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'Well, great,' said Voreese. 'Let's get to it, then. Kill away. And then we can get the hell out of this horrible place.'

Matteo's reaper, Ernivoc, who rarely ever spoke up in these group conversations, decided to do so now. 'Would that be the wisest course of action?' he said. 'We have the creatures subdued. Would it not be better to take them back to Warrenhold for further study?'

There arrived a brief silence.

The reapers looked like they were about to launch into a debate, but they didn't the get chance, because Fidel Blackburn and Carlos Sebolt soon arrived with the Lorentians--all of whom looked shaken and exhausted.

Hector turned to his head slightly and noticed that Pauline had rendered herself invisible again. Probably for the best, he figured. The Rainlords, Hector had at least informed about Pauline's presence back at the airport, but the Lorentians would no doubt be utterly confused if they saw her.

Fidel and Carlos made way for Secretary Karr and Ambassador Stoutamire to come forward, apparently to speak to Hector again.

The Secretary's gaze lingered beyond Hector, on Chort's corpse. "...The deed is done, then? We are safe?"

All eyes were on him again, Hector knew. He wanted to be careful with his words. "We're still deciding what to do with the remains, but yes, you're safe now."

The woman breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't quite have the same composure now that she'd had when Hector had first met her, but that was certainly understandable.

"Thank you, Lord Goffe," she said, the sincerity clear in her voice. "And company. You saved our lives. And slew the Beast of Lorent. Every single one of you is a hero to the nation."

And Hector felt abruptly like he would've a year ago, having zero idea how to respond. He was sure that he'd been getting better about handling conversations, but heartfelt compliments were still like daggers in the gut to him.