VI: Those Bloody Caves

"Heh," Khelgar wrenched his axe free from the body of the last orc and dried his forehead with his sleeve, looking over the battle site with apparent pride. "Long live Logram."

"Maybe, burn down this cave completely?" Qara suggested. "You know, to put a certain end."

"Better not," Adele objected, passing her blade over orcish skin to wipe off the reeking blood. "Issani is somewhere here still."

"…Oh, right," the sorceress nodded with disappointment.

Adele smirked and looked at Casavir, who was taking down Logram's banner from the wall. For a brief moment she actually got afraid, that the paladin was going to drive the staff of the banner into Logram's scull, exclaiming something like "hail, my friends, we've smote a great evil today, boo-ha-ha", but she shoved those thoughts away quickly. After all, Casavir had already proven himself to be quite a sensible paladin.

Besides, it's not like orcs were evil. They were just… orcs.

"We can take it to the Greycloak's camp, as a proof of Logram's death," Casavir said at Adele's questioning glance and folded the banner, giving it to the woman. "And I thank you for your help."

"Not at all," she shrugged, watching him closely. He had a nasty cut on his cheek, and the paladin was touching the shoulder-plate of his armor thoughtfully, where Logram's mace left a serious dent, pressing the metal into his flesh. "You are hurt."

"It's nothing serious," he stated calmly.

Neeshka again was busy collecting her throwing daggers, quietly cursing orcs in general and those ones, in which her knives got stuck especially deep, in particular. Elanee was watching large white wolves they set free from their cage near the entrance. One of them was lying dead under orcish corpses, some were licking clean their wounds, others just sniffed around uncomfortably. Adele herself admired the animals. She never met Northern wolves before, only heard about them. Maybe even from Daeghun – which seemed surprising, considering his zero loquacity. The white fur of the animals sparkled crimson in smoky torch-light, like the snow on the tops of their native mountains at the dawn; taut muscles rolled over under the skin, and it was impossible not to admire the easiness and even grace of their movements, especially taking into account their imposing size. They were big, much bigger even than the full-grown wolf of that ranger, Bishop…

Alright, somebody tell me, why the Hells does that asshole keep popping up in my mind?

Adele shook her head and approached Elanee.

"There is another level in this lair," the elf told her. "The animals remember the path behind the throne."

"Well, maybe it's a jail or something," Adele nodded. "I just hope Issani is still alive."

Khelgar and Casavir moved Logram's throne aside from the wall, revealing a chain of worn down stone footsteps, which led deeper underground. One of the wolves jerked his muzzle, peering guardedly into the opened aperture, another ran up to it, but stopped abruptly, throwing his head back and howling.

"Something… troubles them, something below," Elanee whispered, probably herself having no idea that her long slender fingers clutched nervously at her neck, as if the feelings of the animals passed to her as well.

"Well then, let them stay here," Adele advised and looked at the others. "Unfortunately, we can't, so… let's go."

The air in the tunnel was warm, almost hot, filled with the smells of dust, old lamp-oil, soot from the torches and common orc stench. But this stench got admixed with something else… An oppressive sickeningly-sweet pong of decay and parched blood…

The footsteps came to an end, and they moved into a long narrow cave…

"Oh gods," Adele breathed out.

The plank-covered floor was littered with bodies – men, women, orcs – all piled up together, kinked up, warped by some unknown force. Some bodies were fresh, others carrion and rotten, with deep wounds, clotted blood on pale skin, blank whitish eyes, mouths opened wide in last scream…

"What is this place?" Qara groaned in disgust and shook her head. "That's it! I am never traveling in the mountains again!"

"Uh…" Neeshka moved back to the stairs slowly. "Let's go away, huh?"

"It looks like some sort of burial chamber," Khelgar muttered, looking around.

"Strange…" Elanee laced her fingers together nervously, but her gaze was sweeping over the corpses. "Orcs do not usually place their dead side by side with human bodies…"

Casavir strode forward, paying no attention to the fact that he was stepping right into the pool of curdled blood, which flooded the floor. His motionless face was white, blue eyes blazing feverishly.

"These corpses…" he said hoarsely. "I know these men and women… I served with them… Some of them fell in battles against the orcs, but their bodies were never found… How…?" he swallowed hard. "How did they end up here?"

He moved between the bodies, bending over them, touching there foreheads with his fingers and muttering something mutely – probably a prayer.

