Doren
It was only by the grace of a power mightier than all of them that when Doren walked into the lobby, there was no one else there but the night clerk. Doren’s eyes were red from crying. His hands were bloody. He was exhausted, physically and emotionally, and it was hard to keep himself upright.
But the clerk looked up and smiled, and Doren could swear that there was gratitude shining in the man’s eyes, maybe even pride.
“Ah! Doren, sir! What a pleasure to see you’ve made it back.”
Doren watched, swaying softly, unwilling to expend the energy to form words.
“You’ve had a long night, I take it?”
Again, silence followed the man’s question.
The clerk, however, didn’t seem to mind. He walked slowly around the desk and leaned toward Doren, cautiously, before grabbing Doren’s shoulder
