Inside a luxurious carriage in motion.
Odys's words left Audrey stunned. She thought back for a moment before saying, "Duke Negan's reputation is fairly good."
"That reputation is only what the nobility says about him," Odys replied. "There are other things nobles wouldn't deign to discuss."
He smiled. "Read the information I provided first."
Audrey nodded slowly and said nothing more.
"It's been a long time," Odys said with a smile. "Let's talk about something cheerful."
"I'm having trouble thinking of anything cheerful," Audrey said ruefully.
Ever since learning that the Hermit had come to assassinate Duke Negan, Audrey had found it hard to feel happy.
"I came to Backlund for another reason," Odys said. "During an expedition, I found a man trapped in a special space.
"He's from Backlund. He'd been trapped there for over a hundred years, and now that he's finally returned to the Real World, he hopes I can help him find his family."
"Over a hundred years?" The new subject caught Audrey's interest. "What an extraordinary experience. Did you find his family?"
"I did." Odys began telling Longzel's story. Just as he had hoped, Audrey set aside the matter of Duke Negan for the moment.
After a few more minutes of conversation, Odys took his leave.
When the carriage door closed again, Annie and Susie seemed to come to their senses, as though they had briefly drifted off.
Susie found it strange that Audrey had grown so solemn in the blink of an eye.
But this was no time to ask. Only after they returned home and the maids had helped Audrey into her nightgown and left did Susie prepare to speak. Audrey spoke first. "Susie, guard the door for me. I have something important to do."
Seeing Audrey's grave expression, Susie realized this was