"Oh, some of them come out of their pods with manners. But when they're so young, they have little else but their emotions to guide them." There was a bit more to that story, of course, and a few aspects of it that would require a lot more elaboration. Trahearne was normally happy to explain the details, but what Devin said next derailed his train of thought completely.

"You saw them?" Taken aback, Trahearne looked between him and the table, jaw working soundlessly for a moment before he managed to find his voice again. "The Risen are - they're not as difficult to kill as they seem. Enough damage done to their bodies makes them inanimate. The worst part of it is in their numbers. Anyone that dies at the hands of the Risen becomes one themselves, and I have no reason to believe that anyone in Aifaran would have protection against that."

Trahearne briefly paused before saying, in a weaker tone, "I thought I was dreaming. This can't be happening again."