The next day brought a warm, gentle spring rain that quickly passed, and before long the town opened itself up again to a sunny morning.

Sir Grady wasted no time getting the day's tasks back on track. The first order of business was to repair and shore up the wooden fence that ringed Imnesvale, which took the better part of a day. The second was to send Lidia, Jaheira, Yoshimo, and Minsc along the road east, to look for any signs that the Sythillisians had passed through here. After several hours of searching, they'd only turned up a few odd half-buried weapons. They started making their way back down to the village, hoping to make it back to camp by nightfall.

About two miles out of Imnesvale, four elves, all bearing a mishmash of different arms and armor, stopped them on the road. Their only mark or sign they each wore was a small silver pin.

Their leader, a tall, golden-haired elf with a long, thin halberd, called to the company in a high, clear voice: "Hold! And let justice take its rightful measure! You will know this day that you have suffered Harper justice!"

Jaheira came forward, calling back: "What is this? Reviane! What are you doing here? It is I, Jaheira!"

A flash of recognition crossed the elf's face, but it soon hardened, and she raised her halberd into a guard. "So I can see. It pains me to do this, but a traitor's death is what you deserve!"

Yoshimo said to Lidia with a smile, "Yet again? You think we could make friends with them, too?"

Lidia said nothing, but stepped between Jaheira and the elf. She said to the stranger, "Jaheira is a friend of mine. What's going on here?" She pulled her staff into a guard, and her every muscle tensed to strike.

Jaheira pushed forward. "If this is about the attack at the Harper Hold, you know I would not do such a thing if I had any choice!"

Reviane sternly said, "I know not of what you speak, Jaheira. Explain yourself."

"It was Galvarey," Jaheira said. "He had me bring my companion Lidia there on the pretense of determining her danger, but he had no intention of letting her leave once there. That whole hearing was a ruse."

In what was almost certainly an involuntary motion, the tip of Reviane's halberd lowered as she parsed this. "This seems far-fetched," she finally said. "You are well known to have hated Galvarey, and you defended a known risk to the balance."

"He was an ambitious fool," Jaheira said, raising her voice. "He was after a Heraldship, wanting my friend only as a trophy for his own gain."

The elf sharply raised her weapon again. "Your story fails you. He could not have known the threat this Lidia presented before he sought your audience."

"He knew my heritage when he summoned me," Lidia said. "My only crime was defending myself, unless you've found another. Is there any way we can speak to those who sent you? There doesn't need to be more death today."

Reviane considered this a moment, bowing her head. "No more words with a killer of Harpers. The evidence is obvious, and my orders are clear. I must do this. I am sorry."

Jaheira's face was somber. "As am I."

Within moments, both companies had their blades bared. Evidently, the Harpers had counted on Lidia and Jaheira being alone. And evidently, they also hadn't counted on Minsc's barbaric fury or Yoshimo's arrows flying from behind a hedge. Reviane and the Harpers with her were skilled fighters, but after a few minutes, it was all over, and only the four members of the Company were left standing.

Jaheira knelt next to Reviane's body, dismayed, her head bowed.

"Well," Yoshimo said. "Lidia's a Bhaalspawn and Jaheira's a Harper, or was. Perhaps we ought to lay it all out now, yes? Anyone else have any secrets they wish to share with the group?"

Minsc glanced about, as though he wished not to be rude. He announced, in a low voice, "Boo once stole a walnut from a shop when no one was looking."

They made their way back to the village as the evening shadows lengthened. Jaheira moved much more quickly than usual, leaving the others behind. As soon as she made her way back to camp, she immediately started packing her tent.

Lidia caught her. She was nearly out of breath from trying to catch up. "Listen -"

"I cannot stay here," Jaheira said. "Word of these events will quickly spread to the Harpers, and it will not be safe for the others or you."

Lidia had a ready protest, but Jaheira seemed to anticipate it.

"Do not start," she continued, rolling her canvas tent into a tight roll. "This group should not face another attack. If any of the knights perish as a consequence, it will go ill for you."

"Where will you go?" Lidia asked.

"Hush!" Jaheira said harshly. "The very forest may have ears."

Lidia helped her gather her few things together. Within ten minutes, Jaheira's pack was ready to go, and her walking boots were laced.

"I should be on my way, then. Keep your guard up," Jaheira said. "They may come for you, too."

"I'll find you as soon as I can."

Lidia expected Jaheira to argue, but instead she seemed almost relieved. "Very well. We ought to keep the Harpers guessing for a time, at least. Let me use your journal for a moment."

Lidia obliged, and her friend flipped open to the first empty page she could find, making a quick sketch with a stylus. After returning the journal, Jaheira picked up her pack and started walking, and with a few strides she disappeared into the woods on one side of the pass, swallowed by the spring evening.

The book half-open in her hand, Lidia watched the spot where Jaheira faded from view, long after she'd gone.