Serena groaned and leaned against one of the arches that made up the outside walls of the Field of Triumph, every inch of her body aching. Cruck’aa, equally sore, leaned on the opposite side, rubbing his chest with a talon.

“Did you have to use your staff like that?” He grumbled.

Serena leaned said staff against the arch. “Well, I didn’t think you’d rush me like that. Scared me.”

“That was the point.”

Pavel laughed; he and Jo stood slightly behind them, further into the coliseum; neither of them showed any sides of weariness.

“You both need to work out a bit more,” Pavel said, crossing his arms against his chest. “if something like that knocked the breath out of you.”

“How are you not hungover anymore?” Serena signed, glancing back at him.

Pavel shrugged.

“This was how we always cured hangovers, back in the day.” He looked at Jo. “Are we waiting for something?”

“Yes,” Jo said, tying her sweaty hair up. “Graham. It takes a bit to walk down all those stairs Pavel.”

Serena grinned, then turned her attention back to the still crowded city in front of her.

The sun had moved well past the apex of the day, yet Waterdeep remained as busy as it was on their way over. Much of that walk had remained uneventful as Graham led them towards their destination. Serena had quickly realized that, perhaps designed intentionally, the city appeared identical to what she’d seen before, a mixture of shops and housing, some occupying more space than others, depending on where they were.

She leaned out and craned her head up. The monotony of the city only made the coliseum more breathtaking, when she finally laid eyes on it.

Dwarfing the buildings around it, the coliseum’s pale brick walls tore into the sky, Serena scarcely believing their height. Narrow arches were cut into the brick, each spaced a pace apart, covering the entire wall, with thin pillars jutting in between each, holding up the next row of arches. The trend continued upwards thrice, with the last wall of the coliseum a thicker layer of stone, small square windows cut into them, spaced further apart than the arches. The pattern continued to the ends of the wall, where it turned sharply, almost out of view, to a shorter, identical wall, giving the stadium the outward look of a narrow shield.

So far, not a single building in Waterdeep could compare to it.

None of the others had shared her amazement when they arrived, however, everyone leaving Serena behind as they strode through the crowds around the coliseum. Their registration for the tournament had been a painless process; Pavel and Jo had signed on as contestants for the second tournament, with Cruck’aa signing quickly after; Jo had inquired with one of the workers what they might fight, and it had come to light that the city had procured a young wyrm for the tournament, igniting a fire in Cruck’aa’s eyes. Serena held no interest in the proceedings, but signed on to be an emergency healer, should one be needed.

Much to her surprise, they were able to secure a space on the field inside the coliseum to spar with one another. Pavel and Jo immediately decided to pair with one another, with Cruck’aa insisting that Serena help him practice his magic, something sorely out of use for him. Once they’d found their spot, Graham had decided to take a seat up in the stands and watch, assuring them that he had no other important matters to attend to that day.

Serena cringed. He sat for a long while; though Serena and Cruck’aa had finished early, Jo and Pavel sparred for their entire time slot, and then some. Had Serena known they’d be stuck there for so long, she’d have convinced Graham to leave earlier.

“Oh,” Jo said, pulling Serena from her thoughts. “there he is.”

Serena turned around; Graham came strolling out from the crowds that still gathered around the inside of the coliseum. He waved to them.

“I must say, I’m glad I stuck around!” Graham said as he approached. “I can see why Miss Torohar keeps everyone around, you all do put on quite the show.” He frowned. “I did not mean it like that.”

“I mean, you could be right.” Jo said. “What other reason does Werond keep us around for?”

“I can think of one.” Serena signed.

Jo shook her head. “Rather you keep that to yourself.”

“I know the pair of you fought for some time, but I could barely believe my eyes at all the magic!” Graham interjected, gesturing towards the haggard forms of Serena and Cruck’aa. “The spells that flew from your fingers! It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen anything like that!”

Serena grinned and rolled her eyes; fancier magic than theirs had been thrown around right next to them.

“I’m surprised you can do more than fling fire.” Cruck’aa grumbled. “How long have you been able to teleport?”

“Oh, the mist thing?” Serena signed. “A while. I sometimes forget about it. It’s not something that I use all that often.”

“Well, you should remember it more. Caught me off guard.”

“I wasn’t sure if it would work, honestly.”

“Considering I had no clue that that was something you could do? Yes, of course it worked.”

“Hmm.”

“I would love to discuss this more, but the sun has sunk a little too far for my liking.” Graham said, gesturing towards the crowded square in front of the coliseum. “Shall we begin to head back?”

