The letter provided by Gerard led the group to a small cave, not terribly far from the town, only a two hours walk. The cave was similar to the one Turwyn had led Gild to when they met, the one they had slaughtered the Kobolds at and learned about Linith, the name that had started this whole adventure. The irony of the situation was not lost on Gild.

“It really is rather fitting, isn't it?”

“What?” Turwyn asked. Prisolyna looked at Gild as well as the three of them stood just outside the cave.

“This cave,” he said. “We met involving a cave and had to storm that one, now we might die, also involving a cave.”

“Might die?” the elf asked, glancing back towards the cave. There were no markings or anything to signify anyone lived here, just rough rock and viney growth over the entrance, some of it dangling down from the roof and giving the impression of needle-like teeth.

“Come on, we are going into an unknown cave to meet a necromancer. Someone who plays with death. Don’t you think there is a slight chance they could kill us?”

Now it was Turwyn’s turn to glance toward the cave. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, looking uneasy. “How can you be so blasé about this? Do you really sit there and think about how you might die when we enter these scenarios?”

“I’ve been neutral towards death for years,” Gild shrugged. “I don't want to die, but the thought of dying doesn't scare me like it used to.”

“What about that time you ran screaming and crying from the Yeti?” Tik asked, fluttering down to rest near Gild’s shoulder. “Where was that? Some mountain range in the south, there was another group of people there you left behind.”

“That was a long time ago,” Gild shot daggers at his imp. “And shortly after Giselle was taken. I had a strong desire to stay very alive as I first started searching for her.”

“Mmm,” the imp scratched his chin. “I don't think it was that long ago. In fact, I think it was only a few months before you came down here that that particular event happened.”

“Either way,” Gild waved his hand impatiently at the imp. “It was in the past. Plus, that yeti was freaking huge. I’m neutral towards death, but that doesn't mean I want to be slowly eaten alive by a monster.”

Prisolyna snickered and Turwyn seemed slightly more relaxed. Gild looked around, noting the lovely area of forest they were in. Trees were spaced apart enough to make walking through a breeze, and a heavy layer of leaves and needles carpeted the ground. The sun came down brightly, and all in all it was a wonderful day. Gild wouldn't admit it to the two others, but he was stalling on entering the cave of the necromancer. Maybe he didn't feel neutral towards possible death after all?

Part of it could be him potentially getting near to actually finding an answer on how to get Giselle back. What would he do if she wasn't in the Demonic realm? What if she had been dead for years? What if she hated him for leaving her behind and wanted nothing to do with him? He shook his head, trying to clear the thoughts out. Turning back to the cave, he took a deep breath in, held it, and slowly blew it out his lips.

“Let's do this,” he said to himself. A bit louder, he said, “Tik, can you see any sort of spells on the entrance to the cave?”

“I’m glad you asked, Gild,” the imp said. “This entrance is absolutely littered with spell forms and cantrips of all sizes, shapes, and colors.”

“Did you plan on telling us if I had not of asked?”

“Mmm…”

“Don't answer that. Can you do anything about them?”

“Let me take a look,” Tik said, flying away towards the cave.

“Can he actually do anything to spells?” Prisolyna asked.

“It depends on how complex it is and the type of magic used. He’s done some pretty good work in the past and gotten us out of a few situations that were, let's say unfortunate.”

“Can all familiars do that, or is it more of a… you know,” Turwyn asked, watching the demon as it fluttered around the cave entrance.

“It's a demon thing.”

“You mortals and your spells are like glow signs to us,” Tik called from the entrance. “Easy to read and easier to mess with.”

“Like I said, he’s been able to mess with a few,” Gild said.

“And nearly all of yours,” the imp said.

“What was that?” Gild called back. Tik just cackled as his tiny fingers worked some invisible threads only he could see.

“Why do you think they chose this spot?” Prisolyna asked, gesturing at the cave and forest around them.

“It makes sense, doesn't it?” Turwyn said. “They can't really experiment and perform whatever vile acts they need on corpses in town can they? But they would need to be near enough a settlement to have access to corpses. The town is big enough to provide enough for them, and even if some go missing, that's not exactly news, is it?”

“You’ve given this a lot of thought,” Prisolyna said, eyeing the paladin. “And you sound very pleased to be here.”

“I’m doing my best,” Turwyn grumbled. “But this is just getting worse and worse. We went from a fence to a purveyor of clandestine information, and now a necromancer? It's a good thing I'm not in any Orders, or they'd be striking me down now.”

As if the Seraphim could hear him, he glanced heavenward before making a small cross across his chest.

“It’ll be fine. If this person gets all uppity or threatens you, please, by all means, strike them down. You have my full support.”

Turwyn nodded to Gild.

“Now hush up, Tik is coming back over,” Gild said. The imp flew over, floating on the air, bouncing with each beat of his wings, a smug look on his horned little face.

He came to a gentle rest, lazily flapping his bat wings, and keeping himself at the height of Prisolyna, just below Turwyn but above Gild.

“Interesting conversation you had going over here,” Tik said.

“Extremely, what did you find out about the cave?” Gild asked.

“Nothing that fancy actually, it was mostly wards to trigger sensors inside the cave. Nothing that would have killed anyone, just enough to alert whoever is living there.”

“Did you disable them?”

Tik looked hurt. “Of course I did. How can you expect so little of me? You asked a task of me and I am happy to perform it.”

Gild rolled his eyes and Prisolyna stifled a giggle. She asked the imp, “I have a quick question. I hope you don't take offense to this, but what is the nature of your and Gild's relationship? Is it a partnership or more of a slave-master type thing.”

“No offense taken,” the imp held up a small hand. “I would put it as a partnership. He is not bound to me, and I am not bound to the demon he made his pact with. We sort of stumbled across each other and realized we had similar goals and have been working together ever since.”

“How did you find each other?” she asked.

“That is a story for another time,” Gild said. “If you don't mind, we have a cave to enter and a necromancer to talk to.” He was growing impatient now. He had stalled earlier, but the anxiety of waiting was starting to outweigh the anxiety of actually going in and potentially learning something about the soulstone.

“I am actually a bit curious about that too,” Turwyn said, though to Gild’s relief he did take a step towards the cave. “You seem like a fine enough companion, but you are a demon. I can't imagine a scenario where a human and demon's goals lineup and it is for something good.”

The look of mock hurt splayed across Tik's features again as he regarded the paladin. “You don't have to worry about me, big guy. I am up to nothing nefarious at all. Plus, I'm not nearly powerful enough to contend with any of you head to head, and I didn't tell Gild about your lack of powers derived from the Seraphim.”

Turwyn stopped in his tracks, staring at the imp with an open mouth. “You could tell?”

“Of course,” Tik said dismissively. “Paladin and clerics who have taken their power from the Seraphim absolutely reek of their magic. Demons can smell it from miles away!”

Turwyn said nothing as he regarded the imp, before turning and starting towards the cave.

“Finally,” Gild said. “Let's get in there and find out what we need to know.

Prisolyna stepped in behind Gild next to Tik. “I noticed you used derived, then taken, when referring to paladins and clerics and their powers. Was that a purposeful choice of words?”

Tik just smiled at her.