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The Rest of the Story	By : Anesor Category: +M through R > Neverwinter Nights Views: 2558 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Neverwinter Nights nor the characters from the game, and I make no money from this.

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Certain major characters are not mine, you should know which my now. Language and other stuff warning, just to be safe...

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Parts Unknown - - -

--- Casavir

“Know that it was the power of the Illefarn revenant that reclaimed this complex from the swamp,” Zhjaeve intoned from the floor.

As it often did during stressful moments, it took me seconds to translate that into more common speech.

Even as I had, my Lady Commander began shouting, “Run for his damn gate! We're down too far!”

I was glad to see everyone surviving starting to move, along with ominous rumbling from the dimness of the stone ceiling of the chamber. Khelgar was carrying Zhjaeve. Grobnar was having to make a bigger effort to avoid more of falling rocks. My lady slowed, scooped him up and tossed him towards the glowing arch in the flat of the wall, where he disappeared. The others were still running, but I had slowed to protect her, looking upward with half my attention.

Even so, a boulder the size of my head rolled from the side of my path, nearly tripping me. The rumbling and impacts of ever larger rocks were all around us.

The Commander shouted from somewhere behind me, “Damn it! Keep moving, you idiot! I run faster, but I can't heal Zhjaeve!”

She was only a step behind me, and I could hear her breathing as I leapt through just after Sand. The githzerai was hurt badly, worse than the rest of us as she had been the other focus for the king's attacks.

I was ashamed that I'd had to be reminded of that duty, but so glad to hear the Commander entering the gate just after me.

When my vision cleared, I found myself in what looked to be a small clearing in an untouched forest.

Alone.

No one else was here. No Grobnar, no Khelgar, no Sand, I was the only one of us. Turning, I saw no gate either. Most importantly to me, no Commander was here.

I sank to my knees in exhaustion, to pray. I didn't know where I was, but that didn't matter right now. My prayers would reach Him wherever I'd appeared. It looked like my prayers were the only way I could help them now. Closing my eyes, I said a prayer for each of them, worried about their injuries, and hoped they'd arrived in some safe harbor.

My throat tight, I said another prayer for her: my commander, my lady, my hopes of something more.

Great , we defeated our foe, let it pass, let it pass.

Once I was done, I stood and looked around the clearing again. It looked to be very old forest, with many trees having truly immense trunks. The daytime warmth was comfortable for this time of year, and there was already fresh, green growth visible, that said I was nowhere near the damaged Mere.

Without my even noticing, one of the shadows of the trees had moved out and be revealed as an elf, in the same colors as the forest, dull browns, grays, and greens leeched of life. Only a few ribbons or cords showed brighter green or yellow.

“What business brings you here, human?” the elf asked levelly.

“No business. I was escaping through a gate with my friends, when I appeared here,” I said, bowing. “I have no wish to trespass.”

Eyes narrowed, the elf almost spat, “Where are these friends of yours? I will not have clumsy and greedy humans harming our forest.”

“They did not arrive here as I did, sir,” I said, hoping to calm this a bit. “I wish I knew where they were.”

After a few minutes of looking at each other, he announced, “Very well, the elders will wish to question you. Follow me.”

I found myself lagging behind, even in the short distance it took to reach the shade of another massive tree.

He only said, “Stay,” before disappearing into the brush.

With a small smile at his phrasing, I settled to clean off and to check myself. I ached and still had many small wounds, but my padding had soaked up most of the blood. I used my last healing potion and last spells. I would probably need a new set of padding when I reached shops again, unless I could persuade a mage to use mending magics. I still had some minor injuries, but time would take care of them well enough until I could heal them. Once I was done with that, I took care of my weapons. Sipping the stale water from the skin, I looked around again. This may be a long wait if this was a purely elven settlement, especially as many did not care to treat with humans. The sunset didn't look that far away, so I decided to remain awake.

Packing up again, I knelt. I thanked again for his help and protection.

Great , the Shadow on the land is gone, let it pass, let it pass.

With one more prayer for the Commander and my lonely hope, I simply meditated for a time.

“Human,” spoke what seemed to be the same elf.

Looking up, I nodded and stood.

“The elders wish to speak to you,” he said again.

