Divided Duties

When I returned to camp, Lae’zel was still at it—blade flashing, muscles flexed, striking her training dummy in the same precise rhythm she’d kept since I left. Thump. Thump. Thump. Each blow landed like clockwork, echoing through the camp. She didn’t even glance up as I passed, her focus absolute, the dummy taking the brunt of whatever awkward feelings she’d been avoiding since last night.

Wyll intercepted me before I could reach the firepit, his steps springing with determination. “welcome back,” he cheered, tightening the straps of his gauntlets. “It feels good to be at the Grove again, helping those in need.."

I gave a small nod, managing a half-smile, though inwardly I winced at his overzealous good-guy energy. My eyes wandered over the camp, already searching for an escape from an impending hero’s sermon.

“Hey, where’s Shadowheart?”

He rubbed the back of his neck, an awkward smile tugging at his lips. “Hasn’t left her tent since Karlach dragged you away. Guess she’s… sleeping.” His grin said he didn’t believe that for a second.

“Right. Sleeping,” I said dryly. “You should probably head up to the caverns, then. Zevlor’s got the tieflings training by the gate.”

“On it,” Wyll said with a crisp nod. As he turned to go, the steady thump of Lae’zel’s blade ceased. Without a word, she sheathed her weapon, and strode after him. Wyll gave her a brief nod, extending a hand in silent invitation, which she ignored—but her long strides fell naturally into rhythm with his. She didn’t speak, didn’t even glance his way, yet she matched his pace, the two of them leaving side by side in a quiet, uneasy truce.. I raised a brow. “Guess she’s helping train the recruits now,” I said mostly to myself as they disappeared through the trees.

The camp grew silent again, the sound of steel on wood now faded. For a while, there was only the soft whisper of wind through leaves and the distant hum of the Grove. Then, the flap of Shadowheart’s tent shifted. She peeked out—hesitant, cautious, like a cat testing the air. Her eyes darted across the empty camp before settling on me.

The instant our gazes met, she froze. Looked down. Looked back up. Then down again. Fidgeting fingers toyed with the edge of her braid, her usual cool demeanor melted into something almost girlish.

She took a small step forward. “I… I’m thinking of heading to the tieflings as well,” she said, voice soft but steady. “Not the melee lot!—I thought I might help the casters. Those that know healing, and support, anything defensive.”

I smiled. “Good idea. They’ll need someone who actually knows what they’re doing.”

She nodded quickly. “Good.” Then her eyes lingered on me a heartbeat longer. “And tonight… please, please Tav. Just us two...”

My lips curved into a sly smile. “If you behave.”

“I’ll behave!” she blurted, a little too fast, then caught herself. Her lips twitched like she wanted to say something more, but she bit it back.

“Good,” I said, amused. “Off you go.”

“Yes… s—” she mumbled something too quiet to catch, cheeks pinking before she straightened and gave a quick nod. Then she turned and hurried away, the sway of her hips a little too deliberate to be accidental.

She was barely out of sight when Karlach conveniently came strolling back from the direction of our hot tub, steam still curling from her skin, a satisfied glow about her. “Morning again, soldier,” she called, running a hand through damp hair.

"Hi Hot Stuff," I said. “Heading to help train the tieflings?”

“Nah.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Drills and maneuvers aren’t my style. I’ll hang out with the cheeky runts instead—help them with traps and stuff.”

I raised a brow. “You mean with the explosives? You? That’s a bad idea.”

Karlach laughed. “No, silly. Rocks, stones, whatever they can throw at a goblin. I can carry more than the lot of them put together, so it’ll be a breeze. Maybe we’ll finish early and do some cri—” She stopped herself mid-word. “I mean, prepare more defenses.” She gave me a mock salute.

I couldn’t help but grin. “Go join their little gang after work, just don't set anything on fire.”

Her eyes gleamed mischievously. “Ooohhh, Soldier~. I can be bad for you too, if you’d prefer.” She said half jokingly, then turned and left to find the kids secret hideout, her giddy laughter echoing behind her as she strode off.

When she was gone, the camp felt strangely hollow. Quiet again, save for the soft rustle of leaves and lulling trickle of the nearby steam. Only Withers remained, standing in the far corner like a statue come to unlife. He was hunched over a tome, bony fingers hovering above the pages, scribbling without a pen.

He didn’t look up, and I didn’t disturb him. He had said his piece however cryptic it may be, in the future I apparently would have to contest with even the gods. Keyword: Future. I pushed his foreboding foreshadowing to the back of my mind.

The Grove could not wait. I straightened, adjusted my Jolty Vest, and started toward the the little rickety shop, where I had first met dear Auntie Ethel.

Hi everyone, and happy Halloween season!

As a little treat (or trick), I will be uploading a new chapter each day, that way the Grove corruption ritual will be concluded by the end of Halloween week, very fitting!

I hope you enjoy these chapters, and if you like to support my side-hobby, as this story has steadily become, you can do so at my Patreon.com/c/Daddy_vampy