Jovvi halted her angry pacing to settle on the cot in her room.  That's just the problem, isn't it?  He doesn't know me.  There hasn't been time to tell him how I came to be here . . . or of Immy.

My fault.  This is all my fault.  The tears she had been suppressing since her sister's capture began flooding down her face.  Now that she was alone, away from the watchful eyes of the others, she could put aside her façade of strength and unbending resolve to give vent to her despair.  I should have insisted you return to Candlekeep.  Should never have let you talk me into allowing you to come along.  If not for me, you'd be safe . . . never taken by the Cowled Wizards . . . never captured by Irenicus . . . never suffered his torment . . . never . . . .

A rueful smile broke through her tears.  Who am I kidding?  You'd have ignored me just like you disregarded Gorion's order to stay in Candlekeep.  Had I tried to send you back, you'd have struck off on your own and greeted me with a cheeky ‘hi ya' when I arrived at the Friendly Arm.  With a firm hand, she wiped the drying tears from her face.  Be safe, Immy.  I promise you'll be back with us before long . . . just as soon as I can raise the necessary coin.

Which I can't do until I figure out what to do about Anomen.  She rose and began to pace the floor again.  The wise thing to do would be to tell him to go.  If he stays, it will only lead to trouble.  What will he do when he discovers what I am?  More importantly, can I trust him?

Trust, something so natural before leaving Candlekeep, had become a precious commodity she could no longer afford.  Jaheira would stay even if I ordered her to go.  She takes her role as guardian too seriously.  Minsc couldn't contemplate hurting me.  Can the same be said of Yoshimo and Anomen?  Are they loyal enough to stick with me regardless of what happens?  And, if Anomen learns the truth, will he see it as his duty to eliminate my taint?

Questions and uncertainties continued to whirl until she could no longer stand it.  The need for fresh air and open space drew her down the stairs and out the doors of the inn.  Though it was only a slight improvement over the stale atmosphere inside, Jovvi took a deep, cleansing breath, and began, with effort, to clear her mind of all thought.  She closed her eyes and concentrated on her slow, steady breathing, as Gorion had taught her to do whenever she felt overwhelmed.

With the returning calmness came awareness of her surroundings and the knowledge that she was not alone.  Slightly obscured by haphazard piles of discarded crates, Minsc, forlorn and dejected, sat on a rickety bench.  The gentle giant, normally exuding such intense confidence and determination, was stooped over, emanating an aura of hopelessness.  Even Boo, the tiny hamster sitting in the warrior's trembling hand, seemed seeped in despondency.

Jovvi continued to stand there, unsure of what to say, of how to soothe his anguish.  How can he ever forgive me?  Dynaheir died because of me, because of what I am.  What can . . . .

"Boo wants to know when Jovvi will send Minsc away."  He didn't look up as he uttered these quiet words, instead keeping his focus entirely on his animal companion.

"Do you want to go?"  Please say no!  Please.  I can't do this without you.

"Minsc must go."  He turned his distraught eyes to hers.  "Jovvi does not trust Minsc anymore."

Jovvi rushed to kneel in front of him, placing a tiny hand on his pale cheek.  "Why do you say this?  Of course I trust you."

Minsc turned his eyes back to Boo, unable or unwilling to meet her eyes.  "You did not let the pretty elf come with us.  Jovvi does not trust Minsc to protect little Aerie . . . like he could not protect Dynaheir."

Grief for Dynaheir, pain for the man who so keenly felt that loss clenched her heart.  She forced him to meet her eyes, hoping she could make him understand.  "Minsc, my dear, dear friend, Dynaheir's death was not your fault.  No one could have saved her or Khalid.  Irenicus . . . Irenicus was too powerful, too prepared for what he had planned.  I didn't let Aerie come with us because she's too naïve about the world.  She's just not ready to face the harsh realities of life on the road.  I know you wouldn't let harm come to her.  Just as I know you won't let any come to me."

So many people hurt because of me . . . so much blood spilled . . . all because of what I am.  Images of lost friends began surging across her mind.  "I wish Irenicus had taken my life instead of Dynaheir's."  She hadn't realized she'd uttered the words until Minsc burst up from the bench, his face seething with anger.

"NO!  Do not say that!  You dishonor Dynaheir.  She . . . ."  The fury vanished from his face, replaced by intense grief.  With a soft, broken voice, he continued, "She ordered Minsc to protect you.  Before she died, she made Minsc promise to stay with Jovvi, to help her, to keep her from harm.  And now Jovvi will send Minsc away because he failed Dynaheir and Minsc will not be able to keep his promise to his witch."

Grief stole the strength from his legs and he collapsed in a wretched heap on the hard-packed ground.  Instantly, she was by his side, enveloping him in a gentle hug.  "Minsc, you didn't fail Dynaheir.  I do trust you and I want you by my side for as long as you're willing.  Forever, if I have my way.  I . . . I can't do this without you.  I can't rescue Immy or confront Irenicus if you aren't with me."

"But you have Anomen knight to protect you now.  You don't need Minsc and Boo."

"I will always need both of you, dear friend."  She waited, holding her breath, until hope began to grow in his face and manner.  "Come now, get up.  It's not seemly for a mighty warrior and his valiant hamster to be seen sprawled on the dirt."  With a little encouragement, Minsc settled on the bench and Jovvi seated herself close by his side.

After briefly petting Boo, Jovvi said, "I wouldn't worry too much about Anomen.  He may not be continuing with us."

Boo chirped and Minsc turned confused eyes towards her.  "Why?  Does Anomen not like Minsc and Boo?"

"It's not that at all, Minsc.  Anomen . . . he just doesn't fit in.  Besides, you got hurt today because he left you undefended."

Minsc shrugged as if this was a trivial matter.  "He only did that to protect you.  How many times did Khalid do the same thing?"  Both friends shared a smile as they recalled with fond memory all the kindly-worded lectures Jovvi had endured about prudence and caution from Khalid.  All too soon, the veil of misery and loss returned to cloak them, erasing some of the joy they had found in their recollections.

"Minsc, I promise you.  I'm not going to send you away, nor am I going to allow you to leave.  We're a team.  More importantly, we're friends and friends stick together no matter what."

With a confident voice, Minsc boomed, "Evil will fall before the might of Minsc and Boo!"

Jovvi couldn't contain her smile.  "Right you are, Minsc.  Right you are."