against her leg. Emma knelt down to scratch him behind the ears and sighed again as she looked around her at the small cabin occupied by herself, her wolf companion and, when he was around, her husband. As much as she loved her job and her home, when she was younger she had never imagined that her life would have turned out like it had.


Heh, Theo and Jaheira also planned to settle in Imnesvale... I wonder how and if ToB will change their plans.

A year had passed since the Bhaalspawn war and four of Bhaal’s children had survived, although Sarevok had left them to travel. The remaining three had stayed very close, however. Kane, the oldest who had been born and raised in the slums of Athkatla had a small house in Imnesvale, so that he could be near her. He lived with Edwin Odesseiron, his lover who had been a Red Wizard before he had chosen to turn away from the life he had once known in order to have a life with Kane. And with his lover’s help, the Bhaalspawn, once known across the land for some of his evil deeds, was trying hard to put the past behind him. Things had been difficult for them from the moment their relationship had begun, Edwin’s exile from Thay, his family’s protests, but they had always gotten through it, each challenge only serving to make their love stronger.


Heh, Imnesvale is pretty far from Thay and Elvira's wrath... I guess Kane can be pretty relaxed.

Imoen, the youngest of the siblings, had married Anomen Delryn who served in the Order and the two lived comfortably in the Government District of Athkatla. Their courtship had gone smoothly and the marriage was a happy one, Imoen was more than happy to give up adventuring and stay at home and there had recently been talk of the two having children. Emma liked Anomen well enough, Kane hated him and he in turn hated Kane, but they tolerated each other for Imoen’s sake and the former wizard kept in frequent contact with her older brother and sister. Although she had suffered greatly before and after Irenicus and the Bhaalspawn war, and this had damped her spirit somewhat, she was the one who was most willing to forget the past and look to the future.


I suppose Im and Ano do make sense as a couple.

Keeping constant watch over the three, always on hand to offer them help and advice, was Jaheira, the half-elf who had travelled with Emma and Imoen from the very beginning and viewed them and Kane as her children, and her husband Benny. Benny, known as Scarface by many, was one of the most skilled and deadly assassins to walk Faerun, not to mention a former Shadow Thief and a shapeshifter, due to his father having been a demon of some sort. He had once been Kane’s teacher and had soon come to look upon the young man as his son, in the same way that Kane viewed the assassin as his father. He and Jaheira, both with years of experience behind them, had slipped easily into the role of parents and, although they had made a home for themselves at the Druid Grove near Trademeet, they spent most of their time travelling around spending time with Emma, Imoen and Kane in turn. Emma was fond of them both and was particularly close to Jaheira, although the druid had disagreed with many of the choices the young half elf had made over the years, she had always been there for her, helping but never judging.


Heh. So many nice couples around, but this one has got to be my favorite. :P

She shook her head quickly, banishing the memories of her former lover that threatened to surface, knowing that if she thought about him, tears would quickly follow. He had been with her and Imoen right from the beginning, when they were just two frightened girls alone in a world they hadn’t known, doing his best to protect them. They had become friends and, after a time, friendship had turned to love. Until Spellhold, when Irenicus had killed him in front of her and all she had been able to do was watch as the elf she loved had died a slow and painful death.


Aww... :wink: Kivan's not exaclty my favorite, but still... aww...

The half-elf staggered backwards, leaning against a tree for support as she touched her side, wincing in pain. The sword had cut through her shirt, her leather armour and gone quite deeply into her skin. It hurt a lot and when she took her hand away, she wasn’t surprised to see that it was covered in blood. Whether such a wound would be fatal she wasn’t certain, but she was aware that it was bleeding heavily and she wasn’t taking any chances. She had no healing potions, neither on her nor at the cabin, but Kane’s house was near. If she woke him and Edwin, she knew that they would help her.


“Come on, Sol-leks,” she said weakly, pushing herself up. “Let’s go and find Kane.”


Neat battle scenes... and so starts another adventure, I guess. Mind you, Theo and Jaheira would probably want to spent at least a peaceful decade without adventuring after all ToB mess is over.

Nice start. I always enjoy post-ToB sories :wink:

#4 Guest_Silver_*

Posted 09 August 2003 - 08:40 AM


Wearily the half-elf dragged herself out of bed and reached for her clothes. Sol-leks lay where he was and watched her as she dressed, then jumped up and followed her as she went into the kitchen, playfully batting his head against her leg. Emma knelt down to scratch him behind the ears and sighed again as she looked around her at the small cabin occupied by herself, her wolf companion and, when he was around, her husband. As much as she loved her job and her home, when she was younger she had never imagined that her life would have turned out like it had.


