Keefe

"What are we going to do?" Biana asked him when she, Fitz, and Keefe had all gathered around the table. Wraith still hadn't returned, and Keefe knew they couldn't count on him. It was too risky to rely on such an unpredictable guess.

"We've got a Vanisher, Telepath, aaaaaand an Empath," Fitz recited, sourly, "Pretty sure we're useless."

Biana whimpered, something Keefe had never seen of Biana. Could the battle really have been that bad or... "Biana!" Keefe said, realizing what the problem was.

"What?" she whined, startled by his sudden change in tone.

"I know what's wrong."

Fitz tilted his head, confused, "'Wrong'? What's wrong?"

"Biana," Keefe answered, and Fitz protested.

"That's uncalled for! You can't just--"

"She's feeling guilt," Keefe told Fitz, and instantly, Fitz's mouth snapped shut.

"Guilt? Biana, that's dangerous. And it's not your fault--"

"But I could've saved them! But I was weak! And slow--"

"Guilt is a dangerous thing," Keefe warned, "Feel too much of it, it will destroy you. And if that happens, you can say goodbye to any chance we have of rescuing our friends."

"You sound like Mr. Forkle," Fitz snorted, but Keefe ignored him.

"'Goodbye'?" Biana squeaked.

"Poof! Gone!" Keefe confirmed. Biana nodded.

"I'll try and stop." she sighed, "Now, can we get back to the important stuff?"

"This is important," Fitz argued, "But she's right. We should try and come up with a plan."

"Yeah," Keefe agreed, "So, we've got a Vanisher, Telepath, and an Empath. Fitz, could you try and communicate with anyone?"

"I'll try. But Sophie was the one who could stretch her consciousness that far. I doubt I'll have much luck,"

"Just try," Keefe said, and Fitz rolled his eyes.

"Obviously."

"And what about me?" Biana asked.

"We'll figure that out later. This here, is our first step."

Seconds of endless silence passed, and when a breathless and exhausted Fitz opened his eyes, the news wasn't good.

"Nothing. Couldn't find a single thought."

Keefe cursed, and Biana gasped. Fitz, however, didn't seem to notice.

"Keefe!" she reprimanded, but Keefe brushed her off.

"What's next?" Fitz asked.

"I... don't know."