Just One Night Chapter 7

Torio and Kana had fallen asleep on a couch in a corner of the lounge.  Bevil sat near the fireplace, absently prodding at the small fire with the poker, his heart with his friend from the mere.  The kobold Deekin sat glumly near him, no songs or stories on his mind, his usually glittering black eyes dull and resigned.  There were two clerics reading their tomes on the far side of the room, comforting their anxieties with familiar words and prayers.  

Nevalle and his King sat at a small table away from the others.

"I feel at a loss here, Nevalle," said the King softly.  "These people look up to me for comfort and protection and I can do little for them here but stand at their side and wait with them."

Nevalle nodded slowly.  "I know the feeling milord, but the mere fact that you are here with them gives them comfort.  I know it does so for me."

Lord Nasher clapped his knight on the shoulder.  "You have been a good and loyal subject to me, Nevalle, as well as a friend.  I have great faith in the Knight Captain and the chosen companions, but it is unrealistic of me to think that they can all return to us alive."  

There was sadness in the older man's eyes as he looked at the younger man.  Nevalle looked down at the table, then over at the sleeping women.

"Aye milord, its a painful truth.  They are all capable warriors in their own way.  The Knight Captain has proven time and time again that courage and perseverance leads to victory.  I admire them; how many would willingly sacrifice themselves to follow a friend for the greater good?  Every one of them believes in what they are doing," here Nevalle's eyes rested on Torio.  

"Even at great personal cost."

"Indeed, we are blessed to have souls like these in our midst."  

Lord Nasher stood and walked to a decorative table not far from Kana and Torio.  He picked up a crystal goblet and poured himself some elven wine.  As he sipped, Torio moaned softly in her sleep and he heard her whisper Sand.  Beside her, the dark haired Captain of the Guard gave the other woman's hand a comforting squeeze, her eyes never opening.

By the gods, his heavy heart spoke.  Let them return alive.  Let some joy deliver us from these dark times.

Suddenly there was a commotion, and an excited, wild eyed young man burst into the room.  He wore the uniform of the Neverwinter watch, and he headed straight for Lord Nasher, in his excitement almost forgetting to bow in respect.

"Milord!  Milord you must come see!"  he was breathless, pointing toward the door he had just entered from.

Kana and Torio sat up groggily with a puzzled glance at one another.  Bevil and Deekin turned and the clerics raised their heads from their tomes.  Lord Nasher lay his glass on the table and looked down at the watchman.

"You are one of my trusted subjects, I take it?"

"Most certainly milord, Travan Garsus at your command I am under orders from Captain Turalto to patrol the Keep perimeter!  Please, you...all of you!  Come see!  The darkness...outside!"

Lord Nasher recognized the names and nodded curtly, gesturing to Nevalle who quickly spoke to the others.

"I will lead the way with Watchman Garsus, if you wish to follow please do so."

The young watchman and Nevalle headed out of the room, down the hall and through the war room.  From there, the young man led them to a tower, up a set of winding stairs to the parapet.  

As they reached the top and stepped outside, Torio saw Sand's robe, still lying where it had fallen from her shoulders that wonderful night.  

With a strangled cry, she ran to it, falling to her knees and gathering it into her arms, pressing her face into the soft folds, the cool of the air not completely masking his scent which still clung to it.  Trembling, she sat there holding it close.  

A strong hand on her shoulder made her look up.

"Torio...look, child...see..."  Lord Nasher was gazing upward.  Every head turned to the sky.

The smoky greyness which had covered the sun was moving.  There was a roiling in the heavens as though a wind was fighting the fog which occluded the sky.  As the assembled company watched, the greyness thinned.  Down below, the strange slithering lurking shadows began to recede as though pulled back into the horizon.  The disturbing hissing that had been prevalent for so many weeks faded until it was no more.  The sun was suddenly beating down upon them as though it had never been gone, the sound of birds resounded through the trees.

Tremulous hands sought one another's as realization dawned on them.

The King of Shadows had been destroyed.

They were victorious.