Heh, Theo and Jaheira also planned to settle in Imnesvale... I wonder how and if ToB will change their plans.


It'll be interesting to see. :roll:


A year had passed since the Bhaalspawn war and four of Bhaal’s children had survived, although Sarevok had left them to travel. The remaining three had stayed very close, however. Kane, the oldest who had been born and raised in the slums of Athkatla had a small house in Imnesvale, so that he could be near her. He lived with Edwin Odesseiron, his lover who had been a Red Wizard before he had chosen to turn away from the life he had once known in order to have a life with Kane. And with his lover’s help, the Bhaalspawn, once known across the land for some of his evil deeds, was trying hard to put the past behind him. Things had been difficult for them from the moment their relationship had begun, Edwin’s exile from Thay, his family’s protests, but they had always gotten through it, each challenge only serving to make their love stronger.


Heh, Imnesvale is pretty far from Thay and Elvira's wrath... I guess Kane can be pretty relaxed.


Yeah...unless Eddie's parents decide to come visiting. :shock:


Imoen, the youngest of the siblings, had married Anomen Delryn who served in the Order and the two lived comfortably in the Government District of Athkatla. Their courtship had gone smoothly and the marriage was a happy one, Imoen was more than happy to give up adventuring and stay at home and there had recently been talk of the two having children. Emma liked Anomen well enough, Kane hated him and he in turn hated Kane, but they tolerated each other for Imoen’s sake and the former wizard kept in frequent contact with her older brother and sister. Although she had suffered greatly before and after Irenicus and the Bhaalspawn war, and this had damped her spirit somewhat, she was the one who was most willing to forget the past and look to the future.


I suppose Im and Ano do make sense as a couple.


*nods* I thought they fitted together well. And I though it was time I did something nice for Anomen for a change.


Keeping constant watch over the three, always on hand to offer them help and advice, was Jaheira, the half-elf who had travelled with Emma and Imoen from the very beginning and viewed them and Kane as her children, and her husband Benny. Benny, known as Scarface by many, was one of the most skilled and deadly assassins to walk Faerun, not to mention a former Shadow Thief and a shapeshifter, due to his father having been a demon of some sort. He had once been Kane’s teacher and had soon come to look upon the young man as his son, in the same way that Kane viewed the assassin as his father. He and Jaheira, both with years of experience behind them, had slipped easily into the role of parents and, although they had made a home for themselves at the Druid Grove near Trademeet, they spent most of their time travelling around spending time with Emma, Imoen and Kane in turn. Emma was fond of them both and was particularly close to Jaheira, although the druid had disagreed with many of the choices the young half elf had made over the years, she had always been there for her, helping but never judging.


Heh. So many nice couples around, but this one has got to be my favorite. :cry:


*grins* Now why am I not surprised?


She shook her head quickly, banishing the memories of her former lover that threatened to surface, knowing that if she thought about him, tears would quickly follow. He had been with her and Imoen right from the beginning, when they were just two frightened girls alone in a world they hadn’t known, doing his best to protect them. They had become friends and, after a time, friendship had turned to love. Until Spellhold, when Irenicus had killed him in front of her and all she had been able to do was watch as the elf she loved had died a slow and painful death.


Aww... :lol: Kivan's not exaclty my favorite, but still... aww...


I know. :( It was very upsetting for Emma.


“Come on, Sol-leks,” she said weakly, pushing herself up. “Let’s go and find Kane.”


Neat battle scenes... and so starts another adventure, I guess.


Of course! :wink:

Mind you, Theo and Jaheira would probably want to spent at least a peaceful decade without adventuring after all ToB mess is over.


I can't say I blame them after everything they've been through...but Emma and Kane prefer having some quest to do or puzzle to solve. :lol:

Benny: And I'd go crazy if I couldn't go out and kill people now and then. It's a good thing Jaheira accepts that I love being an assassin...otherwise we could have problems.

Nice start. I always enjoy post-ToB sories :D


Glad to hear it. Thanks for commenting. :lol:

Silver

#5 Guest_Silver_*

Posted 12 August 2003 - 08:32 AM

hello! i beleive this is the first peice of yours that ive read, and you can count on me reading more! i liked it a lot, and thought it a good and dramatic 1st chapter. the plot sucks u in, and although i found the relationships a little confusing, i think as the sttory progresses, i can get em straight. i hope ya put chapter 2 up soon!


Thanks for commenting and I'm glad you liked it. :)

Silver




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