Chapter 35

Climbing up to around 200’ Celeste began to follow the main road to the intersection they needed. There she could see the path that split off and headed West to Cromm’s Hold. Her vision was only black and white but thanks to the darkvision and the eyes of an eagle Celeste could see for miles.

Soon they were flying over the two track path that led to a coastal cliff and a stone keep that overlooked the edge. The walls were lit periodically with torch light that surrounded an inner courtyard with several inward facing buildings.

On the north west side of this courtyard, Lilith could see one of the larger stone buildings. It was a full Three stories tall and likely had a basement of some kind to help stabilize it. “Turn right”, “Good Go straight.”,“Get Lower”, “Land there”. Lilith said to Celeste in Golden Eagle as she guided her friend away from the keep to a clump of trees a safe distance away.

After setting down Lilith hopped off and stood near by as Celeste walked in a circle a few times and then settled into the grass as if sitting on a nest. “I stay here” She said in a soft cry and click.

Lilith put her finger over her mouth to shush her friend but then realized Celeste couldn’t see the gesture. “Good, I will be Back” Lilith said as she patted the side of Celeste’s beak and began walking around the clump of trees, towards the keep in the distance. Lilith made sure to trample a section of grass as to leave a visual marker for herself where to stop when she came back.

After a bit of a jog she stopped about 100’ away from the wall as she could now see the form of a guard on its walk way. He had a spear and a shield and seemed to be pacing around in a 10’ area near a brassier to keep himself awake.

Lilith had a choice to make. She could kill the guard or try and knock him out some how. For all she knew this guard didn’t know about the Duchess being held prisoner and he was just helping to defend his home. Thinking for a moment she decided to kill the guards only if they threatened her life or the life of the Duchess.

With that decision made, Lilith walked slowly to about 50’ away before she cast sleep on the guard. She soon saw him stop walking and his posture go slack. In an instant Lilith jumped through the ethereal plane landing beside the guard where she caught him before he could hit the ground. She then lowered him against the outside wall in a comfortable position as if he had decided to take a nap.

There were a few lights on in the keep but most of the rooms seemed to be dark showing her that indeed there was very little activity in the keep. Still invisible, Lilith jumped back down to ground level this time inside the courtyard between the outer wall and the inner keep. Looking at her spell list she decided to use a spell that she suspected she was given just for this occasion. She cast [Locate Creature] while thinking of the name Morwen Daggerford and the image of the woman in chains. Only a few seconds later Lilith could see a blue glow of a persons form coming from the basement of the large tower she had seen while flying overhead. Slowly she approached the low window, bent down and confirmed with her own eyes. There inside was the Duchess, still manacled and chained with a bucket on each side of her.

Lilith checked her surroundings as she was standing in almost complete darkness. There were no light sources near by and this side of the wall was in the shadow of the moon light. Seeing no reason not to proceed she began using mold earth to make a set of stairs leading down below grade to the wall of the Duchess’s cell. The used earth was stacked to either side in great mounds while the stairs looked hard packed and easy to traverse. She then proceeded down 7’ below grade. There pressing a hand against the stone wall Lilith cast yet another spell [Stone Shape]. This one however required concentration. Lilith spoke softly as she cast the spell and soon an opening 5’ tall was made in the cell wall allowing her to see clearly inside.

The Duchess heard the slow grinding of stone against stone causing her to look that way. There, she saw a hole a 5’ arched doorway in the exterior wall of her cell. She flinched as Lilith heard her chains rattle. She then said in a soft tone “I am here to see to your escape as we discussed yesterday.”

The Duchess nodded in recognition but said nothing instead she held up her manacles indicating that they were the first order of business. Lilith cast Prestidigitation on the Duchess to clean her fully and then said “I am sorry I neglected to bring you any new clothes. When I take off the manacles it will make a loud noise so we will need to move swiftly after that. Are you prepared to move?”

“Yes where are you?” Lady Morwen asked.

“After you are free I will take your hand. Be sure to hold on tight.” Lilith said in a hushed voice.

