The Silent Shrine

As we set out on our path for the next companion the sun had begun its slow descent, golden light sliding across the tops of the trees, lazily catching on the leaves. We had three, maybe four hours before nightfall—a stretch of quiet road, then a detour through the mountain paths.

We moved fast, but not careless. Even Lae’zel, eager as she was for combat, kept her eyes on the shadows. It had been a long day

As we followed a winding trail downward, the valley revealed itself: dense with green, and at its center, a waterfall plunged into a pool, then flowed into a river cutting through the valley. To its side yawned the mouth of a cave. We hadn’t planned to stop, but the trail veered close. I remembered this place. And what lived inside.

Shadowheart squinted at the opening, then glanced at me. "What in the hells lives in something like that?"

I crouched low, brushed my fingers over some random dirt and took a whiff not smelling anything in particular. "Looks like an owlbear. A big one too."

Shadowheart took a step back. "Wonderful."

Lae'zel let out a sound that was equal parts annoyed grunt and **** admiration.

She didn’t notice my grin. I remembered this place from the game—Inside and off to the left, just past a drop, there was a small natural chamber. In it stood a shrine—something I knew would strike a chord with Shadowheart, and if I played it right, it might earn me a few points.

"Let’s try the left side," I said, mostly to Lae’zel. "Something’s drawing me that way."

"You want to go deeper into a cave with a monster in it?" Shadowheart hissed.

"Yes," I said, already stepping forward. "Call it instinct."

Lae’zel gave a rare nod, eyes glinting with respect. "Bold, or just stupid—we’ll see."

[Lae’zel: Approval +1]

We slipped into the cave’s left path, avoiding loose rocks and patches of dried blood. The air inside was heavy and cool. As we rounded the bend, light spilled down from a narrow crevice above, illuminating a quiet space beside a small pond. And there, bathed in silver rays, stood a statue of Selûne.

I watched Shadowheart from the corner of my eye. She froze ever so slightly, not enough for Lae’zel to notice, but I saw it. That tension in her shoulders. That faint twitch of her jaw.

A shrine to Selûne. Shar’s ancient rival. Light to her shadow. Sister. Enemy.

There were prayer sheets spread around the base of the statue, half-buried in silt and moss. Silken moon motifs etched in the stone. I stepped forward casually.

"Let’s clear this garbage out."

"What are you—"

I tore the sheets. One by one. Ripped them down the middle and tossed the shreds into the pond. Selûne’s pale symbols swirled in the water before sinking like dying stars. Lae’zel stared confused.

"You are very strange." She mused.

Shadowheart didn’t move. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came. Then—just under her breath—a whisper: "Blasphemy."

She turned to me, stunned. "Why would you do that?"

I shrugged. "Didn’t want any of that Selûnite heresy rubbing off on us."

[Shadowheart: Approval +5]

And that did it.

She laughed. Loud, sudden, genuine. Not the smirk or dark sarcasm she usually offered. This was warm and real and utterly disarming. It echoed off the cave walls and caught in the water. It was the first time I’d seen her laugh in real life, and by gods was it beautiful.

She looked at me, still catching her breath. "You’re ridiculous."

Then she paused. Her tone shifted, gentled.

"I worship Shar.."

A confession. She didn’t flinch when she said it, but something in her eyes told me she hadn’t shared that lightly.

And then— A deep, guttural growl rolled through the cavern, reverberating off stone and bone.

Lae’zel already had her weapon out.

"t'chaki, you woke it" Lae’zel spat in Gith, her blade already raised.

The owlbear had heard us