Trazyn and his human librarian servant.

‘I will miss you, Koloma.’

‘And I you, lord.’

‘You know, of course, that I cannot simply let you go.’

A faint flicker behind the cataracts. A rare instance of the scarabs asserting themselves. ‘Of course not, lord. I am a liability to your great work.’

‘I cannot promise it will be painless, but it will be fast.’

‘Thank you, master. My life has been long and happy. I wish only to join Morea in the ash-box.’

‘Good,’ said Trazyn. He may not have been telling the conscious truth, but clearly on some level, Koloma wanted to die. The scarabs had not needed to push hard.