Chapter Two

Casavir left the before sunrise the next morning without a word to the others, quietly saddling the giant horse that had been his since Lana had become Knight Captain. He suppressed the memories that clung always close at hand, threatening to choke and engulf him.

Lana said it was only fitting for a paladin to have war horse, laughing that one stud deserved another. He chuckled deeply, happy to not have to walk everywhere anymore and making a lewd comment about covering her mare. She snorted at his uncharacteristic jest before giving him a suggestive waggle of her eyebrows before thundering away on her speckled mare…

He grimly rode his black destrier through Neverwinter Wood in the barely rising sunlight, making his way toward the High Forest and eventually, Cormanthor. He had thought of heading toward Luskan but decided against it. The ranger might have sought out old haunts but would be long gone by now. Casavir reasoned it better to try new roads in hopes that Bishop would seek fresh territory.

Stopping overnight in the small village of Yartar, Casavir stabled his mount at the inn's stables. Casavir took his time currying the weary mount, filling the manger with fresh feed and giving the horse a final stroke on the stallion's forelock before heading into the inn for the night.

The main hall was small and dark, a few beeswax candles lighting the gloomy room. It smelled of old sawdust and even older ale. There were a few men nursing drinks but they only gave Casavir a cursory glance before returning to their brews. Casavir strode heavily to the barkeep to order ale, a room for the night and ask his now-standard list of inquiries about the ranger. The barkeeper had no news but a nearby patron eyed Casavir curiously while the two talked.

"You look familiar. You from Neverwinter?" the man drawled lazily. Casavir nodded as he took a pull from his mug.

"You were that paladin what worked with that rogue. That woman went after the King of Shadows?" Casavir again nodded, but hope unwillingly crept into his mind.

Maybe this man knows something if he recognizes me. He might know about Bishop too.

"You lookin' for that scruffy ranger eh? I've heard'a him. How come yer lookin'?"

Casavir set down his mug, "He killed Lana, the rogue of whom you speak."

"Hmm, I see. Was she yer woman then?"

"Yes, she was. I am seeking the whereabouts of Bishop to…"

"Slit his throat eh? I see. I would too if I were you," the other man said over the edge of his mug. "Ya, I seen him through here, but it's been a bit."

Another curious patron had drawn up to the bar. "That ranger from Neverwinter? He's a hero."

Casavir's jaw clenched tightly. "No, you are mistaken sir. He is a cold blooded killer."

"Nah, he told us all about that tart you called Lana. We sat and had some drinks together, that one and I. Told me all about how she led him on, real piece a work that'un."

"I think you are mistaken sir. Lana never led Bishop on. Of that I assure you."

The second man shook his head in disagreement, his mouth curling downward distastefully. "And yer that uppity paladin he done told me about. Sounds like the two of ya had it comin'. Can't treat a man like that and expect him to just take it. Ranger was right to do what he…"

Before the man could finish his sentence, Casavir grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off of his feet. "I think you might want to think about what you say, sir," Casavir rumbled menacingly.

The man's eyes bugged out of his head as he stared down at Casavir, feet dangling inches above the ground. Unchecked rage flashed in Casavir's flinty blue eyes.

"You're an ass, just like the ranger said," he gasped.

"Don't mind Bob, he's just drunk there bub," the first man chuckled.

Casavir lowered the drunken man to his feet. He stumbled, rubbing his throat and eyeing Casavir warily. "Ranger told me about you and yer little tart. Tol' me what a nice piece a ass she was too," Bob shot under his breath, eyeing Casavir with unconcealed malice.

Casavir roared, slamming his fist into the man's stomach, following it quickly with a hit square into the man's face. Blood spurted from Bob's nose, spraying Casavir as the man staggered, falling with a solid plop onto the sawdust covered floor. Bob clutched pathetically at his pouring nose as Casavir knelt over the man, grabbing a handful of soiled and tattered tunic in one massive hand with other raised in a balled up fist, ready to strike again.

Fear flickered in Bob's eyes as his ale-hazed brain rapidly cleared. He raised one arm across his face to stave off Casavir's attack, the other hand scrambling at his tunic in an attempt to flee. Blood smeared the cowering man's face, running down his features and dripping, unchecked down his tunic over Casavir's clutching fist.

Casavir stopped with arm still raised, his mind making hasty note of the fear in the other man's eyes. With almost shock, Casavir noted the blood dripping over his own clenched fingers.

This is no warrior, just some drunk. He's as terrified as a snared rabbit… Leave him be.

