Oleksander seems to have forgotten our previous disagreement in light of the news I bring him. He paces the small room behind his throne as I finish explaining what I've seen and heard, his big nose wrinkling every time he comes near me. I still catch the reek of the revenants on me and am just as disgusted by my scent as he must be.

But he doesn't comment on the smell I've brought with me, instead huffing to a halt when I'm done ...