Trigger Warnings: Intrusive thoughts of violence, emotional distress, relationship conflict, fear of death, references to past violence.

I sit quietly in the communal area in the Hollow, holding the torn note to Kagha in my hand. It's still dark, but daylight is swiftly approaching. Fleeting images of last night's events flash into my mind.

The smell of blood in river water. The feeling of cracking limbs in my hand. A creeping sense of dread.

My exchange with Lae’zel was disheartening. Her lead is a tenuous chain of ifs, as are the others. Halsin may prove utterly useless, and Moonrise may lead to more zealots and no answers.

I need to consolidate.

I tap the note on the table and read it again.

I hear whispers rising from Bex and Danis's camp.

"What are you thinking?" Bex's voice is stifled and waking.

Danis croaks, sounding labored as he rises. "Do we have any eggs?"

"No, unfortunately, our rations are running thin."

"What do we have?"

I finally see her stand and head toward one of their crates. "We still have some of those apples from earlier. We should eat them before they spoil." She picks them up and as she turns, she sees me.

"Vash!" She lights up, her feeble voice slowly warming up. "Give me a moment, I'll be right down."

She tosses the apple to Danis and holds the other one up to me. "Do you want one?"

A generous offer given their position. "No, thank you, you take it."

I notice Danis peek over the platform, looking down at me. He looks like a mess. The bags under his eyes make the brief flash of panic that crosses his face feel exaggerated. He tries to calm himself and gives me an awkward wave.

"Good morning, Danis."

He sits back without further acknowledgment, but I hear him loudly whispering to Bex, though I can't make out what he says.

She merely shakes her head at him and holds the apple in her teeth, climbing down to my level. She pulls the bite from the apple and sits across from me. "Any word from the goblin camp?"

A spark of mischief shines in my eye. "Our plan worked. We were able to get in."

She gives an enthusiastic clap. "Damn! That's great news! What happened? Is the camp finally clear?"

"No. There's a lot more to do, but the wheels are in motion and headed in the right direction thanks to you."

She sits back; a hopeful smile nestled on her lips. "I knew if anyone could do it, it was you. Gods. I can't imagine how satisfying it is being an adventurer."

"Satisfying? Busy..." I fidget with the note, my eyes lingering on her. "Have you... heard of any swamps in the area? Or any imposing trees?"

"Swamps. Trees..." Something sparks in her mind, just on the edge of her thoughts, but it refuses to come to the forefront. She looks around the hollow trying to find something that can catch the memory. Her eyes land on Auntie Ethel's merchant booth and it finally clicks, "Ethel's Tea House."

"A tea house?"

"Yes, I've spoken with Auntie Ethel. She's the merchant that works the stand across the way. She's a healer of sorts. I was asking her about a problem of mine and she invited me to her home to discuss the matter further. She said if I ever get lost, to look for a large willow tree. If I can find it—"

She stops, seeing a change in my demeanor as my face focuses. I feel a faint caress of Feywild magic pass through the air, softening everything it touches.

"What is it?"

A chuff escapes me. "Speak of the devil."

She looks at me, bewildered. "What do you mean?"

I nod toward the trailhead and after a breath we see Ethel breach the hill, walking towards us.

At the sight of the crone Bex bristles. "How did you—never mind." She stands, looking down at me. "Let's continue this conversation elsewhere."

I abide and tuck the note away, standing with her. She directs me toward a path that circles the Hollow, leading back to the gate, but avoiding Ethel. "This way, let's not pass her."

Danis stands and slips into his shoes, but Bex waves him off. "Stay put Danis, this won't take long. I don't want to be too conspicuous."

The look of dejection on his face is thick and miserable. "How would my coming be conspicuous?"

I stare at him and Bex sighs. "Not now. We'll be back." She sounds agitated, quickly walking down the platform. I trail behind her as she swiftly shuffles toward the parapets of the gate.

The cool morning air brushes past us. Clean and welcome. The sun has roused the sky, and I catch a glimpse of Apikusis lingering near the trees by the elevator.

My focus turns back to Bex who stops at the wooden fencing near the wheel that opens the gate itself. "She said I need to head toward the willow tree and when I make it to the docks, go west again."

