She grips the strap of her pack and foists it into a better position on her shoulder.

"I hope we can find something at the Willow. With the Chionthar being what it is, it could have wiped away any evidence of a meeting."

She's focused on the mission, but a smile has been lingering in her eyes ever since she left the hollow.

"True. We won't know until we find the damned place."

"What is your plan if we can't find any leads? Or do you want me to come up with next steps again?" She says with a cheeky grin.

"We can always put Kagha in a potato sack and smuggle her out. It seemed to work the first time."

She laughs running her arm through mine. "The Great Potato Sack Insurrection!" She says with a snort. "Bards will sing of its glory for generations."

I laugh but as we approach camp, the cheer between us is quickly sapped by a heavy silence.

The group seems pensive. Hopefully I'm ready for what's coming.

"What's going on?" I ask firmly.

Astarion rolls his eyes. "Oh good, another straggler. Is she going to vanish in the night too?"

"What do you mean?" I say, carefully.

Astarion gestures to the whole camp. "Alfira seems to have gone missing. Her things are still here though. You don't happen to know where she is, do you?"

Bex hesitates. "Alfira?"

I glance down at her. "Alfira came to us last night. I asked her to join our group, and she accepted." My attention is back on the group. "Did any of you see where she went?"

Gale stands, dusting off his hands. "We were hoping you'd seen her. Lae'zel told us you had an early morning."

I lace my words with a gentle concern. "Unfortunately, no."

He nods but seems to hesitate before deciding to leave his words unspoken. He quickly puts together a plate of food.

"I'm sure she'll turn up. She couldn't have gone far."

He hands Bex the breakfast, keeping his eyes down. "Maybe she left for that little 'obligation' she mentioned previously."

Bex laughs lightly. "Thank you. Yes, that obligation's name is Lakrissa. They've been flirting the whole journey. It's turned into a real 'will they/won't they.' They will, of course."

I give a comforting smile. "Then maybe she made the right decision, heading back. I don't blame her. Love can be a fickle mistress. Let's keep an eye out for her all the same."

The tension settles a bit, though the matter seems far from resolved.

Shadowheart offers Bex a welcoming smile. "So, what brings you to our humble camp?"

Bex takes a moment to savor the warm food in her hands. "Oh, I've offered my services as a Ranger. I'm grateful that Vash accepted."

Shadowheart perks up. "A ranger? Where did you learn your skills?"

Bex sits with the others and fills Shadowheart in on her experience of being raised on the River Road near Elturel.

Gale shuffles over to me, guiding me to the traveler's chest. "I was able to produce some equipment from the merchants in the grove and goblin camp. The druid merchant, Arron, had some particularly interesting things."

He flips open the chest and begins to pull a few things. "But I think you'll be particularly interested in this." He pulls out a large war hammer, and I take it from him. "This I purchased from the goblin camp. It's called Doom Hammer. A rather silly name, but its effects can be put to good use. One strike, and it keeps your enemy from healing for a time. Perfect for whatever chaos you want to sow."

I spin the hammer in my hand and stop, noting his audacious quip. It seems a bit out of character for him. "Chaos? Is that what I do?"

Gale recoils with nervous laughter, "No, no. Of course not. I just meant we have better gear for our adventures."

I look him in the eye and he swiftly looks away. "Is everything alright?"

Gale looks back with a pandering smile. "Of course! Sorry, it's just indigestion."

He looks pale and weary. "Get some rest Gale. I'm sure it will pass."

"Heh. Of course." He shuffles back to the campfire.

I rummage through the chest and pull a set of equipment for Bex, along with an extra set of leather armor. I approach Bex and present her with her new equipment. "Here, some proper attire."

She sets down her plate and takes the set from me, speechless for a moment.

"Real armor." She runs her hand over the leather and then picks up the bow. She sets everything down and grabs an arrow from the quiver. She nocks it and aims at one of the training dummies around camp. The arrow is loosed, and it hits, dead center. "Ow!" She grips her arm. "Damn." She looks at her forearm.

I flinch and reach out. "Gods, are you okay? That looks like it hurt."

