My world shook for a moment as Oplar squeezed me in a huge hug, swinging me around a little as she did.

"It's good to see you too, Oplar!" I said happily, unable to squirm my arms out from under her great hug as to return it thanks to how she had grabbed onto me.

"You! Let me look at you…!" Oplar shouted, and then placed me down. I wanted to return her hug, so felt a little awkward as I stood up straight as she held me out at arm's length, holding my upper arms as she looked me up and down.

Feeling like a product to be sold or something, I stood still as Oplar lifted my arms, checked under my cloak, peaked under my hat and even checked my teeth.

She turned my head, tapped my left cheek and made a—tsk sound. "Now, now! What's this Vim? I told you not a mark, not one!" Oplar said, sounding upset as she turned to look at him.

"So I don't get my deposit back?" Vim asked.

Deposit?

Oplar broke out into a huge grin as she erupted in laughter. "Not a chance!" she happily shouted, and then stepped forward and wrapped me in a hug once more. This time though she gave me a chance to at least return it and she didn't lift me up and spin me around as if I was a child.

Feeling strangely happy, I breathed a sigh of relief as I gave her a tiny squeeze back. "I'm glad you're doing good too," I said.

She had looked fine. And sounded fine. And was oddly warm. Though that might just be because I was bundled up a little more than usual, since it was winter. And because of how happy I was at the moment.

It really felt good to be greeted and welcomed so warmly. To see familiar people again, and still be welcomed with open arms, literally, even months or years later.

This was the entire reason I originally joined the Society. Here in my arms.

"Hm…! I'm glad I was lazy this morning, otherwise I'd be on the road and would have missed you!" Oplar said, her loud voice booming in my ears. During our hugs my hat had slid off, getting stuck in my thick hood behind my head.

I didn't worry about it though, since the only people here were members of the Society. It was Vim and I, Oplar, and Laura. Her sister and mother weren't here either.

"Where are you hurrying off to?" I asked, and laughed since I had been about to let her go but she had pulled me back into the hug, squeezing me again. To the point she had even lifted me off the floor again.

My feet dangled again, and I laughed at the feeling of her great hug. It felt wonderful, especially since so few of our members were willing to display such emotion physically. Even Vim was sparing with such things with me.

"I'll be heading south. I sent one of my people to Landi a month ago; she should be getting a letter any day now. I plan to deliver a few letters down there and meet up with them, hopefully getting Landi's response as I do," Oplar said as she finally released me.

I huffed a little as we separated and I was returned to the ground. I reached up to brush some hair out of my face and nodded. "Least it'll be warmer down there?" I said.

Oplar grinned and nodded. "Warm enough, aye."

We smiled at each other for a moment and I wondered what to say or ask. While coming here I had hoped we'd find her, and although I had thought of so much to say and ask… right now my mind just didn't feel like cooperating.

"You look well, Oplar. Have you found a husband yet?" I asked finally, after a moment.

Oplar's grin broadened. "Think I'd still be here if had!? Really, Renn! No. Not yet. Did you?" Oplar asked.

"She needs a new one already?" Vim asked as he stepped around me, heading towards the center of the mail-room. Likely to look at the maps and letters pinned to the center pillar the room was built around.

My bear friend laughed. "You know what I mean, Vim!" she said happily.

"No, Oplar. Sadly this trip I've only added to the list of those also looking for a husband, not the other way around," I said.

Oplar's grin softened a little. "Yeah…? That's a bummer. I'll have you know Renn, I expect our special friendship to give me priority! Don't be forgetting about me first, okay?" Oplar said with a small point at herself.

Laughing at her, I nodded. "Of course, Oplar."

"What's this about finding husbands…?" Laura asked a little quietly, reminding me she was here.

I shifted to smile at her as Oplar turned and gestured at me. "Renn's kind enough to not get lost in her own happiness like so many other wedded women, and is willing to help me find a mate," she told the human.