Suddenly I noticed perhaps eight elves came out of the trees to encircle me, two of whom looked old, even for elves.

The first elf faded out of sight, and one of the elder ones spoke, “Human, speak truthfully, so to explain why you are intruding in our lands.”

I bowed to her, wishing I had learned more about the People and their traditions. “What do you wish to know?”

“How could filthy humans make a gate into a hidden settlement, such as this?” one elven woman asked angrily. “Is this a prelude to yet another slow destruction of our woods in the name of farmers and ticks making a writhing mass in these cities?”

I sighed, “No, ma'am. I have no idea where I am, nor do I wish any harm on you or yours.”

“Liar!” shouted a young looking elf. He looked to be my age, likely closer to a century.

“No, I am one of 's hands. I cannot give false testimony,” I could feel my voice deepening with offense, and took another breath. “The gate was an old one, recently reactivated, in the remains of an Illefarn space. We only knew it was a chance to escape an underground collapse.”

“Were you in an Illefarn graveyard to explore and loot, human?” the female elf asked.

Shaking my head, I explained, “No, a revenant Illefarn Guardian, now styling itself the King of Shadows, was creating shadow armies. It was killing anything living in its path, trying to make a kingdom of shadows, wherever there were once Illefarn lands. One battle had already taken place at Crossroad Keep, but it had not been decisive before we pursued him.”

The young male laughed derisively, and started to say something.

But the female elder said a curt command in elvish, and he subsided.

Not knowing their language and custom made being diplomatic that much more difficult, so I prayed for more tact and patience. As well as the Commander's safety.

Great , she won her glory over the beast, let it pass, let it pass.

“Just where did this take place, young paladin?” the older male asked quietly.

“Sir, the Mere of Dead Men. Elanee told us it is also known as Meredelain, I believe.” I was concerned that they didn't know of the Mere or may not care about more human settlements, especially with their possibly great distance away.

A wash of stillness swept through them when I said this, though. Followed by a storm of discussion in elvish. I waited, quietly, trying not to worry. After a time, the discussion ended, and the younger firebrand had been chastised. Beyond that, I could not tell what they spoke on. I discreetly studied them, but could discern little, as they were so closed to me.

Then the questioning began in earnest, when they wanted to know about the Guardian and what he became. They also wanted to know of the battles and skirmishes before that, and if I would be reporting to any of their people. I mentioned Elanee and Sand to them, and that they both were alive when we escaped through the gate. Some additional questions about both of them, and they seemed to know of her, if not him by that name. The firebrand had been especially irritated that I did not know his formal name.

The questions ended once I began to have difficulties staying awake. The elder woman apologized, and I was led to a sheltered spot at the foot of one of the trees.

In the morning after my prayers, I noticed some wrapped food and a waterskin near me. Once my armor was again in place, the elf who originally met me, led me back to the clearing where some of the elders were still present.

A few more questions about the war, and they released me again to the escort of that terse one I'd originally met. He was fuming the entire time he led me to a stream. When asked if I might wash and replenish my waterskin, he snapped something that probably was a curse and waved me to the water, before melting into the trees.

The water was fresh and cool, with enough of a slope that it burbled nicely, making me smile at better memories and conversations. After quickly washing, I decided more thorough cleaning would have to wait. Remembering Sand's comments on scents, I suspected I was offensive, but I did not want to travel with everything wet. With the scout-guard's opinion clear, I was sure I would not be allowed to stay long. I mentally marked the stream, as following it should lead me to other settlements. After a time, my escort returned and led me back to what looked to be the same clearing, but there were only three elders there now. The two eldest, and a younger female wearing all browns in the forest shadows.

The two elders were facing me when I entered the clearing, and my escort melted away again. A short statement from the female elder and he came into view again. His face had that completely blank look of someone in a rage.

The male elder nodded to me, and said, “We thank you for sharing this news with us freely. What would you ask?”

“I would appreciate any help you would offer to help me to return to Neverwinter,” I answered carefully. “I am concerned about my comrades, and do not know if any of the Shadowking's armies are still a threat. Can you tell me where I am?”

Scornfully, my escort said, “This is the High Forest. Perhaps the closest location that you may have heard of is Hellgate Keep.”