She looks at me, vaguely embarrassed. "I've had a bow string catch my skin before." She rubs it. "But I suppose this is penance for being rusty." She glances at the arrow. "Oh."

"A perfect shot, otherwise." I say, giving her a nudge.

She breathes a gentle laugh. "I'll take the penance if I can land a shot." She rests the bow against the log and picks up the armor, looking at the group. "Can I use one of your tents?"

"Of course! Use mine." Shadowheart gestures toward her cleric's tent at the edge of camp.

"Thank you." Bex turns toward it.

Shadowheart jumps to her feet and chases after her. "Wait! Let me clean up, first!"

Sharran detritus. Gods forbid Bex, Avernus survivor, find out she worships the Lady of Secrets.

I look over at the rest of them. "Astarion, you and Shadowheart will be joining me on this one. We're headed west, following the lead from that note you gave me."

Astarion scoffs, "I'm sorry, the vague note about trees and swamps? How is that going to help us with the tadpoles?"

I lean into Astarion, lowering my voice. "Far more than you realize. Let's take care of it first, and I'll explain everything to you later." I press the second set of leather armor into his chest. "Now strip out of that gaudy velvet monstrosity. You're going to get filthy." A devilish grin plays across my face.

He meets my eye. "Oh, will I?" His voice is flirtatious, and he drags his fingers across the leather with an innocent smile. "So, to be clear. I've found something profoundly useful, and you're going to be in my debt forever? I accept and you're welcome." He snatches the armor from me and saunters over to his tent to change.

My eyes track him as he walks away before seeing Bex approach, fully clad. "It fits! Good news. How does it feel?"

"It's far more comfortable than it looks. I thought the leather might be a bit stiff, but it bends nicely." She stretches and then reaches behind her to adjust the jerkin over her tail.

A faint flicker of frustration flashes across her face.

Astarion emerges, similarly fitted. He pulls out a few creases from the undergarments and holsters two short swords across his back. "I agree with Bex, this feel... Right."

"It looks like we're ready, then." I glance over at Lae'zel and Gale. "Stay safe, we won't be more than a few days."

They seem more than content to spend the time together, and the three of us head out.

As we head down the trail, Shadowheart walks next to Bex. "You're from Elturel. If you were on the River Road, how did you get caught in the descent? I didn't think the land beyond the city's borders was taken."

"It's true. It wasn't. I ended up in the city because of Danis, honestly."

Shadowheart furrows her brow. "Danis made you go into the city?"

"No. He actually didn't know I was coming."

She's quiet for a moment.

"Danis had been coming to my father's caravan to buy exotic teas for some time. We eventually began to talk, and I must admit, I was smitten. It felt like I had known him my whole life."

A fair smile brightens her expression. "He finally asked my father for a job as a caravan guard. We were taken aback because he seemed well off, but my father was happy to bring him on."

Danis was so proud, and showed up dutifully for a few days, but on the third day my father got into a scuffle with a man trying to sell us some old boots. The man was screaming that my father was undercutting him. He grabbed my father by the shirt, on the verge of beating him down.

Danis was frozen. So, I grabbed my short bow and arrows. A warning shot landed at the man's feet. Then I aimed one at his head."

She holds up her arms, miming a nocked arrow. "These arrows are from drow fletchers. Even a touch will take you down. Let my father go."

She lowers her arms and her eyes soften. "The man let go and grabbed the coin that was being offered. Danis left that very moment. He didn't say a word. He just packed his things and left."

Astarion is glued to my side and leans in, muttering under his breath. "Ah yes, future husband material."

"Of course, after a few days of not seeing him, I decided to go find him.

I tracked him down in the city. His family..." She pauses and wrinkles her nose. "They welcomed me into their home, and I made Danis a business proposal. Start a bakery. He could make the tea, and I could bake. It seemed like a far simpler existence than traveling on the dusty trail."

She's watching her feet as we walk.

"Of course that was when Elturel was pulled into the hells."

We pass through the steadfast cobblestone walls of the blighted village. The devastation of the place finally sinking in.

Crumbling homes, scattered belongings, the vestiges of a raid from years ago. Shadowheart falls silent. I sense the same discomfort she had in the temple of Selûne.