"We really should leave…" Neeshka continued to repeat in panic. "Please, let's just leave… Now… I… I don't know what's happening, but… this place… it just feels wrong… I can feel it, honestly…"

Adele looked at her: "Well, let's just get this whole stuff straight… Whatever it is, I kind of don't fancy the idea of leaving it behind our backs."

"…Alright," Neeshka came up to her with a miserable look on her face and forced a smile. "But, you know, sometimes I'd rather leave something behind… way, way behind."

Adele squeezed her shoulder encouragingly.

"Neeshka is right, something is wrong here…" Elanee rubbed her temples. "The sense is… strange… and familiar… it's like.... a shadow, like death."

"Yes," Casavir echoed grimly. "I sense it too."

"It's like in the Mere…" Elanee's voice was absent, as if in trance, and Adele wasn't sure she liked that. "The shadows are thick here, seeping into the land… Whatever is in the Mere is touching here as well…"

Adele looked at her shortly, hoping her tension stayed out of notice. Like in the Mere? Oh, that's too freakin' nice for being a coincidence.

"You know," Qara suddenly muttered, tilting her head a bit, "they way this bodies are arranged… it reminds me of some diagrams I've seen in necromancy books."

Uh-oh, even Qara is so stressed that admitted reading books… Now I'm totally terrified…

"It's revoltin'," Khelgar spat angrily. "Let's have a look around! I feel like addin' some orc corpses to this floor!"

"I agree, we should proceed," said Casavir. His voice actually sounded angry. "I want to know who has done this, and why."

Adele nodded, following the two of them through the rows of bodies, not taking her eyes of the dead, a bit afraid that they would jump up and attack them.

"Oh, great," Qara sighed. "From bloodthirsty orcs to creeping around in tunnels filled with corpses... this just gets better and better."

Coming alongside with Casavir, Adele looked up at him. The paladin's face was stony as usual, but the woman could almost feel the tremble of fury and loathing coursing through his body.

"Wynn?!" Qara's stunned voice rang out somewhere at the side.

They turned around to see the girl dashing towards one of the bodies. It was a boy, not older than Qara herself, in a blood-stained yellow-and-blue Academy robe. But even more surprising was the fact that the boy was actually still alive, though his entire body was convulsing, twisting his spine so hard it was strange that it hadn't broke yet.

"Wynn!" Qara grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "What are you doing here?!"

"Qara…" he groaned. From his mouth blood was oozing, thick and dark. "Qara, help me… Pain…"

"Who is he?" Adele approached the girl together with Elanee, who immediately started to concentrate for healing.

"A fellow student of mine at the Acadamy..." Qara replied, her expression a mixture of disgust and alarm, as she was apparently pondering over in her mind if she could do anything. "One of the few I actually liked, in fact."

"Pain!!!" the boy shrieked, his body arching in agony. "So much pain!!!"

"Shh," Elanee closed her eyes, placing her hands on his chest.

"This place…" Casavir whispered. "Someone is using the dead for… experimentation… defiling their bodies instead of allowing them to rest…"

"Ahh," suddenly came a cold voice from the other end of the cave.

From the shadows emerged a tall dark-robed figure in a faceless white mask, looking exactly like the priests they killed in Fort Lock… in Highcliff… near the Skymirror. At his heels were two young guys in the same Academy robes. Their pale, almost grey faces were apathetic, dead; dull eyes were staring into space.

The masked face of the priest was turned to Casavir, who tightened his grip on the sword.

"I thought I felt a stir within my domain…" he had no face to be seen, but from the sound of his voice Adele could swear that the priest was smiling. "Like a bright shining light trying to cast away shadow."

"These people…" Casavir clenched his teeth. "What have you done to them?! You deny them their rest, deny them their peace!"

"Peace?" the priest chuckled darkly. "Come now. Surely you recall how they died, paladin. You led them into one glorious charge after another, and these mountains had been covered in blood since your arrival. What I have done to them is mercy in comparison. And I shall also grant them a chance at revenge, I think."

"…I don't know what power you worship, but I can sense the evil thick upon you. Darkness has touched you, and it will soon run deeper than you know…"

"Oh, stop it, please. Shadows always run deeper than one knows. Even deep in your heart, paladin…"

"He's dead," Qara whispered, leaving Wynn's body to Elanee, who shook her head in regret that she wasn't able to do anything. The girl got up, and her gaze darted towards the two wizards flanking the priest. "Kerryn? Vhadin? What has this thing done to you?!"

