They all rose in the early morning, as soon as there was enough light to see, then broke camp and started on their way: five of the Order's archers ahead, and five behind, with the Company traveling in between them and Sir Grady, Sir Shamus, and the young Helmite squire Elotte bringing up the rear.
In this way, the group traveled northwest along a trail running through a forest. The going was slower than traveling by the main road, as the path rose and fell often, tumbling over the hills and winding back and forth along several switchbacks. A couple times, they crossed a wide, flat creek that sheared over wide swathes of rock, and those occasions were the only ones where they took short breaks. The knights of the Order seemed driven on by some urgent purpose, and wished to reach their destination quickly, but would say little about where they were going and what they would do there.
As they traveled, Sir Grady called for the Company to walk alongside him and Sir Shamus, one by one, asking them each about their dealings with Firkraag. He spent the most time with Lidia in particular, questioning her thoroughly about the events of the past two days in particular. She felt the weight in her chest again as she walked, trying again to keep it out of her voice. Several times, a strange gleam came into the younger knight's eyes, as though he were trying to discern her intentions.
To his credit, Sir Grady remained cordial the entire time, and gave up no hint of what he thought to do with them now. She wondered if she'd like what he would decide.
They made camp a couple hours before sundown, and this time the Company and the contingent from the Order had no choice but to camp closer together. They still maintained a respectful distance nonetheless, though this time, Sir Grady invited Lidia to sit around his camp's small fire, as the moon rose between two gnarled trees. As they talked, Sir Grady cleaned his sword, running a thin layer of clear oil over his blade.
They exchanged a few pleasantries, until Sir Grady rather abruptly moved to his company's real business.
"The situation in the east is growing dangerous. Sythillis, an ogre mage, has spent well over the past decade raising an army, and he has been sending incursions here. Scouts and skirmishes, for the most part, but all signs point towards a plan for something greater. We will need to reinforce the town of Imnesvale in the hills to the north, as it's the gateway through the Cloud Peaks. Your team expressed a willingness to remain with us, and for that I am grateful. Every able hand will be needed for the task ahead, I fear."
Lidia asked, "Aren't I your prisoner?"
"Perhaps, from a certain point of view, but I am no jailor. Our need is great, and I'm certain you understand the importance of acting in good faith while that need lasts." He stared thoughtfully at her for a moment. "You are not what any of us had expected. We had encountered your kin before, and the outcome was always bloodshed."
"I don't consider them any kin of mine," Lidia said. "What kind of family has the only purpose of killing each other?"
His face resumed its usual grave expression. "Such a thing has existed, even without involving the Lord of Murder's blood."
"It has, but Bhaal planned this from the beginning. That was the only purpose behind having any children at all - to leave behind pieces of himself, in a literal sense. Some of those children took advantage of their divine heritage." Lidia's thoughts strayed for a moment to Sarevok. "But none of us had any say in it to begin with."
"Even in death, the Lord of Murder casts a long shadow." His hand drummed upon the hilt of his sword. "The nature of the Order's work is to strive against the forces of evil, and thus, with those Bhaalspawn who sought their father's power. Yet none of the prophecies ever spoke of the essence controlling their nature, so to speak. That is something to consider."
"So the Order has never found any children of Bhaal who are decent people? Who don't want anything to do with Bhaal or his power?"
"None others."
She nodded in understanding, though she had hoped he would say otherwise.
"Do you perhaps seek someone who shares your struggle?" he asked.
"If there was anyone like that. Maybe we could help each other." Admittedly, it seemed as likely as finding a snowball in Zakhara, but she'd always wondered, ever since she'd learned her heritage, whether she was as much of an anomaly as others seemed to think.
A long pause passed between them. Sir Grady finally said, "Some among us have asked whether the Bhaalspawn were capable of choosing the good. Yet if you can reject the Lord of Murder out of hand, there may be others. And if you keep your eyes and mind open, I have no doubt you will find them."
He said his goodnights and rose from where he sat, but turned to her one more time. "It may be unseemly of me, but I admit to some curiosity about what you will do."