The path leading to the western road is just up ahead. I glance at the others. "While we're here, we might as well scrounge for supplies. This place looks picked over, but who knows, maybe we'll find a decent bottle of wine."

Shadowheart seems to perk up at that idea, and we spread out. There are a few goblins still milling about and Bex follows me closely. I glance back at her; her face twisted with uncertainty. "Are you alright?"

Her head is on a swivel, though she's maintaining her composure. "Yes. I just... well. I hope you don't mind if I stick close while I get my bearings."

"Of course not."

She glances at me from the corner of her eye. "Why aren't they attacking us?"

"No use in fighting a band of vagabonds, such as ourselves." I smile down at her before scanning the town's square. "It looks like these must have been the tradesmen's shops."

Bex glances up. "An Apothecary. Maybe we can find some tinctures of potions."

She walks up to the double doors and presses firmly. They shift inward before locking in place. "Wedged. The doors are leaning in on each other."

"Let me see." I test them to get a feel for the give. Planting my foot firmly against them, I push. The wood cracks and splinters before they finally rattle free. I nearly lose my balance as the swing open, stumbling into storefront.

The scent of dusty old furniture, and dried leaves wafts out. Bex waves her hand in front of her, trying to avoid the dust motes. She spots the hanging herbs displayed over the merchant's counter and begins gathering them.

I sift through a myriad of different empty bottles and useless books. I find a single healing potion, intact.

Bex finds a ledge and absent mindedly flips through the entries. She stops. "Vash."

I look over her shoulder and she points to an entry, underlined.

'Deliver specially requested plants to the cellar. Keep away from prying eyes.'

I lift my brows and catch her eye.

We immediately begin looking for the entrance to the cellar. We find the hatch behind the counter.

I pull it open and more dust clouds the air. I cough lightly, finding the ladder that leads down into utter darkness.

Bex watches as I test my weight on the step before carefully making my way down. I snap a cold flame into my palm. It illuminates the area.

Bex climbs down after, conjuring a flame into her own palm.

We spread out once again, scanning the walls for anything of value.

More dusty books, more empty bottles.

A desk covered in flasks and kegs sit abandoned. An apothecary's workstation. A few potions, corrupted by time, sit festering. Likely to do more harm than good.

A book lays open, beckoning for ears to read it. I oblige, carefully flip through the aging pages. I find it's just a ledger of previous patients.

Patient – Sampson

Occupation – Blacksmith

Malady – gout

Comments – Sampson's become accustomed to the good life since he acquired the new apprentice. I gave him a tincture of autumn crocus and told him to avoid red meat and ale.

Patient – Branley

Occupation – Cooper

Malady – Large wood splinter in hand.

Comments – Splinter removed. Wound cleaned, doused in balsam ointment and bandaged.

Patient – Timmich

Occupation – none (child)

Malady – Swallowed bottle cork.

Comments – No hardness or blockage in stomach. The cork should pass without causing harm. I have the lad a stern warning.

Patient – Dida

Occupation – Apprentice Blacksmith

Malady – Minor burns to the face and hands.

Comments – Another burn for Sampson's eager young apprentice. The usual treatment was applied, but I urged her to slow her pace at work before she inflicts real harm on herself.

Sweet man.

Bex's voice rings through the silence. "Hey, I think I found something." I glance over to see her standing next to a tower of crates. "There's a lever, what do you think?"

I chuff. "Are you asking permission to pull it?" I close the book and walk over to her. "An apothecary with secret shipments, in an abandoned village." I give her a roguish grin. "Sounds risky. Give it a pull."

She smiles, takes a breath, and pulls it. The steel mechanism that works within the walls reels and clatters, shifting a bookcase to our right.

It was a hidden door.

We peer inside. Pitch black. I hold my hand up to illuminate what appears to be a tunnel. It's carved out with no masonry lining the walls. It was a cheap and quick dugout but still stands after all these years.

"Don't touch the walls. I don't know how fragile they are, and I'm not interested in getting trapped down here."

She nods and tucks her elbows in a precautionary measure.

