Never Again (Nelor Dy'nei)
-
_The tall dark elf sat quietly against the rail of the ship. They were 2 days out of Cimbar and he wondered if the Captain knew of his extra passengers. He doubted it since they were ghosts. He looks up at the sixteen shadowy figures. Even here, over the sounds of the waves on the hull he can hear their littany. "Never again" is the only sound they make. He had hoped they would leave him once he had found Her.
He had found her in a tavern in Cimbar. Fiona. She had dyed her hair but he knew her instantly. She was talking with a sailor, and he thought first to confront her, but decided to wait. Watching her from a shadowy corner he saw her slip some powder in the sailors drink. Then she whispered something to him and got up heading for the door. She was halfway across the room when the sailor collapsed onto the table. Immediately two men scooped the sailor up and slipped out the back door. Rising slowly, Nelor followed Fiona out the front.
He can still picture her standing in the moonlight, accepting the purse from the hooded figure and laughing at how easy it was to snatch these lonely men. A dark rage began to build as he followed her down an alley. He might never have learned to be a ranger, but he could still move quietly when he needed to. She suddenly turned and he saw th glint of steel in her hands, and then the sudden look of fear when she recognized him. He tried to block out the sound of him striking her, but it was as much a part of his memory as what followed.
Eventually she told him everything. Who had hired them, how it was supposed to be a total massacre. It seemed to bother him more that she had no remorse over murdering all of them then it did knowing she left him alive as a scapegoat. Even knowing that it was justice did not ease the dark spot on his soul when he killed her. And still the shadowy figures watched and chanted "Never again"_
(Flash forward several weeks)
_Nelor follows the elves deep into a cavern. He can hear the calls of kobolds and lizards echoing on the damp walls. As they walk along he studies his companions, Lady Amabael the Coran. Her mate Therean cleric of Airdrie. A half-elf scout named Lady Ardent. And of course his own sixteen ever present shadows. Suddenly as they come around a corner a kobold mage casts a spell on Amabael! She is frozen and the kobolds spring their trap, surrounding her with warriors and sneaks! The chant of his shadow companions becomes a scream that joins with his own shout of "NEVER AGAIN!" And he throws himself between the lizards and his Coran. Swinging wildly he is not even aware of Thereans attempts to keep him healed as he battles to give Lady Amabael time to recover. Then, as quickly as it began it is over. The kobolds lay dead all around him, the small bodies twisted and slashed. Looking over his shoulder he sees his Coran safe and sound and breathes a sigh of relief.
It is then that he notices a change. The continous littany of his shadows has lessened for the first time in years. He looks to them and peering into the darkness of the cave he can only count fifteen. He then wonders to himself if it will be a life for a life. Is it possible that he can someday have blessed silence and be able to put them to final rest?_
(Flash forward a few months)
Nelor walks along the streets of Peltarch. Alone but for his shadows. When something strange happens. As he approaches the group of elves in the commons, the shadows seem to fade. With a smile he knows without even looking that she will be there. Somehow she can force them back without even knowing they are there. Looking down he juggles the bag of chocolates and enters the ring of the commons, leaving his shadows waiting on the outside, alone.
-
_The steady tread of the parties footsteps echo down the long hallways of the crypt. In the distance you can almost hear the dried out rustling footsteps of the undead. But much closer Nelor suddenly hears the heavy tread of an undead giant. The party closes upon it, fighting gallantly to put it to rest, when he sees a pair of skeleton warriors rushing up from behind it. He dashes around the giant to engage and slow down the skeletons, trying to buy time for the others. To late he realizes how outclassed he is by the skeleton leader. But as he looks back, preparing to withdraw and give the fiend some space, he sees Lady Elena, Priestess of Ilmater. He knows he cannot withdraw and lead the undead beast near her so ha stands firm. Trying to be the wall that stands between them and evil. But he was not skilled enough.
Slowly he opens his eyes and realizes he is in the fugue plain. He can see cassius standing there and all he is able to do is whisper a prayer that the others are safe. Then from above a winged being arrives. She looks like an angel. A first. Her words are designed to tempt him, she tells him how he might never see ardent again. How he could be more powerfull than ever. Thats when Casius warns him that she is an Eryines. Nelor knows there is no way he could ever make a deal with evil such as this. There is no way he would ever become somethng that his Love would despise. No way he could ever betray his Goddess. Finally the devil gives up in frustration. He breathes a sigh of relief and turns to the large skeleton to talk about wine and kabobs. After a time his freinds are able to call him back. He awakens in the temple of Chauntea, weaker but maybe wiser._
_Or maybe not.
As he walks to the South gate with Lady ashena, for some quiet guard duty he realizes he has no potions left. But before he can turn around a massive horde of undead strike! Zombies, skeletons, archers mages priests and ghouls. They battle on and on. Lence was the first to fall. When the colossal zombies strode through the gates, Nelor was the second.
He awakens again in that grey lifeless place, he is not alone. He spends some time speaking to Lence untill without warning the eryines reappears. This time to tempt Lence. She caled Nelor a "nosy elf" when he warns Lence of what she truly is. Finally she leaves again. No souls for her this day.
Another arrives from the battle, Lady Talindra. She is silent and morose. Nelor leaves her be. And then, yet again a winged visitor descends on the place of rest. This time an Archon of Kelemvor. She warns that they are under attack. And attack it is, a Balor. Thye all rush to do battle, even though they have no weapons. He strikes it but cannot harm it. The balor grabs the Archon and vanishes with her. All they can do is fume in impotent anger. They all know what her fate will be in the abyss.