“Yeah,” Pavel yawned. “yeah, that sounds good. I think I might be a little tired.”

“Oh, you’re tired.” Cruck’aa grumbled.

“I think we all are.” Serena signed. “Lead the way Graham. I uhm…don’t remember how to get back.”

Werond’s servant grinned.

“Of course.”

…

The walk back proved to be uneventful. The city had not changed in their absence, nor did the crowds that gathered on the sidewalks, spilling into the streets. Graham walked in front of Serena with Jo and Pavel, intensely discussing something that he had seen Pavel do at the tournament. Even if Serena understood their conversation, she couldn’t have jumped in if she tried.

Cruck’aa proved to be no better of a conversation partner, as they walked together, slipping their way through the crowded sidewalks. Only as they rounded the corner towards Werond’s house did he finally speak, gesturing to her staff so that he could hold it:

“Do you like it here?”

Serena blinked, handing it over.

“I hadn’t given it much thought. But it’s nice…different than everything I’m used to. Why?”

“I doubt we’ll stay here long.” He cast a beady eye her way. “I wouldn’t get too attached.”

“What?”

Cruck’aa shook his head and lapsed back into silence, pressing her staff back into her hands.

Serena frowned; where had that come from?

Before she had time to ask any further, they had arrived in front of Werond’s house. Pavel and Jo stood back a pace as Graham stepped up and slotted the key into the gate, swinging it open.

He took a single step through the threshold, only to halt, blocking the way for the rest of them.

“Oh ma’am,” he said with a sigh. “not your best look.”

He continued forward, shaking his head. Serena frowned, but didn’t say anything as they followed him through the gate, Cruck’aa making sure it swung shut behind them.

Just like Graham, Pavel and Jo suddenly stopped in the middle of the patio, Jo letting out a low whistle. Graham continued forwards towards the patio table, and as Serena poked her head around Pavel to get a better view, she gaped.

Werond, purple tunic stained with sweat, lay passed out on one of the patio chairs, feet propped on the table.

Her head leaned to one side, her normally straight brown hair a mess, strands sticking to her forehead. Drool slowly dripping onto her chest, mouth hung open in what Serena could only assume was a snore. Tiny pools of sweat dotted the tile from where her arms hung off the chair, her dark skin slick with sweat from the sun overhead.

Serena’s heart dropped in her chest. Werond couldn’t have made it any more obvious how much she had drunk.

She pushed passed Pavel and Jo, both of whom stood staring, as she followed Graham to Werond’s passed out form. Her chest grew tight as she stepped closer; it had been sometime since Serena had seen someone so lost to the drink, any sense of Werond’s usual self thrown to the wind. Even some paces out, she could smell the stench of booze that wafted on her breath.

“Oh, so this is where she’s been.” Cruck’aa said from behind. Serena scowled but ignored the comment.

Graham, an embarrassed look on his face, shook Werond by her shoulder, causing her head to roll to one side. A trail of spit slid down her cheek and plopped onto the tile below.

“Ma’am,” he said, shaking her again. “ma’am, please wake up. You’re embarrassing yourself.”

His response was met by a loud snore. Graham swore under his breath, grabbed Werond’s other shoulder, and shook her again, harder this time, to no avail.

“Why bother with that? She’s dead to the world. May as well let her bake out here.” Cruck’aa grumbled.

“Really?” Pavel asked.

Serena bit her lip as Cruck’aa began to explain his reasoning, wishing she could will herself deaf.

“Graham,” She signed, holding her staff towards him. “let – me – try.”

Graham sighed and released Werond, accepting the staff. “Please, by all means; I’ll be shaking her for the rest of the day.”

Serena reached out and placed a hand on Werond chest, slightly above her heart; her hands began to glow a familiar silver light, difficult to see in the sun, as she focused her will not on curing any visible wound but curing that which she couldn’t see.

Slowly, the silver light spread across Werond’s chest; slowly, Serena poured forth a steady stream of magic; slowly, Werond’s mouth closed from a snore, transforming into a grimace of pain, as she began to wake up.

Her amber eyes fluttered open, bloodshot. Werond let out a groan and clapped a hand over her narrow face, causing her to gasp in pain.

“What…” was all she could mumble, voice drier than a desert.

“Well, she’s not drunk anymore.” Serena signed. “Going to be a pretty bad hangover though.”

“What –” Graham began; a groan from Werond cut him off, as she grabbed her head with her other hand; her feet dropped from the table as she leaned forward.

