"Can you provide a timeline for when we move on that lead from Zorru?"

She's finally let go of her naïve superiority, making collaboration far more cohesive.

"There's no reason why we can't follow the lead now. The grove is taken care of. Halsin is tucked away neatly in the goblin camp. Whether he chooses to stay there is completely up to him."

Lae'zel and I have risen before daybreak. I snap a heatless blue flame over my hand for illumination. Reaching into my cloak pocket, I pull out the map and spread it out on the table. Lae'zel's focused, but there is a hint of excitement in her. The way she leans in and hovers over the map like it's the answer to all of her problems.

I trace my finger toward Waukeen's Rest. "It looks like the bridge may be broken. I can attempt to fly us over, but that will limit what we can bring."

Lae'zel points at a narrowing in the river just outside the walls of the blighted village. "There, a river crossing, perhaps?"

"It's not too far out of the way to at least survey before we make a decision. If it's too treacherous for the ox, then we can pare down, and take a smaller party. Bex and Gale can accompany us."

She glances up at me, blinking twice, looking back down at the map.

A bird suddenly lands on the table and chirps victoriously.

"Gustav." I tap my ear, and his chirps quickly shift into true words. He's a flighty little songbird. A house wren with nothing better to do than gossip. An expert at blending in, and even better at remembering details. I'm glad I didn't crush him.

"You're not going to believe this! I found a booyahg that can understand me!" He hops about excitedly, his chest feathers ruffling with pride.

"Good. Did she find Sazza?"

"Hmph... that's the bad news, isn't it? She wouldn't even entertain the idea of fetching her. Swatted me away at the mere mention. I told her it was a message from you, but she seemed completely disinterested."

"You mentioned me by name?"

"Of course! What else would I do?" He flicks his wings as if that should have been obvious.

"Tell the booyahg Boss wants to speak with her."

He hops and tilts his head. "Boss, ay? Heheheheh. Nut cracker." He takes flight, headed back to the goblin camp.

I'm well aware that I've rattled the party with my antics. Gale's attachment to Lae'zel is something I'm going to have to manage.

What do I know about Gale? Wizard wonder from Waterdeep. Dedicated chef. Human with a fragile heart and a desire for strong women.

Lae’zel has left to begin her morning training, affording me some privacy to consult with the spirits bound to The Necromancy of Thay.

I close my eyes and feel a vague sickness in the back of my throat as I call it forward. A shade from the Thayan Archive. It rises from the ground, the voices of Bhaal surge forward, in concert with the souls of the tome. They are loud and unyielding. The entity hovers silently with a dark and profane presence, awaiting my command.

I grip my head and try to focus, steeling myself against the assault. "What can you tell me—about Gale of Waterdeep?"

The Thayan Archivists likely won't have much. How many 'Gales of Waterdeep' could possibly matter to Szass Tam? Still, I want to test the extent of the repository.

The shade pauses before a hollow voice passes through my mind. My mind is a sieve, holding only his words and letting the rest fall through.

"Gale Dekarios: A wizard of high regard in Waterdeep. A student of Elminster Aumar. Chosen of Mystra. Disgrace." Its voice hisses and crackles with disdain.

My senses strain trying to subdue the thrumming corruption passing through my soul. The specter must have the wrong Gale.

"In an act of devotion, Gale set forth to recover a remnant of the Weave. Lost to Mystra during the events of Karsus's Folly. In a foolish attempt to contain the perverse fragment, a cataclysm unfolded, leaving him bound to it ad infinitum. It clings to his heart even now."

Karsus. The name rings far too familiar. Not just in the fables of a fallen wizard, brought low by ambition. It feels deeper than that and it makes my skin crawl. I collapse into my chair, leaning on an armrest as the revelations take purchase. I grip my temple before speaking again. "What are the implications of being bound to this fragment?"

"The perversion is hungry. Archivists consulted the wizard, Tara—one who is close to Gale. She discovered he must consume traces of the weave from magical objects, lest the Weave in his heart destabilize."

He's been wasting money.

I've felt the growing presence of magically imbued items in camp.

What has he ruined with his fucking blight?

All of this out of devotion. Of course it is.

...Can I cast arcane lock?

I feel the Archivist's presence waver. I waste no time on my final question. "And if he destabilizes?"

A sigh as the specter dissipates with its final words. "Take heed. The wizard will detonate. The explosion will either shatter the camp, or level a kingdom."

...

That. Cunt.

My mind churns on the silent walk to the redoubt. If Gale Dekarios is the same Gale in my camp, then he's been knowingly putting us all at risk. That callousness would be intolerable. The more I think about it, the more indignant I feel. He's becoming more trouble than I expected.

