Jorick snorted. “She’s probably just casting a spell to track the gnolls like she did back in Curston,” he said. “I can’t believe I followed you out here. You’ve gone crazier than your brother.” Brushing himself off, Jorick stood and started to walk back to the camp.

“No, I am not!” Bet’s voice sounded icy with irritation.

Jorick stopped and slowly turned around.

“That doesn’t sound like magic words, does it?” Evin asked, unable to keep the smugness from his tone.

Jorick sat beside Evin.

Bet fell silent. Her features twisted and her chest heaved as though she was struggling to control her breathing.

Then she said, “I told you, I am not interfering! What is the problem anyway? They’re here inside the wall, they remain as clueless as ever, and they’re fighting your little campaign, just like you wanted. Aren’t you lot having fun?”

She let out a little sigh and rolled her eyes to look up at the starry sky.

“All right, fine,” she said. “I … I guess tonight, then.”

With that, she slammed the book shut. Muttering to herself and stomping heavily, she gathered the book and her satchel.

“That little witch!” Jorick hissed beside Evin.

“I told you,” Evin said. “She’s up to something.”

Jorick reached for his sword. “I can’t believe I trusted her,” he whispered. He continued on, his voice rising higher and higher. “I can’t believe I let her lie to me! I—”

Evin grabbed Jorick’s shoulder and once again put his finger to his lips. Looking over the boulder, he expected to see Bet heading right at them. But she apparently hadn’t heard Jorick’s outburst. She disappeared into the trees in the direction of the unattended campfire.

Once she was out of earshot, Evin and Jorick stood still. Jorick’s breathing was heavy, his fists clenched.

“She was lying!” Jorick said. “What was she talking about, that we’re clueless, that we’re fighting for someone? What is going on?”

Evin shook his head. “I’m not sure. But Bet was clearly made to join us for some reason.”

Jorick began to clomp through the underbrush, back to the camp. “This doesn’t mean I believe all your fake memory nonsense,” he called back. “But I say we make her tell us what it is she’s doing.”

“Wait!” Evin darted in front of Jorick and held up his hands. “Just wait. You didn’t see what she did to those gnolls. One spell and poof, they exploded into nothing. She’s a lot more powerful than she’s been letting on, and something tells me that our swords won’t be any match against her.”

“So what do we do, then?” Jorick asked. “Just let her lead us into some sort of trap?”