"Howdy, Y'all"

Deirdre returns to Kesra, Aureo, and Leona in a tavern in Fieldcrest, and tells them that they need to talk. They head upstairs and she tells them that she came across an avatar of Vecna. She tells them that there's a ritual she can do to bring back Eachthighearn, and that Zanelor told her that, because she's a Keeper, she's caught the attention of the Whispered One. Aureo asks to know whether he is a Keeper, and Leona casts Identify on him, on Kesra, and on Deirdre, only seeing a symbol appear on Deirdre's wrist.

They begin planning their trip to Quan Mal. Leona takes Deirdre downstairs for a drink and reveals to her what she learned about Zanelor being her father. Meanwhile, Aureo and Kesra discuss the fact that they might wind up in combat with people who believe that they're following the orders of the Empress. They discuss fathers and their relationships with them.

As Leona and Deirdre arrive downstairs, they find Zanelor and Sentinel. Zanelor tells them that he's heading out, to attend to some Covenant duties. Leona goes outside with him, asking if she can contact him from time to time, which he agrees to. She also asks about the Halowells, and he tells her that they are not who they seemed to be. He doesn't know much, but suggests that she talk to Xytharia about it. She shows him a ring that Lord Kentigern gave her when she was a child, and he tells her that he gave it to Lord Kentigern for her, and that it was his mother's.

Deirdre and Leona head upstairs, and Deirdre goes to bed. Leona and Aureo talk a bit about Zanelor, and he also tells her that he's nervous about this trip - he's worried about seeing a General Bronzeshield. The head to bed.

In the morning, they all head out, and eventually Deirdre breaks off with Sentinel to continue her training. They talk about favorite colors and about how the military works. That night, Leona has a vision. She sees the symbol from Deirdre's wrist, and then sees Maudit with Zephaliar on Dragonshire.

The following day, Leona contacts Deirdre, letting her know that she had a vision of Maudit. They pass by a group of soldiers, who then turn around and come back to surround them. They tell them that they are looking for several people who the Empress wants to speak to. Leona and Kesra try to talk their way out of it, but wind up having to fight them off.

Very quickly, as the fight starts, a male Firbolg comes charging out of the forest to help. They quickly knock all the soldiers all unconscious, and dash quickly into the woods.

When they come to a stop, the Firbolg introduces himself as Yugi. He tells them that he's actually been following Deirdre and Sentinel and then them for a few days. He tells them that he used to be a watcher, and he's trying to redeem himself. He says that he knows Zanelor, but sometimes gets distracted from doing what he's supposed to be doing. He shows them a paper from Zanelor, suspending him from the Covenant, and doesn't actually say anything about him getting reinstated like he thinks it does.

Leona contacts Zanelor, and just then Deirdre and Sentinel ride up. They decide to keep moving, and Leona catches Deirdre up about Yugi. They continue to discuss Yugi's standing, and Leona offers to write him a recommendation to get back in with the Covenant.

Eventually, they make camp for the night. Leona casts Tiny Hut while Kesra introduces him to Red, who takes an immediate liking to him. Deirdre finds some recent orc tracks in the area, and Sentinel warns her that Zanelor doesn't kick people out of the Covenant for a reason. Yugi makes them all some "Grandma Firbolg stew" for dinner that night.