Passing through the ivy gate, I make my way to her camp.

The sun is barely beginning to rise, but the Hollow is still dark, having not been touched by the morning light yet.

I stop at the foot of her ladder, looking up at the platform where she sleeps.

I take a moment to quieten the voices in my head.

Bex and Danis are still asleep. I can feel it. For the first time, I climb. I need her right now.

They're tucked in their bedrolls neatly, locked in harmonious slumber. A pang of envy twists my heart. I bend down and gently place my hand on her ankle.

She doesn’t move at first, then lifts her head, only to let it fall back onto the pillow. I give her ankle a gentle squeeze and she pulls her leg away with a sharp inhale. She stares into the darkness, bewildered, searching for answers. I realize I'm only a shape to her, so I stand.

"Tymora's tits!" She pauses. "Vash? Hells, you look like a ghost!" She lets out an uneasy laugh, sleep worn but becoming more present. She stretches, giving a yawn. "What are you doing up here? Is everything alright?"

"Everything is fine. Just looking forward to today's duties. The shadow druids were a symptom of a greater sickness in the grove. They need our leadership."

"Ours." She echoes, feeling the word in her mouth. "Yes, of course."

I gently kick her foot, feeling spirited. "Come on, let's head out."

She laughs. "Hey, now!" Pulling her feet back from my assault.

Danis begins to stir, turning over. He jumps, gasping audibly seeing me standing here. "Vash!" He places a hand over his heart, taking a moment to compose himself. "What are you doing in our camp?" His voice is strained.

"Good morning, Danis. Apologies for intruding. I'm here to steal your wife again."

He doesn't look enthused by my hilarious joke.

She stands and begins to push me. "Go on. Give me time to get ready. I'll be down in a bit."

I lean into her as she shoves me toward the ladder like a stray cat. I give her a cheeky grin before making my way down.

I drift through the redoubt, thoughtfully. Beams of sun begin to reach down, touching the hollow. I pass the training platform where one of the tieflings teaches the children to fight. I see him coming up the trail: even red skin, blue tunic, horns curling skyward, and sharp, handsome features.

In the middle of my musings, I am suddenly surrounded by the children.

A tiefling boy bounces. "You're Peace Bringer! The druids said it!"

"I saw him!" A girl squeals excitedly. "He fought a whole bear by himself!"

"Yeah! He fought a bear, like this!" The boy raises his arms and begins to growl and stomp. "The bear picked up Peace Bringer and threw him! HACHAH!" He mimes a forceful throwing motion. "And then Peace Bringer stabbed him!" The boy lunges. "And then caught the bear in his arms and carried it on his back to the druids by himself!"

"No! It was a man who turned into a bear! Not a real bear!"

"It was so a real bear!"

I look for Mol, but she's nowhere to be found. She was supposed to keep them in their little hideout. It seems I can trust her to be unreliable.

"Teach me! Teach me! I want to fight bears!" The little girl grabs the head of the boy next to her and begins to tug. "I'm going to bite your head off!"

"Stop it, Ide!" He pushes her off and she chases him.

The children argue about what did or didn't happen. If they were going to witness my spectacle, I'm glad I could make them happy in the very least.

Doni sits on the edge of the wooden training platform, legs dangling over the edge. I sit next to him, letting the others chatter. "Good morning, Doni."

He's fidgeting with his shoe. He slides it off. His sock is crumpled around his heal, and the seam is crooked.

"Nnngh." He says, absent mindedly.

"Looks like your socks are too big. Would you like ones that fit better?"

He straightens them out and pulls them up around his ankle in frustration. He finally nods eagerly, still not making eye contact.

"Come with me. Let's go talk to Arron."

He follows slightly behind me as we walk over to the merchant's kiosk.

Arron laughs lightly as he sees me. "Good morning, Peace Bringer."

My mouth curls. "Morning Arron. I was hoping you had some suitable socks for my friend."

Arron peeks behind me to see Doni hovering close to my cloak, watching his own feet.

"Of course." He unlocks a chest, flipping it open to reveal a plethora of raiments.

I kneel down and begin to carefully dig through, pulling two pairs of socks. I hold them up to Doni.

He looks at them and reaches out to take them.

"Try them on."

He runs his fingers over both and swiftly hands one back, shaking his head vigorously. "Nnnghh." He waves his hand dismissively.

I feel it between my fingers. Wool. Itchy. That's a no. I put them back in the chest while Doni pops off his shoes and pulls on the new socks.

The look of relief on his face is worth a million silver.

"How much do you want for them?"

Arron tosses the wool socks back into the chest and locks it. "Have them, and be well, Vash."

I press a copper into his palm with a respectful nod.

