“I don’t know how to explain it.” Haagut said frustratedly. “It was something inside me that grew stronger.”

“Okay, now what was the part about the diamond?” Odelia asked, putting her armor back on again.

“Well if i can get a near perfect diamond. I could -probably- bring someone. Recently dead someone. But bring them… back.” Haagut said. Moving his small bag of pebbles between his hands and dropping them back into the bag.

“Sounds pretty valuable.” Cleatus said.

“Yup, let’s find a diamond.” Shaynen said. Returning back to the little cove the party was waiting in.

“This is a tree city. Where the hell will we find a diamond?” Odelia scoffed. She looked at Shaynen and nodded. “Where’d you get that?” He looked down at the new clothes he was wearing.

“The lady who let us crash in her place said I could have them.” He said. Adjusting the deep forest green vest and pulling down the loose white sleeves with the green trim. “Since the ones I was wearing were covered in ick and blood and who knows what else.”

“I meant the things on your wrist,” Odelia pointed to the emerald green reflective bracers that had their point just under Shaynen’s palms. He smiled and pulled up the tiny notched points with his fingertips. Pulling sharp daggers free of the sheaths.

“Knives!” He said proudly.

“Nice,” Haagut nodded. Shaynen grinned and pulled his hair back into a half ponytail.

“As for the diamond, I don’t know who’d have one. Much less how we’d pay for it.” Haagut said. “A nice diamond like that, well.. It wouldn’t be cheap.”

“Shaynen, what are those knives made from?” Odelia asked.

“Dragon scales.” He said. Odelia raised an eyebrow.

“Where’d you get them? Maybe we could unload the rest of ours for a trade.” She said thoughtfully. Shaynen led the party to the dwarven smith. Where they were able to unload the scales they had in exchange for a pure diamond and some change. They left the smith with Haagut holding not only the diamond but what coin they had left over from the sale of the scales.

“Okay, how should I divide this all up?” He mumbled.

“I wouldn’t bother,” Shaynen said idly. Playing and adjusting the bracers on his wrists.

“Yeah, Just hang on to it for us.” Odelia agreed. “I trust you.” Haagut paused, eyes wide.

“Hey guys, I think I got a little taller. Did I? I’m pretty sure I used to be way shorter than you Odelia.” Shaynen said as he moved closer to Odelia and tried to measure them.

“You’re just wearing thick soled shoes,” Odelia dismissed.

“I’m not wearing any shoes.” Shaynen replied. Odelia looked down and scowled.

“You trust me?” Haagut said. Pulling their attention back to him.

“Yeah, we trust you.” Odelia said. “Is that a problem?”

“Wha- no. I just. Sorry.” Haagut coughed and rubbed at his eyes. “This is just. It’s the first time I’ve ever interacted with people who aren’t goblins and it’s. New.”

“I guess that’s fair,” Shaynen agreed.

“I don’t know what to say,” Haagut chuckled quietly.

“That’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. Odelia knows what I’m talking about. She doesn’t say much at all.” Shaynen started walking toward the south gate where Cleatus was going to meet them. In response Odelia only made a short noise.

“See what I mean?” Shaynen said.

At the gate, Cleatus was talking with one of the guards. He was shifting awkwardly and sheepishly. As the three of them passed the other guards respectfully bowed their heads to them.

“Hey, you guys get that diamond?” Cleatus asked.

“Yeah. Uh, ready to go?” Haagut asked. Cleatus nodded to the guard.

“Yeah, just talking to this guy here. His brother; Ranathall, went to the mines and never returned.” Cleatus said. “Why don’t you give them the description?”

“Last I saw him, he was 6’5”, with short red hair. He has an ironwood bow, those are fairly rare so... I hope that helps.” The guard said.

“We’ll keep an eye out,” Cleatus said. The party passed the gates and out of the circle of mushrooms. Leaving the magic barrier the party could feel the stillness in the forest. Despite not being able to see any of the ick yet.

Travelling was peaceful. Over the days; when not travelling the party each did their own thing. Cleatus worked on the pelt of the large bear, working it into his own leather armor as a cloak. Haagut played with his silent image, creating multiples of himself and testing their limitations. Shaynen played with the dragon scale daggers. Throwing them quickly and smoothly, learning that they would bounce off the surfaces and find their way back into the sheaths just as smoothly. Odelia was using whatever surface she could to practice her swings.

“Hey! Odelia! Odelia! Throw something at me!” Shaynen called excitedly.

“No.” Odelia said flatly. She walked away and left Shaynen at the back of the party.

After three days of travelling, the party moved through the rising hills. Multiple signs that had bright warnings of danger and to turn back were posted on every surface. All leading to the entrance of the mines. Draped over the mine entrance like a curtain was an iridescent shaded veil that blocked sight into the mines.

“Probably keeps whatever’s in there, in” Cleatus said. “Means once we go in, we won’t be coming out.”

“It’s probably pretty dark in there, Odelia. You should get your driftglobe out before going in.” Shaynen pointed out. Odelia pulled out the driftglobe while storming to the mine entrance. As soon as she touched it, she vanished.

“Oh! I’m next!” Shaynen yelled. He ran into the veil and vanished. Haagut looked up at Cleatus.

“You, uh, want me to throw you or something?” Cleatus asked. Haagut quickly shook his head,

“No, no that’s. It’s fine.” Haagut walked to the veil and vanished, Cleatus right behind him.