“You should’ve had that kill, Adam!” The staff growled at him in his own language.

Adam sighed. “Maynard, I know you want to be the best magic item ever, but you won’t get there simply on kills alone. Savy has Dawnbringer. That alone should tell you something. She’s going to take down more monsters than I can.”

“Enough! I didn’t select you to hear excuses!” Maynard interrupted him.

“What is it you want from me, Maynard?”

Visions flooded Adam’s head. Mounds of treasure, a palace greater than any king’s, and multitudes of people from all races sat on the floor around a single throne. On it, Adam sat with Maynard resting across his lap, the ends of the staff resting on the arms of the throne.

“Eternal glory.” The longing in Maynard’s voice sent a shiver down Adam’s spine. There was nothing the staff wouldn’t do to obtain what it saw as its destiny. Absolutely nothing. Adam could go along for the ride and share in the outcome, or the staff would find another.

“Yes, Adam. I will find another if you cannot get your act together! Your companions are, for the most part, serviceable. The Tabaxi is humorous, so I would keep him around. A purring cat at our feet shows everyone we’re kind, benevolent.”

“You said ‘for the most part’. I’m almost afraid to ask who you don’t like.”

“The cleric. There’s something not right in their head.”

Shaking his head in confusion, Adam asked, “Which one? Rhaine or Thia?”

“Yes,” the staff replied before it fell silent, refusing to answer any further questions.