I shook my head, feeling almost a flash of despair at how far away I was. I could not keep my pledges from here. Saddened, I said only, “I have heard of this forest, but have not really left the Sword Coast before.” It was late Ches, and I had no idea how long it would take to return.

The female elder added more warmly, “If you are careful and travel swiftly, you may return by Greengrass. We are concerned about this Guardian that was supposed to have been destroyed. So we will send escorts to help your travel through our lands, and they are to discover the fate of the Guardian's army before they return. Cephirra and... Roncletius will travel as our eyes.”

My escort burst out with an objection in elvish, but there was no discussion from the elders, only a stern silence. Fuming again he came forward, as did the female who'd been in the shadows of the clearing.

When she came out, I realized that she was half-elven. A hard road indeed, with the bias I'd seen here.

It was only late morning still. They left me briefly and came back with packs, and so our journey began with that little fuss.

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High Forest - - -

The female was Cephirra, and she almost chattered as we walked. Roncletius stayed further away and I rarely saw him during the day. I'd been startled when a wolf came up to her, but she spoke cheerfully with him as well. It was quickly clear that they both were rangers, but it seemed odd to deal with a cheerful and talkative one. As terse as Roncletius was, he still wasn't as bad as Bishop on a good day.

“What was that face about, Casavir?” Cephirra asked.

Regretful I was not controlling myself better in company, I said, “I was remembering someone who betrayed the Commander.”

Curious, she asked, “Surely that is his or her wrong to avenge?”

“His actions nearly lost the battle and war. I still don't understand why she ordered us to stand down,” I spoke, being careful not to raise my voice.

Cephirra said complacently, “As far as I've heard, Commanders usually have their reasons. Unless she was an incompetent one?”

I shook my head vehemently, “No, not that.”

The elf made no other comment and I was glad, as I didn't want to have to admit to a near stranger what I was really feeling. I'd been more than half afraid he got his escape because they'd been lovers. But his rambling later was as much frustration as insane anger, and her face had been frighteningly blank. So I was feeling nearly as guilty for that suspicion, as I'd felt jealousy before. Guilt and a spark of joy that she hadn't chosen him. Sorrow that she hadn't chosen me either.

She'd said then wasn't the time, but that sounded like a compassionate 'no' far too much. Elondra had been only a silhouette against the night sky that night, but I knew she could see me better than I saw her. I knew she was more akin to the night, but it didn't seem that important in the light of her spirit. She had a good heart, and helped the others with their own interests or to stay out of trouble. For Neeshka, she usually diverted her with something fun and harmless, like a bet or some copper gambling, with Grobnar she was just patient.

On the battlements, I finally was able to ask her what was in my heart, hoping even, perhaps, to make a more formal declaration at the same time. It came out poorly enough, despite my planning, and my hopes rose a bit as she swayed a trifle.

But that hope was dashed by the gentle 'no' phrased as 'not now.' I didn't need to see her gray eyes to know she wasn't being cruel, I could hear it in her voice and feel it in the very quick hug, before she ran off for a faint call for her from below.

But there'd never been time after that, to ask more, and now I was afraid it was too late. I said another prayer for her and then for all my friends, as I thought about the great costs of the war while we walked.

Great Tyr, she paid for the blade in heart's blood, let it pass, let it pass.

The next day, we stumbled upon some bugbears. They weren't that much of a threat, but Roncletius was swearing when he got back, and actually apologized for missing them. Cephirra said something stinging in elvish, and he stayed much closer after that. It wasn't until after that, that I discovered that his companion was a falcon.

I had ample time as we walked to think about more than the final days and wish I'd spoken earlier. Would her answer have been different?

Another few days, and we were finally out of the forest, generally heading southwest. He had a map with notation in elvish and some symbols I wasn't familiar with. With that, I could see we hadn't yet covered much more than a quarter of the distance. We reached another road, but this time we began to follow it and traveled more quickly.

“What settlement are we approaching?” I asked Cephirra.

“A place called Yartar,” Roncletius answered snidely from behind me. “There is no better crossing of the river, for one with the metal shell you carry.”

