It is no surprise that John knows Will, given that they live in the same building and both work for Xochipilli -- what he does wonder at is the deep breath that follows, though only minorly.

"Deoji, he introduced it as," Julien recalls, the last syllable of the dog's name softened and elongated by his accent.

His expression softens faintly at the offhand question, tinged with nostalgic sentiment as his thoughts tun back to life in Voldoa and the peaceful stretches between the duty that took him far from his homeland.

"They are faithful, amiable animals. As a boy I oft passed secret scraps to my father's hounds."