“I understand. I’m ready.” she said as she nodded.

Lilith then cast the spell [Knock] causing a loud noise to emanate from the chains as if someone had struck a large door with a metal knocker. The sound startled the Duchess but she quickly stood up realizing she was free from the manacles that fell to the floor in a clatter. She held out a hand which Lilith took firmly and began to pull her towards the arched opening she had come through. They both ducked and walked out and up the earthen stairs until they were standing in the cool night air with nothing but the stars above them and the distant torch light along the outer wall.

Lilith began walking briskly pulling the Duchess by the arm. “I am going to teleport us a few times so hold on.” Lilith said as they were now within 150 feet of the outer wall. At that moment she also hear the sound of someone opening a metal door. So to thwart any pursuit she canceled the stone shape spell causing the opening in the cell wall to close up with the same scraping sound it had made when it opened.

Now looking forward again Lilith several jumps ending with the two of them up on the wall only a few feet from the sleeping guard.

“oh” Lady Morwen said as she heard him snore softly his body illuminated by a near by brassier.

Lilith looked at her charge again making sure she was ready for another set of jumps. Soon they were down now outside the wall by 100’ where they continued on foot towards to the clump of trees where Celeste was waiting. As they jogged, Lilith looked back but did not see any extra torches nor hear any shouts. Just to be safe she jumped forward another 100’ until they were about half way to the trees. She could hear Lady Morwen breathing heavily as they went but she did not complain or balk at their pace.

Soon they approached the dark shadow of the flattened area of grass that Lilith had trodden down. She then turned right leading the Duchess over to where Celeste was still laying in the Grass. Hearing the movement, Celeste lifted her head to see a middle aged women with silvery hair dressed in clean rags. She tilted her head a few times looking for Lilith not quite realizing that she was still invisible.

Feeling the Dutchess try to pull away from the surprising sight of the Giant Eagle. “This is our ride. Please climb on her back.” Lilith said before she canceled the spell making here invisible.

Celeste stood up hearing Lilith’s voice but she couldn’t make out what she said. “Is this friend, target?” Celeste asked in Giant Eagle now seeing both of them.

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“Yes. Make ready to fly home.” Lilith said in a series of cries and clicks.

Celeste moved away from the trees where she had enough room to outstretch her wings when needed. She then lowered her back to make it more easy for her friend and her charge to climb on.

“I didn’t expect this when you spoke of a rescue.” The Duchess said between labored breaths.

“Can you think of a faster way to travel?” Lilith asked as she helped her onto Celeste’s back.

The Duchess still gasping for breath began to climb onto the back of the Giant Eagle. Lilith soon followed and positioned herself behind the Lady holding her firm. Remembering her hug of death with Wendel, Lilith dismissed her chest plate before holding the Lady Morwen tightly once again.

“We are ready.” Lilith said in Giant Eagle.

Suddenly in a blur of movement Celeste ran forward towards a cliff edge and began to flap her wings. With two on board now it took several more flaps than before but she was gaining speed. Finally she became airborne just before the cliff gliding smoothly the three of them now 200’ over the forested swamp. Celeste continued to gain altitude as she banked right heading back to the two track path that led back to the main road and Daggerford beyond.

With the main road ahead in the distance Lilith began to relax the danger seeming to have passed. She let out a breath feeling the tension leave her but then suddenly the Duchess go limp slumping forward. Much like how she caught the guard earlier she held onto Lady Morwen by her waist and shoulder. With the Duchess still limp going on several seconds now now Lilith dismissed her gauntlets and tried to feel for a pulse. First she tried the wrist but she couldn’t be sure as there was a lot of movement from living mode of transportation. There was also too much wind noise to listen for breathing so it was important to get a good read on her pulse as Lilith feared her charge had just had a heart attack.

With a firm grasp around her wrist Lilith felt nothing no pulse. She then switched her hand now on her neck trying to feel for some kind of movement. Still there was nothing, no pulse and no life as her body lie limp in her grasp. Thinking back on her first aid training Lilith knew a few things she could try but they were all made more difficult by the nature of being on the back of an airborne animal.