Laura slowly glanced at me, and then glanced over at Vim for a moment… who was studying a paper in his hand. It looked worn, for some reason. Maybe dirty. Then she looked back at me, and gave me a shy smile. "Do you just um… look for those like yourself?" Laura asked.

Oh…? "I'd never discriminate like that, Luara," I said with a smile.

Oplar sighed. "Aye. I've even told her a human would do, worst case scenario at least," Oplar admitted.

Laura slowly nodded, and then with a slightly blushed face she pointed at herself. "Then me, too, please. If possible."

"Really now? What would your mother say?" Oplar asked, and although had spoken gently I had heard her serious tone.

For a small moment I stayed quiet, and did my best to not get noticed as Laura and Oplar looked at each other. The two looked a little serious for a moment as Laura gently nodded. "I know, Oplar… but… I mean… Bless spends all her time anymore with her husband and family, mother and father are so focused on their project, and I'm always left alone and…" Laura had started speaking rather firmly, but it ended up becoming slight mumbles near the end. At least her blush hadn't gotten too strong.

"I don't mind keeping an eye out for you Laura. But um… actually, nuns are allowed to marry? I had thought that wasn't allowed?" I asked. It did seem like many of them did have partners, like Jelti. But I had thought it was not something they did.

Oplar chuckled at me. "The church doesn't outlaw it Renn. It's one of those things they kind of just don't acknowledge and look the other way when it happens. Certain folk do submit to the idea of staying chaste or celibate, but most don't. Honestly I'm surprised it took this long, little Laura here is far older than the other women in her family usually are when they get the itch to multiply," Oplar said with a point to her.

Little…? She was my height, and bigger in more than just one way. "A very non-human way of speaking, Oplar," I noted.

Actually I did remember Bless, Luara's sister, commenting she had married very early last time I was here. Maybe that meant such a thing was common amongst their family, and Laura was the odd one amongst them.

She didn't seem too old really. Though it was a little hard to tell with most of her covered in her robes and headdress.

Laura nodded. "It was. But it's fine, that's just the way she is," she said with a smile, telling me she more than used to Oplar and didn't feel offended in the least.

I was about to ask Laura some questions, to find out just what she was looking for in someone, but Vim spoke up from the other side of the room. "Oplar, have you been in contact with Lilly?"

Oplar flinched and hurriedly turned to look at him. "Sorry Vim… I wasn't ignoring you. She was here for a couple weeks, scoping out the place. She stayed with Bless and her family while here, and then decided to head to Nebl after Light and the rest left," Oplar quickly said.

Oh…? I glanced at Vim and found him frowning while staring down at a desk. One littered with letters.

"How long ago since she left?" Vim asked.

"Eight? Nine days ago? She left the afternoon after Light and the rest did that morning. She wouldn't actually confront them would she have…? Less and the rest were with them, Vim, surely even Lilly isn't that crazy is she?" Oplar asked.

"Yes. She is."

My tail squirmed as I worriedly frowned.

Hopefully all was well…

The air suddenly felt rather heavy, so I gulped and glanced around.

"Is Nebl okay?" I asked, since Vim didn't.

"Yeah? I think so, at least. I think Lilly just wanted to follow Light and watch them, and used him as an excuse. I'll uh… well, to be honest Vim I didn't really want to really question her… you know…" Oplar said carefully.

"It's okay. Thank you Oplar, and make sure to thank Bless and her family for letting Lilly burden them while she was here. I'll make sure Renn gets them a gift as a thank you," Vim said.

Smiling I nodded quickly. "Yeah!"

"Aww… wish she could've stayed with me instead…" Laura whispered.

"She can't come into the Cathedral, Laura. You know that," Oplar told her.

Laura nodded, but sighed as she stepped away. I watched her walk over to a desk and open a drawer. She grabbed a few letters and stepped over to Vim. "Here, Vim. Since our great leader seems to be blinded by your wife too much to do her job properly," Laura said as she handed him some letters.

