"Maybe not," he admitted glumly. "It seems like there's nowhere that's perfect for her. Or even relatively safe for her." He held up his hands helplessly. "Or maybe we just haven't found it yet," he suggested. But he didn't sound so sure.

He listened, and he nodded, and he leaned back a little more heavily against the wall. "You're right," he sighed, and smiled forlornly at the pretty blue Tiefling. "As usual. If it wasn't with us, I'm sure she'd have found some way to get out and into trouble otherwise. And at least we care about her--we'll do our best to protect her. The others as well." It was touching to him how the party had adopted Zelly to be their metaphorical child. Even the rougher members of the party had come to cherish her.

Would Gareth have let her anywhere near two Orcs only a year ago? Not very likely.

"I just hope she doesn't get hurt," he said at last. "I'm not sure I could forgive myself."