She released her grip on her neck making a fist with her right hand and pounded it firmly on the sternum of Lady Morwen. She pounded it three more times but got no results. Feeling helpless she closed her eyes and muttered a few words. “Please god don’t let her die like this. Not when we are so close.” She said to herself softly as a tear fell from her eye and curved back blown clear by the oncoming wind. Then as if in response she felt a warm heat coming from her neck. She remembered the Holy Symbol of Lathander was there so she grasp it tightly. She could feel a warm radiant heat move from the symbol into her hand a heat that began to pulsate like the beating of a human heart.

Without a moment of hesitation Lilith pressed that hand against the back of Lady Morwen and thought of pushing the heat into her. Then she felt it. The energy moved out of her and into the limp body she was holding. She could feel Lady Morwen tense up and take several large breaths and then reach down to grip some feathers on Celeste's back.

“Are you ok?” Lilith asked in a shout.

“No!… I saw stars in my head, they danced and I couldn’t move. But then a warm breath entered me and I am breathing now.” Lady Morwen shouted back in between breaths.

Lilith kept her left hand on the Duchess’s shoulder and moved to rest her right on her hip as she gripped Celeste with her legs. They made good time and soon Daggerford was in sight. Lady Morwen was pointing at the keep but Lilith didn’t know if it was a good idea to go there at this time of night.

“Land near the tower in the grass” Lilith called out in Giant Eagle.

Celeste circled and bled off speed before they finally came down on the grass as she trotted forward a few paces to come to a complete stop. Lilith then slid off the back and held the Duchess’s hand as she did the same. Then she walked over and placed a hand on Celeste’s wing and said “Home and done.”

With that Celeste returned to her normal size and shape in a puff of feathers. With everyone now safe on tarra firma she turned toward the Duchess saying “Lilith of Devine, Defender of Daggerford. Pleased to make your acquaintance.” as she extended a hand towards hers.

“Lady Morwen Daggerford, and I am most pleased and in your debt this evening.”

“If you would my lady I would like to keep your presence here secret until morning. Would you mind Joining us in the tower to retire for the night and we will make your formal appearance after we awake.” Lilith asked in the most formal voice she could muster.

Lady Morwen looked around seeing Celeste walking closer a few feathers still sticking out of her hair. She then looked at the two guards approaching them from the direction of the tower. “I understand your caution and you have gotten me this far. So consider me in your care until morning.”

“Then please follow me closely as we sneak you inside.” Lilith said while holding a finger over her mouth with her back to the guards. She then cast invisibility on the Duchess and held out a hand for her which the Duchess soon grasp.

As the guards approached they began saying “That was some kind of entrance there ma’am. What brings you back to the tower so late at night.?”

“We were practicing our night flying skills.” Celeste said with almost a straight face.

“And we are quite tired so we would like to retire to her quarters for the evening.” Lilith said as she gestured towards the tower with one hand.

“Yes right this way.” One guard said as he led them back to the tower opening one of the doors for the two ladies.

All three of them walked inside going up the stairs as Celeste led the way. Once in the study Lilith stopped and canceled the spell on the Duchess. She then greeted her with a smile and a small chuckle.

“Oh that went way better than I could have imagined… everything except for when your heart stopped Lady Morwen.”

“My heart stopped?” She asked sounding very surprised.

“When you were seeing stars remember.” Lilith said softly

“Yes I felt like I nearly died.” She said in a somber tone while clutching her chest.

“Wait she nearly died? Was that while I was flying?” Celeste asked.

“Yes but I believe Lathander saved her. It wasn’t my power that's for sure.” Lilith said as she placed her hand on the Holy Symbol around her neck.

“That's a special one isn’t it. Where did you get that?” The Duchess asked.

“Father Theodon gave it to me earlier today.” Lilith said releasing the symbol resting her hands at her side.

“If you were chosen by Father Theo and Lathander then I am surely in good hands this evening even if you do look like an outsider. Now I see you have plenty of books. Do you by chance have any proper clothes I could change into?”

