LANDALE AND SUSPICIONS PART 2 - YUMI POV

"I didn't!" Landale exclaims defensively, his voice filled with protest. Yumi notices a flicker in his eyes, a brief glance towards her shield, before he quickly raises his hands in surrender.

With a playful grin, Yumi takes a step closer to Landale. "Of course, you didn't," she says, her voice laced with sarcastic amusement.

Quickly but reluctantly, Landale admits his actions as he steps backward, his gaze fixed on her menacingly held mace. "Okay, I do! But only briefly," he confesses, his voice tinged with apprehension.

Curiosity piqued, Yumi continues to close the distance, her grin widening as she notices a tree behind the retreating Landale. "Why?" she asks, her tone coaxing.

"I was merely curious," Landale explains, his voice trembling as he continues to step backward, the tree closing in behind him. He seems torn between wanting to flee and being trapped by Yumi's piercing gaze. "He usually keeps his mental defenses up, and I noticed it was down. He was so exhausted I thought he wouldn't notice."

Raising her mace and hovering inches away from Landale's chest, Yumi raises an eyebrow. "What were you hoping to find?" she inquires, her tone both inquisitive and challenging.

"Nothing," Landale quickly replies, wincing as his back hits the tree, his expression transforming into one of absolute terror.

Finally dropping the smile in her face, Yumi frowns and holds her mace firmly, the threat palpable in the air. "Okay," she says slowly, "Tell me the truth now. What do you discover?"

Landale's gaze leaves the mace just enough that he meet Yumi's terrifying gaze, a hint of desperation in his voice as he answers. "He raised his mental shield quickly. I barely gleaned anything of value," he confesses, his words filled with frustration and disappointment.

Yumi stares at him intently, trying to discern if he is being truthful. Unfortunately, she is not as skilled as Aki in reading people, her skills in interrogation lies else where - using those skills on Landale is not an option. She takes a deep breath, lowering her mace slightly, her annoyance evident.

Further threats would prove unproductive at this point. Aki would undoubtedly notice that I mishandled the interrogation, if he returns to find Landale a trembling mess.

"Landale, listen carefully," Yumi warns, her tone firm. "Aki is already suspicious of you. You need to understand that prying into his thoughts is dangerous. You mustn't do it again."

"I'm sorry," Landale mutters, his voice laced with remorse. "I can't help myself."

Yumi's frustration grows, her exasperation seeping into her words. "Do you realize how obvious you've been?" she chides. "You need to act normal, Landale."

"I tell you, I can't," Landale replies, his voice filled with distress. "Every time I look at Aki, I'm haunted by images of those goblins with gaping holes in their chests. You know at our level that is not possible! I don't want to end up like those goblins."

Yumi's exclamation of frustration fills the air. "Just act normally and keep your mental defenses up. As you said, Aki always has his up anyway, so it wouldn't be strange if you did the same."

Landale's question catches her off guard. "What about you?" he asks, his voice tinged with concern.

"Me?" Yumi scoffs, shaking her head. "Aki will never sift through my thoughts. And for the gods' sake, Landale, if you think I would confess what we did to him, I'll actually smash you!"

"Oh," Landale mumbles, leaning against the tree, a sense of relief washing over him as the weight on his shoulders lifts.

Yumi's expression turns aghast. "Did the thought of me confessing to Aki actually cross your mind?" she asks incredulously, unable to contain her disbelief. She quickly shakes her head, knowing that whatever answer Landale supplies would only serve to increase her frustration. "Never mind! Don't answer that. Just please tell me that you are fine now."

"Yeah, I think I'm fine, " Landale slowly replies, straightening up, adjusting his armor and clothes, his composure gradually returning.

Yumi nods, relieved that Landale seems to regain some semblance of control. "Let's go meet Aki now," she says, starting to walk. Mid-stride, she glances back at Landale and nearly stumbles in shock.

"Landale! Why?" she asks, her exasperation evident.

