1 too many bards

Chapter 16

Hi all! Apologies for the delay in getting an update out! I've had a lot going on personally.

With the season 3 trailer coming out I have found my spark. I have a few chapter typed up ready and will published them every Sunday going forward.

I have given you an extra long chapter this time to make up for it! I hope you enjoy, don't forget to leave me feedback, I really appreciate it. 

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"No goodbye?" Vex asks, breaking the silence of the group as they all watch Percy attempt to leave alone.

Percy sighs, lowering his head and not daring to look back at his friends. "I'm going to Whitestone."

"And so are we." Keyleth counters. "If we beat Sylas, his charm on Uriel will fade."

"And we can clear our names." Scanlan agrees. "Honestly, I wouldn't last a day in prison with this face. Look at me, I'm a snack." He gestures to his body.

"Albeit a bitesize one." Liz smirks, gaining a playful glare from her gnome friend.

"We're all with you, but..." Vex approaches Percy who is now facing them listening. " no more secrets, all right?" She prods him in the chest to help her point land. 

Percy looks down at her hand and sighs. "Understood." He looks back up at Vex with an appreciative smile on his face. "Thank you. All of you." He scans the group taking in the only people he can trust to help him at his most desperate.

Liz tightens her belt and adjusts her thigh sheath before joining the party, exiting the front doors to their aged but beautiful keep. She makes it into the front garden where Vex is cuddling up to Trinket and explaining why he can't come along this time.

Liz steps around Vax and gives the bear a scratch behind the ear. She follows Scanlan as he opens the book and beings trying to read it again.

"Told you guys this book was a big deal, not that anyone ever listens to me." He mutters stopping just before Captain Jarett. "Eh, what do you want now?" 

Jarett reaches behind and pulls out Scanlans instrument. "Careful where you aim that thing." He chuckles.

He turns and looks at Liz who is walking now slightly in front. "See what I mean?" He now speaks to Vax as he begins to usher him forward. "A snack." He whispers with a wink.

The group stop just out the gate looking to the rising sun. 

"Very well. To Whitestone." Percy leads with hope in his eyes.

The party walks with him, all except one.

Pike loiters back considering the next words she'll speak. "I'm not going." She announces.

Grog is the first to react. "What do you mean?" He pouts.

"I can't hear the Everlight." Pike elaborates. "It's like you said, Grog. I think I need to tell her sorry. Properly, at a temple."

Grog makes his way back to her crouching to her height. "Well, I'll come with you. Like old times, just you and me."

Both Keyleth and Liz step forward already guessing where this is going. Liz sees Keyleth take a step and falters in place, wondering if it was really her place to be involved in this situation.

"I have to do this alone, buddy." Pike looks away knowing that she was weak to her best friend. "And they need you."

"Oh, but.." Grog looks down upset. "What if I need you?" He asks her.