"An earthquake," he confirms. "But caused by an angry undead god. There were shadows in the water, as well. You...haven't heard the full story about Triton yet?"

Well, technically no one has heard the full story, but Barcus is apprised of more than a new arrival would be. He scrubs his eyes with the back of his sleeve again and puts the pickaxe down to scratch behind Satchel's ears. She makes a couple contented murbles and stretches.

"We...saved a lot of people, I think. But we couldn't save everyone." A breath. "And then Cordelia had asked us for sacrifices--not blood or anything, but artwork or songs or memories--in order to lend her the power to raise Vesper."