In Chapter 101, while Dabwick meditated, a vision of their life after the events of Act III Interlude 1:
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Preparing to go, yet again, through the ritual that takes them down that staircase into the darkness and back to the Dreamlands, searching for the first of the long list of impossible items they will have to turn into gifts for the Mad Poet, who wields incredible power and perhaps the answer to their friend’s pasts. Dabwick pockets a pair of river stones and prepares to meditate.
They think about Sam. Alyanna and Chet, too, but Sam…
Now that the memory has been unlocked, the truth is horrible to recall. Dabwick had returned to “business as usual” so naturally that no one batted an eye as they gave back borrowed items and settled debts between Uth Ashgrove and Doltek Ferthirt and re-established relationships. And though they never recall seeing Miacknian Mun‘s servant ever again, they’d listed Mun’s residence as a reference, and that provided a boost in business. And that reminds Dabwick that they’d heard that…
Alyanna’s mother had become despondent. She abandoned her post and made plans to relocate her family back to Kyonin. Dabwick heard of this, they had come by to say farewell, maybe in hopes of apologizing? But when they asked for Alyanna, the door was closed in their face. At the time this only proved to Dabwick that something irrevocable had come between them and their young friend didn’t want to see them.
Only now do they understand what had really happened.
Chet, surely, was noticed missing after several days. But he was likely presumed dead or a deserter after several more. There just aren’t resources to go after every single man who abandons their post, or goes missing, or turns up dead. So while Dabwick had allowed themself to forget about Chet, the Watch likely had as well.
But what was there to say about little Sammy? No one noticed that Sam was missing. No one really knew Sam but that little group. Really, just Dabwick.
Who had forgotten what had happened.
No one mourned for Sam. No one understood what had happened to them. And Dabwick finds themself sobbing quietly. So as they prepare for the evening and the nightmares ahead, they focus on little Sam, the Sliver — their friend who they loved and had forgotten — and they vow to make their way back to that painting.
First Reference: Chapter 101
Other Notable References: —