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'Ask him about the dead Intarians,' said Garovel. 'Who were they and how many were sent?'

"What do you know about the Intarians who were sent to fight the monster?" said Hector. "You said that their government sent help three times, but what does that mean, exactly? Three hunters? Or three groups of hunters?"

The ambassador required a moment to think. "The Intarians were rather protective of their operational details. No doubt, they were afraid of us learning something from them and then being able to increase our own military strength as a result.

"However, I do recall that in the first failed attempt, Intar sent a single hunter. On the second, it was again only one. But on the third, they sent three. I'm afraid their names were kept a secret."

Hmm.

Hector had a question for Garovel, though he knew that the reaper obviously couldn't know the answer. 'Did those servants who were sent actually die? Reapers included? Or does Stoutamire just think that they're dead, because he doesn't know how our powers work?'

'Hard to say,' said Garovel. 'You could ask him, but you'd have to reveal some rather sensitive information about servants in order to do so. I don't think it's worth it.'

'Yeah...'

'But if he doesn't even know their names, then the first and second attempts might've actually been from the same person. Possibly the third as well, just bringing two buddies along.'

"Lord Goffe?" said Stoutamire, having perhaps grown uncomfortable with the silence. "So what do you say? Will you help us?"

He still had another question, though. "Did you say that you sent superpowered hunters who were not from Intar?"

"Ah--yes. Only one. A local man named Frank Bishop. He was something of a hero, though he was notoriously reclusive. Time and again, he was offered a formal position as a protector of the nation, but he never accepted, ostensibly due to concerns over his privacy. His loss was felt by the entire country. Even now, many still hope that he is alive."

'Sounds like he might be,' said Garovel.