Doni begins hopping with a smile. "Nnngh!" He dashes off, nothing but a tail in the wind.

I follow him back to the wooden platform, as he joins the chase with Ide and the boy. A little girl with piercing green eyes tugs on my cloak. "Are you going to teach us?"

I hear a voice behind me that sounds like a retired battle cry. "Give it a try, Peace Bringer." I glance at the man. He's giving me a cheeky smile.

"Please, Vash is fine, and you are?"

"Asharak. Here." He hands me a training sword and steps back, giving me a nod.

I hold the training sword awkwardly, turning it over in my hand. Do I teach these children to kill? Do I teach them to incapacitate? I look down at the expectant faces and hand the sword back to Asharak.

The children groan and I hold up my hands before walking over to the dummy. "When you attack, you must remain unseen. At your size, it should be easy, you just need to learn the art of silence."

Asharak mouths a quiet, "Thank you."

"Everything you need to kill a man quickly is going to be above the neck." I get down on my knees and point to a spot behind my ear and drag my finger down toward the front of my collarbone. "Trace this line here."

I see the children follow my instructions.

"This is where you need to cut. Claws. Teeth. Swords. Your enemy will not fight fair. Neither should you. This will ensure they fall quickly. You only need to get close enough. Once you've mastered ambushing, you can train to get strong enough to take on bigger foes. How strong are you now? Show me."

The children begin to flex and growl, showing off their strength.

"Look, look! Am I strong enough?" Mirkon is giving it his all to show off.

"Almost! Keep training." I pat the boy on the head and he runs off.

Asharak laughs. "I'd have objected to such a visceral lesson, but things have gotten dire. Even with the Rite ended, the world hasn't gotten any safer for them. Just this blessed little haven you've carved out for us."

The children check each of their necks. Some are still flexing. Others have picked up their swords and starting their morning training routine.

"I hate how right you are." I give him a warm smile. "You're doing a good thing for them. They need someone who isn't afraid to prepare them for the truth. It will make it easier for them. They'll be safer for it."

Ide takes a practice sword and stabs under the boy's arm. He holds it as if he'd been run through and falls to the ground, tongue sticking out, mocking death.

She cheers. "YEAH! I AM THE PEACE BRINGER!"

I shake my head and glance up just in time to see Bex.

"Time to tend to the Druids. Take care of yourself, Asharak."

He gives a polite wave and I beckon Bex to follow me, leading her toward the inner sanctum.

They've recovered swiftly from the coup. Cleaned the blood. Buried the dead.

Zevlor is mingling with a group of druids, negotiating labor for provisions. As Bex walks over to join him, a flash of concern crosses his face, but it’s quickly consumed with relief.

"You've done good work here, Bex."

As I join them, the druids seem to relax their shoulders at my presence.

"Bless Sylvanus, you're here." The slight druid addressing me so eagerly seems unnerved.

"Of course. What do you need?"

He gestures toward Zevlor. "There's not enough labor they can offer for the provisions they need. I don’t want to be troublesome, but the exchange isn’t equitable. They’re simply not offering enough."

I glance at Zevlor, "How many are willing to work with the druids?"

Zevlor stands with the dignity he so easily embodies. "Five good men."

"I see." The druid is gripping his hands. He has an apologetic grimace, shifting, waiting for my verdict. "Have you worked with tiefling laborers before?"

"No, Ser."

"Our bodies are forged in the hells; our labor is worthy of compensation befitting mutual harmony. Take the work, and if any issues arise, speak to Apikusis to reach me directly. I will come."

The druid glances back to Zevlor and Bex. "I suppose it's an accord."

Bex steps into place as I take my leave. "What kind of labor is expected first? Let's create an outline of what you need, and we can go from there."

I find Apikusis busy fussing with her menagerie. It's grown significantly in the past few days.

"Any word on Kagha?"

She scoffs. "She hasn't gone far. She was last seen near Waukeen's Rest. Her path is obstructed, but I didn't get any specifics on what’s blocking her. The impression is that it’s someone rather than something."

"I’ll be headed that way. There’s a lead suggesting Gith raiders may be patrolling the area. This news certainly supports those rumors. I hope it’s true."

"You hope? If you wanted her killed, why not just do it yourself?"

"This is a far more appropriate fate for her."

She's quiet for a moment, tucking her arms into each other. "If she even makes it to Cloakwood."

"How far has 'Peace Bringer' gotten?"

"We've been spreading it as far as we can. It has started to take root and should make it easier to move through circles that already know your name."

"Good." I glance toward the Chionthar beyond the ancient stone pillars of the inner sanctum, then turn back to Apikusis and study her quietly. "How have you been?"