Casavir released Bob's tunic backing away and lowering his hand. He stood looking at the hatred and trepidation on the drunken man's face. Casavir shook his head in disgust- not at Bob but at himself. He turned on his heel abruptly, storming to his room.

The once proud warrior slammed the door angrily behind him, hands hastily fumbling with his sword belts. The buckles jingled under his groping fingers, taunting him with their merry tinkling.

Finally freeing himself from the crossed belts and tossing them to the bed, Casavir hastily crossed the small room to the waiting washbasin. He slopped water into the bowl and with cupped hands, tossed water into his face. Looking up into the small mirror, he saw a stranger staring back at him.

In a moment of clarity, Casavir looked hard at himself. He could no longer recognize himself.

What am I doing? What have I become? This is not what I want… Not what Lana would have wanted.

He slumped onto the edge of the small bed, burying his face in his hands. His hands ran through his now almost entirely grey hair before settling with entwined fingers behind his neck. Casavir sat, staring at nothing. His mind focused inward, allowing the ever present memories to finally engulf him.

Lana emerged from their shared room as he paced the small hallway. She was dressed in the blue and silver gown he had purchased for her in Neverwinter with her hair piled artistically on her head.

He had always loved the gown on her, it made her grey eyes sparkle and she looked so regal, so radiant. She smiled warmly, a smile reserved only for him. Lana had been accused by many as being cold and controlling, but never to him. To Casavir there was no woman with more passion, more heat and she was his alone. He smiled inwardly at the idea of melting that icy exterior… but that would have to wait. Tonight she belonged to the Keep. She loved him with all her heart, but she also had come to love the Keep and he was willing to share that love.

There was to be a dance at the inn for the newly appointed Knight Captain and the restoration of Crossroads Keep. As much as Lana was not thrilled at the idea, she knew it was important for the moral of the Keep.

Casavir wound her arm through his, escorting her to the hall. She blushed in embarrassment at the applause and shouts of the Keep citizens smiling shyly while curtsying in acceptance of their favor.

The musicians began playing. Casavir swept her into his arms, the long sleeves of her gown catching and flowing around them like silvery clouds as they danced across the wood floor. She beamed at him- he could see a glimpse of the long suppressed young maiden she had once been. He lifted her from the ground in a twirl of silk and she laughed with abandonment as her skirts wrapped around their spinning bodies.

Casavir bowed his head to nuzzle the exposed skin at her neck, reveling in the scent of lavender…

Reality came crashing around his ears at the pounding of the door. Grabbing Bishop's hunting dagger from his boot, Casavir warily approached the door.

"Open up buddy. You left before I could tell you about that mangy ranger," a muffled voice called.

Casavir opened the door cautiously, expecting an angry return for his treatment of Bob.

As if sensing Casavir's reluctance, the other man snorted in disgust. "If yer worried I'm angry 'bout Bob, you'd be wastin' yer time. Bob had it comin' and I'm just happy some'un finally gave him what he deserved. Just wish I had done it first!" The man chuckled heartily.

Casavir opened the door slightly wider, not entirely willing to let his guard down.

"Well anyhow. Like I said earlier, that ranger friend o' yours has been here before. I hadn't gotten the chance to tell ya more."

Casting his guard aside, the paladin took a step forward. Casavir pushed to the door wide, and stepping backwards in acquiescence.

"Ya, that guy came in drunker then even Bob and that's sayin' some'ut…" the man snorted before continuing. "He stayed 'ere just long enough to brag to us all 'bout some woman that had been following him. Sounded like some real nasty business so I kept clear. Thing was, he talked so loud it was hard to miss… That is one piece o' work he is. What was someone like the Hero of Neverwinter doing with something like that? Pure evil he was…"

Casavir shook his head but remained silent.

"He said something about coming from Luskan, laughing about something. He was so drunk it was hard to understand but I remember him mentioning going to Cor.. Cormether. "

"Cormanthor? How long ago was this?" Casavir corrected softly.

"Ya, that's it. Cormanthor. Never traveled much myself. Born and raised around these parts… Well anyways, it's only been a little more an a week, maybe a bit more. Well anyway, thanks for the entertainment this evening. We'll just tell Bob he got too drunk and fell on his stupid face. He'll never know what happened and we all got a laugh. Hope you find what yer lookin' for." With a wave and chuckle, the man turned and was gone into the dark hallway.

Casavir quietly pushed the door closed. He gingerly lowered himself back to the bed, his mind racing at the new information.

And I too hope I find what I'm looking for.