"Docks?" I look west, scanning for any imposing trees that break the line of the horizon. There are a few but none stand out too pointedly. "Really? Docks? You sure she said docks?"

She's unflinching in her resolve on the matter. "I'm certain."

"Then it's worth following up on."

"What do you mean, following up?" She shifts her weight and places a hand on the wooden fence separating her from the drop-off to the trail below.

Pick her up. Throw her over. Watch her crumble.

My hand twitches and I blink subtly. The back of my throat feels sickened.

Her gaze trails the west horizon. "Does that mean you'll be heading that way?"

"Yes. If what you said is true, then it's exactly the lead I needed."

"Really?" A gentle smile dimples her cheeks. "Hm. What would you do without me?"

"Curl up in a ball and die, obviously."

She snorts and looks at my cheesy grin, giving me a nudge. "You are a dramatic man."

"If you think that's dramatic, then you're far too sheltered."

"Are you calling me soft? Ser, I came from Elturel!"

"Survival is a necessity, not a personality trait."

She gasps and slaps my arm. "Don't joke like that!" I flinch from her hostile battery.

Her smile quietens and she glances at the horizon as the soft morning breeze tousles her hair. "What is this lead, anyway?"

I touch the torn note and consider her for a moment. "It's—" I flip it through my fingers before slowly pulling it out of my pocket.

She notices the torn slip of paper in my hand. "What's that?"

My lips straighten. "Something very dangerous."

She glances up at me, and I consider her, before holding it out between my fingers.

She takes it and discreetly unfolds it. After briefly scanning it, she hands it back and I tuck it into my pocket again.

She leans on the fence. "So, you've turned your eye inward. Very shrewd."

"It's become a priority, given what I learned at the goblin camp. Something of mutual benefit."

"Mutual benefit?" She wrinkles her nose at me. "A selfless hero, through and through."

I snort, my tail flicking in anticipation. "With that being said, I do need to go, but thank you for the lead." I give her a polite nod and as I turn to head toward Apikusis she grabs my arm.

"Wait..."

I stop and look back at her. She appears to be calm, but I feel her heart racing. "What is it?"

She lets go of me and studies my face. "I want to come with you."

"Come with me. After everything you've been through?"

"Vash." She taps her thumb on her leg. "Yes. After everything I've been through. Before the city fell, I was a skilled Ranger on the River Road."

I scan her, trying to find the skilled Ranger under her refugee garb.

"My father was a merchant who owned a caravan, just outside of Elturel. I'd been scouting the wilds for him since I was a child. Seeing you get out there and work to help the Hollow is just—" She trails off as she considers her next words carefully. "I feel myself going mad behind these damned walls."

"If you're as experienced as you say, why haven't you been helping Zevlor with the caravan?"

Her face twists into frustration. "It's not for a lack of wanting. Zevlor insists that he and Tilses can handle it, since they're both Hellriders."

"I see." I can't help but feel sympathy for her, but her plight isn't exactly my responsibility. "Honestly, Bex, I can't afford to take you on right now. My team and I are already spread thin."

Her face falls. "Is there a way you can give me an opportunity to prove myself? If it's logistical, let's talk about it at least!"

"Okay, let me spell it out for you. We'll be going straight into a goblin-infested wilderness. If I give you a chance, that means taking the time to train you. I have no doubts about your ability to learn, but, logistically, this could take away resources from our mission. We simply don't have the means right now."

There is a pregnant pause as she carefully considers my words. She finally looks back to me, her eyes narrowing in on mine. "Vash. Please."

My hair stands on end, and I place my hand on the fence. The silence becomes deafening as the bloodlust rises in my mind. Every time there is a quiet moment, Bhaal's madness comes flooding back. How long would this one survive if I agreed to let her come?

Her tail swings low in anticipation.

Do I even have a right to say no?

"I am making a sacrifice, allowing you to come. Don't expect to be coddled, but I will guide you as best I can."

She gives a heavy exhale, as if she had been holding a storm in her chest. "Thank you." She walks up to me and curls her arms around my neck. "Thank you, Vash."