“I whisked the alcohol out of her. It works really well, but it causes a worse hangover than normal.”

“Well, that’s extremely convenient.” Graham said, face wide in surprise. “If only I had –”

Another groan from Werond cut off his words, as she placed her head between her legs.

“Oh, knock it off!” Cruck’aa yelled. “It’s your own damned fault that –”

Serena whirled around before he could finish, anger lancing through her, causing Pavel and Cruck’aa to jump.

“Would you shut the hell up?!” Serena lashed out, signs quick and jagged. “Seriously Cruck’aa, she’s drunk, so what?! Why are you being such an ass to her?!”

Cruck’aa’s feathers immediately fluffed up, as his own anger flashed across his face.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Why are you defending her?” He barked back. “There remains no excuse for drinking this early in the day, she’s a damn drunk! You saw her when we walked in, how can you excuse that?”

“I don’t! But I’m not going to give her crap because she’s our friend!”

“Speak for yourself.”

“I am, you fucking pigeon!”

“Okay!” Pavel yelled, shoving himself in front of Cruck’aa before he could step forward, eyes now wide with fury; Jo followed his lead and stepped forward to stand in front of Serena, her hands now clenched. “Okay! Let’s not insult each other, no need for that.”

“He –” Serena tried to sign; Jo reached out and grabbed her arms.

“Pavel’s right, uncalled for. No more.” Jo said, eyeing her. Serena scowled and ripped her arms away from Jo, turning her back on her.

“Okay, why don’t we head inside.” Pavel said. “I think Serena and Graham have a handle on Werond?”

“Yes, absolutely.” Graham said, before Serena could protest. “I wouldn’t want to burden the rest of you.”

“Alright. We’ll head in then, get out of your way.”

“I’m not –” Cruck’aa began.

“Wasn’t a question Cruck’aa, come on.”

Serena heard Cruck’aa grumble from behind; she looked away as he and Pavel strode to the house, Pavel accepting a key from Graham as they walked past. He opened the door and stepped in, Cruck’aa almost shoving past him. After a moment, Jo followed suit, leaving the door open as she stepped through.

With a sigh, Serena rubbed her face, feeling a heat spread from her face to her chest.

Pavel was right. As much as she loathed Cruck’aa’s blabbering, the name was uncalled for. But could they blame her, after seeing Werond in such a state?

Her old teamster was still hutched over, head now propped on her arms. Next to Werond, Graham had laid a hand on her shoulder, casting a look of sympathy towards Serena.

“Uhm…” Serena signed awkwardly. “sorry you had to see that.”

“No trouble at all ma’am.” Graham replied. “In fact, I’m rather happy that you spoke up when you did. I had my own words for him, had you not.”

Serena smiled. “Glad I wasn’t the only one mad. Now, uhm,” She gestured at Werond’s hunched form. “should probably get her to bed, or something.”

“Quite right.” Graham said. “Let me put your staff inside and we’ll get Miss Torohar into the house.”

He turned and walked quickly back to the house, stepping in to deposit the staff in the foyer. As he did, Serena stepped over to Werond, looking her over.

She hoped that Graham would be able to lift her; Serena had no magic that could assist them, and with Werond being half a foot taller than her and heavier, it would remain an impossible task for just Serena.

Werond let out another groan, one that sounded more pitiful than that last. Serena frowned, and rubbed her back, wishing she could say something.

Graham returned, walking around to the other side of Werond. Without saying a word, he grabbed Werond’s shoulder and pulled her up straight, her face contorting into a look of pained surprise. Before she could react, Graham bent down, draped Werond’s arm across his shoulders, wrapped his own arm around her waist, and hoisted her out of the chair.

Her body almost went limp as a groan of surprise fell from her lips, as she clutched at Graham, almost pulled the older man over. Serena shoved the chair out of the way, and mimicked Graham, placing Werond’s arm across her shoulder and grabbing at her waist. As she did, the stench of booze and sweat smashed into Serena’s face, causing her to grimace.

“Alright ma’am, this will be easier if you cooperate.” Graham grunted, struggling to hold Werond up. “Feet on the ground please!”

Surprisingly, Werond obeyed, planting her feet on the tile; she stooped forward slightly, only for Graham to hold her up, causing her to lean into Serena. She let out a grunt as Werond’s weight settled against her, her damp tunic pressed against Serena’s side.

Graham let loose his own grunt, and shifted Werond’s weight to his side, freeing up Serena; slowly, he began to pull Werond towards the door, the mistress of the house nothing more than dead weight, head rolling to one side, groaning. Serena made she they remained steady now that Graham lifted a majority of her weight.