The dark priest with obvious pleasure breathed in the air, like it was filled with peerless fragrance.

"Such a strong magic," he drawled. "You will make an excellent gift for my master, girl."

"I'll pass, thanks," Qara filtered the words disdainfully through her teeth. "What have you done to the others?"

"Oh, them?" the priest motioned on the dead wizard with his head. "I have granted them eternal life... and power. They cannot die, yet they retain their skills in the arcane arts. You, however, will outshine them both. You are strong... I can feel the power burning within you. Few who are granted eternal life retain their mastery over magic. These two lost much of their power. But you will retain much of it... Enough to lead an army."

Qara raised her brows: "Eternal life, huh?"

Adele stared at her: "You're kidding."

"Of course I am," the sorceress snorted. "If I wanted to become a zombie, I would have stayed at the Academy."

"We won't let you touch her," Casavir said to the priest.

"As if I shall let him touch me!" Qara noticed. "No way. I'll sooner die."

"Oh, but of course you will," the priest answered. "Death is the first step before the eternal life is granted," he turned to his slaves. "Seize her! Destroy her companions, but she must not be harmed!"

Well, surely a strange way of seizing, - Adele thought, seeing how the wizards began casting some spells, but before she – or any of her friends – had any opportunity to do something, a ray of fire escaped Qara's body, crashing into the evil trio.

Adele shrank back, using her free hand like a visor to cover her eyes from the light, as the sorceress launched another fireball, then another one, and another – nearly drowning the priest and the wizards in flames. Blood drained from the girl's face, lips pursed into a thin angry line, and Adele felt beads of sweat standing out on her own forehead from the heat surrounding the sorceress. The priest was having hard time protecting himself from the fire with some kind of magical shield, while both of his dead friends were already cremated.

"Wanted my power, did you?" Qara hissed vehemently, casting another fireblast. "Eat it!"

And fainted.

Elanee and Adele, who were standing on her each side, managed to catch the girl before she fell on the floor. At the same moment Neeshka took the opportunity of a clear shot and threw her dagger right into the priest's head, cutting off his spell and giving Khelgar and Casavir a possibility to finish him off. Blood spurted, and the priest collapsed on the ground in the rustle of his dark robes.

"…Boo-ha-ha," Adele muttered under her breath.

"Now I'm startin' to feel sorry for that poor Waterdeep guy," Khelgar admitted, gesturing at the priest's remains. "Seein' the company he was in."

Casavir stooped down to look at the remains. Adele knew he wouldn't find any corpse inside the robes – she remembered all too well those priests they had killed before.

Qara, coming to her senses, sat heavily and ran her fingers through her short red hair, looking around a bit perplexedly, and absentmindedly scratched the ear of her weasel, who was nuzzling into her neck.

"How are you?" Adele asked.

"Huh?" the sorceress blinked, shook her head, and her face regained its usual haughty self-assured expression. "I'm great! So, what are we doing next?"

Adele smirked, helping the girl to her feet, and gestured further to the tunnel: "Looking for Issani still."

Coming up to Casavir, she patted his shoulder lightly, and the paladin lifted his gaze from the remains of the shadow priest.

"Who was this man?" he asked.

Adele shrugged expressively: "Don't know either. Let's just get the emissary and see what he can say."

Casavir nodded in agreement, mechanically wiping off the blood that ran out of the cut on his cheek. Walking through the necromantic chamber, they found themselves in another tunnel, narrow and empty, which ended with a row of heavy rusty doors. As Neeshka was fiddling with the locks, the others were looking around and back unwittingly – the atmosphere of the cave left no chances to feel at ease.

In the sell they recovered a man, who was sitting on a plain crude wooden bunk. His age was rather hard to determine, partially because of the numerous bruises covering his face, exhausted and rank with stubble. When they entered the cell, he frowned on them wearily: "What? Torture again?"

"No," Casavir replied. "We are here to help you."

"…if you are the guy we're looking for, that is," Neeshka added, hooking her lock-picks back on her belt.

"And whom are you looking for?" he regarded all of them with a careful stare. "I am Issani, Emissary of Waterdeep. My escort was killed by orcs to the last men, while I was brought here and tortured in order to make me help some Garius I have no idea about… and really hope not to have any. Even if you came here not to help me, I would still be grateful for getting me out of here."

