"...th-thanks," says Zorru, really not sure of what to make of... well, an elf getting a githyanki to stand down just like that. "H-how can I help?"

"The githyanki you saw. We're looking for them. Where did you meet them?"

"M-meet? I-we were on our way to Baldur's Gate. Near the mountain p-pass." He swallows dryly. "I-it saw us 'fore we s-saw it. Jammed its b-b-blade through Yul's belly, straight to the other side. And I just... I just ran."

"Show me where on the map."

"Lae'zel, sweetheart, I will not say this again: stop talking."

"I'm so sorry for my friend. I would appreciate more precise directions, however."

"R-right." He can show them where it is on the map.

"Thank you very much." To Zevlor: "And thank you for your help, too. Apologies for the commotion. I wish your people luck in your journey."

"...right. Thank you." And Zorru flees with Zevlor too, any excuse to get away from the githyanki.

"The last time a subordinate questioned my judgment, I ate tongue stew that very night."

"Subordinate? I think you misunderstand our relationship, my dear. We are partners with a common goal. If you wish to leave, leave. But do not presume to order me so."

"And yet you would presume to order me? I should cut you open from stomach to chin to teach you respect."

"I know my skills, and you know yours: I talk, you kill. I would not question you on a battlefield, but this was not one. We got what we wanted, and we didn't get this entire grove turning on us, plus we left future options open. Now, partner, I will continue to do what I do best—talk—and get information on alternatives to the crèche. You're free to accompany me, but if you'd prefer to start your trek westwards on your own you are also free to do so instead."

"Your insolence will cost you your head."

"You want to kiss me so much it makes you lose hold of your senses."

She—does not have a reply to that.

...wait, that worked????

He thought it would. What an interesting culture this is.

"But for now, I should wish to investigate this place."

The tiefling refugees are not settled in the druid camp proper; rather, they've taken residence in hastily-built structures on the rock outcroppings surrounding the Grove (which is not, really, a grove at all, and is instead a network of caves surrounding a stone henge). They have a central area with a market of sorts, a small smithy and an herbalist and someone tending to a large soup cauldron. A little ways off and up there are a handful of tieflings practising the sword or the bow with training dummies (and even from this distance it is very obvious that these are city folk) as well as some cattle. One corner has a designated jail area currently occupied by, apparently, a single goblin, and another corner is being used as a temporary headquarters of sorts for the people leading this group. Zevlor is there, poring over a map to make decisions for his people.

Interestingly, however, they're not starving. Despite the fact that apparently the druids are so unhappy with these people that they're about to kick them all out it seems like they've seen fit to host them and feed them and give them this shelter, meagre though it may be. And even now, they still haven't kicked the tieflings out regardless of how much noise they're making to that effect, and they're letting the tieflings regroup and plan their next steps.

And another thing of note is the abundance of children. Zevlor had not been exaggerating, the little ones are running this way and that with the kind of carefreeness of, again, city folk who are unused to the wilderness and to having to watch their backs for anything but cutpurses. Hells, probably many of these kids are the cutpurses.

Which suggests either that wanting the tieflings gone was a very recent change or that the druids are not united in their desire to see the refugees gone. Perhaps both. Likely both, even, Astarion guesses.

And cutpurse children are something he's very familiar with. He is, also, city folk, and he can recognise a pickpocket when he sees one. Like this kid he "accidentally" bumps into, who tries to surreptitiously grab Astarion's bag of coins (and fails, because Astarion currently has no money) before disappearing down a hidden hatch between some rocks, or this other kid who is supposedly selling magic items.

"Hold out your hand, mister! Let me show you something."

"Oh? Show me what?" he wonders, all innocence, holding his hand out.

The kid places a ring on his palm. "Go on. Take this ring. It's lucky."

"Lucky! Well, kid, you got my interest. How is it lucky?"

He grabs a coin from his pocket and says: "Heads or tails?"