He smirked and nodded. "Thank you Laura. But I can't fault her, I'm blinded by her all the time too so it's only natural," Vim said as he went to glancing at the letters, as if to see which was needed to be opened and read first.

Laura perked up and hurriedly glanced at me, and smiled happily. "How sweet! So he really does flirt!" she happily said as she hurried back over to us.

"I told you. You and your blood always doubt me, but I swear it always ends this way," Oplar said with a sigh.

Smirking at the two, I nodded. "I said so too, remember? He flirts with me all the time," I said.

Vim paid us no mind as he went to opening one of the letters. I was of course interested in it, and my eyes kept wanting to look at it, but I stayed focus no the two before me.

They were important too. More important even than little pieces of paper and dried ink.

Though I did want to know if any had been for me. When we had left Telmik last time, I had left a few letters in the bin. For Oplar, and a few others. I doubted that there were any responses to any of them yet, since we'd not been gone too long, but I still slightly hoped there would be one or two at least.

"Don't let Renn fool you, Laura. She's a flirt too. And not just with Vim! You should see the things she had written me in her letter!" Oplar said with a huge smile.

My ear twitched. "I expect a nicely written one in return, you know!" I said happily.

"Aye I bet you do! Well, good for you because there is one! But I'm not giving it to you until I leave!" she said back, loudly.

"Why not?" I asked a, a little sad over it.

"Because it's embarrassing…" Oplar mumbled as she looked away.

A little stunned by the sudden shift in her attitude, I couldn't help but laugh happily. "I look forward to it, Oplar," I said.

"Aye, I bet you do. Hmph…" Oplar grumbled, looking ever more adorable as she reached up to scratch at the back of her head.

She was embarrassed. Actually embarrassed! How adorable!

How come no one's tried to catch her heart yet, I wonder? It just made no sense at all…

Before more could be said, someone knocked on the door.

I hurriedly reached up, putting my hat back on. Vim turned, his cold eyes scanned the room as waited for the door to open.

"Enter!" Oplar said after a moment, likely because she had waited for me to make sure my hat was situated.

The door slowly opened, and I calmed down a little at the sight of Randle.

"Father Randle…!" Laura greeted him first, and did so with an oddly surprised voice. I glanced at her, and narrowed my eyes at the way she seemed genuinely shocked to see him.

Why was that…?

"Come on in Randle. Please shut the door behind you, rats might be in your shadow," Oplar said gently.

Randle smiled softly and nodded. "True indeed…" he said softly, and as he stepped into the room, and turned to close the door… I noticed the way he did so.

He had shut the door with his right arm, but the way his body looked under his robes…

"Wait… what? Randle? What happened to you…?" I asked as I realized his left sleeve looked far too wobbly and empty to be normal.

Randle didn't just shut the door, the latched it. He turned and gave me one of his gentle smiles and then nodded. "Rennalee. It's good to see you're well. I stuck my hand where it did not belong. Regretfully," he said gently as he lifted his left shoulder a little, and I noticed he had a part of his arm still. It looked like it ended not far from where his elbow should have been. The sleeve hung listlessly from it.

"Randle…" I groaned, and glanced at Oplar. The look on her face told me she had known already. And…

Was that fear…? Terror?

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"Oplar…?" I whispered, worried for her. She was even trembling! She looked utterly terrified! What for? Why?

Even if Randle had lost an arm, it seemed he was alive and fine. It wasn't like there was any current danger here, especially what with Vim here and…

Then I noticed Laura. The human nun, dressed in the typical robes here, had her head hung low. She had clasped her hands together, and with half-shut eyes was doing everything she could to be as small as possible. Her shoulders and arms were slumped and pulled inward. Her legs bowed a little… as if trying to pray, or hide herself.

Looking back at Randle, I frowned at the way his eyes were wide. As if in shock. As if he'd lost his arm just now.