“Right!” Graham wheezed as they approached the door. “Just need to…get her up!” He and Serena grunted as they pulled Werond up and over the threshold, finally getting her indoors. “There! Okay!”

They stopped at the foot of the stairs; Serena looked up at the steps and let out a silent curse. Graham jerked his head towards them.

“Alright, stairs are too narrow for both of us, let me do the heavy lifting here.” he grunted. “Can you stay behind me, make sure I don’t tumble back down?” Serena nodded. “Good. Alright,” he pulled up on Werond, causing her to straighten up. “been awhile, my apologizes ma’am.”

Graham adjusted his arm so that it held the middle of Werond’s back; he crouched down and placed his other arm under Werond’s legs, beneath her knees.

Serena stepped back, as, with a grunt of exertion, Graham hoisted Werond into his arms; her head rolled to one side, face still locked in a grimace. Werond’s mouth moved, though Serena heard nothing if she spoke.

Grahams legs began to shake; despite the struggle, he winked at Serena.

“Alright, up we go!” Graham said, turning to the stairs.

Slowly, he half walked, half waddled to the stairs, wobbling as he climbed the first step. Serena stepped up and placed her hands against his back, keeping him steady. After a short pause to adjust his balance, Graham continued up the steps.

Despite how short the stairs were, the climb proved to be arduous; Graham was forced to stop every other step, out of breath, his back beginning to sweat, knees wobbling, and adjust Werond in his arms, trying to keep her head from knocking into the railing. By the time Graham stepped onto the first landing, Serena swore he was about to collapse.

Despite how he looked though, Graham continued up at a slow pace, Serena at his back, until he finally surmounted the stairs. He paused at the top, leaning against the railing, completely out of breath, a look of strained relief painted across his face.

Serena stepped around to his front. “Are you okay?”

“Yes…yes…” Graham struggled to say through his panting. “Just…a momen…please.”

She nodded, glancing over Werond as Graham fought to catch his breath. She remained the same dead weight, normally smooth face contorted into a pained expression, one hand clutching feebly at her head.

As they waited, from further down the hall, Serena could barely hear the sounds of a muffled conversation, somewhat heated, coming through one of the closed doors down the hallway.

She scowled. Fat lot of help they were. Pavel could have easily carried Werond up, instead of making –

Graham let out a grunt of pain, one of his shoulders sagging; Serena jumped, and moved to help Werond out of his arms, only for Graham to shake his head, pulled Werond away.

“Got…this far…” he breathed, rolling out his shoulder. “I can…make…the rest.”

“Are you –” Serena began.

“Yes! Open…the door…”

Serena nodded, turned, and jogged down the remaining way towards Werond’s room, throwing the door open. She flatted herself against the wall, expecting Graham to be right behind her, only to have to wait as he slowly shuffled his way over.

The smell of sweat accompanied Graham as he slid past her, huffing as he shifted Werond’s head away from the doorframe. With one final grunt, he staggered over to Werond’s bed and dropped her on it, her feet laying atop her pillows. Graham fell with her, laying sideways on top of Werond, before shoving himself back up.

“Gods!” He wheezed, tunic soaked through with sweat. “Been…sometime…since I’ve…gods!”

“You going to be okay?” Serena signed, healing magic lighting up her fingers.

Graham nodded, waving a hand at her.

“Yes…yes…will just…need a moment.” Graham gestured towards Werond. “I’ll…fetch her…some water…you’ll be fine?”

“Yeah, don’t worry about me. Go sit down for a bit before you come back up.”

“That sounds…like a…fantastic idea….” He nodded. “Be…back in a…moment.”

Graham turned and staggered out of Werond’s room, rubbing his arms, before shutting the door behind himself.

Serena stared at the door for a moment, before turning her attention to Werond, sprawled out on the bed, still clutching her head. Serena could only stare for so long before her pity turned to disappointment, causing her to look away, lips pulled into a tight frown.

Gone for barely half a day, and Werond almost drowned herself in booze. Serena knew she should have realized something that something like this would have happened, after catching Werond drinking alone all those time on the caravan. It was only a matter of time before Werond tested her limits like this, laying out in the sun like one of the homeless people Serena seen back in Mirabar. Yet, what worried her more was that, for Werond to be this drunk, she’d needed to have started sometime after they had left that morning. Which meant that she knew of a place open so early, the notion of which causing Serena’s skin to crawl.

