Arcadius and the Shadow Dragon

PART IV - THE UNDERDARK

Without delay, the lady Viriya and I set forth. We hunted for fell things in the deep places, slew them, and then hunted on. We spent much time together, just she and I. She was proud in her bearing, as one might expect from a daughter of so noble a house, yet I must say that from the first we liked each other. Indeed, I was most impressed at the wisdom of the Lady Alis in placing us together, for few of her folk would have worked so well, so closely, with a human of the surface, and a devoted servant of Lord Pelor at that! I think that Viriya was surprised to meet a human of proper and correct bearing, for she had heard that my kind were by and large boorish as pigs. This might be close to the mark in many lands, but not so that of the Five Rivers. For my part, I found her devotedly loyal to her grandmother, honorable, but remarkably direct and unsubtle for one of her folk.

I told Viriya of my land, and my family, Guardians of the district of Ideb, and from this she took that my family are lords or princes, and thus peers of her own. Nothing could dissuade her of this notion. When I explained that my family are rather protectors, devoted to the law and the right way, and not self-interested "lords" such as are found in other lands, this seemed only to increase her opinion. In the weeks that followed, as we came to depend on each other for our very lives, as we faced foul and hideous things of the underearth, we talked of many things. I came to know much of her thoughts, and she of mine. Despite her most worthy loyalty to her family, she is ill at ease with her people as a whole. She is a woman of high ideals who believes in devotion to duty, and she hinted to me how poorly she fares in the stealthy games of advancement among her folk. Indeed, she spends much time in the lonely places underearth precisely because she is happier there, fighting clear and unambiguous foes. She has even wandered the surface lands, at night in solitude, seeking the answers of her heart. I have come to admire her. No, more, much more than that...

There was a moment, when we were setting out toward a deadly thing of the darkness, and our lives were again in each other's hands, that something happened. Without thinking of it, as we advanced forward and rested in a hidden place, we put our hands together for comfort. Then, it was as if lighting had struck us! We were frozen. I looked at her, into her eyes, felt her hand tighten against mine, and at that moment there was in her no proud bearing, no cold reserve, only a young woman trembling with feeling she could not hide or control. And I trembled too. We drew closer to one another. O' Lord Pelor, what can I do, what must I do? My heart is afire!

But duty is duty, and tasks must be completed. We held each other's hands for but a long moment, though an age of bliss it seemed. Then, as danger was mere footsteps away, we went on and spoke no more of it. From that point onward we were more formal and grave in our dealing with one another, but when we looked in each other's eyes, the lie of that formality was laid bare. O' Gods! I am reminded of my own country, and my days in Point of Origin. In my land, youthful dalliances are tolerated as a normal part of life, but one is expected to grow up and to marry properly, and to do so before too many years have passed. One's family has much to say in this matter. In Point of Origin, as a youth, I confess I did indeed enjoyably venture with some girls of the city, but gave my heart to none. Now I am of the age where I would be expected to marry, and where is my heart? Alas, I know. Strange, fate is.

O' Lord Pelor, may I not be distracted from thy path, in this time least of all! But, give me hope...

In time, we returned to the city, for my calling to duty was upon me. The noble lady Alis told me of whom I faced and what I must do. I hesitated to meet her gaze, for I wished to bring no recrimination or dishonor down upon her granddaughter, yet I knew and know that I cannot lie. However, if the lady Alis noticed my discomfort, she gave no sign. Soon the word was given and the time to depart had come. I was guided by a party of Drow, Viriya among them, to a place far outside the city, not indeed the same place from whence we departed before. I had prayed for several blessings of protection from Lord Pelor, and now called upon them. Then I was teleported away. My last memory before the magic took hold was of Viriya's eyes, and the plaintive look in them. Oh that I could have beheld them for a little longer! Shall I see them again?