"And some people enjoy pushing themselves," Solomon answered, "and some simply want all the facts before they step into a task." He shrugged. "Retreat is always an avenue best kept open."

He hadn't had much of an opinion on Akito before now, but the child had that particular brand of snide faux-courtesy the English were so good at, and it did nothing to endear him to Solomon at all. And, apparently, the boy took things so personally and as a potential slight. What a nuisance.

"As it happens, I'm already familiar with sensing this sort of thing," he said, directing the comment to Sarah. "I can already sense objects from the Death Plane. This undertaking may not be particularly difficult, but it will certainly be useful for reasons other than what is intended."