Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

Triel storms out of her cell in the lower levels of the Temple of Tyr, a scrap of parchment clutched tightly in her fist. She walks with purpose to the sanctuary behind the main chapel of the temple. Sitting down she looks at the floor for a time, gathering herself, and trying to settle her anger. She looks at the parchment again, a brief letter, signed by Sir Jonas, confirming what she hoped never to hear about someone she put her trust in. She curls her fingers around the paper again, her nails digging into the palm of her hand. After a time she sighs and looks up at the statue of Tyr.

"Tyr, it's me...," she pauses to calm her voice. The tension moves from her voice to her hands.

"What is it Tyr, what is it about alcohol that brings out evil in men? Is it a seed carried inside all of them?"

She rubs her face with her free hand, biting her lip to keep her composure.

"I trusted him Tyr, I put my safety and my life in his hands. The time he was afflicted, and not himself, I put myself before his blade to calm him. I talked him down while he held his dagger near my skin. I sat alone with him by the fire for hours at a time, knowing that he was stronger and more skilled than me. He could have done anything and I could not have stopped him"

Despite her best efforts she begins to weep softly, but her voice remains firm in prayer.

"Are they all capable of this? Can I trust any male? Is it only the alcohol or that an excuse?"

Her prayer trails off as she covers her face with her hands, weeping softly in the empty chamber.

Triel enters the inner sanctuary in the temple of Tyr. She kneels before the alter and takes a few moments to gather her thoughts.

"Tyr, it's me."

"Please bless me with your strength and wisdom in this trial ahead."

"Protect those I love from him. If there must be sacrifice in this, let it be me. I will gladly give my life for the sake of those I love."

"Bless and keep them Tyr."

Word spreads around the temple that the tradeway has recently seen drow activity. Triel exits the temple to see what she can do to help.

((Earlier in the day))

Triel storms into the Temple of Tyr, her hands shaking and her eyes set like hard stone. She pushes through the inner door to the Temple's library and drops her pack and shield in the corner. She retrieves the small box containing the writing implements gifted to her by Aethor, and sits down with a fresh parchment. She takes a moment to collect her thoughts before setting her pen to the parchment. Her hand shakes slightly as she writes, pressing down harder than intended.

After finishing the letter she takes it to the Temple of Torm, and quickly returns to Tyr's holy house. She takes her things to her cell in the lower levels but returns to the inner sanctuary to sit before the alter. She is silent for a long time, gathering herself, trying to calm the anger inside. After a short time she begins to talk softly.

"Tyr...Tyr, it's me."

"Forgive me for my loss of temper today. I try so hard, I smile, I always have a kind word or greeting, yet I am still accused of disrespect. I ignore their insults, their hate, their sneers and their threats. I push that aside because they don't matter, yet I am accused of disrespect."

She takes a deep breath and calms the shaking that has crept into her voice.

"I refuse reward or recognition. I ask Gareut not to craft a tale of my life, I put all others before me, and yet I am accused of pride....I have a lot of patience Tyr, I will remain true, but I could use a little help."

"Between the voice that touches my mind, the orcs that crave peace, the elves that desire war, and Paladins that won't trust another faithful my mind is tired. I do not understand what would cause goodly people to be so unkind, while those that are assumed to be evil are so understanding. Why is it that orcs are the ones that want to end the age-old war between their people and the elves, while it's the race of wisdom and learning that wants to poke and prod until war breaks out?"

She shakes her head with a sigh.

"I take strength in your teaching Tyr. I hold your justice in my heart, and I will strive to match your example. Give me the wisdom to do what is right, and the strength to defend the innocent. Give me temperance to deal with hate, and the foresight to remain vigilant."

"Thank you Tyr, I will come back tomorrow."

Triel walks into the temple of Tyr, moving to the living area off the sanctuary and sitting heavily in a chair. She looks down at a small, new book that she was holding. She opens the cover and draws her finger down the page, reading the text about Ilmater and his church. Several times she stops and looks up, her mind working through the exhaustion of the last few days.

She spends the nigh reading the entire book, and thinking on the words contained. Flashes of conversation from the previous few hours come to her. This she has said, and done, and the words of others. The advice of friends and loved ones.

After reading the book through she slowly makes her way to the sanctuary, sitting calmly down on a bench.

"Tyr...It's me."

"I am told that you know what's in our hearts. I guess I really don't need to say anything, but somehow it just feels right."

She holds the book tightly, building the courage for what she feels she needs to say.

"When I first came here I was drawn to Ilmater, but it was one of your servants that first noticed me. After talking to others, and hearing the words of my brethren I believe my hearts first notion was perhaps right."

"I am sure you knew my heart from the first, and I know that you have been guiding me until I opened my ears to my it. I know that you and Ilmater are brothers in a sense, and I pray that you understand why I do this."

"Thank you Tyr, thank you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for your patience until I came to this realization. Thank you for taking me under your wing."

She rises and places her hand on the alter, closing her eyes for a moment. She maintains this position for several minutes before exiting the sanctuary and getting her things from her room. With a sigh, and a last look around the temple she exits it, crossing town to Ilmater's temple.