“Yes on the next floor up in my chambers.” Celeste said as she motioned for everyone to follow her.

The three ladies then went up the stairs to a hall that led to another set of stairs at the far end. On each side half way down the hall were a set of doors. Celeste walked down the hall and opened the door on the left with a key.

Lilith entered Celeste’s chambers for the first time and marveled at how big the room was. It covered almost half the floor space of the tower. There was a study area with yet more books as well as a large walk in closet with many dresses and gowns. There was also a queen sized bed and a sitting area with a couch two chairs and a coffee table between them. The enchanted candles were all lit with a single spoken word as Celeste walked further into the room and sat down on one of the lounge chairs to take off her shoes.

The Duchess walked in going by Lilith, plucking a feather out of Celeste's hair spinning it between her fingers. “You made a fine bird young wizard. What is your name?”

“Celeste Baker ma’am. Oh I’m sorry let me get you a gown.” She said standing quickly and heading to her closet. She pulled down a light blue evening gown before presenting it to the Duchess.

“Thank you this should do just fine.” Lady Morwen said as she held the gown to her chest and walked over to the closet. She stepped fully into the closet for some privacy returning properly dressed with the rags in her hands. Spotting a trash can that was half full of discarded paper she threw the garments into it quickly looking away. With a sigh she sat in one of the lounge chairs before asking “So how did you two come to be in my fair town?”

Lilith looked toward Celeste giving her a nod so she began to explain. “Well I came as an apprentice under Master Wendel from Waterdeep. He was hired on as a court wizard by the false Duchess. I think she planned to corrupt or kill him eventually.”

“And who is this false Duchess you speak of? Was she on the throne in my place?” Lady Morwen asked.

“Yes she is a foul Succubus and she is imprisoned on the first floor of this tower as we speak.” Celeste said with a little bit of pride in her voice.

“She must have been in league with that bitch Wynne Cromm. The Lord’s Alliance will have her head once they know she conspired with a demon.” Lady Morwen’s face suddenly changed from anger to regret and mild horror as she noticed the green tail sticking out the side of Lilith's armored skirt. She suddenly put two and two together. The glowing eyes the strange abilities with magic and the long green tail. “You are a demon too aren’t you?” She asked while holding her hand to her mouth almost afraid of the answer.

“Yes and no. This body is definitely from the abyss I even have a set of Demon Plate that fits me perfectly. But my mind is that of a human I assure you.”

“How does something like that happen?”

“We aren’t exactly sure of all of the details yet Lady Morwen but we can discuss this more in the morning. Tomorrow is bound to be an eventful day.”

“Yes quite right I have you to thank for my rescue, in any case I shouldn’t be questioning your motives so lightly.” She said with a forced smile.

“Oh Sir Tanel has an entire report on her motives we delivered it to him a few days ago.” Celeste said in a cheerful but serious tone.

Lilith burst out laughing at this point while the Duchess had a bit of a laugh as well. Celeste seemed to be the only one left out of the joke as she was quite serious, she had spent a lot of time and effort writing that report along with Wendel.

After a bit more discussion the sofa and chairs were moved off to the side and extra blankets and pillows made a make shift bed for Lilith and Celeste to use. Meanwhile the Duchess had been convinced to use the queen sized bed. Soon was the first to drift off to sleep.

Lilith and Celeste lie there on the floor together under a thin blanket exchanging a few words softly so as not to wake their guest.

“Today was a good day.” Celeste said looking at Lilith's face in profile

Lilith still looking up at the ceiling smiled at her words. She then turned towards her friend and said “We really do make a great team and I am so glad to have met you.” With that Lilith reached out both hands grasping the sides of Celeste’s face and she kissed her on the forehead. She then rolled back over onto her back closed her eyes and began to sleep.

Celeste rubbed her forehead where she had been kissed feeling the slight moistness left by Lilith. She then marveled at how weird and wonderful her new friend was. Soon she too drifted off to sleep after saying a short prayer to Lathander in thanks for both her friend and for the outcome of the days events.