A groan emanated from the bed, pulling Serena’s attention back towards it.

Slowly, Werond pushed herself onto an elbow, one hand still gripped to her head. She grunted as she shoved herself up the remaining way, grimacing, sitting up on the bed.

Serena shook her head.

She reached over and tapped Werond on the shoulder; Werond didn’t respond, though as Serena reached out to tap her again, Werond slowly angled her head to look up at Serena. Her bloodshot eyes were barely cracked, mouth slightly open, hair still a mess, giving her the appearance of just waking up.

She looked terrible, but Serena wouldn’t say that aloud.

“Glad you’re finally awake.” She signed.

Werond’s mouth moved, though no sound came out.

Serena blinked.

“I can’t hear you if you said something.”

Werond closed her eyes and grimaced; she cleared her throat, the effort causing her visible pain, and opened her mouth again.

“I’ve been…talking…whole time.” Her voice came out rough, scratchy, worse than it was on the patio, and so quiet that Serena was forced to lean in to hear her. “Complaining.”

“Sorry, didn’t hear you at all then. You feeling okay though?”

“No.” Werond raised her voice, only to groan and clutch her head. “Gods…what did you…do?”

“Cured you. Removed the alcohol from your body. It works really well, but it’s…not the prettiest.”

“I hate it.”

“Yeah, I bet. Sorry.”

With great effort, Werond waved her off, hand resting back on her face. She closed her eyes, and began to slowly rub her temples, facing twitching as she did.

Serena leaned back on her heels, watching Werond for a moment. The tightness in her chest returned, as her questions began to crawl to the surface of her mind.

Part of her knew that she’d get blown off again, as was the case thus far with Werond. Yet she had to try. She had to know.

Serena reached out and tapped Werond on the shoulder again. Slowly, agonizingly so, Werond opened her eyes back up, still red.

“Why were you drinking that early?” Serena asked.

Werond’s shoulders slumped; she slowly shook her head.

“It…doesn’t matter, I –”

“Yes, it does. You sound like a drunk when you say that.” Serena sighed. “I don’t mean to call you that, but Werond…you’re always trying to drink alone, even on the caravan. It’s like you’re addicted. Gods,” Serena ran a hand through her hair. “now that I think about it, every place that I’ve been with you to, there’s always alcohol involved. Always. And now this happens? Do you know how ridiculous you looked?” Werond nodded, causing Serena to blink. “Then you know how terrible this is. Is there something I should know?”

“No.” Werond replied, too fast. “There…isn’t.”

“Then why were you drinking so early?”

“Nerves…from work, I…don’t know…what else to do.” Her voice grew harsher with each word; Werond cleared her throat, then grimaced in pain.

Serena stood, hands still raised, staring at Werond with a questioning look.

“Don’t know what else to do?”

“Yeah, it’s…” Werond leaned forward, dropping her hands into her lap; she regarded Serena with a pleading look. “Can we…not talk…about this?”

“You –” Serena let out a frustrated sigh. “You said that last time!” Werond jerked as Serena’s yell echoed through her mind. “Werond I’m worried about you, especially after today! Why can’t we talk about this?!”

“I just…don’t –”

“Don’t what?!”

“I don’t…want to…talk about it.”

“Then what am I supposed to do?! How am I supposed to help you?!”

“You can’t.”

Werond’s raspy words tore through Serena like a knife. Her hands dropped to her side as she stared at Werond, who could only offer her an embarrassed look in return.

“Why can’t I help?” Serena asked, voice small.

“It’s…not something…that,” Werond sighed. “you can really help with.”

“Why not?”

Werond stared at her for a moment, her amber eyes searching for something.

With a grunt, she shoved herself off the bed to stand in front of Serena; even hunched over slightly, Werond still had a few inches on her.

“Darling,” she croaked, reaching out to lay her hands on Serena’s shoulders. “there are some things…we just can’t help other people with. This is…one of them. My work is – well, it’s…not something I’m at liberty to –” Werond turned her head and coughed, grimacing, the dryness of her throat making Serena cringe. “not at liberty…to share it. You can’t help because of that.”

Werond swallowed; her hands traveled up and cupped Serena’s face. They were warm, damp with sweat.

“You help…by being here for me.” Werond said, smiling. “Having you to come home to…makes it a little easier. I’m sorry you…feel helpless. Please don’t. I’ve been…dealing with this for years, I’m used to it. So long as you’re still here…I think I’ll be okay. Okay?”

Serena closed her eyes, soaking in Werond’s words.

