Tsuto's journal was a distressing warning to Draul, who wasn't sure if he and his companions were prepared for the fights ahead. Even when cornered and caught off-guard, Tsuto had soundly defeated enough of the adventurers to make his escape to rejoin his allies at Thistletop. Draul wasn't too concerned about Ripnugget himself but the goblins he commanded and hearing that Bruthazmus was involved was dire news for the group after recalling Shalelu's warning. He wanted to believe that the group could defeat their foes but it would be an incredibly tough battle for him and his companions.

Then there was the matter of the woman leading the goblins to destroy Sandpoint. Although her name wasn't written in the journal, Draul had a feeling that based on the description, the woman responsible for what happened to Sandpoint was Nualia. He hated being wrong, but in this case, the evidence they uncovered supported Mariel's theory that Nualia survived. It would be something the two would need to discuss in greater detail. Draul wasn't sure what led Nualia to turn to evil or why she thought her celestial heritage to be a curse. He would need more details, especially considering that they haven't confirmed that the goblin's leader was Nualia, but he hoped that there was a chance to talk her down from the path she was on before it was too late for her.

Draul had never heard of Malfeshnekor before and was concerned at what it was capable of. Certainly, their enemies believed that Malfeshnekor would be capable of burning Sandpoint to the ground. At the very least, it appeared as though Malfeshnekor was locked away, giving Draul and his companions time to prepare. Of more immediate concern was the revelation of a quasit hiding beneath Sandpoint with monsters under its command. Dealing with the goblins at Thistletop was required but not until they knew Sandpoint was safe.

The adventurers reconvened at the Rusty Dragon in the evening with their wounds patched up with bandages and Mariel awake with a headache. Ameiko had regained consciousness as well but needed to recover from her physical injuries from the goblins as well as needing time to mourn the loss of her father. Although Draul contemplated questioning Ameiko on if she learned anything from Tsuto, he thought it best to leave her be for now. The group finished dinner prepared by Bethana while Razvan took time to divide the gold he earned selling the valuable dust he found in Tsuto's backpack.

Draul had a good feeling that many of his companions were feeling down. Despite their status as heroes, their skills weren't enough to stop Tsuto. They saved Ameiko but not being able to stop her brother certainly stung. Kennick in particular wasn't taking his old friend's betrayal well. Draul had to let Bethana know not to serve Kennick alcohol for the night to let his rage simmer on its own. After the defeat they suffered, they needed to rally despite the setback and do what they could to protect Sandpoint.

"That'll be seventy-seven gold for all of us," Razvan announced, handing pouches filled with coins to his companions.

Corita sighed and tossed her pouch up and down. "Here I thought that gold would help cheer me up after everything but I feel… I feel like we're not enough to keep Sandpoint safe."

"We're good but I think Tsuto outclasses us when it comes to a fight," Razvan nodded in agreement. "I'd hate to see what he can do in a more fair fight."

"From what little I've seen from him, Tsuto must have trained at some sort of monastery," Mariel commented and rubbed where she had been kicked on her chin with a grimace. "There was power and precision behind each of his strikes even when he was unarmed."

"He's dangerous with his bow too," Draul added and turned to face Kennick. "Did you know about this training before?"

Kennick shook his head. "Tsuto must have trained after he left Sandpoint."

"I see," Draul nodded. "I know there's a lot on your mind but I have a final question that only you can answer as someone who's lived in Sandpoint for years."

"What is it?"

Draul took out Tsuto's journal and flipped it open. "Do you recognize who this woman is?"

Kennick took the journal and frowned. "Her face and hair reminds me of Nualia."

"Nualia?" Corita blinked in confusion. "Who's that?"

"Father Tobyn's adopted daughter," Mariel explained, watching Draul take Tsuto's journal back from Kennick. "Kennick told me that she died in the same fire that claimed her father's life but it seems that wasn't the case."

"I was wrong, Mariel," Draul admitted with a sigh. "I should have trusted your hunch."