I close my eyes; the familiar chamomile smell of her hair saturates my senses. I place my hands on her hips as she hangs off me.

She finally pulls back, excited. "When do we leave?"

"Now. Go ahead and pack, and I'll meet you at your camp once I'm finished with my business in the grove."

"Right." She takes a few steps back but stops. "How many days will we be gone?"

"It shouldn't take more than three days."

She finally allows herself to show a bit of exuberance as she bounces slightly before dashing back to her camp. Her energy is infectious and unfaltering.

I watch her leave before turning toward the grove and making my way toward Apikusis.

She has a playful smirk on her face. Cloak pulled over her head, arms folded as she studies me. "What was all that about?"

"An unexpected journeyman, eager to die in the wilds."

She scoffs. "And you're going to let her?"

I look at Apikusis, stunned. "If you had a choice between dying free or living unfulfilled, which would you choose? I'm not letting her do anything but decide for herself."

"Yes, but the onus will be on you if something happens, regardless." She pulls her hood back and runs her hand through her short blonde hair. "I was able to speak to Zevlor. He knows about our plans and anticipates your word. He will be readying any able-bodied tieflings to back us up. I've also recruited two more druids."

"Good news. Any suspicions from the others?"

"No. Not from what I can tell. I don't know what they would do if they found out about our little rebellion."

"Oh, come on. This is more than a little rebellion."

"What else would it be?"

I place a hand on her shoulder. "Salvation."

She sighs and grips her hand over mine, taking a moment to reflect. "By Silvanus' Grace."

I give her a breath before continuing. "I have some news that may help you recruit the others. I've found Halsin."

"Really!?" She tries not to raise her voice, lest it carry, but her excitement is hard to contain. "Is he coming back?"

"For now, he's chosen to remain at the goblin camp. He wants to ensure the leaders are taken down, for the sake of the grove. I intend to help him, but I need time."

"I suppose I can understand his logic, but without proof of life, I don't know how far my word will carry that rhetoric."

"Naturally." I reach into my cloak pocket and pull out the tuft of bear hair, handing it to her.

She gingerly takes it in hand. "Gods, it smells like him." Hopeful, she reluctantly lets me go. "I'll start speaking to the others."

Before she steps away my hand trails down her arm, pausing briefly at her wrist before I let her go. Her eyes don't break from me, giving me a knowing smile before she slips back into the grove's inner sanctum.

I can hear the shouting as I walk down the trail toward their camp. Muffled words bandied back and forth before the echoes begin to hit me more cleanly.

"I'm sick and tired of having to make myself small just to protect your feelings! I'm not your porcelain doll, Danis!"

"Porcelain... I'm not trying to objectify you. I just want you to be safe! When did that become a problem?"

"When you stopped seeing the difference between protection and possession. You may not be trying to objectify me, but you're doing it regardless!"

I stop below the platform as a silence falls between them.

"I'm sorry. I'm not trying to hurt you, but I'm still leaving. Only for a few days. I'll be back, I promise."

Another pause.

"I don't think you understand what you're agreeing to, Bex."

I walk up the steps of the platform and sit at the table below their camp.

"Are you saying I'm too naïve to see the danger?"

"No, that's not it. Of course not. What I'm saying is he—" He hesitates and I glance up. He's staring at me, face pained and twisted in desperation. He looks back at Bex. "Let me at least come with you." His pleading is edged in fear.

Bex glances down at me. "Vash."

My eyes track both of them as they drag me into their spat. "I'm only taking two others west with me. My companions Shadowheart and Astarion. It's a short trip through a swampland. It will be easier to take a smaller group. I'm not going to have a trained adventurer step aside just so you can follow, Danis."

He lifts his hands in the air, almost like he doesn't know what to do with his arms. He tries to speak, but words fail him.

Bex finishes packing and throws her bag over her shoulder. She gently takes his arms and wraps them around her. "Danis."

He looks at her, forlorn and helpless. "Please, don't."

She presses her lips against his, clutching him lovingly. "Please don't worry..."

He scoffs, but wraps his arms around her tightly, closing his eyes. "Please don't die..."