She didn’t understand why Werond couldn’t speak of her job, why Serena couldn’t help her, why Werond couldn’t just tell her what was going on. There was so much that Serena could do, if Werond would just let her, yet no amount of pleading seemed to get through to her. Serena had never met someone so determined to keep everything bottled up. Even now, Werond seemed resolute in keeping her mouth shut.

Serena frowned. There wasn’t anything she could do.

Despite everything that she wanted to say, Serena laid her hands atop Werond’s and reluctantly nodded.

Werond breathed a sigh of relief.

“Gods…thank you. I…”

Werond leaned forward, and pressed her warm, sweaty forehead against Serena’s, and for one small moment, Serena felt a wave of calm roll over her.

“I hate doing this to you.” Werond whispered, her voice barely audible. “I really do. But my problems…aren’t something I want you dragged into. I’m sorry Serena, I really am.” Werond leaned back and locked eyes with her. “I wouldn’t do this…if it wasn’t absolutely necessary…I love you too much to do that to you.”

Serena blinked; Werond’s words hung in the air, Serena waiting for something else to follow what she’d said. But no other words came, Werond simply staring at Serena with a genuine expression.

A familiar heat filled Serena’s chest; she pushed away from Werond, taking a step back, as the tips of her ears began to burn. Werond stared, hurt filling her eyes.

“What?” She asked. “Did I say –”

“Stop drinking!” Serena quickly signed, fingers twitching. “If you mean that, then stop drinking by yourself! I don’t want to see…today happen again!”

Werond frowned, eyes hardening. Serena’s heart leapt, a sudden pang of anxiety filling her chest.

It vanished as Werond nodded.

“Okay.” She said. “I can do that…if I need help, I’ll…come to you, okay?”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Silence filled the room.

Werond stared at Serena, tired, bloodshot eyes flicking about her, as Serena struggled to stop her hands from shaking, unable to meet Werond’s gaze.

“Hey…” Werond said softly. “What’s wrong? Did I say –”

“You can’t just say that right now!” Serena yelled. “You can’t just…say that you love me when you shoved me away a second ago! Werond, that’s not fair!”

Werond’s shoulders slumped as she cringed, a look of embarrassment painted across her face.

“Y-you’re right, I’m sorry, I just…I-I mean it though –”

“Then why can’t I help you?!” Serena pleaded, stepping closer. “I don’t understand why you can’t tell me about…whatever it is that’s making you like this!”

“Because I-I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“You trying to protect me makes me feel useless though! What am I supposed to do?!”

“I-I don’t know.”

“Then tell me! What’s going on?! What’s making you look and feel like shit?!”

“S-Serena I-I can’t.”

“You can! But you choose not to, because of stupid reasons!”

“I – just don’t w-want to hurt y-you.”

“You’re hurting me now when you leave me in the dark like this Werond!”

Tears began to spill down Werond’s face, as she let out a shuddering breath.

“I-I k-know. I-I’m not…” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I’m sorry.” Werond whispered.

A knot formed in Serena’s chest as the sight of Werond forced her to hold back her own tears. Before she realized what she was doing, Serena returned to Werond, standing right in front of her; she placed her hands against Werond’s chest, as Werond’s eyes snapped opened, filled with a glassy anxiety.

“I’m sorry,” Serena signed, her voice coming out as a whisper. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to yell at you but…I just feel so – so –” Serena sighed. “If you won’t tell me, then fine. But promise me that when you get like this again, you come talk to me. Let me help you first, so you don’t drink yourself to death, okay? If that’s all I can do, then let me do it.”

Werond nodded, more tears spilling down.

“You…” Serena sighed. “You don’t have to do this by yourself, okay? Let me be there to help you, in anyway that I can. It’s…all I want to do.” She stared into Werond’s glassy, amber eyes. “Promise me that you’ll come to me first before you do anything else. Please, say it.”

“I p-promise.” Werond chocked her words out.

Serena sighed.

“I’m going to hold you to that…but thank you. And…” the words felt heavy on her mind, heavy on her fingers. “I’m…sorry I made you feel like this. Werond,” Serena stared into the depths of Werond’s eyes – depths that she’d gotten lost in countless times before. “I love you too. Please never think that I don’t.”

Werond squeezed her eyes shut, as a shuddering sob loosened its way through her. Serena reached up and wrapped her arms around Werond, as she pulled her into a tight hug. Werond buried her face into Serena’s shoulder, as her damp, tired body leaned into hers – for once, Serena finally supporting her.