"Evening." Nero said casually as they stopped before them. "Mind if we join you?"
All three turned slowly.
"Of course you do," Ren said, voice even.
Contessa said nothing, her face unreadable behind her mask. She sat on a nearby log without waiting for permission.
Nero took a seat beside her. "Thought it would be nice to warm up. Camps are lonely, even when shared."
"Especially when shared." Lilith muttered.
Nero smiled at her, amused. "Still upset about the chasm?"
Lilith's eyes glinted. "Just surprised you didn't push me off it."
"Now why would I do that?" Nero said. "We're all friends here."
"That remains to be seen." Ren said.
There was a beat of silence. Then Thorn leaned forward. "Why are you here, really?"
Nero looked at him. "Same reason as you. To reach the Seventh Peak."
"And what do you want there?"
"Answers." Nero said simply.
"To what?"
"To my questions."
Contessa finally spoke. Her voice was soft but firm. "We don't mean you any harm."