"Guys…?" I asked, my worry growing rapidly. Just what was wrong? I mean, obviously something was, but…

Turning, to look at Vim and see his reaction, I went still… as I realized why everyone had suddenly gone weird.

It hadn't been because of Randle's condition. Or rather, not directly.

Vim stepped forward, and I flinched as brick and wood creaked and complained. Dust fell from the ceiling, landing on Oplar's shoulder. She didn't even twitch as a handful of dust fell all over her shoulder and rolled down to the ground.

He took another step. It had looked smooth. Gentle. Almost as if he was walking lazily… yet the nearby desks lining the wall all banged together and chairs fell over, causing me to panic. The very bricks that made the walls and floor were making terrible grinding and rickety noises, protesting at Vim's weight! As the tables shook and rattled, the papers and little containers which rested upon them flung around. Some fell off the tables, others flew into the air as if someone had pushed them aside violently.

Oplar and Laura flinched and lowered their heads, both of them trying to outright ignore the chaos around them. Even as dust fell upon them, and papers landed near their feet.

"Vim!" I shouted at him, loudly, as I stepped forward in hopes of making him realize what he was doing. He blinked as he paused… and with a tiny shift of his head he nodded. The rattling and banging of the furniture and the building around us seemed to calm down, as one of the huge wooden beams on the ceiling creaked in stress.

"Hm…" he seemed to collect himself, thankfully, and then he took the last few steps needed to stand in front of Randle. By the time he reached Randle, the whole room had gone quiet… with only dust swirling in the air, with a mess of moved furniture and papers on the ground left for proof of what had just happened.

"Really Vim…" I groaned as I glanced around, to see if there were any cracks in the foundation or along any walls. I didn't see any, but there were a lot of desks and shelves everywhere and even boards hanging on the walls so it was hard to tell.

Before I could even fully assess the situation, Vim reached a hand out, grabbing Randle by the remaining bit of his left arm. I watched as Vim studied it for a moment, and then he took a deep breath.

"Who?"

The room suddenly felt cold; though I wasn't sure how Vim's single word accomplished such a thing. Especially since I still wore all my heavier clothes, and my heart was beating rather quickly.

"I'll not tell you unless you vow to stay your hand over it."

"Not a smart time to play priest, Randle," Vim said.

"Ah, then it is the perfect time to do so, if you think so," Randle said with a smile.

A little stunned by Randle's reaction, I found myself a little awed by him. He had been shocked at first, what with those wide eyes earlier, but now he looked… calm. Collected.

At peace, even.

He was smiling at Vim as if he had absolutely zero worries or fears in the world. No pain. No sorrow.

It was the look of a man content and at peace with himself. A stark contrast to the glowering rage on Vim's face. And the complete opposite to Laura and Oplar's expressions of panic and worry.

The next few heartbeats were heavy. Hard. Vim released Randle's arm, shifted ever so gently… without causing the world around him to break thanks to it, and then sighed at the priest. "What'd you do, Randle? Why didn't you wait until I was here?" Vim asked.

Oh…!

Was it really related to the drama recently? Light and the rest?

Randle slowly nodded. "That may have been the wiser choice. But when one faces a tribulation they do so alone, Vim. Even when in a crowd. It would have made no difference," Randle said.

My ears twitched, and I reached up to take my hat off. So that I could fully focus and be aware of the situation.

Holding my hat in my hand, I glanced at Oplar and Laura. Laura was still praying, seemingly doing her best to not be heard or seen. Oplar looked hurt, but was focused entirely on Randle and Vim. As if ensorcelled. She didn't even notice my look.

"Who tended the wound?" Vim asked.

"What wound, Vim?"

Vim scoffed at him. "I've had more limbs blown off by divine power than you. Don't try and tell me there weren't any burns," he said.

Divine power…?

"Wait…! Did Light do that?" I asked, stepping forward.

