"And what does that mean, exactly?" he says, walking toward the exit. "I have a place to be! I've been given a task!" He tugs at the leafy saddlebags slung over his back, getting them into position again after slipping. "Impassable wall!"

And then he stops, mid stride, and looks back at Evan. His head is held low, his ears pressed flat against his skull.

"You were serious about that part, weren't you?"