"And how grateful exactly?"

"Neesh," Adele whispered, pulling her up, and then turned back to the emissary. "We'll take you to the Greycloaks' camp. From there you'll be escorted to Neverwinter."

"Thank the gods," Issani breathed with relief, leaning on Casavir's arm and rising to his feet with apparent difficulty. "Almost lost my hope to see an end to it. Oh, and by the way, they took my identification papers – I'd like to get them back, if possible."

"Is that your biggest problem right now?" Qara wondered.

Issani was silent for some moments, then grinned: "Right. Matter of professional habit, I guess… To Abyss those papers, really. Just get me out of this place."


It was dawning when they made it back to Old Owl Well, where Issani immediately got into the hands of the soldiers under the leadership of Callum. Entrusting the fortuneless emissary to Greycloaks' care, the travelers managed to drag themselves to the nearest campfire, where they found Grobnar sleeping sweetly and where they finally could have a sit and rest themselves. Khelgar followed the gnome's example and started snoring the moment his body assumed a supine position on the bedroll, without even leaving hold of his axe. While Neeshka was busy roaming around the camp in order to find some hot meal, Elanee fell asleep too, wrapping herself in the blanket and resting her back against a large log, which served as a bench. Qara grumbled for some time that her blanket surely had chinches or something no less disgusting inside, but even she couldn't stand the tiredness and finally gave up to sleep, embracing herself and clutching her staff and Tamin to her chest.

Adele was sitting on a log, slowly sipping some tea-substitute from a mug and watching the sparkles flying from the fire up into the brightening sky. The fuss caused by Issani's arrival was coming to a naught already, and subdued hammer thumps wafted to Adele's ears as the soldiers went back to constructing the fortifications. The woman took another sip from the mug and stretched out her legs with pleasure, relaxing her muscles and hooding her eyes a little.

"My lady?" she heard Casavir's voice, and it actually took her some time to realize – quite to her amazement – that he was addressing her.

Shaggy blood-stained girl in men's outfit… - she thought with a mental snort. - Some lady.

"Just 'Adele' is fine," she said, moving aside on the log to give the paladin some space to sit. Having his armor off, Casavir was able to roll up the sleeve of his tunic and cleanse the wound on his upper-arm, to which he was now pressing a bandage soaked with some kind of healing potion. Magic was fine, but good-old potions were much handier when you were exhausted. "How's your arm?"

"Better already, thank you," he nodded, also looking at the fire.

Before Adele could ask or say anything else, Callum approached her, grinning: "Well, well, the emissary can't stop singing you praises. Rest assured, he'll make a great deal of important people in Neverwinter learn of what you have done."

Eh, I'd prefer all those important people be never even aware of my existence.

"Oh, by the way, Logram won't learn anything anymore," Adele smiled at him, handing him the banner from her bag. "Ever."

"Heh," Callum shook his head slightly in disbelief, then grinned again. "This would explain why the orc attacks have stopped -- without a chieftain they're probably too busy fighting each other now."

Adele shrugged: "Glad we could help."

"Wish we had more of such kind of "help" around here. And we also had some visitors - a woman, Katriona, with her men. She claims to have been part of the force attacking the orcs. It was her leader that I was waiting for..." his gaze traveled from Adele to the paladin. "And I see you've brought him," Callum nodded slowly. "Well met, Casavir."

"Callum," the man nodded in return, the same careful aloof nod. "It is good to see you're still in one piece."

"You know each other?" Adele asked in surprise.

"Yes, Callum serves Neverwinter…" the paladin was silent for a while. "As I did… for a time."

"Well," the dwarf grunted, "now that I know who was leading that mercenary band, I understand why it was so difficult for us to make contact with you," he cleared his throat. "You've put me in a difficult position here, Casavir. Your leaving was sudden… and some even say, disloyal to Neverwinter."

"Look," Adele interfered, "whatever trouble Casavir is in, know that he really helped us and…"

Casavir's hand covered her elbow, stopping her words. The woman looked at him, and he shook his head.

"I cannot have you defend me in this…" he said quietly and lowered his eyelids a bit instead of a nod. "…But I thank you."

