"Cursed is the man who dies, but the evil done by him survives"
Neyaa had no idea how her Step Father Henliff had found her.
Henliff could not have known how many people in Bree knew Neyaa, when he questioned the young girl selling blooms in the Prancing Pony. He was always bound to be in the ear shot of someone who would know her...in this instance Rossethor, Terralynn and Falarthin.
It did not take him long once he'd left the Inn to realize he was being followed. He ran forth to the Jailhouse seeking the protection of the Watch. His luck was ill, most of the Watch were elsewhere and those who remained would turn the other way for coin. Henliff was cornered and dragged to the DawnHall. It was not long before his captors had the measure of him. His efforts to conceal his identity and vile purpose for coming to Bree proved futile against Rossethor who had been hell bent on revenge from the moment Neyaa, his former lover had told him her step father had taken her against her will. Henliff was unrepentant and taunted his captors until he collapsed from wounds. He was left tied to the tree outside of the DawnHall to be tried the next day.
Henliff is cunning. He saw a means to escape using a dagger he kept carefully concealed in his boot, whilst Rossethor, Terralynn and Fastdred were called to Nimeway's side whilst she gave birth to her son. Neyaa had been summoned to deliver the child, and it was not until after the happy event that the news that would shake the very heart of her was delivered.
When Hardoleth learned of the events he was angry, he would never condone torture, he would only ever see justice done and justice was to grant a man a trial before judgment passed. He vowed that Henliff would be found...and found he was, by Neyaa herself. It was easy enough to find him, her dog Orgel has a keen nose.
Hardoleth went alone into the empty house where Henliff had taken refuge. The words spoken between the two are known only to Hardoleth, but by cunning and cleverly chosen words, Hardoleth soon gained Henliff's trust and sought answers to Neyaa's questions. Once guilt was established, he kept his promise to Neyaa. The the last words Henliff heard before his throat was cut were "Neyaa sends her regards".
It seemed an age that Neyaa stood outside with Nimeway and Celoneth waiting, but at last Hardoleth came forth and said justice had been done. He told her it would serve no purpose to linger on the past, but would not prevent her from entering the house. She trusted Hardoleth's words, she would have normally heeded his wisdom, but Neyaa had to look upon Henliff and know it was indeed him, and that he could harm her no more.
Neyaa stands over the body of her Step Father, Henliff.
Hardoleth held her close afterwards. She cuddled his arms around her and held his hand upon her stomach. Theirs was an unlikely union, but at that moment in time Neyaa could not have wished for a better father for their child, and she loved him more than ever.
((oocly note: - I am aware I will never win any awards for photo manip :-) ))