Finally after what seems like ages, he is drawn once more to the temple of Chauntea. He has nothing this time. But soon Elder Raldor takes him to recover the rest of his gear. It is just in time for an even more massive attack than before. Almost he falls a third time. Almost. But they do prevail, and with the morning light the prayers of the Lathanderits in the temple reach out and removes the evil fog. For one more day the town is safe._
-
_Nelor walks into Norwick. Striding down the main street he scans the area with a critical eye, noticing that there were still to many people left to evacuate. In the distance he sees Ardent speaking to Elder Raryldor. With a glad smile he approaches them only to stop in shock at Ardent's first words to him.
"Nelor! Elder Rarydor has agreed to marry us. Now. Today." she smiles hesitantly at him as if unsure how he will respond. " After the attack today I have decided that if I die it will be as Ardent Dy'nei."
He stood there stunned for a heartbeat. The a smiles spreads across his face as he takes her into his arms and kisses her.
"Then why are we standing here. Will the Hereos bluff be a good spot for you?" he asks quietly. Turning to Rayldor he smiles and thanks him as the three walk north out of town.
Somehow word seems to spread and by the time they arrive some of their closest and dearest freinds had gathered. Imril, Victoria, Beourn and Gnarl. Dermin of course, looking twice the man he use to. These people who had fought beside them. Who had lived and died beside them. These were all that either Ardent or Nelor needed. He whispers to Ardent that he had nothing prepared, nothing for her as a gift. And she smiles and tells him he was gift enough.
The simplest words, sworn as an oath born of genuine love are all they need to forge their new bond. A quiet prayer from Elder Raryldor, and it was done. He marveled as he looks into her eyes and whispers in her native tounge,
"Ardent Dy'nei. Now that name fits you"_
-
The rains washed down in sheets, making it almost impossible to see the far side of the bridge. Nelor did not mind. If he could not see the far side, then the goblin mages could not see him. For hours now he had stood in the center of this blood drenched bridge. Wave after wave of foolish goblins had thrown themselves on his blade. At times Kache had almost howled as it sliced methodicaly through the bodies of the mishapen beasts. Sometimes he stood alone, and other times his friends stood with him. Occasionally, just when he thought he must fall from his wounds, Therean would be there with his calm voice, healing him so he could continue his battle.
_He steals a worried glance to the north. Ardent and Lady Uniel had run off that way to stop a group of goblins that had tried to flank them. How he wished he could have ran with them. But it would have left only archers to hold the bridge. He had a job as much as Ardent did. All he could do was whisper a silent prayer to Sehanine to watch over her. Turning his attention back to the bridge he saw the next wave coming. It was the largest yet, and he had no archer support. They were all to the east fighting off the hordes trying to flank them. Taking a quick deep breath he wiped the rain from his eyes and held his runed tower shield at the ready.
With the sound of smashing thunder the screaming mob slammed into him! He was able to hold them at first. With deft cuts and jabs he made them pay for every inch they gained. The rocks of the bridge became soaked in blood and gore. He knew he just had to hold them long enough for the others to come. Then, as his foot slipped in a pile of steaming entrails, he saw an elite raise its sword to strike! He knew he would not get his blade around in time. And then, as the sun broke through the clouds, an arrow with familiar fletching sprouted from the goblins eye! The air was abuzz with the sounds of her arrows. Risking a look back he saw her there, shooting with that smooth fast rapid motion only she was capable of.
"Did you miss me?" she asked him with a grin. Never once pausing in her deadly barrage."Always" was his only response as he turned back to the battle.
Within a matter of minutes the last of the goblins fell to lay in its own gore. His breath heaving from the strain he could not help but feel some measure of pride. He had held to his duty. And as Ardent walked up to take his hand, he watched in silent awe as the last of his shadows faded away. Looking around the scene of the battle and noticing that his friends were alive he gave her hand a slight squeeze and smiled._
"One battle at a time."
-
He kneels in silent meditation beneath the full moon. As he does so he thinks of his family. His friends. And what is yet to come. Lifting his face to the silvery light he smiles faintly and says quietly,
"Thank you my Lady. Thank you for showing me the way. For helping me to find a way to protect her when that day comes. Although I pray it never does"
He spends the rest of the Hallowing singing soft hymns of praise to his goddess.
-
He looks at the scars on his arm, a long series of cuts that resemble chevrons on a uniform. With a smile he pulls his sleeve down and covers them up. He knows he will never need to make another.
"She made me promise, and I will keep that promise." he has a rare smile on his face as he walks the back alleys of Peltarch. His obvious attempts at being quiet failing miserably he starts to sing a tune quietly to himself ,
When I heard you, whisper my name
I heard freedom, break its chain
I heard a heart beat, where once no sound remained
I heard angels, rise and praise
When I heard you, whisper my name((And yes I did steal this from a real song, but I am a terrible poet!
-
Nellor stands along the shore of the swamp that borders Peltarchs south gates. For the first time in months he is surrounded by his shadows. He counts them with a ruefull grin.
"Welcome back old friends, did you miss me? Well I did not miss you at all."
He turns with a quiet sigh and heads west of the city, to a place that seemed made for worshipping his Silver Lady. As he enters the circle his shadowy companions halt. They do not follow him in. Turning to the east he looks up at the full moon and falls upon his knees.
"My dear Lady of Mysteries!" he prays into the night, " Watch over her, help her find some way to do her duty and yet not lose faith. She is strong as steel, yet even the strongest steel can become brittle with stress. And please forgive me if you think what I might do is wrong. I can see as she does, that sometimes someone must make great sacrifices so others may live."
For hours he keeps the Hallowing, praying for all of those who travel and ward the land. Hoping that someone comes up with a better plan. As the dawn approaches he climbs wearily to his feet and returns to the dark dirty streets of Peltarch. While still out of earshot of the guards he whispers,
"Gods I hate this town."