"No, no harm will come to Casavir, I assure you," Callum waved his hand at Adele. "My report will read that the Greycloaks were able to hold off the orcs long enough for you to take Logram's head," he grinned again. "That should make the Council happy that their money was well spent. And officially, Casavir was never here," he looked at the paladin again, and the man nodded silently in understanding. "Whatever reasons you had for leaving - they are your own."

"Thank you, Callum," Casavir answered. "And what of my soldiers? They know Old Owl Well – and they fight as only those fighting for their home will fight."

"I could certainly use them if they don't mind wearing a uniform, my friend. My Greycloaks could learn more than a thing or two from them. Of course, I'm going to have a hard time explaining to the Counsel how I suddenly ended up having another hundred mouths to feed and arm, but… I'll think of something."

"And the emissary?" Adele asked. "We need to bring him to Neverwinter."

"Don't worry. The emissary is under my protection now. I'll send my best soldiers to escort him. You have good rest. I think you've already risked enough for him."

"Fine by me," Adele smiled. "Thanks."

"It is I who should be thanking you and your companions," Callum smirked and jerked his head towards sleeping Grobnar. "But I have to beg you to take this creature away with you. My men had to make him dead-drunk, so that he would shut up finally."

Adele's smile grew wider: "We'll free you from him, promise."

"Alright then, have rest and head back as soon as you see fit. Good luck to you," he looked at Casavir again. "And to you, my friend." With that, he headed back to his men.

"So," Neeshka sneaked to them from behind the nearest tent, chewing something enthusiastically. "Any reward we get from commander Gollum?"

Adele couldn't hold back a snort, out of the corner of her eye noticing Casavir's blank stare at the tiefling.

Yeah, you need to get used to our band's sick sense of humor.

"Kick me, Neesh, I've forgot to ask. Honestly."

The tiefling flinched in disappointment: "…Oh, well, first thing for you to do in the morning then. By the way," she pointed towards the fires absently, "they're roasting some mountain beastie over there. What some?"

Casavir shook his head, while Adele just smirked bleakly: "I doubt I can stomach anything right now. Not after those caves…"

Neeshka frowned, looking into space, then grouched: "Aw, why did you need to remind… damn," she sat down near sleeping Elanee. "I was fed up with necroshit in Highcliff already…"

The paladin turned to Adele: "So you have encountered something like that before?"

"Yup," the woman nodded. "The same priest. Well, three of them already, not counting this one."

"Who… what are they?"

"No idea, really. Just run into those guys all the time. Seem to be kind of cultists or something…" she was silent for some time, recollecting memories, then added: "And this name… Garius. Don't know who is he, but he seems to be the boss of those priests, seeing how he's getting mentioned here and there. Listen," she glanced at him, "if I give you something, will you be able… don't know… to feel if this thing is… well, bad."

Casavir shrugged: "I'll do my best."

Adele took the silver shards, carefully wrapped into piece of cloth, out of her bag and handed them to the paladin. Removing the fabric, Casavir twiddled the shards in his hands thoughtfully, put them together and gave a light start, when a few pale-blue sparkles rolled over the edges of the shards.

"Yeah, they do that sometimes," Adele smirked at his surprise, privily rubbing her slightly aching ribs. Definitely need some rest.

"They are the pieces of a sword," Casavir remarked.

"Khelgar thinks so too."

"…But a silver sword…? Where do you have them from?"

"Oh, it's… a long story. But can you feel anything?"

"Something is in them, of course. But I am not familiar with the arcane."

"No, I mean… are they bad?"

"It is a weapon. Weapon cannot be anything but weapon. Good or evil is in the hand that holds it," he looked at Adele. "Are these shards somehow connected with those dark priests?"

"…No. Maybe. Don't know for sure. These things are a… personal problem. So to say."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Me?" Adele felt taken aback. "Why should you…?"

"You and your friends were of great help to me here. I wish to do the same in return, if it is within my power."

Adele exchanged glances with Neeshka. The tiefling nodded several times feverishly, a mischievous grin on her face.

"Well, not that I mind any help…" Adele turned back to Casavir. "But we need to go back to Neverwinter. You sure you're comfortable with that?"

"Rest assured that I doubt anyone looks for me. I just… left Neverwinter service, and the matter is not more complicated than that."

"Alright then. Don't want to cause troubles to anyone."

"Whatever my problems are, I'll do my best to ensure you are not drawn into them," he handed her the shards back.

"Fine," Adele smiled. "Thanks. But you know, now you are condemned to listen to a long story."