He had been a bit more respectful after the bugbears, but I was sure it was no coincidence that we arrived in Yartar late morning with too many hours left until sunset. We passed some trade caravans, and I could hear wild stories about undead destroying Neverwinter, but the traders and guards telling such had been hushed by their companions for believing idle rumors. I paid our toll at the river, and soon we left the road again.

I suspected Roncletius thought I would plead for some rest time in the city, but I really wished we were traveling faster. Even though the days were getting longer and the farms we would pass were already beginning the new season's planting, I still felt suspended between what I knew and what I feared.

As we traveled longer than daylight, I reached a place of numbness, thinking about very little as we walked, just the necessary work of putting one foot in front of another. I also listened for any hint of trouble, but doubted much would get past my escorts and their companions. In the evenings, when Roncletius would turn us to secluded campsites, I had too much time to worry and pray they all were well.

Great Tyr, may we sit peacefully in the sun after, let it pass, let it pass.

A few more days of travel, and the land was getting hillier. For the first time in a long time, I truly knew where I was. Cephirra paused expectantly, and Roncletius appeared from nowhere.

Before he could say it, I did, “Orcs.”

He looked surprised.

I added, while preparing to fight, “I fought them in these hills for too many years to miss their smell. How many?”

“Eight, they seem to be a scouting party,” the elf snarled.

I called Tyr's blessings upon us as soon as they spotted us. Roncletius fought with an oddly familiar snarl against these orcs, while Cephirra stayed out of close combat. With her companion's help as well, it did not take long to fight them off. One of the older ones used that name again, of Katalmach.

While checking the elves for injuries afterwards, I realized that name no longer bothered me. I wasn't lost anymore, I knew where I was and who I wanted to be. If the orcs feared me enough to remember me when I was this long gone, they might think more carefully at molesting other travelers. But this place, these foes, were no longer where I wanted to be.

“They seemed to recognize you,” Roncletius observed dryly.

I paused in my effort to move the bodies aside, to say, “Yes. Two tribes were establishing a foothold near here, when I came to try to stop that. Eventually they were broken, and the well under threat freed. I gained that epithet during those years.”

“Not bad, for a human. It takes them a long time to recognize and remember a threat,” Roncletius said after looting the corpses. “You didn't mention this in your story to the elders.”

“Aside from advisors to stir up their leader, this was not part of the war. It was a storm warning at most,” I admitted. “I had not thought your elders interested in my life story.”

With almost a smile, he divided up the few coins and shiny pebbles the orcs had had.

Now that I knew roughly where I was, I was again lost in thought when we resumed our journey. The blight expanding from the mere had not reached here, so I hoped that meant it had been stopped, and perhaps even reversed. I prayed that the darkness had not corrupted the land. And I prayed for my friends, and my lady Commander.

Great Tyr, may we all find our way back safely, let it pass, let it pass.

That evening, both of the elves were more friendly, asking more about the battles with the orcs, and then the people who'd fought them. Neither of them talkative while walking in strange to them territory, they did talk more when we camped. A couple days later, I realized we were starting to veer south, perhaps towards Leilon. I also realized Cephirra was watching me too much now.

She was lovely, as all elves seemed to be. And like Roncletius, she was in so many shades of brown, from her hair to her leathers. I suspected she was older than me, but she seemed more like a late teen in her movement and outlook. I resolved to be more careful, as this would probably pass quietly and with less embarrassment if I ignored it.

Roncletius seemed amused by it, as if he were a favored uncle.

We reached Leilon nearly three tendays after we'd started. It was obvious now, that the blight had not spread. But this time, I suggested that we visit some taverns to gather some news. They were quiet and let me to the talking.

But I learned little new. Enough people here had seen the edges of the blight, and a few travelers had spread tales of the shadows. But there was no solid information on how the threat was ended. My Lady was mentioned as the general who defended at the Keep, but there was nothing about what happened after that. Just that the blighted area contracted a bit and the undead disappeared or became aimless and easier to defeat.

There were too many rumors about the heroes who valiantly died to stop the menace. I questioned the more egregious rumormongers almost harshly, who would finally admit they didn't know.

Later, leaving on the road to Neverwinter, Roncletius asked, as if idly, “Why didn't you tell them what happened, human?”

