"Do we have enough food for the journey?" Ryujin asked.

"More importantly, do we have enough ale?" Rogue John countered.

"I've got a few bottles in my pack," Slade said.

"A few bottles? You own a tavern!"

"I may already be returning to a mess. Vesper is barely off the streets, and Shiva's her backup. I'll be lucky if I even have barstools left when I come back!"

"Hmph," Rogue John said.

"Friends, this is no time for squabbling!" Ryujin said, throwing his massive arms out wide and smiling. "We're back together, preparing for another adventure! I thought these days were behind us."

"They were supposed to be," John grumbled.

"I only wish Udai was with us," Slade said. "I went by his house again yesterday, and no one answered. I think he's avoiding me."

"We can't begrudge him," Ryujin interjected. "He's free to do what he wants. We will do what we can for Jasper and Artie without him."

"Speaking of which, where are those boys?" John asked.

Slade said, "They're handling a bit of business."

----------------------------------------

Cerana's face lit up when Artie appeared around the curtain beside her bed. "I was beginning to think you weren't going to show up today."

"Sorry. It's been a long couple of days and I had trouble getting out of bed today," Artie replied. "But I did make it in time to get us a couple of blueberry muffins from the cafeteria." He handed her a bundle of cloth that he'd tied around the food to carry it.

"My favorite!" She took it and unwrapped it in a hurry. This made Artie smile, because sometimes she didn't have enough strength in her fingers to even open her food by herself. She took a large bite of the warm muffin and smiled. "Thank you, Artie. This is delicious."

Artie sat down in a chair beside the bed and talked to her about the college - what tests and exams they had coming up, what spells they had recently gone over, what some of the other students were up to, as well as the professors. The topic of homework came up, and he heaved a sigh as he listed all of the studying he would be doing soon.

"Stop doing all of Jasper's homework and you'll be just fine," Cerana said, teasing.

"It's okay. He's been busy."

"Must be..." Cerana's voice trailed off and she looked at the last muffin sitting in her lap, no longer hungry. "You know, when I first got weak a lot of people would come and visit me. I had a lot of friends take a few minutes out of their day to come by. As time went on, fewer and fewer came, and I didn't want to ask because I know they have their own lives and I didn't want to burden them. You and Jasper were the only ones who kept coming."

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Artie listened intently. He knew what was coming.

Cerana began to cry. "That always meant a lot. I knew I could always count on you two showing up any chance you got. But now, Jasper doesn't visit... And I know it's selfish of me to be upset, and it's only been a week, but... we don't really know how much time I have left."

Artie fought back tears, and for a moment he couldn't breathe. He had to try several times to swallow the lump that sat in his throat. He studied her, though she would not look at him. She may have shown more physical strength earlier, but now he saw that she was frail. Her spirit was weak, and for a brief moment, Artie hated Jasper.

"I'm sorry, Artie. It seems like all I do is cry now."

"It's okay," Artie said, moving to the edge of his seat and reaching out to pat her hands, which were clasped together.

"If I keep it up, you'll stop visiting, too." She joked, forcing a smile through her tears.

"Never, Cerana." He wracked his brain trying to think of something funny to say. He had to keep her laughing. "You know, the only way I get extra food from the cafeteria is if I bring some to you, so I have to keep coming."

Cerana laughed louder that time, and the smile was a little more real. Artie thought it was the most beautiful smile in the world.

"Thank you, Artie." Cerana removed one of her hands and placed it so she held his hand between both of hers.

A familiar voice said, "Hope I'm not intruding." Jasper stepped in, letting the curtain swing into place behind him.

"Jasper!" Cerana said, letting go of Artie's hand, lacing her fingers, and bringing them to her chest.

Artie felt a brief moment of irritation at the interruption, but he quickly pushed the notion aside and smiled, blushing slightly. He stood and dragged another chair over for his friend. Jasper hadn't told him he was coming, and it warmed Artie's heart.

"Sorry I haven't shown. I've been busy," Jasper said.

"Artie said so, but he's never told me what you've been doing. Care to share? You must have a lot to talk about. I want to hear it all."

Jasper looked at Artie, who nodded . "I'm here to tell you. I think you'll understand why I haven't been around."

Cerana didn't say anything. She remained quiet, waiting. They all felt the mood shift in the room. Jasper took the seat next to Artie and cleared his throat before speaking.

"Cerana, I believe we have a lead to a mask that has healing properties. We've gotten help from Slade and some of his friends, and we're going to journey east to the Tiger Spires Monastery. I didn't tell you sooner because I didn't want to give you false hope, but my gut tells me this is real."

"You've said that before," Cerana said, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I know..."

"You could have told me." She glared at both of them, but in a playful manner.

"I..." Before Jasper finished his sentence, he realized how Slade had felt keeping secrets, and he understood. "I was trying to protect you. We were trying to protect you."

"You would've tried to talk us out of it," Artie said, smiling sheepishly.

"You're right, I would have. But I can see how determined you two are." She inhaled deeply and let out a long sigh. "Just promise me that you'll do your very best to be safe and to come back in one piece."

Jasper half-smiled and got to his feet. "We'll be with Slade, a master thief, and a dragonborn that's killed four dragons. I've never felt safer."

Artie nodded in agreement.

"I've missed a lot... You obviously gave me the short version." She scowled and crossed her arms. "Care to fill me in?"

His half-smile turned into a smirk and he shook his head. "You'll have to wait until we get back. We have somewhere to be."

Artie nodded and stood up. "We shouldn't be gone more than two weeks at the most. Back before you know it." He patted her shoulder and left.

"See you soon, Cerana," Jasper said.

"Jasper, wait!" Cerana locked eyes with him. Her breathing was faster, and she could feel her heart beating inside her chest. "Jasper, I... I..."

"I know," Jasper said. "Save it for when I return." He smiled, dipped his head in a bow, and left.