"Ah. There you are."

Gortash did not rise from his desk to greet the Dark Urge, though he did stop answering missives long enough to fidget with the gauntlet on his right hand. He was still bitter about how empty it was without a Netherstone in it. The weight was different. The feel was different. It had been too much to hope he would have gotten the stone back when the Dark Urge convinced him to hand it over.

...and for what? To defeat the Netherbrain they enslaved together for a “better future?” He still wasn't entirely convinced that they could not have worked something out to ensure they both survived. That's what he got for trusting someone who's sister turned their brain into porridge.

The bridge of his nose wanted to wrinkle in a look of displeasure, but he knew deep down that the Bhaalspawn standing before him had done what was best. That rabid animal of a person was not stupid.

And at least he was still Archduke... and alive.