Sadly, I said, “I don't really know what happened after the battle. I know I survived, but not what happened to the Commander or the others. Nor do I know anything about the blight or any undead left behind. I could only tell them my speculations and hopes, not what happened.”

Now that I knew where I was, the bigger question was whether I should stop at the Keep for information or go on to Neverwinter itself. The Keep was two or three days away, Neverwinter much the same beyond that by foot. Stopping at the Keep would not add more than a half day to the journey, if I wasn't going to stay. I felt it the best place to start.

As I knew these lands, I was leading more now. They provided food and found us better campsites, but were quiet again, now that they'd heard more about the war.

With each day, some of my prayers had developed into matching my walking pace.

Great Tyr, let it pass.

When I saw the Keep in the distance, still standing, I gave thanks. I was sure she'd try to return here. Her father, her old friend Bevil, her charge, all would call her back. She would also want to see Duncan, but West Harbor was gone and this was her home now. My heart lifting, I decided I would ask her again. She would not have lied, but told me, if there was no hope for me. She had compassion for too many, to lack it for her friends.

Feeling at last serene, the last few miles and the distance up the switchback seemed a mere nothing.

When we reached the outer gate, I found a now healthy Bevil on duty.

The other guards at attention, he saluted, saying, “Welcome back, Com...” and stuttered to a stop.

My heart sinking, I realized that they didn't know where Commander Elondra was either. At a distance, Cephirra might have looked a little like my lady, brown and lithe. But the Sergeant had known Elondra for far too long to be fooled more than a few yards away. Cephirra lacked the Commander's swords, had green eyes, and most obvious was her elven heritage.

Finishing the salute, Bevil said sadly, “Welcome back, Sir Casavir. Most of the others are here in the Keep, and Khelgar and Katriona will be anxious to see you”

Entering the Keep, a tired looking Daeghun paused, and then came up to greet me. Then Roncletius asked him a flurry of questions in intense elvish and I excused myself. They had found another whose words they could heed more easily than mine. Daeghun looked as reserved as ever, but both Roncletius and Cephirra asked many excited questions of him.

I hurried into the Keep, where I found Katriona staying in nearly the same place in the entrance hall that Kana had. She was so glad for someone to report to. I received a brief summary of the Keep's status, remembering with a pang all the times the Commander had been delayed by Kana upon our returns. The Keep was secure and repairs well underway, completion in a matter of months. There had been no increase in banditry, as bandits had taken greater losses from the remaining undead after the battle. Kana had not survived a skirmish shortly after we left, when there were still too many unable to fight for her to stay here. Supplies were holding up well, and most of the civilians had returned for planting and rebuilding.

They'd been hardy enough to come here in the first place.

On and on, no status report had dragged on this long, when all I wanted to do was continue in. I approved her decisions to her great relief, and told her I had been stranded in the High Forest. I also mentioned the two elves, and that they were just here to learn about the war. I asked her to pass on my request that people cooperate.

She was only slightly more senior than Bevil, and she was commanding the Keep right now. Nothing else could demonstrate how short-handed defenses were, both here and in Neverwinter. She was so happy for more experienced advice, I think she forgot I could really only advise her as I wasn't a Greycloak.

All would be well when the Commander returned, I hoped.

My heart remained heavy when I arrived in the Armory and saw my friends. They seemed so few now for what we had accomplished. Khelgar, Neeshka, and Grobnar had been apparently playing cards when I came in the open door. Neeshka squealed and tackled me. Standing, the dwarf and the gnome had not been far behind in their greetings.

I was still getting my back thumped by Khelgar, when Grobnar said solemnly, to my surprise, “Sand is in Neverwinter, waiting there. Elanee and the Commander are alive, according to divinations.”

The other two froze and their chattering stopped.

So began the longest time of my life.

Great Tyr, she paid for the blade in heart's blood, let it pass.

Great Tyr, we defeated our foe, let it pass.

Great Tyr, she won her glory over the beast, let it pass.

Great Tyr, the Shadow on the land is gone, let it pass.

Great Tyr, may we all find our way back safely, let it pass.

Great Tyr, may we sit peacefully in the sun after, let it pass.

Great Tyr, let it pass.

A/N: This was inspired by a poem by Kipling, “Song Of The Men's Side “ as Casavir is very human.
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