Page 590 of End Game

“You shouldn't.”

Something about Micah's delivery is almost normal enough that Dex's smile turns real.

I move on before he ruins it.

Micah's rogue disappears behind a collapsed column, and the twenty-three on his Stealth check means none of the enemies see him reposition.

Dex sighs theatrically. “Hot.”

Micah finally looks at him. “Do you need a minute?”

“Probably.”

The first two rounds go badly enough to be entertaining without becoming annoying, which is generally the ideal balance for combat.

Cami uses a spell slot earlier than she probably should.

Griffin misses an attack.

Dex uses Vicious Mockery on a mercenary and, for reasons known only to him, decides the actual insult should be, “You fight like your mother dresses you.”

The table goes silent.

Cami turns slowly toward him.

Griffin stares.

Even Micah looks impressed, although not for the reason Dex would prefer.

Dex lifts his hands defensively. “It was under pressure.”

Micah's eyebrows rise. “You're a bard.”

“I know.”

“Words are your entire thing.”

“I panicked.”

The laugh catches Micah by surprise.

It is not especially loud, but it is the first time I have heard him genuinely laugh for longer than a second since he came home three nights ago.

His hand comes up toward his mouth almost immediately, as though the reaction escaped before he had time to decide whether he wanted it.

Dex's expression softens.

Only for a second.

Then he spreads both hands and announces, “Worth it. I accept my humiliation.”

Nobody turns the moment into anything more than that.

I am extraordinarily proud of all of them.

The creature beneath the water attacks at the beginning of the third round.

Cami makes an alarmed noise when I put the miniature onto the map.