"At least you know better for the future," Mariel said matter-of-factly. "We can now prepare knowing that Nualia has not only survived but she appears to be leading the goblins that threaten Sandpoint."

"How much of a threat is she personally?" Razvan asked, leaning back on his chair. "I get that she has Tsuto and a lot of goblins working for her but what about her personally?"

"Nualia was a quiet girl when I knew her and not one for violence," Kennick said softly.

"But that was five years ago," Mariel pointed out. "She could have changed much like Tsuto."

"If she were powerful enough to destroy Sandpoint by herself, she wouldn't need the goblins or this Malfeshnekor, so we have that going for us," Draul thought out loud. "However, there is one part of the journal that concerns me over what Nualia is capable of."

"And what's that?" Mariel asked.

"Tsuto mentioned that Nualia intended to sacrifice Sandpoint to Lamashtu," Draul explained. "She has already sacrificed her father's remains which transformed her hand but I fear that she may be able to call upon Lamashtu's power just as I can call upon Sarenrae for aid."

"How bad is that?" Razvan questioned, sitting upright once noticing Draul's concern.

"Very bad," Draul answered bluntly. "Lamashtu is the Mother of Monsters and a powerful demon. I worry for Sandpoint's future."

Although it wasn't Draul's intention, he had brought down the mood of the group even further. Razvan closed his eyes in thought and Corita looked down at the table with a frown, thinking of defeat already. Kennick kept his arms crossed and his face was twisted as he processed that someone else he knew was acting against Sandpoint. Mariel glanced at Draul and tilted her head expectantly. She expected him to rally the group and that was what he intended to do. He only needed to think of a plan to offer his companions.

Razvan opened his eyes. "I'm cutting my losses. If anyone wants to stick around, I'm heading to Magnimar."

"We can't give up like this," Corita said, although her voice was quiet. "We can't leave."

"Sure we can," Razvan said with a shrug. "At the end of the day, I'm just a man with two daggers and hardly any training. I'm struggling against goblins and you expect me to go against the likes of Nualia and Tsuto? I can't be the only one thinking about leaving while I still can."

"It is the practical answer," Mariel conceded, turning back to the group. "The idea has crossed my mind more than once."

"I don't know any fancy tricks to use with my sword but I can still fight," Corita argued, slowly regaining her conviction. "Draul and Mariel both know what they're doing. Kennick, I know that it's tough to go up against your old friends, but if Tsuto hadn't taken you out, he wouldn't have stood a chance against you."

"Sandpoint is my home," Kennick muttered quietly. "I can't leave."

"Razvan, I know you're afraid, but if we stick together, we might stand a chance," Draul joined in. "We may be the only ones that can stop Nualia from destroying Sandpoint. If we give up now, she wins."

"What do you expect me to do?" Razvan asked, throwing his hands up in defeat.

"You're smart and resourceful," Draul told Razvan. "If you put your mind to overcoming your odds, you will find a way to succeed. Without you picking the lock to that door today, Kennick and I would have broken it down and warned the goblins that we were coming."

"You kept me from chasing after Tsuto when he had the advantage," Corita added. "He might have killed me if you hadn't stopped me."

"It's going to take more than street smarts to save Sandpoint," Razvan pointed out.

"That's why we need to work together," Draul said. "This is a lot to take in so we plan one step at a time. First, we deal with the nearest threat."

"The quasit," Razven nodded. "It did sound like that the quasit is vital for the next raid on Sandpoint."

"If we defeat the quasit and any other monsters under Sandpoint, that'll be a good start," Corita nodded. "Will you stay with us?"

Razvan sighed but nodded. "Alright. I'll stay."

"That's the spirit," Corita said with a faint smile as she stood up. "Now let's go."

"I think we should spend the night recovering from our injuries before we go below Sandpoint," Mariel suggested.

"I know that," Corita gestured toward Razvan. "We're going to train."

