Diane and I returned to where the Valkyries and the rescued women were gathered. Equidna's crocodiles were no longer there; in their place, puddles of black sludge were scattered near the lake.
"Rick, you're back," Alicia said as she came to greet me as soon as she saw me, and then the others followed.
"What was that commotion in the forest?" Justine asked.
"Well, we had to deal with a pretty huge problem," I answered seriously.
Diane frowned, knowing I was referring to the elephant that had tried to kill us.
"A huge problem?" Sarah asked, wanting to know more.
Unfortunately, Diane cut me off. "One of the Night Apostles showed up."
"Eh?" Alicia looked surprised upon hearing such a revelation.
"What an inconvenient time for them to appear," Sarah said.
"Tell me about it," I replied. "Anyway, I think it's best if we keep moving."
"Eh?" Leila seemed bothered; she and the other women were close enough to overhear our conversation. "I thought we were going to rest here."