It made sense, but how had Vim known? So quickly, too!? We'd been together since our arrival, no one has said a word about this to us yet!

Randle glanced at me, and for the tiniest moment his look softened. "I did this, Renn. My actions, no one else's," he said.

"Priests aren't meant to lie, Randle," Oplar said stiffly.

Glancing at Oplar, I found she had crossed her arms. She looked upset now.

"Hm. So they aren't. Tell me, Rennalee… what makes a priest?" he asked.

A little startled at being asked such a thing, I quickly scoured my memories of the bibles and gospels I've read.

"Utter dedication to the faith. To spread the doctrine and preach to those who won't hear," I said, quoting one of the tenants.

"Hm… not a mention of needing to be ordained by the holy see or church?" Randle asked. There was a section about that, actually...

Vim shifted, and spoke up before I could. "What are you saying Randle?" he asked.

"I've been excommunicated. From the church proper," Randle stated.

Frowning at that, I glanced at Vim in hopes to realize how big a deal something like that was. Vim though didn't show his thoughts on his face, only the silent anger that was boiling within him was visible.

"What happened, Randle?" Vim asked softly.

Randle sighed. "I confronted them. About their schemes. The changing of the gospel, the strange locations they've been sending our clergy off to without explanation, even the removal of people I've trusted and placed into positions myself decades ago! Basically Vim it all grew too much and I had no choice but to confront them. When I did they gave me an ultimatum," Randle said.

"I shouldn't be listening to this…" Laura groaned as she lowered her head farther and lifted her clasped hands as if to cover her face more.

Randle ignored her as Vim gestured to his arm. The missing one. "You call that an ultimatum?" Vim asked.

"He attacked Light, Vim…" Oplar whispered.

My ears fluttered. "You attacked her?" I asked, really?

Vim shifted, and the door popped open. It did so with such force that I had jumped backward, ready to see someone charge in and attack or something. It banged against the wall, then swung back inward enough that it almost shut again.

My heart was beating like mad as I studied the door, and the little bit of space I could see through it.

I saw no one outside.

Randle sighed, and did so loud enough to make me shift and relax a little as he turned and stepped back to the door. He shut the door, firmly, and nodded. "In a sense, yes. I did," Randle admitted.

"Randle…" Vim growled the priest's name, and I groaned as the memory of Tim flashed before me.

Rather, the last moment of Tim. Right before Vim decapitated him.

Randle turned back around, smiling gently at Vim as he nodded. "Thus why I ask'd for your vow to stay your hand," he said lightly.

So… he had not been asking Vim for mercy for someone else or whoever had hurt him and took his arm… but himself…!

Hurrying forward, I felt my heart leap into my throat as I put myself between Vim and Randle.

I had spun a little, to face Vim, and kept Randle at my back. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Oplar step forward, reaching out for me. She had an aghast expression on her face, and seemed stunned. She had likely tried to stop me but hadn't been quick enough. The fact she had noticed my movement and reached out for me at all was a testament that she was more than she appeared.

"Wait…!" I barely got out, but then had to gasp for breath. My heart was beating like crazy, and I suddenly felt a little lightheaded.

What was I doing…! Vim's cold expression was now directed at me!

With a dry mouth, I gulped and nodded. "Wait… Vim…!" I finally got out as our eyes locked.

"How adorable," Randle whispered behind me.

My tail squirmed wildly beneath my cloak, and I wished it hadn't been hidden away still. I wanted to wrap it around his neck and mouth and silence him. He should know better than to make light of the situation…!

There was no denying Vim's current attitude! The look on his face, the cold eyes, the fact the whole building around us… an actual castle, a massive Cathedral, was displaying Vim's lack of control! That door had not flown open thanks to a ghost or some trick, but Vim's strange abilities! They only ever got that bad when he was actually furious, which meant Randle was in danger.