"Train?" Razvan raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"That's right," Corita nodded quickly. "There's only one way you're going to get better at fighting and that's with practice. We can spar for an hour or two before we sleep."

"I suppose so," Razvan nodded and stood up. "I'm sorry for almost giving up. This is all new to me."

"There's nothing wrong with being afraid," Draul assured Razvan. "What matters is facing your enemy despite your fears."

"You'd do well to listen to Draul's advice," Mariel said and stood up. "I shall prepare in my own way as well. I'll study from my spellbook for the rest of the night in my room."

"Have a good night, Mariel," Draul said. "Everyone, let's meet up at the Glassworks tomorrow when we're ready."

Corita and Razvan nodded and made their way to the door to find a spot to spar against one another. Mariel made her way to her quarters to make her own preparations for tomorrow. Draul was initially worried when Razvan talked about giving up and was glad that Corita stepped up to help convince him to stay. The paladin thought that Razvan and Corita got along well enough and looked forward to seeing what they could come up with from their training. He was glad that Mariel decided to stay with the group despite her own reservations. If the others could keep her safe, the wizard could make a big difference in their coming battles.

Kennick stayed behind with Draul and looked down at the table. The paladin was confident that Kennick wouldn't abandon Sandpoint but was still worried about him. They weren't only fighting goblins anymore but people that Kennick knew. Although it was his teachings as a redeemer that guided Draul to want to try to stop Nualia and Tsuto without killing them, he had to admit that he also wanted to spare Kennick from having to see his old friends killed in battle. He needed to make sure that his friend was ready for battle despite the feelings he kept bottled up inside.

"Shall we go train as well?" Draul asked, hoping that Kennick would agree to his offer.

"Perhaps," Kennick answered quietly.

Draul nodded. "Or perhaps we should rest for the night. You went through a lot today."

"We all did."
"The conflict we find ourselves in is personal for you," Draul pointed out. "I won't force you to talk about what's on your mind, even though I believe that doing so would help you. Just know that if you do need someone to talk to, I can do what I can to help you."

Kennick remained silent and dropped his arms to his side, showing that he was tired. Draul stood up from his seat, believing it was best to leave his friend alone, only for Kennick to speak up before he could walk off.

"Do you truly believe that we can save Sandpoint?"

"Of course!" Draul answered without hesitation. "Today was a minor setback but we did save Ameiko, defeat some goblins, and learned more about the plot against Sandpoint. As long as we keep giving it our all, we'll keep Sandpoint safe."

"I see," Kennick closed his eyes in thought for a moment before opening them, determined. "Then I need to stop holding back."

"Holding back?" Draul questioned. "What do you mean by that?"

Kennick reached over to the pommel of his greataxe. "This was my father's weapon, but the truth was that he was more dangerous without it, like I am. I wield this axe not only to honor my father but because he and I… we're not like the people of Sandpoint, and although this is my home, some of the people that live here do not care for those who are different."

"I understand," Draul nodded slowly. "Kennick, you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. If you're uncomfortable with telling me more, we can forget this entire conversation and you can go back to using your father's axe."

"I trust you along with the others we fight with," Kennick stated firmly. "Please, come with me. It's better you see what I'm talking about for yourself."

"Very well. Lead on, my friend."

Kennick stood up from his chair and made his way out of the Rusty Dragon with Draul following behind him. The sun was starting to set as the pair made their way towards the northern gates to leave the town. When Draul first met Kennick, the paladin thought his new friend was a simple warrior out to make a name for himself. The past few days showed him that there was more to his friend than he originally thought. Though it wasn't his fault, Kennick was tied to those who would watch Sandpoint burn and was likely conflicted about standing against his friends in a town that might not accept who he truly was.

There was no doubt in Draul's mind that Kennick was a good man. No matter what secret he had, he would do whatever he could to protect his home and stand by his newfound friends.

A/N: This is more of a chapter meant to recap the information found out while setting up future plans. Not a whole lot going on at the moment but it's necessary to help set up the story moving forward.

Until next time.