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‘Who is this boss of yours?’ said Garovel.

Loren’s jaw clenched.

‘I’d love to tell you,’ said Rezolo, ‘but I don’t think he would appreciate us giving his name out to strangers.’

Phew.

‘How mysterious,’ said Garovel. ‘So why are the two of you hanging out by this shipwreck while your boss isn’t around?’

‘Orders are orders.’

‘He ordered you to wait here by yourselves?’

‘Indeed.’

‘Do you know why?’

‘We’ve given up on asking for clarification on his reasoning.’

‘Sounds like a tough gig, being left out of the loop so much.’

‘We’ve had worse.’

‘Heh. Everything is a matter of perspective, I suppose. The reason I said it sounded tough is because I’ve had a few jobs like that, myself. And I slowly grew to despise them.’

‘Well, here’s hoping things turn out differently for us, then. Like we said, we’re still rather new to this type of work.’

‘Ah. Just trying to keep your heads down, eh?’

‘Something like that.’

‘In that case, joining the Freemen Fellowship seems like an odd decision. From everything I’ve heard about your group, you guys have a habit of ruffling feathers everywhere you go--or at least, as far as the other sects of Abolish are concerned, that is.’

‘There is truth in your words. But as low-level grunts, we don’t get to be the ones doing the ruffling. That’s the privilege of our superiors.’

‘Mm. Hence the aforementioned ‘mysterious boss.’’

‘Perhaps you will think I am merely being evasive, but there truly is not much we can tell you.’

‘Sounds like if we want to know more, we’ll need to speak with your boss, then.’

‘Perhaps so, yes.’

‘In which case, I suppose you’ll have to tell us his name, after all. So we can go and talk to him.’

Loren tensed again, though not as much this time. He’d begun to see Rezolo’s game here. The reaper could probably tell that these two were dangerous, as well, and was doing his best to not give them a reason to attack while also not giving away any vital intel. Better to lean into their roles as know-nothing subordinates, especially considering how much truth already existed there. All the easier to exaggerate with.

‘Another fair point,’ said Rezolo. ‘But alas, we do have our protocols to abide by. I’m afraid we can’t share that information, no matter how much sense it might make to do so.’

‘Pity.’