The Lothar Mountain looms in the distance, the single snowcapped peak towering toward the sky. The dragon shaped scar remains, and Hope shivers as she looks at it. "Maybe one day we'll check that out. Would be nice to see what the dwarves left behind."

"When we're much stronger, I think so. I know some ladies who'd love a diamond necklace or two." Tyrion eyes the mountain curiously, and Hope laughs. "Any woman who wants a diamond necklace probably isn't interested in you for your good looks and sparkling wit."

"Probably not, but if I can keep her attention long enough, she'll find it's not just wit and looks that make me attractive. After all, the art of love is a much subtler art."

"Have you ever actually been in love, Mr. Summerwind?" Hope raises an eyebrow.

Tyrion goes quiet, the smile fading from his face. "Aye, I was. Just the once, ages ago."

"What was she like?" Anna asks, curiosity lighting in her eyes.

The halfling closes his own eyes. "She was like fire and ice. Hot and passionate one moment, cold and resilient the next. And then there were those quiet times, when it was just the two of us, and we'd talk for hours into the night. She could cook, she could sing, and she was the gentlest woman I'd ever known, second only to my mother. She never wanted for anything, and never wanted anything. I'd have followed her for the rest of my days, had Fate not intervened."

"What happened to her?" Amadeo wonders aloud. All three of them are now focused on the halfling, who opens his eyes. His fingers trace over something under his leather jerkin before he sits up.. Anna tilts her head as Tyrion blinks, a trail of liquid running down his cheek before he wipes his face.

"Nothing happened to her. I wound up imprisoned. She might still be waiting back home even now, but I doubt it. It's been ten years since. She's probably moved on. I certainly have."

"No, you haven't." Anna folds her arms, nudging the halfling with her shoe. "Not if you're talking about her like that. That's love, Tyrion. A powerful love that no amount of time apart is going to break. Mark my words, she's waiting for you."

Tyrion looks up at her in silence for a moment before turning over, a frown slowly shifting to a soft smile as the cart edges toward the east gate of Mysthaven.

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They pull into town as the sun sinks below the horizon, lamplighters going about their business to brighten the otherwise darknening streets. Anna watches people walking through the square where Amadeo nearly bled out over a week ago. Hope looks at the window of her old room at the Robust Raven. Tyrion eyes the alleyway he made into a makeshift hideout. And Amadeo smiles as they pass the adventuring guild where they took their first job together.

"We've grown up a bit, haven't we?" He asks, turning a corner to head south toward the gate.

"It's amazing what being in good company can do for you in a small amount of time." Hope muses, running her fingers over the hilt of Valkyrie. "I used to be so scared of getting to really know people; I hated interacting with others, cause they always had this look about them like I might light em on fire. Then I met you guys, and not one of you even batted an eye at me. I think that was the first time I was ever comfortable in my skin after the incident."

"I don't think I had any real thought running through my head other than to act...normal. Don't give anyone a reason to run for cover." Anna looks over the back of the wagon, watching the windows of homes light up even as those of businesses go out. "The me I display is who I think I'd have liked to be, given the chance. I guess I got it in my head that people aren't scared of kids, so if I act like one, they won't be scared of me. And you all were so intriguing; Hope stood out from the crowd, Tyrion wasn't at all afraid to speak his mind, and Amadeo was so shy. It felt...right."

"I think you did alot of the work in keeping us together, Anna." Tyrion admits. "You're so bubbly and genuine, your personality so magnetic. You kept spirits up when they were down, and you're an exceptionally kind individual."

"You're one to talk, little man." Amadeo chuckles, looking up at the stars. "You've a way with words. You've always got our backs no matter the situation. You may not like to admit it, but you're also good for us."

"Hush up, you." Tyrion laughs, standing up and leaning over the front of the wagon to look at Amadeo. "You're not so bad yourself, lad. You've a mind of logic and reason, but the moment someone's in danger, you don't hesitate to put your skinny body in front like a shield. Not to mention the way you talk when you think it's just the two of-Ow!"

Hope releases Tyrion's ear and he rubs the red spot where she pinched him. "Must you blabber, you chubby cheeked gnome? It was just a really nice thing for him to say. I hadn't had someone talk to me like that before."

"Talk to you how? What did he say?" Anna's eyes burn with glee, and Hope shakes her head. "Just something nice."

Amadeo shrugs. "I figure you needed a pep talk."

Tyrion looks from Amadeo to Hope and back, brow furrowing. "You...You really are dense, the both of you. It's kinda irritating."

"What do you mean?" The two ask in unison, both looking back at him as the south gate arch passes overhead.

The halfling eyes them both before sighing and smacking his palm to his face. "Nothing. You'll figure it out one day."

The wagon rolls down the road, turning east along the bend between the river and the Vesper Woods before the lights of Mysthaven pass beyond their sight.