She takes a moment to consider her answer. Pensive, but content. "Very well, honestly." Her eyes trail over her grazing birds and squirrels. "I’ve never felt more whole. Like everything I’ve built finally has purpose. True purpose."

"I'm glad to be working with you."

She looks up at me with unfeigned gratitude.

"Gustav has been a huge help. You were right to recommend him."

She looks relieved. "I was worried he might be too much of a smartass, but he’s genuinely proud of his work."

"I’ve picked up on both." I finally scan the inner sanctum and notice the conspicuous absence. "Where is Rath?"

"Hiding in the druid’s chamber." She says flatly.

"I better go fetch him. Drag him out of whatever hole he’s trying to bury himself in."

She rolls her eyes, apathetic to his cowardice.

Rath is sulking at the stone table, staring blankly at the myriad notes laid out before him, untouched. The bodies of the shadow druids are still festering in the library. The blood scent has only grown more pungent.

"Bex, get them to clean this place up. This isn’t doing him any favors."

She takes in the sight of the bodies and shakes her head, jogging out to fetch someone.

I sit across from him. "Good morning, Rath."

He doesn’t stir. I wait for him to speak.

"Rath."

A low, hoarse murmur falls into his lap. "This is wrong."

"Wrong?"

"This. This isn’t how things are done. As first druid, I have sole authority over this circle."

I lean back in the chair, pulling a dagger from my cloak. "You signed over authority to me yesterday. Willingly."

"We will give you one more delivery of provisions, and some coin so that you may make it to Baldur’s Gate, but we will not be continually funding your crusade. The Emerald Grove will stand as it always has. Under the authority of the First Druid, under the guiding arms of Silvanus."

"Generous as your offer is, this is not what you agreed to."

His jaw tightens. "Yesterday was... a lot. That doesn't mean I should let you extort us just because you cleared out a few Shadow Druids."

"Is that all I did?"

I slam the blade into a stack of books. He jumps.

I rise, pressing my hands onto the table. "You seem to assume this arrangement was optional." I lean forward. "It is not."

I see Silver briskly jog up to Rath, planting himself next to him. His eyes are locked onto me.

Rath presses his hand into him. "Please, don't get involved."

Silver's voice hums dangerously. "You don't sense it. I do. There is blood in his soul."

"You need to bring your human to heel, Silver. His outbursts will have consequences."

Silver snaps. "You have no right to be here! It’s your kind that Kagha was trying to keep out! Kagha sought to shield. She was misguided but not wrong. Now we are under the boot of a tyrant with a devil’s face."

My fist slams into his head and he lets out a sharp yelp, dashing off to the servants’ quarters.

"Silver!" Rath staggers to his feet.

My fingers snap, engulfing him in a purple rune. His body freezes in a magical hold. His arms are held up, blocking his face.

I approach him, pulling another dagger from my cloak. "Let him sleep it off."

I take in every crease of disquiet on his pinched face. "It’s hard to imagine you’re still in there." I gently tap the broad side of my blade against his forehead, as if he were nothing more than a garden statue.

"Consider your position, Rath. I am your only ally here. The others see you as a traitor. Emila is effectively doing your job for you. You're expendable. Be grateful I chose to spared you despite your transgressions."

I press the blade into his knuckle and rip a finger from his hand. As I release the spell, he collapses with a cry, gripping his wrist and writhing in pain.

I tuck the dagger away before something pummels me from behind.

"Silver, stop!" Rath cries, trying to pull him off me.

Silver clamps down on my arm and begins to shake. My skin tears under my wool sleeve. I focus. Trying to grapple my arm free without losing it.

Bex returns, leading two druids into the chamber.

"Peace Bringer!" They jump on Silver, but his jaws are locked. He doesn't relent.

"Silver, let go!" Rath's voice is cracked and panicked.

Bex darts over and pulls her dagger, sliding the blade clean across Silver's neck.

The wolf falls, and my arm slips from his jaws.

Bex's hands tremble violently, her face twisted in anguish.

"I... I don't know what came over him." I say with a breath.

Rath stands quiet. Empty.

I lift myself. "Rath, your finger."

"Huh?" He looks at me, hand bloodied and dripping.

I gently take it, sending a cold pulse of blue light through him. The wound closes where his finger used to be and I daub the blood clean with my kerchief.

"Peace Bringer, what about yourself?" One of the druids, gestures toward my arm.

Blood runs from my sleeve. "The dead need tending. If you could..." I gesture toward the bodies in the library.

The other druid places a hand over his heart. "We are honored to help." He stares down at Silver. "All things will be claimed when their time has come. As you said, by His will." He murmurs the words softly.

"Yes." I touch Bex's shoulder. She holsters her dagger and presses her hand to mine.

"Bury them with respect."