A wave of relief washed over Quintin at the sound of Vissitri's voice. Unknowingly, he found himself yearning for company, of the friendly sort. By his reckoning, he had spent over a month alone down here, albeit mostly unconscious. Still, the quiet surrender of all things good never tasted sweet, regardless of how long it took to recall the more neutral feelings above.

[It's good to hear your voice. If you were looking for me, then what's all this about stealing someone's ring and where are you?]

Vissitri, for all his cunning, answered, [In my divine wisdom, I thought it'd be easier with a bunch of people out here, chasing my tails. It worked, didn't it? Humph, I only stole a few things; a ring, someone's gem-encrusted dagger, [Bag of Holding]...]

The list went on and on, with enough items that the Clawbreakers soon took notice of his grimace under the glowing [Starmoss] and their own [Magical Torch]. Quintin's discomfort was readily apparent to all, as they awaited Natalie's all-clear signal to advance once again. Hiks, with his new role of party diplomat, spoke out with a tepid concern.

"Is there something on your mind, Quintin?"

Quintin's eye refocused from the questioning tone. "You might say that. Signal over to Natalie, we have something to discuss soon."

Hiks wore a puzzled expression, but, like all the times before, decided to send a blinking pattern from the [Magical Torch] he held. Quintin went back to his mental conversation with Vissitri.

["A few things", he says in all seriousness. Just now, you'd still be going if I hadn't cut you off, wouldn't you?]

Vissitri's voice started with a gasp of shock. [Come on- just a few more.]

[I'm wondering if you know what, "a few", even means,] Quintin ruefully snickered. After a brief moment to collect himself, he added sincerely, [So, where are you?]

Quintin would never admit to missing the easy-going little lime. However, much to his amusement, being on Whorrl became a less merciless pill to swallow alongside the happy-go-lucky [Carbuncle]. With the depths of evil and despair already encountered on his first [Quest], he found a growing need for a trustworthy companion. Someone who could smack his numerous bad ideas aside, all the while, teaching the commonplace lessons he would need to survive and grow stronger. Above all else though, he wanted a friend.

[Nearby, if we can communicate telepathically,] Vissitri grew quiet for a few seconds, [Yes, very close. Go straight until the next intersection, then turn right. Keep going, and you should see me soon enough... Si-Si-Si- Oh, you and those people you're with should stand back a bit; I'm about to deal with something, Si-Si-Si.]

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Quintin murmured out loud, with a frown of perplexion, "Stand back... deal with something?"

"Speak up boy, what's going on?" Hiks shoved Ollie aside to stand in front of him.

Previously, Natalie had returned, fuming though she was. She very nearly came to blows when Hiks told her the why. But now, she ground her teeth with impatience alongside everyone else, tensely as they waited on what Quintin had to say.

Quintin tilted his head back up to meet their expectant gazes. "I just finished speaking with my friend, the "fork-tailed" one. He did indeed, borrow-" he coughed twice into his hand, "your ring. Don't worry; he assures me it was for a good cause. The only thing I ask is that you all stay away while I get it back from him."

"And why should I-" Natalie began, but was summarily cut off by the ice-cold staredown of Hiks.

Hiks cleared his throat and returned his attention. "What she means to say is; certainly, we can do that. We would appreciate your expertise in dealing with- um- with this creature?"

"Yes. A very powerful one at that," Quintin stressed the most important part, making sure at least Hiks understood, "I think for safety reasons we should travel together now; he told me where to go."

Quintin led the way to the next intersection and hung a right. Behind him, the tense energy radiating off the adventurers became a palpable mood spice. The scent of sweat, long dried blood, and nervousness lingered in their wake. They slogged ahead step by jittery step until the sound of angry goblin chatter and movement arose from just up the road.

Hiks took command in an instant, speaking softly, "Get in formation! You're with me, Quintin. Natalie and Gina, get on those wagon stalls with your bows. Levi, stay back and look for opportunities. Everyone else on me; we have goblins!"

They moved out quickly after the roll call, in a tight unit of efficient teamwork towards the source of the disturbance. If there was one incongruous feature, it would be that Natalie sprinted faster and with far more fervor than the team's play called for. In fact, she was leaving everyone in the dust with her sights set on the ring thief, now in the near and viewable distance.

What could be seen was simple; Vissitri up on a pillar in a public, town square-esque area. In the surroundings, there were angry goblins everywhere, who all clambered about in their attempt to get at him.

Hiks was furious, shouting as he sprinted forward, "Hurry, restrain that foolish girl!"

Quintin faltered as he watched the Clawbreakers rush forward in slow motion, attempting to stop Natalie from her next set of actions. Of course, they were too late, merely additional bodies in the miserable scene to come. A scene which Quintin could only describe as, 'total obliteration'.

It all happened in an instant. One moment the goblins were beginning to turn around to spy the newcomers, the next Vissitri's invisible walls slammed together, turning the space into a tight line of meat paste. Almost immediately, Quintin turned around and began to puke his guts out, but the sound of the slop hitting the floor was worse than the sight. The Clawbreakers were somewhere inside that mess. No one, not even a God themself, could've guessed how insane that elf chick would become over a trinket.

Quintin returned to his senses after a few moments, after all, he had seen the worst of Carlenno's laboratory. But Vissitri's next telepathic words took the cake—a mountain-sized cake.

[So uh, I guess finders keepers on that ring then?]

***