* 12 * 4/8/12

The Keep was bustling and yet quiet at the same time, depending where you looked. Those who hadn't gone to Ammon Jerro's Haven were pleased to see everyone reunited and unharmed and were chattering away, except the more dour Qara and Sand, but even the stoic spellcasters cracked their stone faces with a grin.

Ammon himself was amazed that the party had been able to escape his haven for a second time, but apparently the portals that were used to foil him had remained extant, waiting only for one of their former controllers to open them. Blooden had done just that, though no details had been revealed as to what exactly had happened when they had confronted her; nothing that added up, anyway. As far as he knew, Khelgar had smashed her face in and she had died instantly, but that didn't explain the now stark animosity between some of his new friends, which was even stronger than it had been before.

Casavir was awake with his hand to his forehead, his wounds being treated by Zhjaeve. His mind still hadn't recovered, however; he couldn't remember any time in his recent past that he had been ridden with so much guilt, and so much hostility at the same time, feelings on which paladins were not supposed to linger for so long.

He did not know precisely what Bishop had run after Lily for, but he had an idea. That sick smirk he had given the paladin only confirmed it. He guessed that the ranger had taken Casavir's grave mistake as an opportunity to get closer to their Leader, to get ahead because of his own screw-up. He wasn't one hundred percent certain of it, but he wasn't about to ask Lily directly what had happened. She didn't seem to be talking to him, or even worse, acknowledging him at all.

He felt terrible. Normally he would take solace in wondering how she could be so bothered unless she really cared about him, but having her so thoroughly upset with him was spirit-breaking. He had no idea how to make her see reason, but then again, what was there to see? He had been caught kissing a demon of all things. Why shouldn't she be upset?

His brain offered a few reasons, including that it wasn't entirely his fault, but he pushed them aside with haste. He had no use for scapegoats. Ultimately, it had been his own weakness that had made him fall for the succubus's charms.

"Know that it is not your doing."

Casavir looked weakly up at the form beside him in the midst of chiding himself.

Zhjaeve continued, "Succubi are perverse, ruthless creatures. Know that even your enemy, Bishop, would have fallen for the same trap."

Casavir nearly slammed his fist down on the table, but he caught himself just in time. "But I am not Bishop!" Speaking his very name filled the paladin with rage. "I am not anything like him, that disgusting dog of a man!" he shouted, but quickly shut his lips. He wasn't usually prone to outbursts like that, but recent events had tested his patience and taken it to its limit.

When he had calmed down, he asked worriedly but quietly, "How did you find out?"

"I have my sources, and resources," she stated cryptically, an eerie, green glow coming to her eyes as she said it. "Do not forget that I am one of great age, and have seen many things. Know that I will not tell anyone what happened, and that I do not blame you. I'm sure Lily does not blame you either, even though that does not at this moment seem to be true." Zhjaeve caught his gaze. "Know that she came in to check on you while you were still asleep."

Casavir wanted to brighten up at this, but couldn't. He did nothing but hold his head in his hands as his wounds slowly closed. After a few minutes, Zhjaeve began to bandage them.

When she was finished, the Githyanki cleric offered a piece of advice: "Let her think on it awhile." She left the room, leaving the paladin alone with his thoughts.

Not being able to stand his own head anymore, he got to his feet and wandered bravely out into the main hall, coming face to face with the rest of his friends all at once.

All of them but two, at least.