[ Richard pauses partway through prying tight-packed clothing from his pack, splinted hand hooked in at an odd angle for leverage. It occurs to him that this might be less strange if he stopped what he was doing and walked over to where Holden is.

But it would also be less efficient. ]

...Of course.

[ Of course. ]

A Rift opened beneath the frozen surface of a lake near the village of Erith, last winter. As I am sure you experienced upon your arrival, Rifts -- as points of free entry into this plane -- are often utilized by demons seeking to sow discord.

[ He did warn that Loxley was the superior storyteller. ]