Landale's expression has suddenly reverted back to anxiety and horror, the thought of meeting Aki reigniting his fear. Yumi bites her lip, contemplating how they can help him overcome his anxieties.

A few moments pass until Landale apparently gets an idea. "Yumi," Landale speaks slowly, his eyes pleading with her, "how about you promise to reward me later?"

"What?" Yumi exclaims, her voice filled with disbelief. "No!"

****, Landale hurriedly continues, "You don't have to actually do it! Just promise to reward me later, so I have something to look forward to."

Yumi stares at him, her mouth agape, her disbelief shifting to astonishment.

Seeing her reaction, Landale quickly continues, "Honestly, other than the Goblin Boss, the only reason I haven't run away in fear is the thought of doing it again - with you," he adds lamely.

Groaning in exasperation, Yumi lowers her gaze to the ground and her hand raises to her mouth, deep in thought.

I suppose it does make sense, she thinks to herself, contemplating the situation. In a way, Landale is in a similar predicament as Aki. While Aki is anxious about the Goblin Boss and Landale, Landale is fearful of the Goblin Boss and Aki.

And anyway, I suppose I am part to be blame for all of this, she admits to herself.

With a heavy sigh, Yumi makes a decision, lifting her gaze to meet Landale's hopeful eyes.

"Landale, fine," she relents, her voice firm but tinged with ****. "If you behave and act appropriately, I'll consider rewarding you. No more prying into Aki's thoughts, and you must act as normally as possible. Can you do that?"

Landale's face lights up, his confidence rising as he rises to his full height. He nods eagerly, and the huge grin in his face assures Yumi that he understands and will comply to the best of his abilities.

Yumi inwardly sighs, relieved that he doesn't press her for immediate action. Good, she thinks to herself, at least he didn't ask me to do it now.

"You said you can cast every spell Aki knows, right?" Yumi asks. Landale nods affirmatively. "Can you cast the Scrying spell?"

If a scrying spell activates in the vicinity of a fellow wizard, they have the ability to nullify its effects. Landale's brow furrows with confusion as he ponders why Aki allowed the spell to continue, but their bewilderment is soon replaced by understanding. The scrying reveals Aki locked in a fierce battle against two large Manticores and a horde of goblin archers, displaying unwavering valor as he fights alone.

In that pivotal moment, Landale and Yumi's eyes meet, sparking an unspoken connection that solidifies their shared determination. They immediately surge forward, sprinting with resolute purpose towards their embattled comrade, propelled by an undeniable sense of urgency.

As they race towards Aki, Landale firmly clasps the Scrying spell in his hands, his voice taking on a cadence of reassurance mingled with concern. "He's holding his ground, Yumi," he reassures her. "We will reach him in time."

Yumi bites her lip anxiously, her determination intensifying. She turns to Landale, her voice tinged with urgency as she implores him to stay close. "Landale, keep pace. I'm picking up the tempo," she declares, her words laden with a sense of urgency.

Disregarding her plea, Landale persists in his narration, never faltering in his commitment. "Aki is tactically retreating, leading them farther away from us, towards a clearing," he relays to her, the mounting tension palpable in his voice.

"How far away are we!?" Yumi blurts out, her anxiety etched across her features. She steals a glance at Landale, noting that he effortlessly matches her stride. The worry in her eyes catches his attention, causing him to hesitate momentarily. Then, abruptly, he deactivates the scrying spell and comes to a sudden halt.

Though the notion that Landale may be about to betray them flits through her mind, Yumi refuses to stop and defend herself from whatever he is about to do. Her determination to reach Aki overrides any uncertainties about Landale's actions.

I'll dodge or deflect whatever spell you throw, Landale. Nothing will stop me from reaching Aki.

A surge of energy surrounds Landale and despite the growing distance between them, Yumi keenly senses the heat radiating from the impending spell.

Landale raises his hand towards Yumi.