---
Kai explains everything.
The forest.
The village.
Lee.
The dead courier.
The letter.
Yggdrasil.
The prison.
The cockatrice.
By the end, Zindine has closed his book.
For the first time he actually looks interested.
---
"A courier died carrying a letter for Akshay."
Kai nods.
"It should still be delivered."
"It should."
Kai places the unopened letter on the table.
Zindine glances at it.
But doesn't touch it.
"Not curious?"
Kai asks.
Zindine shrugs.
"If it was meant for me, my name would be on it."
Kai likes that answer.
---
Zindine stands.
Walking toward several shelves.
He pulls out maps.
Reports.
Documents.
Old military records.
Kai watches.
"What are those?"
"Problems."
He tosses several papers onto the table.
"Demon attacks."
Another report.
"Missing caravans."
Another.
"Monster migrations."
Another.
"Cult sightings."
Kai frowns.
"Cults?"
"Minor ones."
Zindine folds his arms.
"Nothing unusual by itself."
He taps the stack.
"But all of it happening at once?"