PANEL ONE: The champion and Maiz approach Nezhoni. CHAMPION: Anyway, Nezhoni, I'm glad we found you again. NEZHONI: I'm not. PANEL TWO: The champion gets on Nezhoni's back. CHAMPION: Oh, come on, you've got to be at least a LITTLE happy to see us. NEZHONI: Why don't you try carrying ME around on your back for a while, and then tell me how happy YOU are? PANEL THREE: Maiz and the champion ride Nezhoni through the forest. MAIZ: So where are we going now? CHAMPION: I don't know. I was expecting to do some job for the Mayor of Landorf — now that that turned out not to be genuine, I don't have any specific plans. There's usually something going on by the borders of the Fiery Fens; let's go over there and see if anything turns up. PANEL FOUR: Closer on Maiz and the champion. MAIZ: Do you ever go back home? CHAMPION: I don't really HAVE a home, Maiz. PANEL FIVE: Slightly more frontal angle. MAIZ: Why not? CHAMPION: Well, it's a long story... I wanted to be an adventurer ever since I was a boy. But of course I always expected to have some sort of base, or at least a home town to return to. PANEL SIX: Close on the champion. CHAMPION: And for a while, that's how it went. I lived in the town of Dannerby, but I'd venture forth and do heroic deeds, or at least as heroic as I could manage. But then one day... well... PANEL SEVEN: The champion and Nezhoni, seeen from the front. CHAMPION: Actually, I'd rather not talk about it. NEZHONI: Sounds like someone's got a secret. PANEL EIGHT: The champion and Maiz both look down at Nezhoni. CHAMPION: Oh, yes? Well, I seem to recall you mentioning once something about your not always having been a giant talking rat. I don't think you ever clarified exactly what it is you used to be. MAIZ: Cool! Did you used to be human? NEZHONI: GODS, no! Don't insult me! PANEL NINE: Closer on Maiz and Nezhoni. MAIZ: What did you use to be? NEZHONI: Maybe I used to be someone who wouldn't bite the ears off kids who asked too many questions. PANEL TEN: Close on Maiz and the champion. CHAMPION: Leave Nezhoni alone, Maiz. I guess we're both entitled to have our secrets. MAIZ: I have a secret too. PANEL ELEVEN: SLightly closer. CHAMPION: Oh? MAIZ: Sometimes, every few months, I turn into a monster! PANEL TWELVE: Close on the champion. CHAMPION: Trevalien already told us about that. I don't think it counts as a secret. PANEL THIRTEEN: Wider view of Maiz, the champion, and Nezhoni. MAIZ: Yeah, but you don't know what kind of monster! NEZHONI: He's got you there, Bub. CHAMPION: No, and I'm not particularly looking forward to finding out, either.