Something close to a smile also appeared in the corners of his mouth: "I am ready."

"You said it," she drew a deep breath, theatrically held it for a second, then let the air out. "Alright, the long story begins in West Harbor. It's in the Mere…"


…By the time she finished Neeshka also fell asleep – in the same sitting position, cuddling up to the log and putting a fist under her cheek. Casavir was listening to her story intently, interrupting only a couple of times with some questions, and his attention made Adele feel like she really was performing on the stage of a theatre.

"Well…" she moved her shoulders. "That's the end. For now. At the moment I'm hoping to get access to Blacklake District, have a talk with that sage, Aldanon, and finally find out something about these sword-pieces."

"I see," Casavir said thoughtfully. "Githyanki… As far as I know they dwell in the Astral Plane."

"You had come across them?"

"No, never. But I have learned about many of the outerplane creatures at the Temple," he was silent for some time, watching the dying embers of the extinct campfire. "It is strange. I have never heard of them being so persistent in stalking somebody."

"Neither heard anybody. Neeshka said that usually they hit the target and return home. That being on our plane is somewhat… painful for them," she shrugged again. "Well, it seems that pain is nothing compared to how much they want this silver rubbish… beats me why. Anyway, they seem to have lost our trail as we entered Neverwinter."

"You should not disregard the possibility that they simply do not want to be noticed and attack in plain view."

Adele chuckled gloomily: "Now that's encouraging."

"…Forgive me, I just wanted to point out the realities of the situation."

"It's alright, I've got that," Adele grinned. No, the guy is definitely too serious for his own good. She pushed a rolled out ember back to the fire and looked at the paladin again. "But honestly, what I don't get is how you ended up here. Not everyday meet paladins in the mountains."

"The residents of Old Owl Well have suffered from orc attacks for years. Someone had to put an end to it."

"So, you gathered men and…"

"No. The locals became my men. Living here made them tough and capable enough to drive their enemy back. They just needed to be… reminded of that."

"…You mean you came… alone?"

"Yes," his blue eyes were fixed on the embers, his face remained calm and still, as if carved from marble.

"…Why?"

"Because it was something that needed to be done. By someone. I felt that my sword could make a difference."

"But still…" Adele placed her elbows on her knees, also watching the embers, suddenly caught up in memories of her days-long journey through the Mere, until she met Khelgar at the inn, unspeakably glad of his offer to have a drink together. She was so exhausted and lost that couldn't even keep up the conversation, allowing the dwarf to rattle about him becoming monk and simply listening, listening, listening to his words – for his loud cheerful voice muffled her thoughts so nicely… "Going all alone in the thick of things… and orcs… Weren't you kinda worried?"

Again he was silent for some seconds, then shrugged: "That is the way of Tyr – if the truth is on your side, you will prevail. One way or the other, despite the enemy number or… something else you will be victorious. And I believe in it…" he closed his eyes. "I want to believe in it."

Adele drew herself up, watching him: "You alright?"

Casavir rubbed the eyelids and opened his eyes, not tearing his gaze from the campfire.

"…It just that there are battles than can be won by sword," he said quietly. "And there are others that cannot. That is why sometimes a man must… he had to…" he fell silent, then shook his head. "I am sorry, but… it's hard to explain. If you don't mind, it is something I do not wish to speak of right now. Perhaps, some other time. When the words are easier to find."

"Alright, no problem," she touched his shoulder encouragingly. "Sorry for prying."

"There's nothing you should feel sorry about."

"Nah, sometimes I start enjoying the sound of my own voice too much, I know," she smiled. "Next time just tell me to shut up in time – and it'll be fine."

Casavir regarded her with a somewhat puzzled glance that made Adele smile even more. Then the paladin motioned towards the others: "You should have a rest. You look really tired."

Adele nodded, rising from the log, and Casavir returned to staring at the burned down firewood. Throwing her bag and weapon on the ground, Adele wrapped herself in the blanket and lay down not far from Qara. From under her lowered eyelashes she watched the paladin for some time, who was still sitting and looking pensively at the extinct soot-covered embers.

There you go and do it again, - her everlastingly malcontent inner voice whispered. – You jump on the guy and start your bloody understanding. Why the Hells do you need to so much?

Adele closed her eyes.

Because I'd sooner rape everybody around with understanding than become like Daeghun. And I won't. I swear, I'll die a thousand deaths, but I won't…