"I'm... interested in more thoroughly containing the Hyena."

"The goblin?"

"Yeah."

"This is about your attempt to alter the Seal of Solomon."

"I prefer to think of it as shoring it up, but yes."

"You are not seeking to capture and bind it for your own use?" He's half disapproving, there.

"...what? No I don't want to use other people."

"Or beasts?

But if your aim is to seal it, you have my blessing. Force it to take a more orderly place in the world and I do not care what other promises you extort."

"My bar for 'person' is I think lower than most practitioners'. But thank you, my Lord." ...he hesitates, then—" I was also wondering if there was any aid you could provide me with—information, or tools, or anything like that."

"I will send you an ally. Matthew." When he says the name, the connection flares. "He is on his way. He will help you seal it, but if any harm comes to my servant because of you I will hold you to account.

You might also be able to persuade the Shepherd to assist, but everyone else considers the Hyena no business of theirs."

—well that's a lot better than he'd expected. "I thank you, my Lord. Where would I find the Shepherd?"

Conquest tells him where, but it turns out it's a bit of a moot point because apparently Matthew is driving him. Once filled in on what he's doing, he doesn't look happy about it.

"I'm sorry about this," he says when he notices.

"Not your fault. Well, this part is. He's sending me because I spoke against your plan. But it could just as easily have been anything else."

"...why's he doing that."

"Because he likes it. He's not the world's best boss.

If he were trying to help you, he wouldn't be sending an illusionist. He'd be sending the Eye. But he doesn't care how obvious his motives are, so he doesn't bother sending both."

"So he just wants to—I don't know, hurt you, or something?"

"He doesn't want me hurt, no. But he likes watching people forced to act against their own beliefs."

"...what a—no, no sarcasm." Sigh.

Their destination is one of Toronto's hospitals. The Shepherd moves between those, waiting for people to die in ugly ways. He wears a dark shroud and holds a crook in one hand. He looks almost spectral himself. For some reason, no one else notices the strange-looking man. Magic, probably.

...Sadde supposes he'll walk up to him, then.

Matthew comes with him, a step behind.

The Shepherd notices them, of course, and turns to face Sadde. He does not speak.

"Greetings. I understand you do not talk—does that mean you do not communicate at all?"

The figure shakes his head from side to side. The loosely hanging shroud wafts around his shoulders. An ominous gong inexplicably fails to toll in the distance.

He nods. "I'm... going on a self assigned quest of sorts. Have you heard of the Hyena?"