Chapter 11
by 
Yelawolf
You go inside...
The grove
The gates of the Grove creak open, revealing a bustling settlement within. Tieflings and humans alike work together to repair the damage from the attack, their faces etched with exhaustion but also relief. The tall, armored man who greeted you earlier leads the way, his presence commanding respect.
“I am Zevlor,” he says, turning to face you. “Leader of the tiefling refugees here. You have our gratitude for your aid. Few would risk their lives for strangers.”
You introduce yourself and your companions, each of them offering a nod or a curt greeting. Zevlor’s gaze lingers on Karlach, his expression thoughtful.
“You fight like a demon,” he says, his tone more impressed than accusatory.
Karlach grins, her fiery eyes gleaming. “Thanks. I get that a lot.”
Zevlor chuckles, then gestures for you to follow. “Come. We’ll speak inside.”
Zevlor leads you to a sturdy stone building at the heart of the Grove. Inside, a makeshift infirmary is filled with wounded defenders. A woman with silver hair and a kind but weary expression tends to them, her hands glowing with healing magic.
“This is Nettie,” Zevlor says, introducing the woman. “Our healer. If anyone can help you with your… condition, it’s her.”
Nettie looks up, her sharp eyes studying each of you. “Mind flayer parasites, you say? That’s a rare and dangerous affliction. Let me see what I can do.”
As Nettie begins her examination, Zevlor pulls you aside. “There’s something else you should know. We’ve been tracking a group of Absolute cultists in the area. They’ve been searching for an artifact—of immense power. If they find it, it could spell disaster for us all.”
You exchange glances with your companions, mainly with Shadowheart. “We’ll keep an eye out,” you promise.
...
As you leave the infirmary, a commotion near the stockade catches your attention. A group of tiefling guards is gathered around a cage, shouting at the prisoner inside.
“Filthy goblin! You’ll pay for what your kind has done!”
You approach, curious. Inside the cage is a goblin woman, her green skin smeared with dirt and her yellow eyes wide with fear. She clutches the bars, her voice shrill.
“I ain’t done nothin’! Let me out, ya stupid horn-heads!”
One of the guards raises a spear, but you step forward, holding up a hand. “Wait. What’s going on here?”
The guard glares at you. “This one’s a spy. Caught her sneaking around during the attack. We’re deciding what to do with her.”
The goblin’s eyes dart to you, and she grins, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth. “Oi, you! You look like a reasonable sort. Help me out, and I’ll make it worth yer while!”
You raise an eyebrow. “And why should we trust you?”
She leans closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “’Cause I know things. Things about the Absolute. Things that might help you.”
Shadowheart crosses her arms, her expression skeptical. “She’s lying. Goblins can’t be trusted.”
Lae’zel snorts. “Kill her and be done with it.”
Karlach, however, steps forward, her fiery eyes curious. “What’s your name, gobbo?”
The goblin grins. “Sazza. And I’m tellin’ ya, I can help. Just get me outta here!”