Yes: Olan’s perspective

Olan doesn’t think he’s ever felt this tired in all his life. Tired, and old, and ashamed. His joints creak as he stoops down to pick up the fallen tiefling girl, making sure the shirt he gave her has her covered. She’s trembling all over, and he’s not sure if she’s conscious at all.

He takes a moment to steady himself before moving over towards where Atara is seated. The older woman is awake, at least, and struggling with her bonds. Clutching Lux to his chest with one arm, Olan uses his free hand to unfasten the buckles holding Atara down.

“I hope you can walk,” he grumbles, his voice raspy from the smoke in the air, “‘cause I’m not carrying you too.”

Atara gives him a firm nod, and stands, unsteadily. The two of them make their way out of the room, passing by where both Avin and Rina have fallen. Out in the corridor, Olan spots a small pool of blood on the floor, and maybe some other fluids too – but no sign of that bastard Radan. With luck, he’s just made a run for it, rather than calling in more of his friends.

Olan leans against a wall to steady himself, and takes a few breaths of the fresher air, while he waits for his head to stop spinning. From the adjoining room, rogue magic continues to crackle and fizz.

“Well.” Atara has to pause to clear her throat. “Olan. It’s…been a long time.”

“Not long enough, if you ask me,” Olan says.

“I suppose you want me to say ‘thank you’.”

“I only wanted you to say something when they exiled me and Mala for speaking our minds,” Olan snaps. “We’d just found out she was pregnant, for crying out loud!”

“Yes, well.” Atara bows her head a little. “Bad decisions were made. We’re reaping the consequences now.” She pauses. “Mala, is she…?”

“She passed away. Just a couple years ago.” Olan shakes his head. “I suppose…that’s what made me angry and stupid enough to come back here. A mistake. Should never have thrown in my lot with those other maniacs. Should’ve left you all to rot.”

“Maybe so.” Atara nods. “But we are where we are. Let’s all get to work making good our mistakes, hmm?”

Olan looks down at the tiefling girl, now seemingly asleep in his arms. “Some mistakes you can’t take back,” he says quietly.

Atara just bows her head slightly. She doesn’t know what mistake Olan is talking about, and Olan isn’t about to tell her. “Let’s get moving,” she says, after a moment. “She needs treatment – all three of us do, come to that.”

Olan nods. Pushing off from the wall, he follows Atara down the corridor, keeping a close hold on Lux.