Randle had just admitted to attacking Light, a member, and as such being excommunicated from the church. His church, that he had help found and grow nearly for a thousand years. That was how terrible the crime he had just admitted to was!

It was why Oplar and Laura had panicked at the sight of him. They had known. They all did.

We all did.

There was only one recourse for a member that attacked another. At least, to the point of drawing blood and loss of limbs.

And Vim did not hesitate. Not even against those he should do so with.

"Careful…! Renn…!" Oplar hissed worriedly, her arms slightly outstretched as if in an effort to reach out and grab me. But her legs didn't seem to want to cooperate. She was too far away.

"He'll not harm her, Oplar. I on the other hand may not be so lucky," Randle said lightly.

"Randle, please!" I said through clenched teeth as Vim's eyes narrowed.

At least he was still staring at me.

Could Vim kill Randle with me standing between them? Likely so. I had no doubt he could. But would he risk it? Vim cherished me dearly. It was part of the reason he was so careful with me. Even just giving me a hug, or holding my hand, was something he did so vigilantly and only under certain situations. Even though he claimed he had a lot of experience in being gentle, and holding back his strength and abilities, I knew the truth.

Vim was terrified of hurting me. Beyond what should be normal, even for a man such as him.

So…

Just maybe…

"Were you banished, Randle?" Vim then asked.

I shivered at the cold tone. And flinched.

That was the same voice he had spoken with back then. At the Crypt.

To Tim.

Stretching out my arms, I raised my hands a little as if to cover more of Randle than I was already doing. I glared back at Vim, and even tried to get my ears to perk up as straight as possible. Randle was taller than me, so I knew I needed to use every bit of self to guard him from Vim as possible. Should I stand on tip-toes? But what if I needed to move quickly?

Could I cover him enough to get him out of the room…? To what end? How far could I take this, before Vim would be forced to punish even me…?

"I have been excommunicated from the Church of Songs… and yes, also banished from Telmik. I have until the end of winter to leave, and relocate. Light was merciful enough to give me time to heal and prepare, considering," Randle said, speaking calmly as I heard his robes flutter and shift. He had likely lifted his missing arm as he spoke, and gestured to it.

Although I couldn't believe how calm Randle was speaking, I still found myself relaxing a little thanks to it. And not just his demeanor either.

He had till winter…

Maybe that would keep Vim's wrath in check…!

"Foolish…" Vim whispered.

"Ah, but it was. I was told if I wanted to stay in my position, and to keep the orphanages especially, then I needed to tow the line. I refused," Randle said.

"And just because of that you attacked Light? Randle, you are not a violent man," Vim said as he blinked.

I blinked in return, since we were still staring at each other.

"No. I'm not. But I did grab Light's collar in anger… I had been rather furious, really. To be honest I should not have waited so long to confront them. I had allowed my disgust and disillusion grow to the point of boiling over, and had lost control," Randle said with a sigh.

"He had hurt her, Vim. Enough to make her use her power. His arm literally exploded all over, you should have seen the mess, it was something you would have left behind," Oplar said.

"You had been there?" Vim asked as he turned his head a little, as if to look at her. He didn't though; he kept his eyes on mine.

"Huh…! No. But I had seen the aftermath. I had been summoned to take care of him, Light said it was because I was a neutral party and so I could be trusted with him… so…" Oplar spoke quickly, but at least didn't sound too scared.

But I knew the truth. Oplar was a timid creature. Odds are the only reason she hadn't run off already was because she knew Vim would only hurt, or kill, Randle. She would be fine. Since she hadn't broken any rules.

My arms suddenly felt a little heavy, and I felt silly as I slowly lowered them. Not completely, but just enough to hide their trembling.

I was scared. Terrified.

But not of Vim.

Never of Vim.

So I didn't want him to think so, by accident upon seeing my trembling arms and legs.

Plus…

Vim still looked furious… but he's shifted and moved a little and nothing has broken or done anything crazy around us for a bit. Not since the door. Although his voice sounded empty, he did seem to be… at least…

"Don't Vim, please," I whispered as my eyes watered a little.

