Page 3312

Why they'd chosen "Moonlight" Hall instead of "Starlight" Hall, Hector still didn't quite understand, but the name appeared to be sticking for whatever reason. Maybe Starlight Hall would've been too on the nose.

The Moonlight Hall was an impressive room, though. While it didn't match the Grand Hall of the Night in terms of size, it did match it in terms of being composed entirely of nightrock. Every one of Warrenhold's eight great towers had at least one chamber of nightrock, and this was the Star Tower's.

Hector found a few more people here than he expected. More Saqqafs had decided to stay behind than Hector realized.

"Ah, Lord Goffe," said Abbas' eldest son, Raheem, upon seeing him. He was holding Grigozo in his right hand. "I thought you would be resting a bit longer."

"Probably should be," said Hector. "What about you guys? You've been at this for a while, already. Not getting tired?"

"Oh, we're fine, Lord. Not to worry." After a beat, however, Raheem seemed to intuit more from Hector's words. "But perhaps we could use a break, if you would like to take over."

"Alright. Go get something to eat, if you're hungry."

"We will do that."

Raheem handed the reaper off to him, then motioned for the other Saqqafs to follow, which they soon did.

Only two others remained behind. Carlos Sebolt and his reaper, Olijas.

Hector hadn't seen Carlos at all during the fight with Banda, but that was because he'd been the one assigned to keeping an eye on Ericoros after Melchor left. And Hector was grateful to him. The decision to stay here in Warrenhold when almost every other Rainlord servant was going off to fight one of the most important battles of their lives--that couldn't have been easy.

Carlos was giving him a look now as if waiting for instruction. Perhaps he was expecting Hector to send him away like the Saqqafs.

"If you want a break, too, then I can take over," said Hector.

Carlos glanced at Olijas, probably exchanging silent words. Neither said anything, however, and they both ended up looking uncertain.

Hector decided to elaborate. "You're welcome to stay, though, if you prefer."

Carlos gave a nod. "We'll stay with you, Lord."

Man, this lording business was a bit too nuanced for Hector's liking, sometimes. He appreciated everyone trying to read the room and infer what he was truly saying, but it could also make things a bit more difficult when he really was just saying what he meant.