We pass through and round a bend. Ahead is a faint light reflecting off the earthen walls.

There's an open cavern with a crack in the ceiling. Natural light spills through, with a blinding glow.

I snap away my flame, my vision taking a moment to adjust.

"A hidden morgue?" I mutter as coffins come into view.

Bex looks around, echoing my curiosity. "Morgue?"

"Only seems natural. I was thumbing through the apothecary's ledger. Seems he treated all sorts, even the dead. I wonder if the dead were boxed up with their valuables?"

Bex looks at a coffin resting to her left. "I guess... it wouldn't hurt to take a peek."

I lift the lead on the coffin nearest to me. There's no body, just a few useless odds and ends, but a spell scroll piques my interest. I unfurl it, to find a summoning spell. The image of an odd creature drawn crudely. Is that... a quasit?

I feel the Weave shift suddenly, and a dreadful crackling climbs my spine. I pause and gather my senses.

The silence of the morgue rings in my ears. A mingling of crypt rot and moist cave flora fill my senses. Then wooden boards burst open behind me.

I flinch and turn to see Bex falling backwards with a haunted gasp. "Eeewww! Good Gods!" She scrambles backward as a skeleton rises from the wreckage.

The skeleton climbs free and runs to the next coffin, breaking it open, raising its kin from the grave.

Bex and I watch in horror as each subsequent skeleton frees a new one.

Driven on instinct, I pull my greatsword and dash over to the nearest closed coffin. Just as a skeleton reaches it, I cut him off and slam my sword down, in an eruption of red light. The skeleton splinters and crumbles uselessly. I stand guarding the final coffins as Bex climbs to her feet.

Her hands are shaking, but she still manages to nock an arrow and hit a skeleton that had climbed the cave walls to gain advantage.

The arrow shatters against it and a haunting and rattled voice cries out from the abomination.

The air becomes sapped of life as a skeleton in a red robe climbs forth from his grave. My head pivots to witness it standing back, reaching, and chanting an incantation. Its power is perverse and unnatural.

My eyes go wide and I shout toward Bex. "Red Wizard!!!"

She is locked in a fight with one of the skeletons. Her daggers digging at its spine.

The Wizard unleashes four magic missiles, conjured artillery that cannot miss.

Bex and I are hit, two missiles each. She falls backward, clutching her chest, coughing. She tries desperately to get back to her feet, but faulters.

I am pummeled and clutch at my tunic. The pain in my chest is nearly unbearable. My breath is stolen, but I try to reach Bex. The moment I turn my back; I feel a shooting pain up my leg. The skeleton on the cave wall just landed a shot.

"Fuck!"

I fall forward, growling in pain, barely catching myself before my face collides with the ground.

We're being overwhelmed.

My jaw clenches tight and I pull two daggers from my cloak. Without missing a beat, I sling them with an assassin's precision.

"Fucking die!"

My voice seethes with a flash of madness. The first dagger pins the wretch, the second breaks its face. It finally crumbles.

We can hear the chanting from the Red Wizard as he casts a bony finger at Bex. She gets to her feet and dashes to me, pulling a healing potion, but is hit with a necrotic slap. She gasps deeply, arching her back, the color draining from her face.

The potion drops and shatters on the ground. I quickly pull the arrow from my leg and dip my fingers in the potion, allowing it to seep into my wound. It knits together well enough and I slowly climb to my feet.

Bex also reaches for the potion, but it does nothing to heal her. For the first time, I see real fear cross her face. "What in the hells? Why didn't it work?"

"Stay down until the cold leaves your bones, then try again."

She nocks and looses an arrow, shattering the skeleton that charged me with a mace. It screams and shatters. The mace drops with a heavy thud.

With a lurch, I feel the wizard slap me in the chest with another necrotic spell. The sapping power of the cantrip is ruthless, and I gasp for air.

No. I need to focus.

I clutch my sword and move. Electric arches bend around my hands as a torrential power courses through me. My mind narrows into a single refrain.

Batter. Beat. Butcher!

My blade whistles as it cuts the air.

The smite detonates.

A rasping cry.

Searing pain.

I hit the ground.