My husband's eyes narrowed a little, and they finally left my own as to look behind me. I took a breath and tried to stand up straighter, extending my arms a little more once again, as Vim glared at Randle.

"I wanted to be the first to tell you. That I've been banished, and what I'd done, Vim," Randle said gently.

"You attacked a member. To the point you forced her to use her divine power. Within her own halls, your own halls," Vim said, speaking slowly. Carefully.

My heart began to beat quickly again as my eyes became blurry. Oh no!

"I did," Randle admitted.

Gritting my teeth, I was half tempted to turn around and slap him.

Why was he making it worse for himself! Stupid priest! I thought he was supposed to be wise!

I had expected, or at least somewhat planned, to possibly try and stop Vim from doing something crazy when we got here… but I had not expected this at all!

I had thought I'd be asking Vim to spare someone I'd never even met, not someone I actually knew and felt was a friend to us!

Vim then took a step forward. A single one. It was all he had needed.

Stepping back, I ran into Randle. The tall, thin man who had recently lost his arm had felt like a brick wall. He didn't budge at all as I pushed back up against him, and even reached behind as to cover him a little. I held Vim's gaze, standing up tall as I glared him down.

"Vim!" I shouted his name, and dreaded the next few moments.

He'd not hurt me. I knew it. But I also knew he'd do what he had to. I knew he would. He's done it. He's told me, and threatened me before. He's made it clear to me during our journey, that he would always place the Society and its rules over me. That he'd do what he had to, even if it meant it'd break my heart or ruin our relationship.

Will my heart be able to handle the feeling of Randle's blood splatter my back? Will I be able to handle the feeling of it drenching my hair and head? Will I scream? How much will I cry? Will I be able to look Vim in the eye again after the fact…? Will I be able to hold him as we slept?

Vim stood right before me. Close enough if I just reversed the angle of my arms, I'd have wrapped him in a hug instead of Randle. I felt squished between the two, and my whole body was wobbling in worry as tears leaked and…!

"It's my fault Vim. I deserve what happened, and what will," Randle said softly, his warm breath tickling my ears.

No…

"No, Randle," Vim said.

My stomach churned and my whole body went still as I stopped breathing, and with wide eyes watched Vim's arm reach out over my shoulder.

Unable to do anything, not even move or blink… I felt Vim grab Randle's shoulder.

It was a heavy grip. One that would have made me flinch had this been another moment, happening in another way.

A long, solid heartbeat passed with Vim's arm resting on my shoulder. Which was ridiculous, because it felt like my heart was beating faster than ever.

Expecting the sound of something squishy being crushed, or a yelp of pain, or some other weird noise… I was not ready for the sigh that came from Vim as he then patted Randle's shoulder, rather gently.

"It's not your fault. It's mine." My breathing resumed as Vim then glanced at me and stepped around us. With wide, blurry eyes, I heard him open the door… which now sounded very squeaky and wobbly, and then he left the room.

Laura collapsed. A bundle of robes and woman fell to the floor, completely. Oplar panicked, jumping over to grab at her. "Laura…!" Oplar rolled her over, gently lifting her shoulder and head and it was obvious from the way she was slumped that she had passed out.

"Hm… you should go Rennalee," Randle then said.

Shifting, I slowly turned and looked upward. We were still very close, since I suddenly felt stiff… and very sweaty. We were so close it was actually a little awkward now, but I was feeling awkward myself. I didn't trust my legs just yet to keep me upright if I stepped backward.

"Huh…?" Oplar asked for me.

"Please. And if maybe you can feel gentle enough to do so, do for them what you just did for me," Randle said as he reached out with his only remaining hand, grabbing my stiff arm and shoulder with it.

"Do what…?" I whispered, barely able to process what was happening.

"Find mercy. Or rather, find Vim's."

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