The intrusion merits an audible gasp from those in the circle of conversation, and Benedict, recognizing the voice, gives a little sigh through his nose and looks over his shoulder at Gabranth.

"I'm in the middle of something," he says, exasperated, "it can wait a few minutes."

When he turns back to the others, he shakes his head with a little roll of his eyes. "Bodyguard," he explains, rather than get into it fully.